The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1912-08-21

Having come north on matter Oh
pleasure. il was quite natural that 81
should fall under the spell Of that /
wonderful creation OF mans genius /
which Is nov adding majestic beauty !
TO the river scenery al keokuG- There |
we're four gentlemen in our party. WHO
became mere persons before the day
was over, through perspiraaion ana
foot troubles. But we arrived very !
gaily in Keokuk, which was my first
visit to that place in thirty years
found that the city had not lost that
mellow charm suggestive OF south !
err city which has wandered north
There are the same ceremonious types
of men and graceful women who inn
press one with being SO sure OF them
selves that the mere possession o.
money does not enter into nor quahfy
their gentility. | also observed some
OF the quaint Old architecture which
charmed me IN the days when Tny
tops we're purchased al obertop's. my
hats from Jones. ny SHOES rom Up
hams and my handkerchiefs from
Bestwick.s. That was a long time ago,
when we crossed the river On ferry
and marveled al the new bridge which
i WAS then being erected.
Sic transit gloria rnundi." the old
l philosopher says. thus passeth away
the glory OF the world. That ferry
1 boat which was epochal. and the
4 bridge have both been transformed in
to things quite ordinary and childish
in the presence of that majestic anc
alry fabric, rising across the rapids,
which seems less a thing OF solid use
fulness than graceful ornament.
It is good for human beings that
strength can be made beautiful, be
cause 1t helps us to understand the
!. divine plan, that mere utility is not
sufficient for the perfection OF life.
This also reminds me how highly
appropriate it is TO have DR.. G. Walter
: Barr for our guide through this mar
Vicious structure He has not only a
! wholesome vitality, bubbiing enthusi
asm, and vast fund Of hydraulic in
. formation, but also the beautifully
, poetic mind OF one who makes first
: class literature and turns cold facts
: into the richest romance.
We delyed into constructed abyssel
and climbed artificial cliffs, besides
gazing upward to the inaccessible al
I titudes of the powerhouse. In the vel
: low August sunlight with the rich col
oring Of the river and its terraces
banks. the oriental arches of the dan
. in warm gray tones, and the cavern
: GUS lock with the titanic powerhouse
one is reminded Of Magfield Parish i
his illustration Of the Arabian Nights
I. But down in the turbine chambers on
2 il led to fancy that Heath Robinsso
supplied the designer with his inspir;
$ ton. for that place is weird and grt
! tesquea lair Of dragons.
III were composing this article Vi
on an adding machine or cash regi
= ter, of course could give you the dr
facts and finance of the undertaking
but these things are comparative
z unimportant 1t matters little to So
:, that certain millions Of dollars ha'
4 heen spent. or that, for instanc
= twelve Of Burlington.a business blocl
might be set down In the powerhoul
- Golfer dam. without crowding It
far more significant TO realize Il
s. ]. genius and Inspiration Of the bra
- that contrived these things.
of
/ would like to meet the designer
this whole affair Such people a
usually so modest that they could n
pay for dinner invitation with a q
gle brilliancy OF small talk. 1t is n
necessary that such a person shpu
talk. remember the first time th
I saw the statue of Lincoln IN g
cage and when looked upon I
bronze face with all It's rugged hon
Illness. / realized how II happened II
.ed he was able to preserve the Americ
ia. nation So feel that If could ms
~ the man who had designed this d.
70. and the various things connected "
ier. II could understand it better and
AN quire wisdom.
.ae For consider what he has done;
drr,rx NJ and m