The weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1878-1881, 1880-03-16
THE RAILROAD.
the DRIVING OF the FIRST SPIKE ON
MONTANA SOIL.
THE WAY IN WHICH THE GLAD
TIDINGS WERE RECEIVED IN
BUTTE
The Most Important Event In the History
Of this Great Territory.


Yesterday morning a dispatch was received
at the telegraph office giving notice that every
thing was in readiness at the terminus for the
driving of the silver spikes to fasten the first
rail OH Montana soil. The news was speedily
circulated throughout the city and about y
O'Clock the band appeared, as per announce
ment, to call the citizens to OwsIey Hall,
where the telegraphic instrument was ar
ranged, as previously described, so that the
sound of the hammer as it drove the spikes
could be transmitted over the wires to the
ears of the assembly. As the appointed time
approached, the hall became well filled by all
eXpectant and enthusiastic crowd of people,
among whom were many prominent business
men of Butte and a large number of ladies.
AT precisely twenty minutes to one O'Clock
Mr.. Marsh, the operator, was notified by the
terminus operator TO be in readiness to take
the sound as transmitted, and soon thereafter
the instrument began to work in unison with
the hammer in the hand of the man who was
driving the spike. The taps were distinctly
audible in all parts OF the house. They were
thirteen in number, and were received as fol-
lows-4-2-2-1-2-1-1.
When the driving was announced finished
the large audience gave eXtravagant demon
STATIONS of delight, plainly indicating the
drift of public sentiment on the railroad ques-
ton. As soon as quiet was restored, Mr..
Frank Marsh read to the audience the follow
ing account of the proceedings at the termi-
nus. which were transmitted over the wire:
SCENE AT TIE TERMINUS.
SUMMIT OF TIE Rocky MOUNTAINS, March
9th, II o'clock M.-This forenoon at 10 o'clock
a special train of three cars left Beaver Canon
loaded with residents to participate in the
ceremony of driving the first spike in Mon
tana of the Utah Il Northern Railway. The
exercises commenced with songs, led by DR..
Dodge, in which all joined. The telegraph
line was attached to the spikes and hammer
so that all connecting offices would hear the
strokes of the hammer. Bottles Of cham
paiene were then opened and the success OF
the enterprise was drank with enthusiasm
Speaking opened by Capt. E. 7. Hulaniskl
Generol Agent at the terminus, giving a his
tory of the building of the railroad. The
Utah & Northern is now 300 miles i'll length
tile longest 3-foot guage road i'll the world
A speech was also made by l.. j. Fisk, Assis-
taut Superintendent of Construction. Wash
ington Dunn, Superintendent OF Construc'
ton, not being present, sent greeting to the
party. Cheers were given for W. Dunn, H.
Hall, and others. Messages of greeting were
received from the connecting offices in Mon
tana. The first spike was driven by Captain
Hulaniski, amid cheers of the people. TIL
second spike was driven by all the little chill
dren. each striking it a blow. This closed the
ceremonies.
The wire was cut and the Geographic ar
l rancenents were made by Mr.. Holt, operatO'
1 of the Western Union line.
) The reading OF the above telegram was re
} ceiyed with cheers, and Mayor Jacobs beln!
called upon for a speech, made the followin!
extempore address:
l LADIES n GENTLEMEN we are her'
assembled this afternoon to bid hearty vel
come to the on-coming railroad, which to-da,
has advanced into this, the richest and one o
e the greatest Territories of the Union, to dem
onstrate our satisfaction at its advent on Mon
tana soil, and to congratulate the protector
and builders of the line on the entelprls
thew. have shown in their great and we hop
mutually beneficial undertaking. 1t is a ste
g for NJ ,ntana in the direction OF progress an
Statehood, for il will bring wealth and popu
,o,ior TN fine II. %rrjtorv. The iron horse vii
soon be steaming into our city, and the frost
of isolation will no longer Interfere to loc
nm the varied and boundless resources OF TIN
Il grand Territory. | I'M no orator, nor Is ora
. ,orv necessary to enkiniie the fires OF enthusj
,s, an y subiect of such vital and senerS
Importance. | can say nothing III favor OF I'll
railroad that does not re-echo your own sent
U uonts The rail connection of Montana wit
e fine rest of our common country VIII AWAY
: rank as the most important event IN Moi
,ana.s history. If you ask some of our OF
IL ,;,,eers. as | have done, OF the dangers
,,oub,es and hardships they had to endure i
o,,,v times. YOU certainly will feel as do, an
extend a friendly hand to the Utah X Nortl
ern Railrad Company, and give them a heart
welcome to our Territory.
= At the conclusion of the Mayors addres
mr. 7. F. Holmes being called upon, mad
~ q few remark, expressive of the public sent
- mon, Of the Silver City, i'll which he congra
= ,,,.,oa Nontanians on the advent of the roa'
= rol that Butte, bv reason of its bus
ness Importance, should be the first city OF I'll
,nrri,ory to have direct connection with tn
i. Union Pacific. 49,.
The following message OF congratulated
IN ., clam read to the meeting for approva
v and was thereupon dispatched 10 Tile '""'