River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1878-10-31
A GALA DAY!
The H. & R. F. R. R.
Formally Opened!
ThOus ands in Town!
Splendid Dinner!
Brilliant Speeches

bles had been spread in Brackets
Hall which were rapidly filled with
choice viands. As the hour of noon
drew near an immense crowd gathered
between the bridges awaiting the ar
rival of the train. AS the minutes
passed and the time of expected arriv-
al came, the telegraph office was be-
sieged for latest news. HAS the
train left Hudson! When will it ar
rive!' were questions propounded a
dozen times a minute. Carleton sat
little impatiently calling Hudson for
half hour without response. The OPP
orator at Hudson as it appears having
left her office to view the train. Fear
ing some failure in the arrangements
boys were dispatched to the mounds
and roofs of the buildings to give no.
tice when the first glimpse of the To-
comotive circling the mound should
be obtained. But at length the dis
patch came and was read to the large
crowd ~Train left Hudson; 500
aboard" Then the inspiring strains
of the band announced the fact to the
multitude on the streets and all hast
ened to the depot grounds to receive
the coming guests. In a short time
the shrill shrieks of the engine reused
the echoes of the valley and the first
train came into River Falls. Then the
excitement arose to fever heat. Loud
cheers from the assembled multitude
drowned the playing of the band and
all fastened to greet their friends as
the train came slowly to a stop.
After congratulations and the an
nouncement from the statistician of the
train, ''4S5 aboard the Hudson
and River Falls bands leading,
the procession took its way to Brack-
ett's Hall. The ladies were ready and
soon nearly all the eXcursionists were
seated at the tables, the remainder
spending the time, until a second table
was spread, in visiting the mills and
other places of attraction.
Great credit was given by the guests
to the ladies for their dinner,
and all seemed to be entirely satisfied
with the good things so beautifully
spread.
At three o'clock p. NJ. the formal re-
ception was held at the Normal Chap
ell. An audience of six hundred peo-
| ple assembled, and the exercises We're
opened by brilliant overture by the
River Falls Band. President Parker
| then in behalf of the citizens, and as
a representative of the Normal School
| made our visitors welcome. To his
| mind the difference between the sue
| cessful management of a school and
a rail road was kind rather than de-
| gree. The same energy, perseverance,
| tact and executive ability were requlr-
| ed. To-day is an epoch in the history
| of River Falls. Those only who had
| made the trip between Hudson and
| River Falls in dark nights or stormy
weather could appreciate the adyan-
tage of the thirty minute trip on rail
road. and he had felt like throwing up
| his hat with the rest of the boys.
To the citizens of HUDSON, Stillwa-
ter and st. Paul, River Falls extends
a hearty welcome, with the hope that
these better facilities will create more
intimate acquaintance. President
Parker closed his remarks by calling
E. r.. stephens, chairman of commit
tee of arrangements to the chair.
Mr.. stephens after brief speech OF
| welcome called on E. f. Drake, Pres
ident of the Sioux City railroad. Mr..
Drake remarked that though he wasstill
a Young man he had attended railroad
openings for thirty years, and none
! better than this. This rail road would
be of great advantage to River Falls,
and would aid greatly in it's develop
ment. After few humorous remarks
in relation to the side advantages the
1 Tall IOdtl NOultl iiO NSt1ASN' SA+ -
| Gov. Ramsey, Of st. Paul
Gov. Ramsey remarked that he had
passed through this valley twenty
three wears ago and to-day the change
seemed marvellous. He believed with
the colored preacher at Richmond ;
1.-The world do move. He was
afraid the time would come when
there would be no more railroads to
build, and where then would be free
rides and lunches. He hoped this
line would be extended to Ellsworth
and opened very soon.
John b. Brisbin was then called
upon and made some forcible remarks
upon the relation of labor and capital
| None but demagogue would divide
or separate their mutual interests
The two must combine to produce the
best results. Col. Hewitt was the
next speaker.
This country surprised him. 1t wa'
beautiful beyond his expe citations, anC
| his surprise was lICACetoCo uO WV
thousands assembled to greet them OF
their arrival. He was railroad MAJ
and never opposed TO rail roads, H'
had built great many rail road
ON paper.
Fl. A. Taylor, very loudly called for
stepped upon the platform.
He said he deserved the credit o
first opening the line of communica
ton between Hudson and River Fails
He did it twenty-three years ago Oh
the route now used by the railroad
He. however, used team and stage
Unfortunately his concern resembiet
: a railroad too closely. 1t went int
the hands of a receiver very soon
His recolleetions of River Falls wer'
| pleasant, Here he courted the presen
Mrs. Taylor. Some of the difficultle
under which he labored he would por
/ trav. The whole speech was full o