Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-09-13
WABASH HAS MOVED.
Now Occupies New Quarters in
South Ottumwa.
EAST END ROUND HOUSE CLOSED.
Milwaukee Voluntarily Increases Wa.
ges-Wabash Rebuilding Approach
to Des Moines River Bridge-Other
Miscellaneous Railroad News
From Wednesdays Daily.

From Wednesdays Daily.
The new round house recently erect,
ed by the Wabash in South Ottumwa,
was formally occupied this morning
and the Milwaukee round house in
East Ottumwa, which has been occu.
pied by the Wabash for a number of
years, was vacated and will be closed
temporarily. What the future plans OF
the company are regarding the use or
disposal of this property is not known
J. H. Coe, formerly night foreman at
the East End Milwaukee round house,
Will be transferred in some capacity to
the West End yards, but will enjoy a
brief respite from work before assum-
ing his new duties. Patrick Morrison,
Frank Haverfield, James Bailey and
James Peterson, who have, heretofore,
been employed in the East End round
house, will be laid off. at least tempo
rarily. The only use to which the
Milwaukee has been able to put its
property in the East End other than
the rental service obtained from the
Wabash, was that of affording a coal
ing station for it's switch engine in
that portion of the yards. All this has
lions of the Milwaukee will be direct
ed and conducted in the West End.
Wabash's New Quarters.
The Wabash began business this
morning, comfortably installed in an
entirely new location. The new three
stall round house, water tank and
pumping station which have been un-
der course of construction just west of
the approach to the Vine street bridge
are completed,or so nearly so that they
are ready for use. The transfer of
round house equipment, etc., was made
this morning, and hereafter all Wa
bash engines will be taken care of in
South Ottumwa.
The Wabash round house and new
South Ottumwa yards are in charge of
Foreman Robert Hughes, who is as
sisted during the day by J. S. Brad
shaw. Tom Douglass will be in charge
of the work at night. The foreman
and men are busily engaged today in
arranging everything in their new
quarters and attending to the many
little details attendant upon moving.
New Bridge and Approach.
The Wabash has a force of men en-
gagged at present in laying new ties on
the bridge across the Des Moines riv-
er. The men are in charge of Fore
man j. A. Wilson, who said today that
he expected to be here at least three
months. AS soon as the work on the
bridge is completed, he will begin the
task of rebuilding the long trestle OF
approach to the south end of the
bridge. The piling have been driven
for this work, and when completed the
approach will be constructed of new
timbers turnout.
Business More Than Doubled.
AS an example of the immense
freight business that has been trans
acted on the Kansas City division OF
the Milwaukee during the past sum
mer, one has but to note the increase
of men and equipment in Ottumwa
S. S. Koehler, foreman of the Milwau.
kee round house at the Junction, said
today that since last spring the mum.
Der of engines that are taken care OF
at the West End yards has increased
over 100 per cent. Last spring there
was an average of 10 engines in the
round house daily, while at the pres
ent that number has been increased
to 38. 1t is not squirt, but is steady
and contrary to all expectations is now
as active as at any previous time with
no show of abatement. The company
has increased its force of men in this
department very materially.
Voluntarily Increase Wages.
The Milwaukee has voluntarily in
creased the wages of the sector
men at Ottumwa Junction from ST..
to $1.50 per day. The men are not
compelled to put in any more hours
during the day, and the advance
which was purely voluntary on the
part of the company is justly appre
ciated by the employer effected.
Personal and Otherwise.
A new side-track was constructed
on the Milwaukee at Parker's mine
four miles west of the city, last week
The work was under the supervision
of c. e. Van Dyke. The signal mer
completed the derail plant Tuesday
One day last week the Milwaukee
hauled out of this city 1913 loads Of
freight in three trains. These trains
were all west bound, and wore
hauled by the Milwaukee's big ter
wiseeleIs,
Engineer Frank Barnhardy, of the
Milwaukee, is enjoying a brief respite
from duty, and he and Mrs. Bal nhardy
are visiting friends in Kansas City
Mo
Frank Miller, division passenger
agent of the Rock Island, was in the
city today on business.
THE CITY COUNCIL.