The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1873-02-01
THE LAST SPIKE.
Chesapeake and Ohis Ia iiroad Com.
pIesed-Ceremonie Of Laying she
Last Rail.

Plesed-Ceremenies Of laying sh
Last Rail.
| HAWKS NEsf, W. Va, January 29
The last rail on the Chesapeake ant
Ohio railroad, connecting the Chesa
peake with the Ohio, the seaboard with
the 1900 miles Of constant navigation
on the Ohio, Mississippi and its tribu
taries, and Richmond with the Grea'
West, was laid to-day at l o'clock P
II. The last spike in the last rail wa
driven by Captain c. r. Mason, thu
Napoleon oil railroad contractors, who
has been identified with this great en-.
terprise since its inception, forty year:
ago. Captain Mason shoveled the frs
dirt on the old Louisa railroad, from
which this great trunk line has sprung
He was for fourteen years the General
Superintendent, and has been con-
tractor in every part OF the line, and
on its heaviest work, aud has COM
pleted the labor which he began forty
years ago. He had in his hand the
rule which he used in measuring the FIRST
work ever oone on the line. He insisted
that some OF the oldest spike drivers
should hit few taps before he drove il
home.
In calling on Captain Mason, Major
Whitecomb, Chief Engineer, spoke oil
the appropriateness OF having him drive
the last spike, and returned his hearty
thanks to the engineers, contractors
and laborers for their energy in push.
ing the work through amid 80 many
difiiculties. He said that he deemed it
especially appropriate to return thanks
to the Giver OF all good, and called on
Rsv. J. VIM. Jones. OF Richmond, who
was born in the year in which the road
was begun, who offered the following
prayer:
Almighty God-Our most gracious,
Heavenly Father, Supreme Architect
Of the Universe, Ruler in the affairs OF
men, a. amid the armies OF skies, we
desire as we gather on this happy occa-
sion, to devoutly recognize Thy hand
and bring Thee the homage Of grateful
hearts. We would render Thee thanks
that the hopes Of forty years are real
lied; that arduous laborp and untirng
perseverance are rewarded, and that
patient skill is crowned with
success in the completion today of this
great work. We thank Thee, o God,
that Thou didst put it into the minds
OF earnest men to project this great
road, and for all that Thou didst enable
them 10 accomplish. And we give Thee
thanks that when they could do no
more Thou didst raise up others with
ample resources and sufficient enter
prise to push it to 80 speedy a compile.
ton. And now, o Lord, we pray Thy
richest blessing upon this road. Bless
all Of its officers and employees, that
they may have at all times clear eyes
and cool heads and steady hands TO
carry in safety the precious freight that
may be committed to their charge.
Aahc tuio fOou % uicooiuH W tuc COun-
ties and States through which it runs,
aud to the whole country. May it, We
beseech Thee, bind with links of steel
in closest friendship and fraternity wide.
ly separated sections, and peoples oil
our common country; and above all, as
men shall run to and fro, aud knowl-
edge shall increase through it's instru-
mentality, may it bear to destitu'e re-
gions messengers of the Prince OF Peace,
and scatter far and wide through these
mountains and valleys the printed page
that tells oi Jesus, thus contributing to
the Fastening OF the glad time when
kingdoms OF this world shall become
the kingdoms OF our Lord and His
Christ; all Of which we ask and offer
in the name and for the sake Of Christ,
our dear Redeemer. Amen"
There were present q large number of
engineers, contractors and citizens, who
gave q hearty cheer when the work
was done. ... -. r.yr.f
Virginia sends greeting to Ohio
Richmond to CINCINNATI. May this
great line promote acquaintance, trade,
good-fellowship and fraternity between
those who have 30 much in common.