Brazelton House - 1856

BRAZELTON, FLUKE, RUHL, BARRET, CHOVIN, BACKUS, JACKMAN

Posted By: Pat Ryan White (email)
Date: 2/25/2024 at 16:38:18

BRAZELTON HOUSE RE-UNION.

The opening entertainment at the Brazelton House, in Mt. Pleasant, took place on Thursday evening last. About thirty couples of the elite of Burlington were in attendance, together with all Mt. Pleasant. It was the most universal gathering we have witnessed in Iowa. Old, young and middle aged; gay, grave, volatile and sober; religious, worldly and unthinking were all there, and all gave abundant evidence of enjoyment. Those who chose, danced in Fluke’s Hall, an appendage to the House, while others whiled away the hours in the enjoyment of social intercourse.

The supper was magnificently sumptuous and did credit alike to mine host and his excellent steward, Constantine Ruhl, recently of the Barret House.

The guests from Burlington were taken there and back in a special train under the conductorship of Mr. Chovin. Mr. Backus the gentlemanly Superintendent of the road and his lady were on board and among the guests, and to him and Mr. Jackman the entire train acknowledge themselves indebted for the pleasure of the excursion. The cars left Burlington at 7 P.M., and in one hour landed at Mt. Pleasant. The whole trip was characterized by a genuine flow of good spirits. The old ragime were as gay and joyous as in days of yore; while Young America drowned all else in the expressions of their unalloyed enjoyment.

Altogether, it was an occasion long to be remembered, and one that would do to live over frequently.

(“Burlington Daily Iowa State Gazette”, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, December 13, 1856, page 2)

Resource provided by Henry County Heritage Trust, Mount Pleasant, Iowa; transcription done by Rebekah Stone, University of Northern Iowa Public History Field Experience Class, Spring 2024.