Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1868-06-24
Rocky Mountain Excursion.

OHIoAeo Ills. June o, 1868
OOe Of the grandest conceptions Of modern civ
ilizaton is the construction OF railroad across the
continent This great enterprise, projected twenty
years ago by Hon Thomas q. Benton is now rap
idly advancing towards successful composition
Already, from tho Atlantic seaboard the West is
linked TO the East by iron bands, and the iron
steed, with breath Of steam and nerves of steel,
courses his rapid way from New York two thous-
and two hundred miles towards the golden shores Of
the Pacific So, from the Pacific side, the railroad
has scaled the Sierra Nevada range and it is sdvanc-
ing towards the East at cheering rate of progress
having achieved sixth of that part OF the IN
deriaking-75O miles--as to distance, and probably
one-third or more as to responsiveness
A wonderful composition is Just now prevailing
between the Central Pacific Railroad Company
on the West, and the Laion Pacific Railroad Com
pany-on the East-as 10 which can excel the
other IN first reaching the terminus Of its Hne.--
Under this sharp stimulus, the work advances with
surprising vigor and rapidly. The Union Pacific
Company, employing in all some ten thousand
pairs Of hands, lays from three to five miles of track
per day. The Central Company less number, in
deed, but q number reaching into the Thousands
Only some seven hundred miles remain unspanno
between the termini of the two roads. This space,
IL is supposed, will be girded by rails opening con-
unuous railway communication from ocean to
ocean by the 4th of July, 1883, and at latest, "
The lst of January, 1870.
most 90 bewder one, and to seem rather like fairy
dream, than practical reality. Yet it is none the
less truaas thousands attest by personal obser
walton.
In 1853, the writer was member Of the great
Pacific Railroad convention, belt in that year in
San Francisco, which made California Oregon snd
Washington Territory a unit in favor of the rou'e
nov traversed by the Pacific Railroad. In 1854, it
bis good fortune to personally witness the lay
ing of rails on the Central Pacific rosd and now, in
June, 1893 to observe, in person the completion If
The Union Pacific railway compsay's line for mo re
six hundred and thirty miles from Omaha, tho in.
iial point and 20 see the work advance rapidly
that, sitting down TO dinner IL ono Of Tire Companys
cars, before the dinner was complcted-say less than
an hour--we were actually drawn over nearly a
third Of a mile Of railroad laid within that time.
The asmainder Of this article will undertake 90
show how this excursion was arranged, and also
some Of the items and Incidents connected with t.
On the second day Of june last BY the courtesy
of the Union Pacific railway company and the
Northwestern Railroad Ompany-from Chicago TO
OmahA-and especially by the attention Of Hon.
g. w. Frost--prrchasing agent ct the Union Pa
cifc company party OF forty or fifty persons
officers and members Of the late General Conference,
snd few others-stsTted on excursion TO the
Western terminus Of thu Union Pacific railroad
Various ecclesiastical oficea well az different To-
calities were Represented The EpiscOpacy by Rev.
Bishops Simpson and Ames, whose families accom-
panied them. The Sceretaryship by Rev. Dr. W.
L. Harris and family formerly Of Delaware, Ohio,
snd Rev g. W. Woodruff and family, from New
York. The press by two past editors-Rev DFs
Cobleigh and Pearne, Of Tennessee and by two
present and lice editors-Rev. A. Edwards, assistant
editor Of the Northwestern AdUosate and Rev. Gil
bert Havsn, editor Of lions Herald Boston, Mss,
as we'll as also by long list Of reporters and cor
espondents Five others we're present from Massa-
chusetis, viz Rev J. Hascall, d D., Of Shreves-
burypori, Rsv. W. r. Clark, CT East Boston. Rev.
d. Dorchester, Of Worcester, Rev. James Porter,
late u Eew York, and Kew. D Shermon, OF VIII
brsham. In addition % those named above, New
York bad eight Representatives, VIZ Rev Drs. }.
w Lindsey, President Of Genesseo Wesleyan Uni
versiiy j. B. Wakey, Ct Sing Sing r. S. Foster, Of
New York city, and Kevs. II. n. Fellows, w. h.
Orn. I C. Quail and ". H. Graves sua Miss Anna
Cook of JeSerson county. Bishop simpson and
family Imported the credit Of Pennsylvania Rev
Bishop Ames and lady, that Of Maryland Rev. Q.
c MeCahe-the Chaplain Of Libby Prison fame
honoFa-i Ohio; Rev. l.. Hawkins Of Indians, Rev
T. A. Blades Of Michigan Rev. ]. 3. Dobbins, y.
y Of Trenton. New jersey, Rev. z. Newman
ID. Of New Orleans. Illinois vas represented By
Major S Visit, Of Decatur and By Col B. V. Page
and BY George Bowen Esq, snd family. hebras-
ka by our host, Mr.. Frost, Miss Shaw, Rev Dr.
Westwooi and lady and Rev T. B. Lemon, ali Of
Omaha.
From Chicago 10 Omaha over The Chicago sud
North western Railroad, Tia distance IS s94 miles
Hero oar travel was highly agreeable, from TIE
beauty OF tho scenery the courtesy Of M PolimaR,
who placed one Of bis splendid palaoee-tbe DA-
cotahtt cur disposal, snd eminently By the atten-
tioa Of Mr.. Frost who provided for Che party essIy
conform thai could Do desired
The soil Of Iowa is Of The richest, The improve
nents are ereditable-especialiy the State OniveF-
sitv baildipgs--ebe towns are thriving, and alto
eeher Iona bids fair t. ouigrow TIE t2nnt that she
could alwsys sag in truth, "Loass g
The distance aisssssaa eu tlis uis3 faeiue me-
VIZ. from Omshs % Rocky Creek, y six bandrsd
ana thirty-six miles. oser ibis entire distance,
alse We we're under the sane obligations % NJ.
Pullman for the Use Of Anetbsr OF - pslaes on
ubesls-fhs Nebrasks Oar mesh we're prepared
81 the different stations 10 ample order and Of a
eallent euslity, through the timely care Of ar.
Frost, IN telegrsphing oar approach.
The entire trip aHs inside "a good TINE, aod VITA
Ont other f.ishap than the hreskng Of tender axle
DELAYING as q few hours on the Chicago snd North
,gpsterp road The party were highly iniei liEent
spd travelled whose lively ard edifying cheer PR
vented dullness l. the scsnery hsd not and impart-
cd 20 the trgp chaacieroa Of interest never % Be
forgotten. From Chicago 70 omahs the time vas
twenty I've hours From omahs % Iaramis-9'2
rniles--iwenty. sis hours.
Toe much can sarsly Be said q The excellence e
the road from Omaha 70 Rocky Greek TIE grade
thgough The Platte Valley does 90. axeeea an sye.-
are 81 t6n feoi per nia. Crcssin9 tAe DISCS NUS
sid scAshlne he highest summit crossed y TBS ra
- nnF other Oh shis contrsnt-if not ia the ecsia
-ss az alofstion 81 S@s9s toet above the sca ne
.....~. ff.r- HfiIq