Chapter XV: Section 12: , Mr. and Mrs. M. Houston. Brother Houston is S. C. of West (7)

We have consumed more time in doing the town of Omaha than was intended, and consequently, when we leave at 7.05 we are thirty-five minutes late on our schedule; but we are on a line noted for its “fast time,” and probably the delay will be made up. A number of the boys from Creston Division No. 21 and their ladies came up to Omaha to meet us this afternoon, and return with us to Creston.

We have the pleasure of having with us L. H. Wright, C. C. of No. 21, Mr. and Mrs. R. McCoy, Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Smelley, Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Felker, Mr. and Mrs. Nugent, Mr. and Miss Bradey, Mr. Donoven, Train Dispatcher Ed. Robeson, Master Mechanic G. L. Beckwith, J. W. Fedder and mother, Mr. and Mrs. Roberts, F. M. Price, Miss Galeger, Miss Thompson, Miss Gaul, Miss Gaven, Miss Obine. Leaving Omaha we do not cross the Missouri River and enter Iowa via Council Bluffs, but follow the river south for 26 miles to Plattsmouth, where we cross the turbid stream on a substantial bridge and enter Iowa at Pacific Junction, having traversed the southern border of the State of Nebraska for 366 miles. We saw a fine, level country, dotted with neat, substantial farm buildings, and judging from the many well-filled cribs of last year’s corn, it must be a country extremely rich in agricultural products.

At Pacific Junction a change of engines and crews is made, and bidding adieu to good-hearted, good-natured Captain Chase and his genial crew, we continue on our way with C. B. & Q. engine 318, in charge of Engineer George Goodrich and Fireman T. H. Hillis, conducted by M. Farrell, whose brakemen are T. A. McDonald and T. Munson, who will take us to Creston, a run of 86 miles. Thirty-five miles from Pacific Junction we make a short stop at Redwood, and receive additional guests in the persons of Division Superintendent J. H. Duggan, Mr. Frank Gillman, J. B. Kirsh, chief engineer of Creston Division No. 112, B. of L. E., and Conductor T. G. Snair. We have now about thirty-five guests aboard and our train is pretty well filled up. It seems to be an off Sunday with many of the good people along the line, and they have turned out to show us a good time, and they can never guess how much their efforts are appreciated. It is 10.15 P. M. when we arrive in Creston, and as we approach the station Superintendent Duggan, who has been watching the time, informs us that our train has covered the last 36 miles in forty-two minutes. A large bonfire is burning on an open lot near the station, and the juvenile band of Creston is playing a stirring piece when our train comes to a halt. There is a large crowd on hand to greet us, and the forty-five minutes we remain among them passes quickly and pleasantly away. We bid good-bye to our many new-found friends, and at 11.02 P. M. leave Creston with C. B. & Q. engine 232, with Engineer J. Consodine at the throttle, and conducted by G. W. Yetts. The brakemen are W. D. Willits and G. A. Bessey, which crew takes us to Burlington, 190 miles. The “232” was also on the famous Mayham Special from Creston to Red Oak, and made a record of 62½ miles per hour. Conductor Yetts had charge of the train from Burlington to Creston.

We have had a full day, and every one of the party feels that we have been honored by the demonstrations of good-fellowship that have marked our progress through the States of Nebraska and Iowa. We are all very tired to-night; this is the thirtieth day of our outing; each day a picnic and every night a circus. It is now drawing near the midnight hour, and as we steam away from the hospitable, wide-awake little town of Creston, with her bonfire and her band, our sincere wish is that the sun of prosperity may ever shine upon her. The combined car has been vacated and the refreshment corner is deserted; George H. Anderson, the hardest-worked man in the outfit, is making up his bed, Brother Sparks’ El Paso pup has ceased his whining and now is snoring, and Sister Matthews’ Denver magpie for once in its life is silent. These things I notice as I quietly leave the smoker and make my way to little No. 3, in the “Marco.”

MONDAY, JUNE 7th.

Getting up this morning about six o’clock, I find we are in Illinois, having crossed the Mississippi River during the night at Burlington, where a change of engines was made. We now have C. B. & Q. engine 511, handled by Engineer D. Sullivan and fired by J. Watson. Conductor W. L. Boydston, a member of Galesburg Division No. 83, has charge of our train, whose brakemen are J. M. Forsythe and T. G. White. This engine and crew will run us to Chicago, a distance of 206 miles. Illinois is a rich agricultural State, whose well-cultivated farms and fine buildings exhibit a high degree of prosperity and thrift. Arriving in Chicago at 8.45 our people scatter to take in the sights of the city as best suit their individual inclinations. I have no knowledge as to where they went or what they saw, but the inference is that everybody was busy, for it is a physical impossibility for a person to remain still in this town; such hustling, aggressive activity I never saw before. If you attempt to saunter or stop to look you are the victim of a hundred bumps a minute; you’ve got to get in the race and keep going, or climb a tree.

