Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1854-03-08
Celebration OF the Opening o.
the Road.


splendid passenger cars ftcm me man''a''o',
OF A. B. Stone & Co. of this city, .or a'eA'u''
sion to Rock Island, in honor of the cohnie-
tion of the road. The day was one of the
most delightful of the season, and the genial
sunshine and the exhilerating atmosphere
chimed in well with the exultant spirit which
sparkled in the eye and shone in the counte
nance of every opc Of that goodly company
The train was tastefully ornamented with
flags and evefgreens, and its arriva! at the
different towns along the line was greeted with
the shouts of the people and the firing Of can
non. At Joliet, Morris. Ottawa, Lasalle. Peru.
Tisklwa, Geneseo, Moline, and other places.
accessiors were made TO our number. and
when the train arrived at Rock Island there
could not have been less than three hundred
and fifty persons on it.
The reception at Rock Island was mag
nifcent spectacle. Thousands of people lined
the streets and crowded the doors and wiz.
stout men and youths shouted exultingly,
while ever and anon the thunder Of Col Swift's
guns went booming across the Mississippi.
arousing the echoes from the majestic bluffs =
It vas glorious day for Rock Island and for
her neighboring city across the River. The
citisens ~ those places had looked forward to
for years. some Of them With fear and trem.
bling lest their eyes should not behold it,
Hundreds Of people from the contiguous coun'
try, both in Illinois and Iowa. had come in
to witness the scene,and to mingle their shouts
and congratulations with their city neighbors.
Delegations were there from most of the river
towns from Dubuque TO St. Louis, and some
had come from the far interior towns Of Iowa,
for they knew that the arrival of the iron horse
upon the banks of the Miss ssippi was but an
earnest of his speedily appearing beyond it,
aud stretching away on his dest ined course to-
ward the Pacific. we think We are not above
the mark in estimating the number present on
the arrival oil the train al from five to six thou
sand persons,
On leaving the cars, the company were es.
corted into the depot building by Messrs NJ.
b Osborn and A. K Philleo, members of the
committee of arrangements. where most boun-
tiiul repast was spread. Here they were well
coined in neat and eloquent address by J. j.
Beards'ey Esq. on the part of the city of Rock
Island. after which the viands were discussed.
At the conclusion Of the dinner Col. B. Buford
President of the day. called the vast assem-.
blage to order aud proceeded to read the fol
towing regular toasts:
!. The 22nd Of February-The birth dav Of
our country's Father, GEORGE WAsHISGroN
2. The 2and Of February 1854 The espousal
day uf the Mississippi Rive. aud the Atlantic
Ocean. May no vandal hand ever break tn.
connection.
3. The Projectors Of the C 4 r /. Railroad
Their hearts rejoice in what their eyes behold
What was conceived in weakness Is this day
brought forth in strength
4. Messrs Farnam 4 Sheffield. the builders o
the c. & r I. Railroad They have demon
strated by their fidelity and enterprise that
corporation may have a soul. In their marcel
to the Pacific the blessings of the cities ant
States left behind will follow them.
5. The X. / 4 Lasalle Railroad 1t never me
death but translated.
6. The President and Directors Of the C. 4 r
1. f. R-One star may differ from another ir
glory, but we see no difference. and know non,
on this joyful occasion.
z. The State Of Illinois
8. The State of Iora--
g. Chicago and the intermediate cities on the C
4 r. + Railroad
10 Davenport. our sister city--Her liberalit,
and promptness in aid of common en;erpris,
prove that generosity and magnanimity know
no locality. May nothirg but our noble rive
ever divide US.
II. The Press. the Telegraph and the S,ean
Engine-The three levers which move tn
world Of modern civilization.
IL. Our guests-If our houses are not roo
my enough to receive them, our hearts ar
full
10. The Future
These sentiments were responded to in al
eloquent manner by Gov. Bebb. Messrs. j. j
Reardsley. Henry Farnam, W. Bracket, P
Maxwell. Churchill. Coffing, W. Duane Wilson
Judge R. s. Wilson. A. Corbin. Jr., and 9th
ers. The speeches were highly appropriat,
to the occasion, an6 elected, throughout en-
thusiastic applause from the vast concourse
While these things were transporting within
a grand spect acle was witnessed without. The
two cities of Rock Island and Davenport were
most beautifully Illuminated. The windows Of
stores, private residences, and public build ngs
were lit up on both sides Of the river, and the
lights reflected back from the bosom of the
Mississippi. we're indefinitely multiplied, the
whole presenting scene Of imposing grand.
eur. After the reading of the regular toasts,
large portion Of the company, headed by she
Moline brass band. marched in procession
through TIE principal streets OF the city. 9th
els remained in the depot until late hour,
Mr. Bai'y of Rock Island. presiding, where
4 speeches and sentiments beguiled the passing
hours. We regret that our limits preclude a
report Of the many good things that were said
and Of the many excellent sentiments that were
offered. Ofthe latter we have been furnished
with the following:
i BY E: T: Bridges
Henry Farnom-The Embodiment of the
spirit of the Age. We honor him not less for
his indomtable perseverance and untiring en-
ergy, than for his enlarged liberality and cour.
,eous bearing.
BY E: t. Bridges
Superintendent Galmore-Pre eminently quail
fled to discharge the important dutie. of his
Office. Each step of the Iron Horse toward the
Pacific. increases The number Of has friends
and afforos new fields for the display of his
great energy and effici ency.
The Locomotiue-The loud echo of whose pier
/
Prairies. is the death knel Of the despo.isms