North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1869-05-19
COMPLETION OF THE PACIFIC
RNlr,RnSD

COUNCIL BLUFFS, May 1.-THE last rail
on the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific
railroad was la d at clock this evening,
thus completing the road to this point,
and forming a junction with the Union
Pacific. Our city is alive with excitement
in consequence, and extensive preparations
are making tonight to celebrate the event
tomorrow, on the arrival of the first train,
which will occur at o'clock p M. Ali
the business houses will close at that hour;
all the civil societies in the city will turn
out in procession, and escort the railroad
officials and excursonists to the Pacili:
house, after, which the procession will
march to the corner of Broadway and Mar
ket streets ard perform the ceremony Of
lay ing the cornerstone Of new hotel,
which is being built by an association of
wealthy citizens, and will be the largest
hotel on the Missouri river.
The editorial article in the Chicago 2i'i-
bune, informing the public that the Chica--
GO, Rock Island and Pacific railroad was
completed to OMAHA and that the North
western was already completed to that
city, was an item of news to the people in
this vicinity, and verifes the old adage of
going from home to learn news. The peo-
pie of this city innocently supposed, from
daily view of the ends of the different
tracks of those roads, that they terminated
at this point, and formed their connection
with the Union Pacific by stages from this
| city.
THE CLOSING SCENE AT rRoMoNToRY SUMMIT.
PRoMoNToRY SUMMIT, Utah, May TO-:
The long and anxiously looked for event
the connection, by rail, of the Atlantic sea-
board with the golden shores of the Pacific
Yves finally accomplished at noon to day.
The ever-memorable ceremony was wit
messed by the principal officers of both
companies, and about 200 invited guests.
, Among them were Gems. Conner and lhric;
II. c. Nottingham, Superintendent of the
Cleveland and Erie road, and Gov. Stafford,
of Arizona. The entire number Of en-
ployees and guests probably did not exceed
| 1000.
After exchanging congratulations, while
the laborers of the Union Pacific and the
Chinamen of the Central were employed
in arranging the tracks for the last rail,
the Rev. DR.. Todd offered up prayer, ask
ing the favor of heayen upon the enterprise.
This was followed by sreech from DR..
Harkness, of California, in presenting Gov.
Stanford with spike of gold. This was
replied to by Gov. Stanford in few ap-
propriate remarks. Gov. Stafford, of
Arizona, then presented similar spike to
the officers of the Union Pacific. The
response was made by Gen. Dodge.
Then the two last rails were laid opposite
each other. The wires were so arranged
that the city-hall bell in San Francisco was
struck at every stroke of the hammer, and
the last stroke discharged cannon con-
nected at San Francisco in electric circuit.
The lines east were also placed in connect
ion, to report every stroke at Omaha, Chs
cago, New York and Boston.
/ About ~ o'clock, the work Of driving
the last spike commenced, amid the deaf
enipg shouts of the multitude, and in less
than two minutes the great national high
lished fact
! THE PACIFIC MAILS EN- RoUTE BY RAIE.
| WASHINGTON, May 1.-THE Postoflice
department has received telegram from
Promsntory Point, stating that the mails
have been delivered at that place to the
Central Pacific road, and that the through
line has been regularly established. The
Butterfeld company was last week inform
ed that it's contract would cease on the
junction Of the roads. The cost by the
Butterfeld route for transporting mails
was 81, l,l0O per mile, and by the railroad
5000 mile-per annum.
ENTHUSIASM IN CALIFORNIA.
San Francisco, May l0.-The Pacific
Railroad company, to-day, at ll:lo in the
forenoon, San Francisco time, laid the
last tie and rail, and the last spike was
driven. The telegraph was attached to
the city hall bell in this city, and 10
inch gun at Fort Point The first stroke
Of the hammer on the last spike fired the
i gun at the fort, and rang the city hall
bell. fhe news created great enthusiasm
= in the interior cities of the State.
FIRST INVOICE OF TEAS.
: The first invoice of Japan teas by the
Pacific railroad was shipped for st. Louis
to-day, inaugurating overland trade with
China and Japan.