The Van Buren press., 1870-05-03
From Little Rock Gazette, April 9th.
Little Rock and Fort Smith Rail
Road.
Completion Of the .frst Tcenty Miles
an Excursion orer IT," " Wosfrdrd ~

others of Boston, for the construction
of this road, its progress has been the
theme Of universal praise and admiration
all along the line. Active operations
were commenced about the middle OF
October last, and on Thursday we had the
pleasure of observing the progress that
has been made since that time to tine pres
cnt. The first twenty miles were COM
pleted and in running order on Saturday,
April 23d, and on the 2Sth an excursion
party Of our prominent citizens, on INV
tation of the chief engineer, Col. "A. 4.
ROBINSON, passed over it. Three plat
form cars were arranged for the occasion.
Comfortable seats were placed on each,
and the whole was covered over with
heavy canvass, while the sides were fes-
tooned with evergreens, end from the top
the American flag gracefully unfolded its
stripes to the breeze. About 1880, am.
a few taps from the bell announced "all
aboard and onward we sped to the west.
The first five miles were passed i'll l09
minutcs-the embryo city of Bartlett
10 miles-in 22 minutes, and the end OF
the first twenty miles was reached in ex-
actlv one hour. Here the party alightcd,
and with them several baskets of spark
ling Heidsick, ice and cigars, and gen
eral good time was the result.
Major Montgomery proposed three
cheers for Col. Robinson, which were
heartily given, and Col. X. replied i'll a
few words of thanks, remarking that he
was no speaker.
Coy. Clayton being called for, said he
would speak for Robinson. These iron
rails speak for hm-he would like to see
more speakers of that kind He felt
grateful at these unmistakable signs OF
progress.
Rev. j. A. Butler was the next. lie
thought Robinson descendant OF the
crew OF the Mayhower, land that is enough
to bind him to all Americans, These are
progressive days-we have progressed
twenty miles this morning in one hour.
He rcmembei ed story of DR.. Franklin.
When he killed turkey by electricity
across a river, an old lady pronounced
him crazy. 1t requires but the hand OF
science to permeate mother earth to make
her richer than CrTsus. He proposed
three cheers for Robinson, which were
heartily responded to.
Judge English was called out. lie
said that about twenty six years ago he
came up here and camped under one OF
these trees. We used TO complain of
Boston for the money we paid her. She
is now paying us back, and he proposed
her good health
Judge Rose was called on and made a
happy effort, as he always does. lie
wanted to correct statement OF Mr..
Butler in reference to Robinson, lie had
! looked into the book Of his genealogical
history, and found that Col Robinson
was not descendant of the Pilgrim faith
ers but of Robinson Crusoc He remem
bered reading speech of our first Gov
ernor, James Miller, delivered in 1920,
who reached the capital Of the State after
continuous travel of six weeks. Tha,
hap ban.,.b~ ov-hraao in nearly six days.
During the same length of time in the fu-
ture as great changes will creep upon us.
These twenty miles are but q link in the
line to the Pacific. One enterprise be-
gets another. This is the dawn of a new
age In fifty years from now he doubted
not you could take q train at this point,
traverse the plains to the Pacific, and
swing around to Cape Horn, through all
the vicissitudcs of climate. These cn-
gines point to anew era-to time when
the people will be bound together by
bands Of iron. When we get railroads
we will have pcace--if we have wars they
will he Of short duration-and when we
see more of each other we will be more
like common brotherhood
Gen. Bishop was then called for. lie
said the trees were the greatest of civil
ians-thcy are respectfully bowing them
selves away, Some squabblc had occur
red about the eastern terminus Of n Pa
ciGc Road-but that energy which brings
the road to this point will find an outlet
He heartily agreed with Judge Rose
about the gcneology Of Col Robinson
Col. Robinson said the engineer might
plan and direct, but all his efforts would
be fruitless without some energetic man
to prosecute, lie desired to introduce
Mr.. Steacy, the contractor Of the road, to
whom we owe this ride TO day
Mr.. Stacy was thankful for the kind al
lusions to him. Three cheers were pro
posed and heartily joined in his honor.
Judge Bowen was then called for. He
had an abiding interest in railroads lie
saw before him men representing every
shade of politics and pursuits of life who
had abandoned their business for enc day
to commingle together on this occasion,
and he was particularly impressed with
the effect railroads have upon the minds
of the people. 1t binds them together in
closer ties, and does more to wipe out
prejudice and bad feeling than all other
agencies combined. He said the assem-
bly, had overlooked the man who was the
original protector Of the road, and who
had done more 10 bring about the present
result than all Others, Capt. j. ii. Hancy
and proposed three cheers for him.
Loud calls were made for Capt. Haney
who responded by saying that he was
not in the habit of speaking-he could
only express his grateful feelings for the
kind illusions to himself. Three hearty
cheers then rent the air for Haney.
Judge Watkins, Rev. }. Brooks, Rev.
Mr.. Morrell, Rev. Mr.. Welch, and Hon,
Tom. Fletcher, made short addresses.
Col. Robinson then invited his guests
to q box car in front, where an elegant re-
past had been prepared for the occasion,
presided over by that prince of caterers