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.