The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-07-21
4 Ride ON she Minnesota Central
Railroad.

4 Ride on she Minnesota Contra
Railroad.
Although the formal opening OF thu
Minnesota Central Railroad for business
may not occur for a mouth or two, yet ae
completion of twenty-five miles south rom
Mendoza, was appropriately siezedoy the
accomplished Chief Engineer, D o. sHEP-
ARD, Esq, fer an inspromp'utelebrasion'
in which we had the pleas,re Of particle
pating on Tuesday last, company with
about thirty gentlemen smeng whom we
noticed Senator RAMssff, MrlK F. DRAKE,
President of the Minnesota Valley road,
r. BIAKsLY, Ego Hon. r. ]; BALDWIN,
WV. g. Ksa. Esq, #. 3. DEIAko and
Mr.. BREED, Of the Pacific Road, Hon. LEVI
Nurrns, Col. NcLARrs, Msjor R1cs, Col.
MopeAs, DR. F. R. Porrs, CnAs MoIIRArH,
State Auditor, and other citizens and gen.
tlemen from abroad, whose names we are
not able to recall. .a,sS' 5'5 Elm
At MENDOZA the excursionists spent an
an hour or two inspecting the fine bridge
in process of construction across the Min
nesota river, and in general survey of
the extensive works of the company. We
apprehend that few persons are aware OF
the vast amount of materials required, and
the labor and expense that have been be-
slowed upon the road at this point The
arched bridge of stone just below the Fort,
the high embankment to the Minnesota
river and the bridge across the latter cost
ing over $50, 900, with a vast amount of
trestle-work winding through Mendoza,
to the almost inaccessible heights
above, are but 30 many evidences OF
scientific skill and profuse expenditure of
capital. All the natural obstacles have
been met with determined purpose by the
far.ighted gentlemen who have had the
control of this road, and We have no doubt
they win ultimately have the qualification
Of seeing their most sanguine hopes real
ICED in the eminent success of their enter
prise. The officers of this road are as
follows:
Pre4dext-S CHAMBERLAIN.
Vice Presidcns-RUssELL 6Aok -
Chief Engineer and Sxp@sHtendau-D. G.
SHEPARD. --,..
Secreta,y-C. P. GILPM. ,.gs
Assistast Secretayy-R J. BALDwE.i 5.-'
Ifeasxrer-ALRxANDEK MITCHELL
~.
T. T. JAMES, WALTER & GuRNEE. 4. J. BALD.
wiz. ALExNDER MITCHELL Z. n. GooDslcH,
and D. L. WELLS. - F.
At eleven O'Clock, the whistle sounded
for call aboard, J" and we were soon seated
in comfortable box-car, with an extern
sive construction train, bound for the
front, with an ample supply Of refresh
ments for the trip, with which the invited
guests were literally entertained. We
started from the hill above Gen SnLxYs
house, from which views Of tho Mississippi
north and south, Fort Smelling, the sinucus
Ninnesota, and St. Paul were obtained,
al extremely picturesque and beautiful,
and Win always be 80 regarded BY trav-
elsrs Who may pass over the roak. Tho
train wended its way through rock cutting
twelve or fifteen feet in depth, for about .
quarter Of mile, and emerged into 3
has rolling country, about equally divided
intoprairie and oak openings, with email
lakes occasionally interspersed, which con-
tinusd through Wescotts station, to Rose
mount, where the prairie opened its broad
and beautiful expsnse to our view. Fromthis
point through Pennington station to Pop
lar grove, the terminus Of the excursion,
the country is gently rolling, with but lit
tie timber along the line Of tho road, al
though We we're never ont Of sight of the
forests In the distance. At Poplar Grove
Ten miles from Northfeld, we came upon
the tzaoklayers, Who are getting along at
the rate Of half mile each day, and prom
iee to get through to North6sld BY the
tenth day Of August. the road being ready
for the ties to that point. Here We come
TO stand, and the excursionists busted
themselves until dinner was prepared in
exploring. the adjacent fields and in tryins
their skill with the workmen in driving
spikes. We are sorry to confess the latter
had Q decided advantage. The arrange
ments for expediting the work are admir-
able. There are three houses, two stories
high, built on the long platform cars,
Az L.