St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1862-07-03
Ra1lroading in Minnesota.
First TWP ON the ct. Paul and Pacific
"A Railroad. 2


menced to run from St.. Paul to St. An
thony! Let it be recorded for the benefit
of the future historian of the vast North
west, that on the 28th day of j une, 1862,
the first link in the great chain Of rail.
roads which will, in the course of few
years, spread all over this State from the
valley ofthe Mississippi to the Red River
of the North, and from Lake Superior to
the Iowa boundary line, was, completed
and passenger train started from St. Paul
in the direction of Puget Sound! ~,
3 Yesterday morning the first installment
Of passenger cars for the st. Paul and Pa
ci6c Railroad Company arrived from be-
low by steamer, and were placed upon the
track. Invitations for an excursion trip
were Immediately issued by the contract.
ors, Messrs. Winters, Drake l. Co., and by
half past two O'clock a sufficient number of
excursionists-ladies and gentlemen-had
assembled at the terminus of the road to
fill the two sumptuous carriages, and after
brief delay, the locomotive steamed down
from the station house, attached itself to
the train, and, with shrek, started on
its trip towards the setting sun. It was
an exhllarating spectacle, those crowded
cars of excited exoursionlsts who were tax
ing their first railroad ride in Minnesota
The road is well built, the track sub
stantlally laid, and all agreed that railroad
ing in Minnesota is very much like rail-
reading anywhere else. The scenery
along tho route is picturesque aad often
enchanting. The high prairie about mid
way, between St. Paul and the Falls, at
this season Of the year, covered as it is
with its rich crops Of grain and grass, Is
particularly beautiful mo very enthusi:
.astic demonstration. greeted the excur-
sionists at st.":Anthony; but the short
time spent at that place was enjoyed by
them as well as circumstances permitted.
After 4 stroll through the suburbs Of the
Falls city, the passengers again took their
seats on the train, and it started on its re-
turn trip making good time, and deposi,
ting it's valuable freight in good condition
on tho banks Of the Mississippi. 1:. W.,
Altogether the event was pleasant one,
and one. long to be remembered. The
contractors; Messrs. Winters, Drake & Co.,
deserve much credit for their extraordina-
~ energy in pushing their work forward
with so much rapidly. Their contract
has been completed, and the trains from
St. Paul to St. Anthony will commence
their regular trips on Tuesday. Burbank's
stages will be withdrawn from the line,
and after that day the railroad will have
monopoly Of the carrying trade between
the two points. :
Above St. Anthony the contractors are
Messrs. Litch6eld & Co., and they will
carry on the work vigorously. The iron
will be laid as far as Anoka in two or three
months, and it is thought likely that the
rails may reach St. Clond before the win
ter sets in.
Such is: the commencement Of railroad
building in Minnesota! This year promi-
ses to be the most eventful one in the his
tory of the State. After the few years OF
depression which followed the extraordi-
nary imitation of the era of land spccula-
ton, Minnesota has taken new start
Emigration is pouring into the State at a
rate almost unheard of, and while the set
tiers are covering the fertile prairies, the
railroads for the first time are beginning
to assume tangible shape. The St. Paul
and Pacific Road is the first one to start
on its career, but the Transit Road will
not be far behind. 1t will soon be under
contract also, parties being now at Vino
ma, who are looking over the road, prepar-
atory to taking the matter in hand. And
80 with all the land grant roads-as the
State fills up, the roads will be required,
confidence will be increased, and they will
all DO built. In the meantime, we are
glad to know that St. Paul, at least, has a
and that it is in good running Or
der!
Fremont Relieved Of Duty.
MrDDLErowx, w., June q.