The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-08-12
QUITE A SURPRISE;
Conductor VIII Speer Presented With Hand
same God Wa.ch.

Conductor VIII Speer Presented With Hand
same God Wa.ch
One of the most pleasant surprise par
| ties imaginable or invented occurred
| Thursday night at the residence of Mr.,
William Speer, who has jast retired from
the SUPPLEMENTARY of tie Denver, Mem
| phis aud Atlantic railroad, with heaiquar-
| tiers at Conway Springs on account of the
| consolidation of that division with the
division known as the Fort Scott, Wichita
and Western railway. both roads portions
of the Missouri Pacific. Mr.. Speer being
the junior in length Of service. and under
the rules Mr. Webb of the latter road tax
| ing preference This change was one of
the necessities in the reduction of expenses
incident to the general curtailment of bus
| mess.
| Mr.. Speer being at his old position as
conductor on the TT. Scott, Wichita &
Western, aud necessarily absent from
home, the railroad men Of his division
planted three headlights upon the Deautl-
| fui lawn IN front OK his house, and Mrs.
Speer further illuminated the ground
with numerous pendant chinese lanterns
nil around the house. In the meantime,
his run terminating at Wichita, 1t was
arranged that Superintendent Webb
should notify him rs he approached
Wichita, to return to. Conway Springs and
await an important letter, which of course
he obeyed, arriving at the dawn Of evening;
but a friend, Mr. Russell, Of Beaumont
was deputed to detain him on other pre-.
fences until eight o'clock in the evening,
when the two walked down to his
house. where he was utterly
surprised to find the lawn brilliantly
illuminated and hundred ladies aud
gentlemen as full of mirth and geniaiity
as ever animated the truest OF friends.
Every employe of his former division,
from Coffeyviile to Larned, VINO could
possibly get away from work, with their
wives and their daughters. greeted him
with bursts of mlrth and cheers as he
entered the premises. To say that he was
surprised feebly expresses the situation.
His first expression was, is this going on
all the timer" About that time the Con-
way band struck up strains of music.
When order was restored. Mr.. Harper,
a prominent citizen, arose to explain the
situation. and began to address him, con-
CANT watch, substantially in these words:
"Mr. Speer, we have met and
taken possession OF your home TO
express to you the esteem in which
we, the citizens of Conway Springs aud
the employees of your division OF the
Missouri Pacific, hold you as citizen and
an officer in the responsible position which
you have so honorably and satisfactorily
discharged for about SIX years alike TO the
employees, the company and the business
men. We have tried to cOnjure up some
manner in which to make this manlfesta-
ton lasting and impressive, and your
friends here.deputed.. me to present you
this beautiful watch, upon the face OF |
which you can never look, we hope, with
out the pleasant memories OF the past"
Up till the moment of presentation Mr.
Speer had not the slightest idea that the
presence OF the people had any other sig
nificance than pleasant pasttime and
greeting of neighborly Kindness. and as
he reached out his hand to receive the gift |
he seemed completely broken down. Re- !
covering, he saidI
''Mr. Harper, ladies aud gentlemen: l
am completely overcome in this kind ex- |
preston. l do not know what to say to !,
you. l recognize before me the working tai.
ent Of this division. Without harmonious |
work superintendent would be inefficient |
In the years that have been with you | |
have realized what it is to have the good |
will and hearty cooperation OF efficient !
men, and to that efficiency l am indebted |
for any success which mas followed my /
efforts aud your uniform devotion to bust !
ness and your skill and efficiency. accept /
this beautiful and valuable testimonial OF /
your confidence and friendship with the |
snceresJ gratitude and the assurance that
words fail me in the expression OF my
feelings towards you all"
The Conway Springs band enlivened the
evening with sweet strains of music, and
the company enjoyed themselves IN u re-
past prepared by Mrs. Speer, and in
various manifestations Of enjoyment till
late hour in the night.
The watch is of the John G. Deuber
manufacture and patent, thelbest procur-
able, the case being Is size and Il karat
solid gold, raised colored gold ornaments
and "A monogram on one side and w. 3,
0n the other side, raised gold ornaments
and five large diamonds set ia the center,
engraved on inside lid: From the en-
Dloyes of the d. NJ and A. division of the
Missouri Pacific railway to William Speer,
division superintendent, 1898" The
is John c. Deuber's special rail-
way. The dial is gold inlaid i'll eDamal
With the name of William Speer in place
If figures and small figures outside OF each
etter in the name to desi gnate the hour.
The chain is plain II karat solid gold. 1t
Vas selected and ordered through Fred
jeweler OF Conway Springs.