, 1884-12-17
CLINT0N's HoTEL-DE-noEuF.
The Palatial stock Yards of the
Northwestern Railway at River Park
--Improvements--Wise Management,
Etc,

ETC.,
From the Clinton. Ia. News.
Few persons riding at their ease in the
elegant passenger coaches of the Chicago
& Northwestern railroad as they pass by
the various stock yards utilized by the
lines have any idea of the enormous live
stock interest served by the road, or the
magnitude and system of the operations
at stock yards needed for the refreshment
and rest Of the animals on their journey
from feeder to market.
Very few, even of Clinton business
men, unless identified in some way with
railway or live stock interests, realize the
extensive development and elaborate
facilities of the Northwestern stock yards
at the River Park suburb of Clinton.
When it is stated tina. the yard covers
ten acres, of solid and convenient struc-
lures, and is capable of accommodating
two hundred carloads of live stock, the
mere figures convey no idea of the admir-
able arrangements for the health and com
fort, as well as the prompt handling, of
all kinds of live stock. Though by the
location of these yards they are sheltered
from cutting northwest and north winds,
and perfect drainage by the slope to the
river, the division officials in charge have
made continual and expensive improve
ments.
Recently not less than two hundred and
fifty carloads of stone and an equal
amount of lumber have been used in floor
ing pens and erecting sheds, work which
will not fail, by protecting the beasts from
wind and cold, to add many net pounds to
each car load when they arrive at market.
Furthermore, every stock-man knows
how much the condition of animals de-
ponds upon their general comfort, kind
usage, as well as abundant and wholesome
food and water. At the Clinton stock
yards unsurpassed living water is fur
nished by two large l6x24 foot tanks,
and the best of fodder is selected by Mr..
Fenlon, the manager in charge. His ex-
perienced assistants are all picked men,
who thoroughly understand their business,
including the great fact that all ill-treat-
ment, hurrying of cattle, sheep or swine,
is not only brutal but improbable to all
concerned, and accordingly they intelligen-
tly seek to ~recuperate animals fatigued by
their Journey, and reship them in good
condition, free from fever and worry for
the rest OF their "trip to market.
The arrangements Of the yard have
been ingeniously planned for the convent
ence of shippers, whether they are rush
ing their stock to market as rapidly as
possible, or wish to have them rested for
a longer time than usual. An ingen-
ious sorting chute permits as many brands
as handy to be shipped in one car. In
deed, cattle from the plains are often
sorted for the first time at these stock
yards. In short, under the alert and
judicious supervision of Construction Sup
erintendent w. d. Walden, Il. II.
Richie, terminal freight agent, the Gin
ton stock yards, with Mr.. c. c. Fenlon's
cooperating management, are probably
the most completely and satisfactorily ap-
pointed of any between the western past
ures or ranges and the great lakes.
These facts, together with the I'M
equalled average speed of the Northwest
ern stock trains, and that especially in
uncertain weather the animals are looked
after with the same consideration, whether
the owner accompany them or not, is
rendering the ever-reliable Northwestern
the decidedly favorite line with the
shrewdest shippers, as well as by far the
best route for blooded imported stock.