The Dickinson press., 1891-08-01
Dickinson In 1905.

f. A. +.
1t WAS about s O'Clock i'll the wen.
ing of July %. 1905. that l stepped
from the Chicago. Dickinson and
Northern through train. l had not
seer Dickinson since 1891, and while
l knew the town must have increased
in size, l was utterly unprepared fol
the surprises awaiting me.
My first impulse was to look for the
old frame buildings which had sur
rounded the main line of the n. p.
when l last saw the town. Not one
remained!
Instead, III imposing structure Of
brick met my gaze. n building three
stories high, with Il front of fully one
hundred feet. From outside l heard
the clicking of telegraph instruments,
innumerable. Over each desk hung Il
brilliant, incandescent light, which
contrasted strangely with the miser.
able Kerosene lamps Of fifteen years
ago.
.AstoniShed, l looked across to
where had been the main street of
the town. Not IL frame building to
be seen! Nothing but magnificent
brick business -houscs graced the
street. Over the door of the most
substantial looking of these l SAW the
sign Willard House." "Aha.'
muttered; 'herc is ut least ono re.
minder of the old place" 1t was
such IL short distance from me that
did not take one of the many cable
cars which were running steadily up
and down, hut, stepping upon the
brick pavement, l walked to the hotel.
Once inside, IL new series of surprises
overpowcred me.
In one corner of the spacious office
was II handicapped counter, behind
which stood the same Landlord
Klincfelter whom l had known long
ago. Before him was II crowd of
impatient guests, waiting to register
and he assigned to rooms. The Office
was flooded with the brilliant light of
IN electric "arc," which was suspend
ed from the ceiling, and above the
counter were II number of electric
call .hells, of whose use | was igno.
rant.
Before | had recovered from my
establishment, l heard the voice of
Mr.. Klinefelter, saying Register, sir!'
l took the pen and wrote my name,
haadly aware of what l did. Turning
around, the landlord pressed one OF
the call bells, above him, and Il negro
boy, faultlessly attired, appeared at
the door, "Sam, show this gentleman
to No. $50, 3rd floor"
| followed, involuntarily, and was
soon at the door of my room. l light
ed IL match to look for my lamp,
How foolish! An incantlcScent light
was the first thing revealed, and,
turning it on. ! surveyed my apart
mcnt. IL was elegantly furnished and
provided with every modern improve.
ment. Above my bed was al electric
alarm. In one corner were two faucets
one containing cold, and the Other
warm water. In fact, everything
was regulated for supreme comfort
Tumbling into bed, L slept soundl!
till awakened by the call bell, FOL
breakfast, l Toasted sumptuously and
then having revealed my identity to
Landlord Klinefeltcr, | informed him
of my desire to sec the city.
LII reply, lie motioncd me to follow
him, and led the way up the winding
staircase of IL miniature Eiffel Tower
At the top was a room with four wall
of plate glass, from which could b.
seen every nook and corner of tin
city. AS far as the eye could reach
saw elegent residences, magnificen
business houses, imposing schools
churches and opera houses. J. noticed
one residence, particularly, an impos
ing edilice Of brick, surrounded by al
old FASHIONED hedge fence. LII til
front yard l saw II flower garden Il
one corner of which a fountain wa
splaslling, merrily.
"Wlose resident is that" [ asked
indicating, as near as possible the on
/ meant.
THAT is the house of DIR. V. II
Stickney," he answered. "Does til
Doctor practice now" l queried, SO
has lie rctired!!"
"Well," he returned, 81 cMn answe
yes OF no." After the production Q
his work on Anatomy, which me
with Il wonderful success, he pre-
ferred writing to active practice. O
course he has still, Il large number o
cases and is always consulted in dar
gerous illnesses, but it is not his d,
tire to care for so many patients as h
did at one time"
"Oh, by the way" | intcrrogatet
after u moment. where is Leslie a
Simpson, now!''
Ills office is that large, stone bull,
ing, just opposite the Dickinson Ban
Block" he answered me, "but he is, I;
present in st. Paul, engaged with a
important murder trial.
Then the obliging landlord pointe
out to me. the splendid stores of J. &,
Freeman, Lawrence g. Dickinson, A
c. McGillivray, b. f. Fowler an
others too numerous to mention her
He showed me elegantly constructe
editorial rooms of the "DICKINsO
PHEss.' the fine office of the Custt