Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1881-08-25

BY THOMAS CALLAHAN.

A Trip to Bismarck.
BY THOMAS CALLAHAN.
Walking on the railroad In the sun
shine, when the sun is 107 In tn
shade, is not amusing, but 1t is some
times necessary to 60.
AS travelling under the heat of th'
sun is strongly suggestive of good, COO
water, it may not be amiss to inform
other tramps where that necessary ar
ticle can be best obtained, between
Arcadia and Bismarck.
In Tronton, near a building with q
sheet-iron root, is good spring. In
Pilot Knob, on the right of the rail-
road, short distance from the high
trestle-work, there is better one.
About fifteen rods south Of the 84th
mile-post, there is spring, and about
the same distance north Of the post, is
another-both ON the west side of the
road. The we'll at the old storehouse
below Middlebrook, has been disman-
tied, and the water is not very good 1T
any rate. At the foot of the hill south
of Iron Mountain, on the right of the
railroad, is good spring. and pleas
ant family living near it. About eigh-
ty rods south of the bridge over the st.
Francois river, in the north edge of the
brush, and about ten rods east of the
railroad. there is first-class spring of
freestone water. It is the only spring
of that class known to the writer in
Southeast Missouri. The water is
abundant, pure and pleasant. For
the knowledge Of its location, the
writer is indebted to the courtesy of
section hand; and whenever the writer
met brother tourist, he informed him
in regard to the spring; SO that during
the prevalence Of perspiration, there
will probably be hotel there.
It will be better to pass without stop
ping at the well at what was formerly
Dent Station, as the water is malari-
GUS, and If q man drinks of 1t and then
walks in the heat, he will be sick, as
the writer knows to his cost. At Bis
marck the best water is at the railroad
tank. The company has kindly made
arrangements 30 that any one can OBJ
tain water without interfering with
the business Of the place, and has laid
the public under additional obligations
by putting the whole matter under |
the care Of a very gentiemanly young
man.
Having thus, as far as possible, pro-
vided for the comfort and welfare of
his brother tramps, the writer will now
notice the road little.
Many changes have been made in it
recently. On the top of the culvert
north of Pilot Knob, it has been raised |
about two feet, SO as to give engines
going north q chance to do some first
class pulling, and brakesmen coming
south, good opportunity to show
what they know about holding train.
On the return trip there was some,i
sport shown on the Middlebrook and
Pilot Knob grade. The southern bound
mail passed the writer about forty rods
north of the Saith mile-post, coming on a
rush. About one mile below that point
he met engine No. 81, with a train of
ore, and going up hill at q galIop. The
engine was running splendidly; every
thing going smooth and true. The en-
gineer is master of his business, for
whilst he was making lively time, he
was gathering force for the heavier
grades ahead of him. In less than five
minutes the northern bound mail came
along at rate that fully explained the
hurry OF No. 81, which found it close
to reach Middlebrook and
switch before the mail overlook her.
Close behind the mail, engines num-
bered 131 and 1872 came along with
heavy trains, but in no special hurry.
The railroad company is finishing a
very neat depot at Middlebrook, and
has recently erected very convenient
ly constructed coaling station on this
branch of the road near Bismarck.
Middlebfook is finished town. Ev-
On the fact that it is the port Of entry to
that commercial metropolis known as
the Granite Quarry, does not seem to
have stimulated it into life.
At Iron Mountain the evidences Of
business prosperity are fine. The field
Of operations is out of sight of the rail-
road. SO that all that appears from the
track is the result of the work. Vast
piles Of debris which has been thrown
nut, and great Accommodations of metal
and ore ready for market, and frequent
trains Of loaded cars going out. But
when the visitor goes back from the
road short distance, he sees an i'm
lnense work carried on skillfully, un-
der the direction of menwho evidently