Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1874-04-11
OLYMPIA, SATURDAY MORNING. APRIL II, Isl
THE WORK COMMENCED.


,iav on which doubt gave way to certainty;
when the future Of our town and county was
practically decided by manifestation of
earnest determination before which all OBJ
stacles must yield. On that day 1t WAS dHclf
ed that the Olvmpia-Tenino Railroad 'r"o'" 'e
built Aud here it may he well to s'A'e' tha'
our ideas of the magnitude of the undertake
ing are exaggerated, as natural consequence
of frontier life and its associations. onr calh-
talists have acquired a halit OF ho"rdlhg
as well as croaking, and their lnlneH"c
checks the zeal and llights the prospects 81
enterprises that present the ordinary ch"""s
as remunerative Investments. The people
very naturally look 10 these men as paragons
of wisdom, when a little thought Will deih-
onstrate that quite often their wealth is more
the result of fortuitous circumstances luck
than any prcdominatc traits OF business
shrewdness or sagacIty.
Our railroad project is regarded by the peo-
pie more as an unt!icd CNpcrmt nj, by when
they hope TO better their condition, precisely
rs the proposition of railways and "twelNe
miles per hour was looked upon FORTY wears
ago bv the wscst men and best engineers of
the whole country. Their utility has exceed
ed the most san,ruine expectations of the
projectors and they have done more to en-
tend the area OF civilization, develop the
resources of the country. and conduce to our
nations greatness thana any other single cause.
What railroads have done for other conimu-
mites they NAV do for ours The rule is uni
yersal, and applies Just as we'll TO rival com
munities who NAV win the race 10y superior
effort, in which event we must obey the law
of conversation and fall into a "slow de-
cline
1t must have been some such reflections as
these which caused our people last Tue sday to
unite with so zealously in breaking ground for
the Olympia Railroad. At an carly hour
the town put on holiday attire; flags tloated
from every staff and housctop while the roar
of artillery, the clang of bells and strains OF
martial music announced that the time had
come foraction. At eight o'clock a procession
was formed on the public square, consisting
of long column of sturdy laborers in work
ing dress, metamorphosed from our bankers
merchants, governors, lawyers, Judges doc
tors, farmers carpenters, blacksmiths, print
ers, and representatives from almost every
vocation in life. Armed with axes. ricksand
shovels, they presented formidable array
while lovely woman gracod the occasion with
her charming presence and ever-welcoine
lunch baskets. Headed by the Olympia
Light Guard Band, the procession took up its
line of march forthe Tumwater bridge, where
it was joined by the one from that place
Boats were in readiness. and the crowd, now
numbering about 400 or 500 persons, immed-
ately embarked. Arriving at Warren's Point
the scene of operations the work was soon
laid out, under the supervision of Engineer
Morris, and the several gangs were assigned
to their respective duties. Soon the sounds
of hundreds of axes, the falling Of trees, the
cracking of twigs, were heard amid the con-
fused jabbcr of many tongues. Closely fol-
lowing upon those clearing the way, came
the graders and the road-bed gradually
heightened out under the vigorous applica-
ton of pick and shovel As seen from the
the high point onthe opposite side of the bay,
the scene was grand and picturesque. The
long line of white shirts relieved here and
by the calico dresses, presented a scene OF
activity as unusual as it was cheering.
About noon the ladies commenced spread
ing the lunch tables in the large cook-house
but it being evident that but small portion
of the number could find accommodations al
the two long tables there spread, a number o.
cloths were placed on the ground outside
and covered with profrsion of "goo6
things" as well as the more substantial vi
ands. The tempting array disappeared like
grain before the sickle, against the assaults o
appetites sharpened by the mornings eXer
else, and the miracle of Holy Writ was no
examplified in the remnants that were gath
cred up after the repast. a large key of beer
donated by Mr.. Eldridge, who could not per
form days labor but wanted to aid the work
was tapped just in time to afford grateful
desert, and to enliven the speeches made by
several of our prominent citizens. Durin.
the speaking many names were added to thu
subscriptions of work, and resolution wa
adopted that one day each week lie set apar
for work son the grade" Next Thursda,
was designated for another grand rally, an,
the first day of May, for a still grander one
when it is expected that every man in thu
county will report for duty, at the poin
where operations may have been carried b,
that time.
The band struck up a lively air as worl
was resumed along the line, and at times
during the afternoon enlivened the thron.
with its cheering music. When not thus EN-
ployed, its members exchanged their instru
ments for spade or axe, and demonstrated
that although they were VIGOROUSLY on tn
"blow," they could come down to squar
work when necessary. At o'clock in tn
evening, when all knocked Off" it was est
mated that full mile was cleared ant
grubbed, and at least quarter of mil
graded in workmanlike manner. requiring
the moving and laying of 200 cubic feet o
earth! Mr.. Morris. the engineer, says tina
he never saw an equal amount of work don
before by the same number of men. Al
returned home pleased with the work done
and happy in the belief that no longer an,
doubt exists of the speedy completion of tn
Olympia-Tenino Railroad.
On Wednesday a telegram was sent t.
Judge McFadden announcing the result o
the first days work, and urging the speed,
passage of the act authorizing county aid.
ENTHUSIASTIC Among the devices dis
played while the railroad procession wa
marching along Main Street last Tuesday