The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1867-06-25
Correspondence of the Cincinnati Gazette
THE UNION AND PACIFIC RAILROAD.


1t was run of sixty miles from
North Platte to the point where the
track ended yesterday. A month ago
not tie had been laid where the train
now rolled on for three hours. 1t was
in all senses ride into the wilds. The
river bluffs were near the water; the
valley rapidly contracted the river
narrowed to about nine hundred yards.
A little distance from its bank one was
safe from Indian shots. 1t was COM
Portable to think so. At the first sta
ton we we're opposite a rancho where,
only an hour before, the body of a man
killed by the Indians yesterday, lay in
full view. A passing wagon had taken
it up.
The railroad lies along on the north
bank of the river, ,and on the opposite side
is the old military road to Laramie, now
lined with telegraph. 1t is along the
latter road that the greater part of the
Indian attacks have taken place. The
swift and wide river was at once pro-
lection against random bullets and an
attack. And SO Our party, bent on
pleasure, and enjoying every moment
to the full, journeyed for half day al
most within rifle range of q wood where
at any moment the war-hoop of the In
dian might startle the traveller. An
hours ride beyond North Platte the
party was witness to real Indian at
tack, though at the time its character
could not be fully ascertained. What
we saw was this =: A rancho iR the dis
tance, toward which three horsemen
were furiously urging few head OF
cattle. 1t was to save them from cap
ture. The Denver stage had stopped
inside the enclosure The passengers
and the inha bitants of the rancho SEEM
ed very busy, as if preparing for an at
tack. Upon the ridge beyond two
horsemen could be seen riding out of a
ravine. Between this rancho and the
next above a wagon was driving in all
haste to take refuge in the last and
nearest one. The horses were running
at the top of their speed. The whole
scene was painfully exciting, and it was
sad to learn as we did atterward, that
one Of these ranches was sacked, and
two persons killed and scalped. Only
a river between, and yet death ruled
on one bank, and pleasure on the
other
NEARING THE END.
Within twenty miles of the end of
the track few of the party rode on the
cowcatcher. It seemed marveloussto
drive on at twenty miles an hour over
rails that had only been down for ten.
days. But the perfection with which
the work is always done allows it, and
makes it safe. 1t was exhilerating in
the extreme, thus under the flags which
streamed on either side, to rush over
these prairies SO lately bound with links
ol iron to the empire of the East. The
shadow of the train was upon the track
before us, pointing West. AS on the
ocean, smokestack and paddie-wheel,
;suppiantlng sail, led the westward NOV
ns nations, so on this ocean of green,
sHrokeStaek and driving-wheel in place
VI; VI Cne most toiling team, bear our ma
Uvn W. toward the sunset.
~. lhree hundred aud twenty-five miles
Ou', a construction train. of 80 cars
;;sOod on track. 1t was loaded with
su"t nu.t, Ties, spikes, and chains, in exactly
ed eSC1 Proportions as were needed. Itleok-
W. w.S vie very embodiment of system and
the the vne, Uns key to the rapidity with which
On sto"s torS progresses. A little farther
stannoS tUI !: similar train, and next we
trart rPIu ~ In rear of the one where the
swift layers layers resided. Seventy-six hours
goai f11Gdilng had brought us to this
Sght me Il hills of Colorado were in
Boston. : 'a'icisco was nearer than
der fe feor road had been constant won.
shons ''i =. The start. Its depots, its car
smaothn ssrI ats equipment, its remarkable
lono h,iSs its high rate of speed, its
ing: oniages, and it's well-ordered eat
tentiou tiUuses, had attracted consatnt at
The tt 70 1t as railroad alone.
future 'hh?:nght u: that it was to be the
over il an highway of the nation, threw
net be- aa u, interest and charm that can
elsewhere felt. Then, every !