Turner County herald. (Hurley, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1883-09-27


The ceremony of driving the gold
spike, which signaljzed the completion
of the Northern Pacific Railroad; oc-
Cured at point near the Mullan Tuh.
mel, beyond Helena, at precisely $3.50
o'clock on the afternoon OF the 9th inst.
The train from the east arrived il little
behind time, but in good shape, and
those on board were greeted heartily by
the representative men of the Pacific
coast, who had reached the scene on a
handsomely decorated train from Port
land. All were surprised at what they
beheld. Instead of the wilderness Of
the Rocky Mountains they saw mag
nificent pavilion capable of seating more
than thousaud people, over which
hoated the national colors Of the Amer
ican, German and British nations. In
front, reaching to the road bed, was an
extensiv, promenade, skirted Ey a plat
form with comfortable seats. Tuthe right
was band stand, aud on it W re seated
the Fifth United States Infantry band,
who came all the way from Fort Keogh.
But even stronger than this evidence of
civilization were the scores of vehicles
and the hundreds of hardy mountaineers
who were present to welcome Henry Vii.
lard. As soon as The last Of the guests
had arrived the cereu onies were opened
by President Willard, who divided the
attention of the enthusiastic multitude
with Gen. Grant. Mr.. Wizards address
was received with great applause. He
was followed by William NJ. Eyarts, the
orator of the day, Secretary Teller, and
ex-President Billings, whose remarks
elected repeated cheers from the enthu-
siastic tbropg. Mr.. Willard then said
that as they had present distinguished
guests from England and Germany, he
would give those present an opportunity
to hear their sentiments. He introduced
Minister Lionel Sackville West, of Eng
land, who said that Sir James Hannen
would speak for the English guests. Mr..
Hannen said the English visitors were
filed with wonder and admiration by the
sights of this magnificent country and
its institutions. Henry Willard was a
pcrs on about whom their warmest
sympatbies and gratitude for this
splendid hospitality could well cluster.
We have had the happiness of seeing
what manner of man he is. We
have been able to see in him the quail
ties which have earned for him the con-
tidence of those who have been asso-
ciated with him throughottt his life; and
we shall now carry back the recollection
OF having known q real man. 1t was a
happy thought that the representatives.
of the countries which have contributed
the population to the American natioii
should be present on this most extra
ordinary occasion. 1t fills him with
wonder and awe to see the prosperity
which has advanced with such rapid
strides, and which has at once reached
the highest development of civilization.
The German minister, Won Eisen-
decker, was then presented, and ex-
pressed the hearty good wishes of his
feliow-countrymen for this enterprise.
!" Henry Willard" he said, "you may
be sure your mother country is proud Of
her son."
DIR. Hofmann, the greatest microscop-
ist OF the day, said the construction of
the Northern Pacific was modern
miracle and unlike recent miracles was
performed in compliance with the laws
of nature, and not against them. This
was an international festival of civiliza-
ton! The Northern Pacific country
presents features of unprecedented fer
tlilty such as our eyes have never seen
before, Its provinces of mineral wealth
SURPRISING everything which the boldest
imagination could have expected They
will Mt no distant time be populated by
happy citizens.
The governors of Wisconsin, Mime.
sofa, Dakota, Montana, Oregon and
Washington were severally introduced
and made brief and appropriate remarks.
The governor Of Idaho was absent on
account of sickness.
There were loud cries for Graut, and
as the general came forward the air was
rent with cheers. He made few re-
marks suitable TO the occasion and char
acteristic. He said he was reminded by
the speeches to which he listened of the
fact that he had something to do with
the great Northern Pacific enterprise.
When Gov. Stevens thirty years ago or
ganized his surveying expedition, he
was lieutenant acting as quartermaster
and commissary on the Columbia, and
he issued the supplies for the expedi-
tiop. Was he not then entitled to some
OF the credit which Mr.. Billings had ap-
portioned out to others 1t was true,
while Mr. Billings contributed of his
own money, he paid ont Uncle Sans.
This sally greatly pleased the audience,
largely made up of veterans, who be-
came perfectly wild when he said that
these inter-colonial railroads would have
amounted to but little but for the men
who. after the war, sought the terri
tories as fields of enterprise. They had
made these railroads possible and pros
porous.
at the conclusion three cheers were
given. The foreign guests we're then
given seats on the platform by the rail
road and a photograph taken Of them,
MIR. Willard and family, and the most
distinguished Americans. After that a
horse that had helped to build the road
from Its inception was brought upon the
platform. Then there was witnessed a
most extraordinary spectacle. Three
hundred men with brawny arms quickly
laid the iron and drove the spikes on the
l 1000 feet of upcompleted track, except
the last spike. During the progress of
the work, which was witnessed by the
foreigners with amezement, the band
played and the people shouted. When
nearly completed cannon salute was
fired by the detachment of the Fifth
Infantry present. The last spike was
finally driven home by II. G. Davis, as
slstant general passenger agent of the
road, who drove the first spike on the
opening of the road, aud this spike was
the same one first driven by him. The
end was reached as the sun was setting
behind the mountains. The enthusiasm
OF the people was great.
Virtuous Chautauoua