New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-05-20
NEW ORLEANS SATURDAY, MAY 20, 1871.

| 1
Esq, the general land agent and attorney
of the road; Major Gordon and Benjamin
McLeran, engineers for the road; Messrs
NJ. Downing and w. P. Kennedy, of the
firm of Reynolds, Bowling & Co., well
and faEorably known railroad contractors
all over the United States; Mr.. P Fortier,
contractor of this State, highly ap-
preciated for his worth as an ener-
getic, capable and honest man; Mr..
Dodge, Mr.. O'Donnen and Mr.. Pettingill.
Among the gentlemen present who are
not railroad men by profession, but who,
nevertheless, take a lively interest in rail
road matters, we will mention Owen Nc
Leran, Esq, Mr.. Charles Willis, Mr..
Smith, the tax collector of Donaldson
vile, Mr.. Charles A. Younger, and the
representative of the REPUBLICAN. Many
speeches were made and toasts drank
and as the sparkling wine went round the
wit began to flow in copious streams
The health of the chief engineer, Mr..
Bailey, was proposed and drank as some
thing important to the completion of the
road. This toast brought Mr.. Bailey to
his feet.
He responded by going into history of
the road. He said the distance from New
Orleans to Houston, according to the sur
vey of the road, was three hundred and
thirty miles-the shortest line, with less
curves, the longest straight lines and
lightest grade of any road on this CONT
nent. The health of the Mayor of DON
aldsonville was proposed and drunk, to
which Colonel Mason responded by going
inte an account of what Donaldsonyille
had done to encourage the building of
the road to that place, and concluded by
pledging to do all in his power to assist
in works of public improvement.
This meeting was harmonious and
pleasant throughout, and did not adjourn
until long after the wee small hours of
night had set in.
The next morning early the work of
finishing the track-laying was commenced
and finished. Mr.. Bowling had the
honor of driving the last spike, in the
presence of many persons assembled to
witness the finishing stroke to this i'm
portant link of the road that is to lead
through Texas. This done, few more
baskets of champagne We're opened, and
toasts drank. The officers of the road
were toasted: the contractors who had
faithfully performed the work were
toasted, and the citizens of New Orleans
and Donaldsonville were congratulated
on the completion of work that must
bring them into more intimate and profit
able relationship.
Judge Marks, editor of the ascension
Republican; Mr.. Ilsley, Mayor of Mason;
District Attorney Cheevers, General L.
NJ. Thomas, Mr. Bailey and others made
speeches upon this occasion,
and everything passed off in the happiest
manner possible.
Donaldsonville is handsomely located,
with front on the Mississippi, the Bayou
Lafourche, and the road that has Just
been completed to that place 1t has al
ready population bordering on two
thousand five hundred, and, surrounded |
BY rich lands, it is no doubt destined to |
become quite an important point of bust
less. An iron drawbridge will be erected |
1t this place across the Lafourche by
he railroad company. The founda-
ion for the bridge has been
made. The road from Donaldsonville to
Irand river-twenty-three miles-with
he exception of about four miles, is
graded and ready for the ties. From
Irand river to Vermilion, some thirty
niles, the work will be Immediately put
lnder contract. There is every evidence
hat the company designs pushing forward
he road to Texas with all possible energy.
There is to be a steam ferryboat to run
rom the foot of Calliope street, in this
A'J' ~ 'AO chattanooga uepOt, Ou Tue |
vest side of the Mississippi, opposite
'arrOllton.
Mr.. Bailey and his party returned to
he city on Wednesday night, having left
late on Wednesday eve
ing
The company will announce when the
Dad between here and Donaldsonville
Till be open for public patronage. We
Understand there will be an excursion
arty invited to make the opening trip.
)ur knowledge of the gentlemen con-
ected with the road leads us to believe it
'ill be pleasant affair
iOOiey's MinstreIs and BurIesque Opera.
This renowned company leave their
ONES in the North for the first time IN
leven years. special train will leave
hicago next Sunday morning, and on Tues
ay the entire Darty will arrive at the St !