Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1875-08-25
OLD VAN RUREN HEARD rnon.
KEosAuouA. Iowa. Aug. lS:h. 1875.

KEosAuouA, Iowa, Aug. lS:h, 1875.
DEAR COURIER: On the night of the
10th inst. in company with Judge Hender.
shott, we took passage on the K s. d. M.
II. Il. for this place, and at Eldon were join
ed by ID. p. Stubbs, Esq, Of Fairfield, ar
irving at Summit Station on time Wo
there discovered that we could travel the
rest of the way by rail over the X. N &
s R'y, (narrow guage) and accordingly
started for the depot Of said road. This we
found on the top Of the hill In the confer Of
Summit City, very commodious struc-
ture having the blue vault of heaven for a
root. natures own starlight for the guidance
OF the traveller, and OF such dimensions that
we will not attempt an estimate. The train
being ready we hastened aboard of it, get
ting into one of the most novel passenger
coaches we ever saw. The train consisted
OF engine. tender, baggage car, and passen-
ger coach and for the benefit of the readers
curiosity we viii give brief description Of
it. The engine was much like an ordinary
10. 60 engine, and the tender Of fcorrespond.
ing size. The passenger coach was about
six or seven feet wide, and ten feet long
built like coal car, and surmounted with
hame work, consisting Of posts at each
corner and side to support the roof which
was Of waterproof oil cloth the sides were
hung with oil cloth curtains for the protec-
tion OF passengers against storm aud SUM
shine, and SO arranged as to be raised or
lowered as comfort and ventilation might
demand. For seats there were three boards
laid across from side to side, each capable Of
seating three or four persons. The baggage
car which was farthest from the engine was
just like the passenger coach, with the ex-
ccption that 1t had neither roof or seats.-
The train was rear in front on the track,
the engine backing instead Of pulling the
train, and the "patent reversible headlight"
was taken from the engine to the baggage
car, and there held by one Of the train hands
whose duty it was to act as cow-eatcher,
whistle for stations, and in case OF obstruc.
tiOns to go ahead and clear the track.
After being comfortably seated and the
fare (25 cts) collected, we were ready to
move, and we made the trip, miles, in
about 25 minutes meeting with no acci-
dents, though the wind accompanied with
little rain was somewhat unpleasant, as the
train flew over the serpentine and uneven
track against the breeze. The company
should have a life insurance agent travel on
all trains, he would do good business. The
passengers, nine in number. arrived in SAFE
ty at the terminus at the city limits, and
each sought his or her (two of them were
women) respective lodgings, thankful for a
special protective providence.
District Court is now In session here, pre-
sided over by Judge Knapp who dispcnscs
justice with complete satisfaction to all, ex-
cept the guilty.
To-day was the Old Settlers Annual Re-
union for this county, which was quite we'll
attended by both old and young settlers.
tho programme consisting Of speaking,
reading, music and refreshments. Kate
Harrington read her Centennial poem with
few notifications and alterations applica-
bic to the occasion. Hon. Chas. Negns, of
Fairfield, and A. w. Harlan, Esq, of Lee
county, entertained the audience with short
addresses, as also did several Of the resident
Old Settlers OF ths county, but the best
part Of the programme was the "Eulogy of
Deceased Old Settlers" delivered by Sena-
tor Wright, which was received with mark
cd attention throughout.
On Tuesday evening we called ON Capt.
Henry. Of the Republican, and found him
In his sanctum-the same genial, pleasant
gentleman he alwaysis Politically, so far
as We Can learn, Republicanism is in the
ascendant in this county, almost all Of the
wandering, homeless anti-monopolists indi-
eating an intention of returning and renew
ing their allegiance to the good old party
from which they had strayed, and altoge,h-
e- the outlook in old Van Buren, is quite
ilattering.
There is some improvements going on
here, but we think they had better move
the town up ana annex it 10 Ottumwa, ard
thus lend it an impetus in the line Of pro.
gress which it can never have in its present
location. When the X. N. & S R'y (aboye
referred toy is completed, and commun:ca-
tioL perfected with the outside world, the
town will probably experience an increase
of prosperity. Abont two thousand dollars
judiciously expended in fitting up the track
Of the Railway getting passenger cars, to-
pether with switch connsction with the
X. & d. NJ. r. r. would place tho road in
a condition for successful operation. The
citizens OF Keosauqua are among the most
clever, hospitable and courteous people we
ever met, and there is no place iu the coun-
try where We would sooner visit. Having
trespassed on your time and space longer
than at first intended, Wa win close. pa
SHORT HAyp.