Omaha daily bee., 1883-06-29
EXPRESSLY INTERESTING.
superintendent Hancock the Victim Of
Big Surprise,
A Pleasant Presentation at Council
Blufs.

f. A. Seaton, Dubuque, G.. w. James,
Boone, w. s. Hays, Cedar Rapids, II. b.
KUN, Burlington, A. G. Christison, OF
tumwa, Il. II. Duncan, Dubuque, l..
Quick, Marshall, j. V. Gillett, Cedar
Rapids, S. j. Roberts, Lincoln, M. A.
Pusing, Burlington, r. A. Wells, T w.
McGaw and j. Mcmahon, Council Bluffs,
and Robt. Sloan, Keokuk, were at the
Paxton yesterday being guests of III. IL.
Browning, the agent of the American
express company.
4 These gentlemen came over from Coun-
Gil Bluffs yesterday, on a visit, having
been at the Iowa metropolis on q very
pleasant errand, being the presentation
of a handsome testimonial of friendship
and esteem to their superintendent, Mr..
w. j. Hancock.
Mr.. Hancock, who is superintendent
for Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado, Northern
Missouri and Southern Minnesota, for
the American and Wells, Fargo 4 Co. s
express lines, and who has been a highly
esteemed and faithful officer ever since
his appointment to the responsible posi-
ton, was Wednesday given a handsome
testimonial of the appreciation and high
regard the employees of the two companies
have for him. This came in the shapeof the
presentation of an elegant and costly
English rockaway carriage and q large
handsome black horse, the present being
a complete surprise to the recipient in
every respect as he had no intimation of
it whatever until he was requested to
glance from his office window to the OPP
posite side of the street, where stood the
elegant outfit, with his family seated in
the carriage.
Shortly after 10 o'clock a large num-
Der of agents from both the American
and Wells, Fargo 4 Co.'S expresses,
marched into Mr.. Hancock's office and
took him by surprise, he not being aware
of the presence of any of them in the
city. The surprise party consisted OF
employees of the company from all quar-.
tersof Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado, ETC., and
the presentation was made by
Mr.. f. l.. Clark, assistant superin.
tendent, and pleasantly responded to by
Mr.. Hancock.
The Nonpareil says of the p%resenta'
ton:
CHANGING across Main street from hi,
window, where stood the horse and car
riage, in which sat his estimable wife ant
children, Mr.. Hancock stood speeches
for some minutes, unable to move OF
utter a word. 1t was indeed a trying a
well as a proud moment to him
for testimonials of such a character
are rare and come as q gift from
the promptings of the highest regard TO
and appreciationof the recipientas a ma
and as an official. Such substantial an,
costly presents are certainly sufficient +
demonstrate to anyone the real manne
in which a man is regarded. Such thing
weigh his worth and value more thai
anything else, and it is no wonder Super
intendent Hancock was lost for u tim
for words.
Then congratulations were III order
and many were the sincere and warn
hand shakes given the superintendent
The boys afterwards all shook hand
with Mrs. Hancock in the buggy, an
extend well-wishes for long life and con
tinued happiness. All representatives c
the American and Wells, Fargo e. CO
present yesterday seemed to enjoy tn
occasion and feel as happy as thong
each one had received just such a pre-
ent.
During the afternoon Mr.. and Mr.
Hancock invited all misrepresentation
the companies present and a few intimat
friends in the city to their comfortabl
home at No. S03 Third avenue, where a
elegant lunch was spread for them and
' very enjoyable social time was passed.