The New York herald., 1869-05-12
THE PACIFIC RAILROAD.
\ CEREMONIES AT THE COMPLETION
The Fin Invoice Of Japan Tea Shipped
frmN San Francisco.
The Overland Ma. lis Transferred to
the Raiis> 'ad.

CcreHssnies NJ the Completis6 ~ the haii'
road-PersDns Present-InterestipA Pai ficu'
lars. y
PROMONTOnY SUMMIT Utah, May TO- Is69.
Early this morning the principal men of the Union
Pacific Railroad arrived here from Echo and Weber
canons, where they had been experimenting the
pairs OF several bridges damaged by raise water.
The first palace sleeping car ever the Pacific
territory was brought over the worst bridge at
DEVILS Gate, by ropes 1t not being considered safe TO
use locomotive. The passengers consisted Of T. c.
Durant, vice president OF the Union Pacific Rail-
road; Sidney Dillon, director; John Dun director;
Colonel Seymour, consulting engineer; General
Dodge, chief engineer; Samuel B. Reed, superintend-
ent Of construction; General Easement d. T. Case
ment, Mr.. Boyd, d. Henry, Major Bent and other
contractors; George Leddie, superintendent Of
bridges; l.. II. Echols assistant superintendent OF
bridges and many others OF the Union Pacific men.
OF the Central Pacific Railroad there were Gov
ern0r Stanford, president; John Corning, assistant
superintendent; General John Strawbridge super.
intendent Of constructions; Stephenson, civil engi-
neer, and others. There was also delegation from
Salt Lake CITY, consisting Of Colonel jennings vice
president OF the Utah Central Railroad; Bishop
sharp Of Union Pacific contracting firm Of Sharp
& Young; Colonel +. Little-al Mormons-and
Colonel F. H. Head, superin tendent OF Indian
Affairs, from Ogden City. deputation Of Mormons.
including President Richards one Of the twelve
apostles; Bishop West, and President Farr, OF the
Central Pacific Railroad. and contractors Stenhouse,
OF the Salt Lake telegraph, were there. There were
also Edgar Mills banker, OF SACRAMENTO; General
Houghton Surveyor General Of California; L. w.
Coe, president Of the Pacific Union Express Judge
Sanderson, Of the Supreme Bench OF California;
liam sherman and Roll I. Harris, civil engineer
Of San Francisco; General P. Connor. OF Utah;
Cogswel Colonel Ihric and Lieutenant oliver, OF
the United States Army In all 1900 peOple-capi-
taists, professional railroad men and graders. with
few iades-were ON the ground 70 witness the com.
pletiOn OF this great work.
The scene was grassy valley on mountain
which divides north end of Great Salt Lake into
two bays, far away from all signs OF civilization
cept such as surround the railroad camps. A chosen
party OF skilled Chinese leveled the ground and land
the last few ties, and the last pair OF rails were
placed and spiked to all but the last tie, the spikes
being driven by Mr. Nottingham, President OF the
mssioners Sherman, Hoyne, Strawbridge and Reed
supernCendents OF construction placed the polished
Laurel tie with rsn silver plate sent by
by the respective officers of the Union Pacific, taking
the right hand rail- looking east and the Central
Pacific the left hand Edgar Mills, as master Of
ceremonies, called upon Rev. DIR. Todd, Of Pittsned,
to invoke the blessing of the Deity on their work.
Dr. Hardness, with few words offered CalifOrna's
gift OF golden spike, which was accepted by Vice
President Durant and by him placed In the auger
hole. Mr. f. A. Irittle, In the name OF Nevada,
u u IL.
nor Stanford accepted and placed 1t. Governor SAT-
ford of Arizona, on behalf OF that Territory offered
spike OF g0d silver aud iron, with short sentiment
Governor Stanford responded for the railroad over
which he presided. After rec0unting their aDors
and anXieties, and expressing wish Tor
amty, peace and cooperation between the
companies he spoke OF the great future for
railroads, when freights by railroad shall be less
than any other mode OF carriage. General Dodge
cluded by saying they had built the pathway 10
India.
Edgar Mills added a few words and presented a
silver sledge hammer In the name Of the Pacific
Union Express Company. Governor Stanford re.
ceved 1t, and the telegraph wire having been con-
nected with fI and Vice President Durant having
arrived with the ordinary TOOL the signal was given
and the President OF the Central and Vice President
OF the Union drove home the last spikes At Stan.
OF cannon made known to the world that the great
work which will revoutiOnize commerce was &C
complished, ana that courage patience and
skill had achieved what was o few years
ago laughed at as the dream OF enthusiastic
When the shouts OF JOY had subsded the kilograms to
the President OF the United States and to the Asso
ciated Press read, and the ceremony concluded
with three cheers for every one concerned in building
the road, from the ab0rer who did the work to the
government that furnished the means. Many con-
Rratulau0ns and expressions OF mutual respect and
esteem passed between officers OF roads, once rivals
now united and with common interests in building
up the trafIlc OF both coasts and developing the
country through which they pass. Cafornlas inte-
rest IN this days work on Prornontory summit is
only second to that Of the finding OF gold at Suffers
Mill and the results are likely to be as stupendous In
their ere cts the Pacific slope and the world at
large.