The daily enterprise. [volume] (Livingston, Mont.) 1883-1884, 1883-09-10
THE LAST SPIKE
Which Marked. the Completion. Of the
Northern Pacific.

President Wizards excursion party
arrived in Helena late on Friday after.
noon. Two of them Immediately
pushed on to the scene Of the celebra-
t;on and the others remained at the
depot until morning. After their de-
parture another train followed them
hearing the Montana guests--those
from Livingston, Billings, Bozemau.
Helena and other towns. The driving
of the spike was to have taken place
tetween ~ ard l2a. m. but by various
delays in crossing the mountains at
Mlllan Pass the last train did not
reach the grounds at Independence
Greek, fifty.five miles from Helena, un-
til 1880 clock in the afternoon.
An immense building, provided with
seating accommodation and surround
ed by wide platforms, had been erect
el and gaily painted and decorated for
the occasion. Within and around this
"A crowd was assembled, varionsly es
tinated at from three to five thousand.
Beside Eve heavy trains from the east
and one from the west, people had
come in great numbers in carriages
and by every other meahs of locomo-
tjoA. even to walking.
The ceremonies began with speech.
read from printed copy, 10y Mr.. Vii.
lard. 1t was not very lengthy, but
referred in general way to the event
which called for their gathering; no
ticed briefly tn e main features ia the
history Of the Northern Pacific, and
thanked all who had assisted in any
way in its construction.
Next followed Hon. VIM. NJ. Evarts,
formerly secretary OF state. He also
delivered his address fre,n printed
notes. He entered into more detail
ed history OF the road, from the incep-
ton Of the Northern Pacific scheme to
that day, and though the speaker &C.
casionally made 4 short rhetorical
flight, or an enthusiastic reference that
provoked a burst OF applause, TIE long
speech was of the dry, practical kind
That did not attract close attention,
especially from the crowd who were
forced TO stand in the blazing sun if
they heard it.
Henry M. Teller. secretary Of the
interior. followed in a rattling eulogy
ON the Northern Pacific a3d it's presi-
dent, that somewhat eDlivened the
great audience and prepared it for
Hon. Frederick Billings. the next
speaker. one Of the directors Of the
road, a former president, and still the
largest individual stock-oWner. He
spoke enthusiastically Of the compile
ton Of the line in an exnitant, heart
felt way, as Of one who WITNESSES the
realization OF Il long cherished scheme.
His ringing voice and interestin.
words attracted a larger circle of
hearers and closer attention than had
any Of those who preceded him, and
when he ceased speaking he WAS greet
ed with loud and long-continned ap-
plause. Then came in the order
named the following speakers: Hon.
Lionel Syckville West. British minis
ter; Sir James Hannah, Of England:
Baron Won Eisendecker, German min
lister to this country; DR.. Kneiss. Of
Berlin university; Baron Hoffman,
the noted German chemist; and the
governors Of Wisconsin, Minnesota,
Dakota, Montana. Oregon and Wash
lngton, who all spoke shortly and with
varying merit. Duling this time Gen.
Grant had been occupying seat in
front and in full view OF the crowd.
At regular intervals loud calls had
been raised for the veteran ex-presi-
dent and at the close OF then speaking
Grant arose and made 4 few remarks
very applicable to the occasion.
Then came the final act OF the great
,sageant-tbe driving Of the spike. a
space Of l2e0 feet Of grade had recciv-
ptl its ties and ballast but no rails and
this was TO be laid in the presence
Of the assemblage. It was
done very quickly by two tracklaying
gangs -one from the east. the other
from the west-who entered into y
friendly race to SEE which should ac-
complisl its allotment first. It was