The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1915-08-27
RUSSIAN ENGINEER
PAYS kE0|kUk VISIT.
N. kursish Spends Three Days In
This City Visiting Dam
and Government
Works.
LEFT LAST !. EVENING
~. Commission from the Russian
Government for Inspecting Wa
terxays and irrigation
Projects.
LEFT LAST EVENING

Keokuk was visited for three days
a., this week by a distinguished Rus
sian civil engineer, A. Kursish Of Pet
rograd, Russia. an emmisary for the
Russian government with commits
sion from the car to inspect all Unit
ed states private and public water
ways and Irrigation projects.
He came here Tuesday morning
from Rock Island, being sent by Major
G.. M. Hoffman, superintendent Of the
district, with a letter of introduction
to Major Montgomery Meigs, who was
directed to see that he was given a
chance to see the dam and also visit
and take notes on government river
work in this vicinity.
Spent Day on Dam.
ON Tuesday Kursish spent practic-
ally the whole day in going over the
dam and the government dry dock
and was accompanied part of the
time by Major Meigs.
Another day was spent on one of
the government boats which is work
ing in the vicinity OF Keokuk. Major
Meig3 was unable to accompany him
on this journey The government is
constructing some wing dams this
side of Canton. Mo-. and the visiting
engineer gave these careful scrutiny.
Distinguished Looking.
He left last evening for Rock Island
from whence he will continue his
journey west Those who saw him
describe him as very distinguished
looking parsonage with the usual Rus.
sian full beard. In appearance he
was tall and commanding and was In
the prime OF life. He brought letters
with him from the Russian govern
ment and from the United States en-
eineer'. office at Washington.
NJ Kursish could speak very little
English and during his trip over the
dam he wrote. out many Of his ques-
tions. being more proficient in writ
ing the language than speaking it. He
could, however, by taking the time.
explain his wants. Although he
brought camera with him he did not
take any pictures of the dam, but
bought 4 number of photographs which
he. took away with him.
Said Little About War.
NJ Kursish had very little to say
about the war. There was one anus
ing incident, however told OF his trip
down the river on the government
boat.
When the boat passed Warsaw. H..
one OF his companions said. There is
q town named Warsaw Is it Rus
sia's?" Kursish Is said to have laugh
ed and replied, Warsaw is in the
hands OF the Germans now Is this
Warsaw theirs too" And he didn't
know how near he struck it.
While here the visitor ilade the
acquaintance OF the Mississippi River
Power company engineers. Kursish
has been in this country some little
time and will report on his trip to
the engineering department OF the
Russian government on his return. AT
the conclusion OF the war 1t is Rus
sia's plan to extensively improve its
waterways, and irrigation projects are
also under consideration for the bene-
fit of its inland farms. The work will
undoubtedly be modered on American
improvements OF this description and
Engineer Kursish is here to make a
thorough Investigation OF all products.
Has Wide Reputation.
In Russia and a large part Of Eu-
rope. NJ. Kursish has wide reputa-
ton as civil engineer.
The distinguished visitor was here
on an errand of peaceful nature. He
had absolutely nothing whatever to
do with war munitions or supplies.
Ite was not in conference with any
officers Of the local foundries or metal
working plants.
#t
jail for Nymphs.
Tinted Press Leased Wire Servicel
HELMETTA, N. J. Aug. 21--This