I've written several times about Chariton's C.B.&Q. Depot, commenced during 1872 and completed in the spring of 1873 --- during the early glory days of railroading in Iowa. The first floor of the long building contained the ticket office in the middle with dining room and kitchen to the north, waiting rooms and baggage room to the south. Upstairs, there were dozens of hotel rooms.
Built and owned by the railroad, the hotel and restaurant were leased to experienced operators, the first of whom were David and Mary Wormley, who arrived in Chariton with their family during 1876. During the next 15 years, their operation became legendary. The restaurant served not only passengers but also hosted some of the city's grandest social gatherings and its caterers became widely known for their talents.
By 1942, the building had outlived its usefulness and was to be torn down --- replaced by a sleek, modern --- much smaller --- structure that still stands although encased in metal walls and used as maintenance offices. As that was about to happen, Zora (Stewart) Harper wrote to her old friend, Nell (McCormick) Wormley --- daughter-in-law of David and Mary --- to ask for her recollections of the place.
Nell (1861-1947) and Willis (1862-1953) Wormley had married in a small ceremony at her parents' home in Chariton on Dec. 2, 1884, then were driven by carriage to the depot for a huge afternoon reception hosted by his parents before boarding a night train east to Ohio where Will Wormley then was employed.
Nell and Will were living in Long Beach, California, in 1942 and the following letter, published in The Chariton Leader of July 21, 1942, was the response:
+++
NELL WORMLEY TELLS OF OLD BURLINGTON DEPOT
Husband's Parents Operated Hotel and Cafe for Many Years
Editor's Note --- The following letter is from Mrs. Nell Wormley, daughter-in-law of Mr. and Mrs. David Wormley, who operated the hotel and cafe in the Burlington depot now being torn down in the early days. Addressed to Mrs. Zora Harper of Chariton, it reveals many interesting events in the history of the old landmark.
Dear Zora,
An air mail letter from you seems to call for an immediate reply In it, you ask for reminiscences of the old depot hotel, as it is about to be torn down. I fear I am not filled with data and statistics of its history, but its sentiment fills my mind.
In the first place after its completion it stood idle for some time. Then Sam Rheam, who was the ticket agent, moved in and occupied some rooms along with his family, and a regular beehive of birds that had taken possession of some of the rooms.
In 1876 my husband's father, David Wormley, came from Cedar Rapids and furnished the house and served meals for the C.B.&Q. trains for 25 years. It was a house also patronized by a good many of the Chariton citizens. The regular tables were always occupied by Mr. and Mrs. George Lockwood and Ed Clarence Littleton, Ticket Agent E.O. Wilson, Calvin and Lee Russell, Park Bernard, E.A. Temple, Alice Coffin and many other old time citizens.
Many social gatherings were held in this spacious dining room. Anna Gibbon's wedding reception was a gorgeous affair when she and Ralph McCollough were married. Bird Harrison and father gave a party there when she married Jim McCormick and when Jessie Mallory and D.J. Thayer were married, Mr. Mallory took over the whole hotel for his out-of-town guests and the hotel served the refreshments for the wedding at Ilion.
Mother Wormley gave a large party on Father's 50th birthday and a little wine was served. During the festivities a telegram came, appointing her as head of the W.C.T.U. which was read and caused much merriment.
When Will and I were married, they gave a reception to 500 guests, so the old house has seen the gathering of many friends in that most social of all communities. It takes the small towns to gather real friends.
The hotel has been the stopping place for many noted folks --- all officials of the C.B.&Q., among them Tom Potter (then president of the road), Bob Burdette (famous humorist) was a regular visitor at this hostelry. Will Carleton, the poet, Gen. U.S. Grant, James G. Blaine, Senator Allison, Governor Gear and Senator Hepburn, the singer Adeline Patti and her troupe and Senator Tabor as he sped to Washington on a special train with his future bride.
In snow blockades, sometimes the trains ran in and several hundred passengers were taken care of in this building, and many emigrant trains have unloaded and the people were housed in the waiting rooms and looked after by Mrs. Wormley and Ticket Agent Wilson. Indians going west slept in the waiting room all night and whole carloads of Swedes were distributed to various locations in Dakota and other unsettled points west.
It's been more than 50 years since I've been in the building but it is a landmark that will never be forgotten in spite of the fact that you have now grown to the dignity of a new station. I hope to get off there some day and hope that there won't be too many changes in your dear old town.
No comments:
Post a Comment