On our arrival Mrs. S. and I were met by Mrs. Ray Melchor, Mrs. Shaw’s sister, a resident of the city, who took charge of us, and I am glad she assumed the responsibility, for I never felt more in need of a guardian in my life than I did when in the heart of this mighty metropolis with its great sky-scraping buildings and tearing cyclone of humanity. Mrs. Melchor proved an excellent guide, and showed us more of this wonderful town than one would think possible in the few hours allotted us, besides giving us a delightful carriage ride along the lake front and through Jackson and Washington Parks. We also visited Lincoln Park and saw the famous Ferris Wheel. Mrs. Melchor returned with us to the train and accompanied us as far as the suburban station of Englewood, where the train was stopped to allow her to alight. We left Chicago at 5.40 P. M. on the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne and Chicago Line, with P. Ft. W. & C. engine 147, Engineer Frank Higgins, Fireman Robt. Giffin, Conductor M. J. Prindiville, Brakeman H. B. Walton, and Flagman Geo. Roberts, who take us to Ft. Wayne, 148 miles. Near Whiting, a short distance beyond the limits of Chicago, we cross the line and enter Indiana, which also has the appearance of being a rich agricultural State.

In the evening an interesting meeting is held in the smoking car, and presided over by Brother Geo. Brown, for the purpose of effecting a permanent club, to be composed of the members of the Pennsylvania Railroad conductors’ excursion party. Selecting a name leads to considerable discussion, until Brother Denniston suggests the “Golden Gate Club,” which is unanimously adopted. The following brothers are elected officers of the club: President, C. E. Wyman; vice-president, L. E. Sheppard; secretary and treasurer, W. J. Maxwell. Pullman conductors Suter and McDonald are admitted as honorary members. The meeting, which lasted from 8.30 to 9.20 P. M., is succeeded by the admission to the car of a delegation of the ladies, led by Sister Reilly, who introduces an entertaining game called “The California Pets,” or “Dead Hand,” which consists of an outstretched sheet, around which sit as many as can conveniently do so, with their hands beneath the sheet, and guess the names of articles that they cannot see, which are passed from one to the other. The game continues for some time and produces a great deal of merriment, until an article is passed to Miss Ella that causes her to shriek with fright. She quickly passes it to Brother Reagan, who turns pale and shudders as though he had seen a ghost; he in turn tosses it to Brother Williams, who is thrown into a spasm when he grasps the nasty thing, and flings it into Brother McCarty’s lap, who clutches it, drops it, exclaims “Hell!” jumps up, all at the same time, and makes a break for the door. It was only a kid glove that Mrs. Reilly had filled with sand and soaked in ice water, that felt to the touch like the cold and clammy hand of a corpse.

The rear car “Orchis” was christened “Hogan’s Alley” in the early stages of our trip, because of the spirit of fun and frolic that at times ran rampant there. To-day, while Brother Houston was visiting his brother in Chicago, who is connected with a publishing house, he procured a number of large cards with “Hogan’s Alley” printed upon them, and hung them up through the car. There were also two swinging from the rear platform when the train left Chicago, much to the amusement of the people who were gathered at the station to see us off.

We reach Ft. Wayne at 9.30 P. M., and after a delay of a few minutes changing engines, start on our way again with P. Ft. W. & C. engine 272, Engineer M. Shea, Fireman E. Blanchard, Conductor T. J. Kanaga, Brakemen W. B. Kelley and A. C. Kyle, who take us to Crestline, Ohio, 132 miles. At the little station of Dixon, 20 miles east of Ft. Wayne, we cross the State line and enter Ohio. We are drawing nearer home and all feel very glad, although it will be like the breaking up of a large and happy family for us to separate. We expect to reach Pittsburgh early in the morning, and Brothers Haas and Schuler are saying goodbye, for Haas leaves us at Allegheny City and Schuler at Pittsburgh. It is approaching midnight, and as we skim across the State of Ohio we retire to our little beds and are soon fast asleep, lulled into repose by the soothing hum and motion of the train, that we have learned to regard as a great help to pleasant dreams and unbroken slumber.

TUESDAY, JUNE 8th.

Getting up this morning about 5.30, I find we are approaching Allegheny City. It is a wet, foggy morning, and the Ohio River, in sight of which we are running, is high and muddy. We had changed engines at Crestline during the night, and now have P. Ft. W. & C. engine No. 288, Engineer Geo. Hood, Fireman F. Eberly, Conductor E. W. Davis, Brakemen E. W. Simpson and J. W. Syms, who take us into Pittsburgh, a run of 188 miles. When we stop in Allegheny City at six o’clock quite a number are astir to bid Brother Haas adieu; five minutes later we stop in Pittsburgh and part with Brother Schuler. Brother Sloane also leaves us here, as he has business to transact in the “Smoky City” before coming East.

