Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1886-07-01
Out with the Boys.

Aberdeen, on Monday, June 2lSt
and remained in business session
for three days. On the morning of
the 23d we took the train and arri-
we'd in Aberdeen ia time for the
morning business session, and to
shake hands and renew the acquain-
lance of as lively and jolly set of
fellows as ever showed Quill. AS
to the business part of the program
our readers viii find it in full on
our inside.
| After the business sessions were
over, everybody gathered on the
| sidewalks to witness a grand parade
of the fire department of the city.
They have splendidly equipped
hook and ladder company and a
hose team that is lightning on a
limb. 1t seemed funny TO see the
water f1yinga hundred feet in the air
through the hose with nothing but
a harmless appearing iron tube con-
shutting the power behind it. No
noise of Kissing steam, nor the ex-
ertion of brawny muscle, the work
is quietly done by the powerful ar
tesian well which supplies the city
with as perfect system of water
works as there is in the world. Du-
ring the parade we were treated to
music by the Aberdeen and Clark
bands that all pronounced as most
enjoyable feature of the occasion.
The G. A, r., boys gave an exhibit
ton drill in the streets that, because
of its perfection, attracted univer-
sal attention, and recalled the days
of '61 to '65-the old soldiers just
went wild over it.
As soon as the display was over,
all repaired to the rink to partake of
grand banquet spread by the peo-
pie of Aberdeen, who, by the way,
during the whole three days enter
tanned the boys in royal style.
Nothing was too good for them.
Owing to the fact that we were COM
PEELED to return home we did not
stay to join in the banquet festiyi
ties, which, all who did, say was
elegant and recherche in every res
pect--a feast of reason and other
fat things.
The city of Abel deem has had
remarkable growth since we first
saw it in 1883. Then, it was vii
lage of but a few scattering hamlets
now it has become city with all
the metropolitan airs that belongs
to that feature of modern civiliza-
ton. That its citizens are enter
prising, wide-awake, is a fact their
entertainment of the Dakota Press
Association settles beyond dispute. |
The city has bright future before
it, and is destined to become rail-
road and jobbing center for the
now rapidly developing country
west of it. 1t is decidedly the queen |
city of the Jim River Valley, and |
rafting good town to invest cash in. |
Through the courtesy of the c. !
NJ. & st. Paul railroad, on Thursday |
morning the gath, special train, |
comprising five coaches was placed |
at the disposal of the Association,
under the charge of that jolly, ac-
commodating, courteous prince of
good fellows, j. b. Flagg, district
passenger agent, of La Crosse, Wis.
and W. 4. Ellis, conductor. The
train started from Aberdeen it half |
past eight o'clock in the morning
and bowled along over the broad
prairies of Dakota and Minnesota
at an average speed of 80 miles an
hour. 1t was to run straight through !
to st. Paul without stopping to
feed-only occasionally the engine
stopped at some picturesque little
town to ''take a drink" The whole |
distance of 800 miles was comprised |
in trifle less than ten hours. in
Guiding about an hour and a half
for stoppages. At Milbank, the
band came out and welcomed us
with music. During the entire day
the boys had a rip.roaring good !
time-Some playing whist, some
singing, and all enjoying the wit and
repartee of his neighbor, that made |
the laugh go merrily around.
The officers of the train were par
ticularly courteous and affable and
hesltated at nothing that would add
to the general hilarity and good
feeling of their guests. On one
part of the road in Minnesota the
train made 50 miles in an hour.
Mr.. Flagg was a general favorite on
the train-the ladies decked the old
gentleman out in grand style and
he seemed like boy just let loose
from school, here, there and every
where making it pleasant for every
one. j. b. Flagg is a RATHER and
don't you forget it.
Just before arriving at st. Paul
we were met by a reception commit
tee by whom, on our arrival at the
union depot, we were conducted to
carriages and taken to that famous
hostalrlc the Ryan hotel. IRON
here, after tea, the boys quietly dis
persed throughout the city, some
on business, but most of them in
search OF enjoyment which accorded
with their several tastes and-appe-
tites.
After nights rest, at 0;45 a. m,
the Association took the train for
White Bear Lake, and for three or
four hours enjoyed a sail over the
placid bosom of that beautiful body
of water. All pronounced it a day
long to be remembered for its quiet,
yet thorough enjoyment,
Returned to st. Paul at ! o'clock
in the evening the Association took
steamer down the river for McGreg-
or, Iowa, and were banqueted at
Wmona, had grand reception at
Lacrosse, Mason City and Clear
Lake, the end of the excursion; but
as we were compelled to come home
we regretfully vamoosed the ranch
at this point.
At four o'clock in the evening we
boarded the train mt Minneapolis
for home; and here we fell in with
the Milwaukee & st. Paul Rod and
Gun Club, of Minneapolis, and were
invited to inspect the beautiful
hunting car fitted mp expressly by
the Milwaukee company for the use
of this club. We found it marval
of compactnoss and perfection in
arrangement. Every inch Of space
is utilized and yet giving It's much