The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1869-05-10
CALIFORNIA.

PACIFIC RAILROAD TO BE COMPLETED ON MON
DAY.
SAN FRANCISCO, May 7.-Dispatches from
Fromontory state that the UHion Pacific Com
pany are unable to complete their road before
Monday, the 10th inst. The delay causes great
disappointment here and at Sacramento, every
preparation being completed to celebrate to-
morrow the event in a BETTING manner The
heavy rain storms have interfered with the
work, causing considerable damage to the track
and bridges in the neighborhood OF Echo citv
and Ogien. The celebration takes place to-
morrow Saturday at San Francisco and Sac
ramento, although the ceremony of Joining the
two roads is postponed until Monday noon.
THE RAILROAD CELEBRATION.
SAN FRANCISCO, May 8-The Pacific Rail-
road celebration to-day was one to be remem-
bered for all time in San Francisco. The day
was ushered in by a salute of 100 guns All
the Federal forts of the harbor fred salute,
the bells were rung and steam whistles blown.
At night the whole city was illuminated and
presented a brilliant appearance. The process
sion was the largest and most enthusiastic
ever witnessed in this city. The people were
eager and willing to observe an event OF so
much importance to their city and the Pacific
coast, and turned out en- masse. Business was
generally suspended, and nearly every citizen
exhibited hearty interest in the demonstra-
ton. The military and civic display was
grand. In addition to the militia, all the avail
able United States troops from the several
forts here participated in the occasion, while
the civic societies turned out with full ranks
The city and harbor presented magnificent
sight. During the day the principal buildings
were draped with the banners of every nation
and the streets were thronged with an excited
and joyous people. The shipping was dressed
in fine style.
The dispatch from the junction of the road,
announcing the driving of the last spike of the
Central Pacific Railroad, at o'clock p. NJ,
sent thrill through the city. Congratulatory
messages were transmitted to the Directors OF
the Central Pacific and Union Pacific roads
by the California pioneers.
At Sacramento the event was celebrated in
grand and enthusiastic manner The city
was crowded with a multitude of people from
all parts of the State and Nevada The Grand
Lodge of Odd Fellows, in session in this city
accepted an invitation to attend the Sacra-
mento demonstration, and lodges from Neva-
da, Grass Valley, Vallejo, San Francisco, San
jesse, Marysvile, and Virginia and Gold Hill,
Nevada, were also in attendance. The lines of
travel to and from Sacramento were thrown
open to the public free, and immense numbers
of people took advantage of the circumstance
and hocked hither. The Central Pacific Com
pany had thirty locomotives gaily decked aud
ranged in front the city, and as the signal gun
was announcing the driving of the last spike
of the road the locomotives opened a chorus of
whistles, and all their bells and steam whistles
Joined in. Profound regret is expressed be-
cause the roads were not joined to-day.
Dispatches from the promontory say that
several hundred men had seized the train at
Piedmont, on which was Vice President Du-
rant telling him they were hungry and must
have their money, and that they would detain
him till it was forthcoming. The non-arrival
of Mr.. Dllrant is alleged to be the principal
cause for pOstponing the ceremonies of joining
the road till Monday next.
SAILING OF STEAMER.
The steamer Colorado sailed for Panama to-
day, carrying $3.50 900 in treasure, of which
$1S2,OOO is for New York, $194 900 for England,
$32 900 for France, $252,OOO for San Jose de
Guetamee and $4,000 for Panama