The Oskaloosa herald., 1907-04-18
SOME INSIDE HISTORY
Fast Work Was Done To Bring
Railroad Through Town

the city for an extended visit with
his son, B. F. Thomas, Of 314 North
Fifth street. The gentleman during
the past several years mas become a
great sufferer from asthma and kin
dred complaints and is enroute to the
west ia the hope of finding permanent
relief. Eighteen years have passed
since the old gentleman has visited
the city of Oskaloosa AID he notes
many changes. Twelve of these years
he resided in Fort Dodge and six in
DeJ Moines.
From this city Mr.. Thomas will go
to Stockton, Kans., to be the guest
of his daughter, Mrs Luella Meade,
and thence to Pasadena, Cal, to be
with another daughter, Mrs. Dora
Thomas s. Smisor.
Although a long time has passed
since Mr.. Thomas has been in this
city he will be well remembered by
all the older residents. Twenty-four
years of his life he spent in this city
and he was active and prominent in
all affairs pertaining to the good and
the growth of the town.
He was landlord Of the old "St.
James Hotel Just west of the Iowa
Central tracks on High avenue, wnen
it was the leading hosiery Of the
city, and he operated it most sue
cessfully during long term Of years,
and thereby hangs tale.
Mr. Thomas was landlord of the
place when the Iowa Central was
built through the town and through
mis- efforts and work F street through
the city was vacated to the road and
the tracks laid by the door of the ho-
tel.
The location of the right of way
through the city developed bitter
fight that had been engaged in among
the citizens and Mr.. Thomas with
characteristic activity determined the
matter within twelve hours. A mass
meeting of citizens had been called
at his hotel one afternoon to meet
Mr.. C. c. Gilman, who had the con-
struction of the road in charge. The
grading of the line had been complet.
ed to the city on the north and again
on the southwest. Three routes
through the city were suggested and
planned but a determined fight for
and against each was in progress.
mr. Gilman saw that he could not
have the problem determined in the
meeting, when Mr.. Thomas approach.
ed him. This gentleman stated, that
he would, in his own way, make eff
fort to have the problem settled by
the morrow and so Mr.. Gilman dis
missed the meeting. Mr.. Thomas set
to work Immediately. He saw the
members of the town council, and
securing a majority of the them had
meeting called that evening, and
street was vacated by the corpora
ton. the land thus reverted to the
original owners, Mr.. and Mrs. John
White. Mr.. Thomas, then securing
assistance, hau the necessary papers
prepared and went to the White home
north of the city some time after
midnight to explain the matter to Mr.
White and his wife. They were
heartily in favor of the railway anG
readily gave their assistance and af
fixed their signatures. Mr.. Thomas
returned to the hotel, aroused Mr.
Gilman and placed the deed for the
right of way through the town In
the gentleman's hands. He was as
tonished at what had been accom-
plisned in so short a time and coulT
hardly believe his own eyes, but the
papers were before him, duly authen
| ticated. Mr.. Gilman did not return
to his bed again tina night. He wen
out to the camps where the graders
were sleeping, aroused the foremer
and gave orders.
At seven o'clock the following
morning graders we're engaged IL
moving dirt all along the right o
way through the city. on the grount
that had been given for the purpose
1t was a nine days wonder the thu
thing had been accomplished in 81
short time and to this day Their,
are old residents of the city who ar,
unacquainted with the facts in tn,
case '.s
Mr.. Thomas resided at the hote
many years after the arrival of tn
road in the city and enjoyed his POI
ton of the prosperity he had helpe,
to bring. He was followed in tn,
proprietorship of the hotel by MI
Shackleton. another name well know