came pouring into Lansing, to be transported by boat to the markets of the world. The commerce of the place in those olden times in the times of wheat-was enormous, Lansing being for a number of years the best wheat market on the Mississippi river.

During these years the town increased wonderfully in population. Substantial business blocks were erected, elegant residences built, and many fine fortunes were made. In 1872 a railroad reached Lansing from Dubuque, constructed along the west bank of the river. To this enterprise the citizens contributed liberally, besides voting a five-per cent tax in its aid. The road is now controlled by the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul R'y Co. The completion of this road to Lansing was an important event in its history.

Prior to this time the river was the only means of communication between Lansing and the world. With the closing of navigation each year this means of communication was removed, and until spring again restored it, such business as was done had to be carried on by teams driven on the ice from Lansing to Prairie du Chien, the nearest railroad town. The ice was always uncertain; hence the mails, and all kinds of business depending upon transportation to and from the eastern centers of commerce, were largely dependent upon that most uncertain of all institutions, the weather. During these early, ante-railroad days numerous efforts were made to construct an ice-boat, engine, or machine, that would supply the much-needed means of transportation between Lansing and Prairie du Chien. Parties at the latter place, at one time, constructed a huge iron monster, resembling a steamboat and locomotive combined, which they prepared to launch on the ice at Prairie du Chien, having given due notice to the towns and wood-boat landings above, just at what precise hour the wonderful invention might be confidently expected to arrive at their respective ports. A large portion of the population of Lansing remained awake for two nights anxiously watching and waiting for the arrival of the ice-boat, car, or what not it was called. But they waited in vain. It never came. And the complete or partial ice embargo of each winter was not removed from the trade of Lansing until the construction of the railroad before mentioned. This road, the Chicago, Dubuque and Minnesota Railroad Company, originally the Dubuque and Minnesota Railroad Company, was incorporated Dec. 16th, 1867. The names of the incorporators were: J. K. Graves, J. M. Merrill, Platt Smith, E. H. Williams, and Joseph Herod. On the 27th of January, 1869, J. E. Ainsworth reported his reconnoisance of the proposed line, and the next year capital was invested in the enterprise. The ground was first broken, with appropriate ceremonies, at Eagle Point, at 3 o'clock, Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 18th, 1870. Two years later the cars were running into Lansing. In recognition of the work that

had been accomplished, and the many beneficial results which were expected to follow its completion, the citizens of Lansing prepared for a grand

RAILROAD CELEBRATION.

Wednesday May 8th was set apart as the day for the ovation. Invitations were extended to representative delegations from all the towns on the line of the road and elsewhere. To enable people to accept the invitations the railroad provided a special excurtion train which left Dubuque at 8:30 A. M. drawn by two engines, the "Lansing" and the "J. K. Graves," both appropriately trimmed with flags and evergreens. There were over one thousand excursionists on the train, accompanied by the Germania Band, of Dubuque.

The train arrived at Lansing in safety at 2:15 P. M. and was received in royal style by salutes of cannon from the bluffs, and music by the Lansing Cornet Band. A reception committee consisting of Hon. L. E. Fellows, Capt. E. B. Bascom, Jos. T. Metcalf, Gustave Kerndt and Theodore Steidle met the party at the foot of Main street and escorted them to Concert Hall, where a magnificent banquet was spread. The movements of the vast crowd of strangers were admirably managed by Capt. E. B. Bascom, chief marshal, assisted by Maj. Samuel W. Hemenway, Capt. James Ruth and Capt. S. O. Smith. Concert Hall was beautifully decorated. The tables were arranged on either side of the hall, the ends towards the center carried around towards the stage.

On the stage and in the center was the Press table, arranged by Mr. C. W. Hufschmidt. The newspaper men who enjoyed its many luxuries reported at the time that "it presented a more tempting sight than editor, reporter or printer had ever seen. That it was a 'fat take' all around." Just below the footlights was the Railroad table presided over by Hon. S. H. Kinne, then State Senator from Allamakee county, and his accomplished wife. Everything connected with this table was fully in accord with the Senator's known reputation for hospitality. At the right of the stage the mayor and council of Dubuque occupied table No. 3, arranged by mayor Nielander, of Lansing, and arranged with entire satisfaction to the tastes and capacities of the parties occupying it. Table No. 5, was nicely arranged by Mr. R. P. Spencer for citizens of Dubuque, next to this was table No. 7, arranged by George H. Bryant for Dubuque guests. Then came table No. 9, arranged by Theo. Nachtwey for guests from Guttenburg. Table No. 11, was arranged for guests from Clayton by Mr. W. A. Travis. Next to this was table No. 13, arranged by J. W. Thomas for guests from Waukon. The guests from Decorah were seated at table No. 15 presided over by Mrs. S. H. Hazleton. No. 17, next to the door was arranged by Mrs. Purdy for the guests from Harper's Ferry, De Soto and Dorchester. The first table on the right as you enter

the hall, was No. 14, arranged by Mr. Pearson for the county officials. Next came No. 12, arranged by Capt. E. B. Bascom for general guests. Then came No. 10, where citizens of McGregor and Dubuque were seated, arranged by Mr. N. A. Nelson. Next to this was No. 8, arranged by Mr. Wenst for guests from McGregor. And then came No. 6, for the use of Dubuque officials, arranged by Mr. Shaw. At the end of the stage on this side, table No. 4, was arranged for the use of the mayor and council of Galena by Dr. J. W. Davis. Two hundred and fifty-six guests were seated at a time, and five sittings were given.

