St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-07-20

tailor, thoughtfully said, Measures, not
men, Mr.. Hindlaugh measures, not men.
In accordance with that sentiment
would say on this occasion, Deeds, not
words 1t gives me great pleasure to
announce on behalf of the managers OF
the Portland and Ogdensburg Railroad,
Vermont Division, the substantial COM
pletion of the road connecting by rail
the great lakes with the sea. The driv-
ing of this silver spike is the last and
browning work of this enterprise.
At the conclusion of the Governors
speech the spike was adjusted and driv-
en- to. its place, the assemblage uniting
in singing,
Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Col. Jewett then called for three
cneers and a tiger for the enterprise.
Judge Poland was then introduced and
responded: We have waited almost
as long for the completion of this road
as the children of Israel waited for de-
liverance; but the work is DOW ac-
cOmplished; and we have the advantage
of the Israelites in that we have our
Moses and Aaron left to us! He con-
cluded by calling for three cheers for
Gov. Fairbanks and Col. Jewett.
A VOICE FROM PORTLAND.
Hon. John B. Brown was next called
for, and responded by saying, he spoke
in measure at least as representa-
tive of the city of Portland. The peo-
pie of that city had looked forward with
great anxiety to the completion of this
road. He remembered when the Hon.
Orable Governor of the state of Vermont
had, ten years ago, come to Portland
and proposed, very presumptuOusly, as
he and many others thought at the
time, to put a railroad through the
White Mountain Notch. He believed
the thing utterly impossible but the
possibility of its accomplishment had
been fully demonstrated. The people
of Portland have done their part and
put into the enterprise three millions of
dollars. They believe that ultimately
great advantages will result from their
Investment. They pray that the same
advantages may be shared by this
region. He remembered when some
| fifty years ago, the farmers of Vermont
took their produce to Portland by teams
through the Notch. This railroad opens
new advantages for Portland and Yer
mont which he hoped would be mutual
ly advantageous.
At the conclusion of this address Col.
Jewett called for three cheers for Port
land and its representative, the Hon.
John B. Brown.
EX-GOV. HENDEE.
Calls were then made for Ex-GOv.
Hendee, who stepped forward and said
substantially: Nine years ago, coming
the 10th of August, he remembered go
ing through this region in company with
a party of gentlemen from Portland,
eastern Vermont, and few from New
Hampshire, surveying with the eye the
line of the present road. One of those
gentlemen was the Hon. j. B. Brown,
who has proved firm friend to the en-
terprise from the start. While others
have fallen out by the way he has held
on, and now he and we are here to wit
ness the last browning act of its COM
pletion.
THE SCENE AT THE FINISH.
The scene at the joining of the rails
was one of deep interest, reaching al
most to sublimity. Hundreds of men
and women had come from the towns
about, to witness the ceremony which
was to give them railroad with all the
word implies. The place was signif-
icant. Away from city or village :;
away from all habitation; in broad
valley skirted by luxuriant wood
away from the hustle and stir of bust
ness life-was the ''last browning act"
of this work accomplished. 1t was a
| fit place for such a scene. And when
the shouts went up, and the last sounds
of the doxology had died away in that
secluded place, there were many thank
full hearts and some moist eyes to bear
testimony to the genuineness and depth
of feeling which pervaded that assem-
bly,.
AT sWANTON-PowDER, RAIN AND RE
FREsHMENTs.
After three more cheers for the COM
pletiOn of the enterprise, called for by
gentlemen in the crowd, the two
trains were reloaded with passengers,
and both proceeded on to Swanton. In
the towns of Fletcher, Fairfield, Shell
don and Highgate, through which the
trains passed, the entire population was
out to welcome and cheer the first
through train over the completed road.
At Swanton, the advent of the trains
was announced by the booming of can
non, the cheers of the people and music
by the band. Flags were flying from
many points in the village, and every
thing betOkened an unusual event.
The citizens of SwantOn had made
very extensive and elaborate prepare
lions to entertain their guests. Tables
had been spread in the park, loaded
with every substantial and luxury which
the hungry could desire. But a sad
disappointment was theirs. A heavy
shower came up couple of hours pre-
YiOus to the arrival of the train. and