Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-06-03
The Pacific ailrOad-Interesting Ac.
count of IFS CompI pIetiOn- How the
Last Rail was Lafd-The Speeches,
the Prayer, the JubflatiOn.

The Pacific Railroad Interesting Ac,
count of IFS pIetfOn-H How the
Last Rail was I.aid-The Speeches.
the Prayer, the JubiIatiOn.
We find in the Chicago Tribune the
fullest and completest account yet pub
lshed of the notable and historic event OF
Monday, the 10th ult., at Promontory
Point in Utah--the union of the two
grand divisions of the trans.continental
railway. 1t is of so much interest that
we reprint the larger part Of it:
Early Monday morning, Governor
Stanford and party from the Pacific coast
were on the ground. At half-past eight
an engine, with palace and two passen-
ger cars, arrived from the east, bringing
Vice President Durant and Directors
Duff and Dillon, Of the Union Pacific
road; General Easement; l.. w. Coe, Su-
periutendent of the Pacific Union express
company; Colonel F. Fl. Head, Superin-
tendent Of Indian Affairs; s. B. Reed,
Superintendent of Construction Of the
Union Pacific road; Rev. DR.. Todd and
Mrs. Theodore Clapp, of Pittsfeld; Gen.
erals Ihrie and Drew, and many others,
including several Mormon apostles. After
hearty exchange of congratulations, the
prelminaries OF the celebration we're
speedily ended. Both parties being at
last in readiness, the ties were thrown
down on the open space of about one
hundred feet, and the employees of the two
companies approached with the rails to
gil the gap. j. 81. Stenbridge, sub-con-
tractor, who has had charge of the build
ing of the Central Pacific from the laying
of the first rail on the bank of the Sacra-
mento, commanding party of Chinese
track layers, advanced from the west
with Assistant General Superintendent
Corning, who had the general supervision
and final arrangement.
The Cinnamon, conscious that the
strangers from the far East were watch
ing their movements with curious eyes,
welded the pick, shovel and sledge with
consummate dexterity; but their faces
wore an appearance of unconcern that
was wonderful if real, and not the less so
If affected. White laborers from the East
did their best work, but with more indi-
cation of desire to produce an effect,
and at eleven am. the European and
Asatic private soldiers of civilization
stood face to face in the heart of America,
each proudly conscious that the work
was we'll done, each exultant over the
victory won. Eoeine No. ll9 from the
Atlantic, and Jupiter No. GO from the
Pacific, each decorated with flags and
evergreens for the occasion, then sp-
preached within hundred feet from OPP
posite directions, and saluted with exul-
tant screams. Superintendent Nanden-
hugh now attached the telegraph wires
to the last rail, so that each blow Of the
sledge should be recorded on every con.
Meeting telegraph instrument between
San Francisco and Portland, Maine. 1t
was also arranged so that corresponding
blows should be struck on the bell in the
city hall at San Francisco, and the last
one fire cannon in the batteries at Fort
Point.
General A. X. P. Stafford, in behalf of
the territory of Arizona, presented a
spike composed Of iron, gold and silver,
as an offering by Arizona, saying:
f" Ribbed with iron, clad in silver, and
crowned with gold, Arizona presented
her Offering to the enterprise that has
banded every continent and dictated
new pathway to commerce.
The crowd fell back at the request of
General Easement, and the artist of the
Union Pacific railroad photographed the
scene, with locomotives confronting each
other, and Chinese and Caucasian labor
ers confronting the work. 1t was now
that the last blow was to be
struck. Every head was uncovered in
reverential silence, while Rev. DIR. Todd,
Of Pittsfield, Mass offered up the follow
ing brief and deeply impressive inyoea-
tioni
Almighty God, our Heavenly Father
and God of the creation, and the waters
Of the earth, in whom we move, and live
and have our being, we acknowledge Thee
to be the God of the creation of the
human mind, with its power and sue
cesses. On this beautiful day, in pres
ence Of these lovely hills and this golden
su mmit, we render thanks that Thou hast
by this rnesns brought together the East
and the West, and bound item together
by this strong band of union. We i'm
plore Thee that thou wilt bless this work |
Of our hands, which we have now COM
monument of our labor; and
that Thy blessing may rest upon it so
long as the bills remain. And we thank |
Thee for the blessings Thou hast con-
ferred on Us and other nations. Bless our
future and those whom Thou hast ap-
pointed to conduct ps. To Thee, to Thy
Son, Jesus Christ, be all honor and glory
ascribed, world without end. Amen"
The magnificent tie Of laurel, on which
was q commemorative plate of silver,
vas brought forward, put in place, and
Dr.. Hardness, in behalf Of the State OF
California, presented Governor Stanford
he gold spike, in aa address, concluding
IS folloys:
ait Is in this node that California,
within whose Borders and BY whose citl-
zens the Pacific railroad was iDsugurated,
ies:Fss TO express her appreciation Of the
vast imRoEtsAee "A her and her sister
States OF The great enterprise yhleh, by
your joint action, is about TO be consnW-
mated. From her mines Of gold she has
forged a spike; from her laurel woods
he has hewn tie; and by the hands Of
her citizens she offers them 10 become q
....t of The uroat highway which ie about |