Dinner over, the meeting was called to order by his honor Mayor Nielander, who spoke as follows:

Ladies and Gentlemen: The citizens of Lansing, through me, tender you a hearty and sincere welcome, in which I cordially join them. I hope that the union of our cities and towns by this iron chain may be also the means of uniting and binding more firmly our personal and business relations. Those whom I have the honor to represent have used their utmost exertions to make your visit pleasant and agreeable, and we sincerely hope that you will enjoy our hospitality with the liberality with which we offer it to you. Citizens of Lansing-I have the honor of introducing to you these distinguished visitors, with their accompanying friends, who have honored our city with their presence.

These remarks were responded to by Mayor Turk, of D ubuque, in a few well chosen words, when Hon. L. E. Fellowsw as introduced, who delivered the following

RECEPTION SPEECH.

Fellow Citizens: The citizens of Lansing, through their officials, the Mayor and Council, bid me extend a formal welcome in their behalf to you who are here to-day. We cordially greet you as representatives of great railroad aud commercial interests, alike important to our citizens and the citizens of our sister cities and towns so well represented on this occasion. To the officers and members of the Chicago, Dubuque, and Minnesota Railroad Company, who had the nerve, courage and energy to inaugurate and carry forward the great railroad enterprise that has to-day placed our young city in close connection with the com-. mercial metropolis of our grand and beautiful Iowa-who have with oaken ties and iron bands linked together in close business and social relations, all the thriving Mississippi river cities and towns of Northern Iowa, and made them tributary to that thriving city, Dubuque, of which we feel justly proud-we extend our hearty congratulations that so great a measure of success has crowned your efforts, and while we rejoice to-day over the completion of the railroad to Lansing, in view of the benefits we expect to derive from it, in view of the great benefit it will surely be to all Northwestern Iowa, we do not forget that it is a work of more

than local importance. It is a most important link in that great line of railway that will shortly follow the banks of the Mississippi river from where it is spanned by the Northern Pacific Railroad down to its delta-a railway second in importance to none in America, traversing a country unrivalled for its natural advantages, its agricultural, mineral and manufacturing resources, the salubrity and healthfulness of its climate, its varied and magnificent scenery, alike inviting to the farmer, the miner, the mechanic, the merchant, the manufacturer and the tourist.

The rapid settlement of the Mississippi valley, marvelous as it has been, is due to its wonderful natural advantages, the building of railroads and the power of the newspaper press. I see before me citizens yet in the vigor of manhood who were pioneers here when the most populous of our cities and towns had scarcely ceased to be rude Indian villages; when the present State of Iowa, with a population of a million and a half, and more than three thousand miles of railroad, had not a mile of railroad nor even a territorial government. Iowa, but a quarter of a century oid, is the eighth in population of the States of our Union-what will be her rank at the end of another quarter of a century? Who will attempt to designate the States that will then surpass her in wealth and population? But the time and occasion admonish me not to dwell upon this inviting theme. The occasion is one of greeting to the citizens of Dubuque, Guttenburg, Clayton City, McGregor, Harper's Ferry, and our friends from off the immediate line of the railroad from Galena, Waukon, Decorah, and other points, to join you in awarding honor to the active promoters of this railroad enterprise. We desire you not only to accept our hospitality but to become acquainted with our citizens. We wish to convince your business men that it is for their interest to become acquainted with our business men. We desire to show you that our citizens are not only hospitable, but that we have a business here worthy of the attention not only of our railroad friends, but of the business men of Dubuque; that we can and do here gather up and ship to eastern and southern markets an immense amount of produce; that with the facilities for shipment at all seasons afforded by railroad, our advantages as a market will be greatly increased; that we have a large and fertile territory tributary to Lansing, enabling our merchants to sustain a very large retail trade; that we have good manufacturing establishments and excellent openings for more of them; in a word, that we have the material and advantages for a respectable and thriving city, and the will and determination to make one. We want the business men of Dubuque and McGregor to show our business men that it is for their interest to visit you and trade with you; that it is possible for the great distributing point of the Northwest to be located on the western bank of the Mississippi river, rather than upon the shores of Lake Michigan. And why should it not be so? With