Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1879-12-26
Supcrintendt Merchant Presented with .
Watch and Chain.

Suportntendt Merchant Presented with a
Watch and Chain.
The Sioux City Journal of Christmas
morning contains an account of the presen-
%tation, the evening before, of a gold watch
and chain to Superintendent George E..
Merchant, Of the Sioux City & Dakota road.
About fifty of the employees and officials Of
the road assembled at Mr.. Merchants
residence without his knowing the occasion
of the gathering. The Journal reports the
the following proceedings, c. H. Longman,
treasurer of the road, making the presenta.
ton speech:
LADIES AND RAILROAD BOYS: 1t de-
wolves on me as the oldest man of the road
to have the pleasure of carrying out your
wishes this evening. 1t is a most agreeable
duty to perform, namely, the presenting 20
our general superintendent, G.E. Merchant,
of q token of our respect and esteem for his
genial bearing and general good qualities
which he possesses, IN private as well as in
his business connections with us all. On
perusing the list of subscribers, I see the
names of section men and others up to the
general officers of the road, showing that we
are all alike in our estimation Of our super
%intendent, and We may we'll be, for a better
managed little road does not exist, and l say
this without any blowing, but you know his
qualifications as we'll as l do, practically in
your every day connection with him, 20 l
will at once proceed to the business of the
evening,
Mr.. G. E. Merchant, general superinten.
dent of the Sioux City aud Dakota rallro adj:
We, the employees, and a few of your
friends connected with our road, beg your
acceptance of this gold watch and chain ss
a token of our respect and esteem for your.
self, and it is the hearty wish of everyone
connected with the gift that you may live 10
wear 1t many. many years, we trust with US
on our line. but if the fates should separate
Us, it will always serve to remind you Of
old railroad boys of the Sioux City and
Dakota railroad.
Mr.. Merchant, though much surprised,
rallied his wits and accepted the elegant
present in the following delicious manner {:
DEAR FRIENDS AND ASSOCIATES: l
thank you most heartily for your magni6.
cent and valuable present-and one so useful
to a railroad man. 1t will often remind me
of the many pleasant days that | have been
associated with you, and l hope We may
continue as associates for many years 10
come. As l have had your hearty cooper.
alton in the past, l know I shall have it in
the future, and enable US one and all to
serve our %company's beat interests. But
should our lots be cast in different fields of
service shall often think of you, one and
all-and hope that you may all live to en-
Joy many a merry Christmas and Happy
New Year, and may some Christmas eve be
Is pleasant to each of you as this one is to
me.
The watch is a Howard movement, with
solid gold hunting case, stem winder, and
Mr.. Merchants monogram on the back,
beautifully engraved. The chain is a long
neck chain of the new style called "cable,"
and weighs Is pennyweights.. The whole
was presented in a neat case, and the value
Of the watch and chain is $500.