SUNDAY, JUNE 6th.
Got up this morning about seven o’clock and found we were approaching McCook, Neb., having crossed the line from Colorado into Nebraska during the night at a point about 80 miles west of McCook. Conductor Bronson and Brakeman Robie are members of Harvey Division No. 95, of McCook. They have intimated that we may expect a reception from the members of that division on our arrival at McCook; this information having been given out last evening, the most of our people are up when the train stops in McCook at ten minutes past seven, and we are met by a large delegation of brothers of Division 95 with their wives and daughters, who give us a cordial, happy greeting. The McCook Band is on hand and renders delightful music, and the hour allowed us here passes quickly away. B. & M. engine 232, in charge of Engineer J. E. Sanborn and fired by Charlie Williams, has been selected to draw us from McCook to Hastings, a distance of 132 miles. Engineer Sanborn is a member of Harvey Division 95, having at one time been a conductor, and has the 232 handsomely decorated with flags and flowers in honor of the occasion. On each side of the cab beneath the windows are the letters “O. R. C.,” surrounded by the emblem of the order. The engine is much admired by the members of our party, and snap-shots are taken by Brothers Restein and Foster.
Left McCook at 10.00 Eastern (9.00 Central) time. On leaving McCook time changes from Mountain to Central, and we now run one hour behind Eastern time. From McCook to Hastings we have with us as guests Brothers V. H. Halliday, F. Kendler, and C. E. Pope, who are members of the entertainment committee from Division 95, and the following ladies of McCook: Mrs. C. W. Bronson, Mrs. V. H. Halliday, Mrs. F. Kendler, Mrs. C. E. Pope, Mrs. Beyer, Miss Grace Sanborn, and Miss Mabel Jordon. We have a pleasant entertainment in the combined car, during which Mrs. Bronson and Miss Sanborn sing in a charming manner several choice selections. Arriving in Hastings at twelve o’clock, noon, we make a halt of five minutes to change engines, and bidding adieu to the kind friends of McCook who gave us such a royal greeting, we continue on our way with engine 227, Engineer H. L. Beaty, Fireman F. C. Parkerson, Conductor J. G. Chase, Brakeman Fred. Sharpe. Our guests are Brothers M. E. Shepard, of Claude Champion Division No. 227, of Lincoln, Neb., M. E. Crane, of Creston Division No. 21, of Creston, Iowa, and Trainmaster E. W. Carter.
At Fairmount, 43 miles from Hastings, we make a short stop to allow some guests to get aboard; they are Brothers W. B. Morledge, J. H. Burns, of Division 227,