Time changes here from Central to Eastern, one hour later, and we leave Pittsburgh at 7.17 A. M. with P. R. R. engine 1631, with Engineer M. Daily and Fireman S. K. Dobson in the cab. Our conductor is N. E. Garber and Brakemen W. J. Maxwell and Frank Dick. This crew runs us to Altoona, a distance of 117 miles, where we arrive at 10.35. After a delay of five minutes in changing engines we start on our way again with P. R. R. engine 646, in charge of Engineer H. Funk and Fireman E. Wilson. J. R. Bockus is conducting the train, whose brakemen are G. H. Free and G. W. Miller. Our train stops at Tyrone, 15 miles east of Altoona, to allow Brother and Mrs. Matthews to get off. They are obliged to leave us at this point, for they had left their little four-year-old daughter here in the care of relatives until their return and are longing to clasp Baby Ellie once more in their arms. This is a busy day with the members of the party and an interesting one for the porters. In a neat and characteristic speech Brother Reagan, in behalf of the lady occupants of the “Marco,” presents Dennis Jackson with a substantial token of their appreciation of his kindness and courtesy toward them during the trip, they always finding him ready and willing to obey and oblige; and Dennis deserves their generous remembrance. Brother Sheppard, in behalf of the occupants of the “Milton,” holds up Dick Pettus in the same manner and for the same purpose, and presents him with a generous token of their regard. Physically Dick is a giant, and all who know him will testify that he is as good-natured and kind as he is big and strong. The residents of “Hogan’s Alley” (“Orchis”) surround George Custis, while Brother Denniston in an eloquent speech tells him how good he is and how his goodness has been appreciated by the restive but good-natured and harmless inhabitants of this noted quarter, who desire to show their regard for the service he has rendered them by giving him a token of remembrance. George is worthy of their generosity, and quietly accepts the donation, saying to me as I pass him, “I often thought of the warning you gave me the day we started out.”

Arriving in Harrisburg at 1.37 P. M. we bid adieu to Brothers Gilliland, Haefner, Smith, and their wives, also Brother McCarty, who leave us at this point, and changing engines for the last time we proceed on our way again with P. R. R. engine 296, Engineer H. B. Humphreys, Fireman J. Mahan, Conductor Dan. Harvey, Brakeman George Wilson. We are met in Harrisburg by a delegation from Philadelphia, composed of the following-named gentlemen, who constitute a Welcome Home Committee: Brothers John Mooney, Budd Roulon, George Stultz, Tony Hughes, Frank Vandyke, of West Philadelphia Division 162; J. Kelly and J. P. Anchor, of Camden Division 170; Trainmaster J. Thompson, Operator C. Devinney, and Baggagemaster Ed. Lynch, who accompany us to Philadelphia. They present each one of our party with a very pretty little white badge bearing the initials “O. R. C.” in monogram and the inscription “Welcome Home” in golden letters. We have a number of badges and innumerable souvenirs that have been gathered on the trip, but not one among them all will be more highly prized than the little “Welcome Home” badge that bears silent but eloquent testimony to the deep fraternal sentiment that rejoices in our safe arrival home.

We have had a most wonderful trip; have traveled almost 9000 miles; no one has been injured and no one seriously sick. A prairie dog and a jack rabbit, so far as we can learn, are the only victims that met death by our train. We have crossed eighteen States and Territories, encountered no train robbers, experienced no wrecks, not having on a car during all our journey so much as a hot box or flat wheel.

Brother Layfield has been diligently obtaining punch cuts of the conductors he has met _en route_, and succeeded in obtaining forty-eight. Had they all been equipped with their punch that he met he would have had many more. The Colonel has been collecting punch marks for several years, and now has three hundred and fifty, nicely arranged in an album designed for the purpose. We are pained to learn that Brother Charles Larue, of Camden Division 170, was thrown off his train yesterday and badly injured. He is a member of the Welcome Home Committee and had intended to accompany the rest to Harrisburg to meet us.

Our train rolls into Broad Street Station, Philadelphia, at 4.20 P. M., and we are warmly greeted by many friends who have gathered in the great train shed to welcome us home. From the station we are escorted to Odd Fellows’ Temple, Broad and Cherry Streets, by the Reception Committee, representing West Philadelphia Division 162, Quaker City Division 204, Camden Division 170, and Wilmington Division 224. Brother J. H. Mooney, of Division 162, calls the meeting to order and in a neat little speech welcomes the excursionists home. Fine music is rendered by the Philharmonic Quintet, composed of the following gentlemen: Ed. Volmer, J. R. Whitely, Sol. Ecksteine, Chas. Genso, and Robert Crawford, ably led by Prof. Jo. Allen. Brothers Wyman, Sheppard, and Shaw are called upon for remarks relative to the trip, and they respond with short addresses. Songs and recitations are given by J. Conlin and Mr. and Mrs. Hughes, and the guests then repair to the basement banquet hall, where refreshments are served. At 7.30 the meeting adjourns, adieus are spoken, and we go to our several homes, feeling that we have had an extraordinary picnic in the thirty-two days of our outing, and hoping to meet again at the first anniversary of the Golden Gate Club one year hence.

[THE END.]

Typographical errors corrected by the etext transcriber:

give satistion=> give satisfaction {pg 3}

in these mighty hils=> in these mighty hills {pg 122}

Hank claims=> Hanks claims {pg 151}

will ever forget out trip=> will ever forget our trip {pg 158}

laughter could be hear=> laughter could be heard {pg 169}