Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-09-10
WIZARDS GOLDEN SPIKE
THE NORTHERN PACIFIC'S LAST
RAIL LAID.

An Iron Band Now Joining the Northern
Pacific Ocean With the Atlantic
Speeches, CannOns and Enthusiasm
The First and Last Spikes Driven by
the Same Hands.
GOLD SPIKE, MONTANA. Sept. S.-The
ceremony Of driving the golden spike
which completed the Northern Pacific
Railway, and permanently joined the
Northern Pacific coast with the Atlantic.
was concluded at half-past three O'Clock
this afternoon in the presence Of a large
crowd and amidst the booming of cannon.
Addresses were delivered by ex-President
Frederick Billings, of the Northern Pa
cific Railway; President Willard, of the
road, and Hon. William NJ. Evarts.
BETWEEN GARRISON AND GOLD
CREEK, NORTHERN PACIFIC RAILROAD.
Sept. 8, VIA HELENA, Mon, Sept. 9.-It
is eight miles from Helena to the point
where the steep grade of the Rocky Noun
talnS begins, and twelve miles from there
to the north Of Mullen tunnel. AS the
tunnel is not completed, Mullen Pass is
crossed by running in curves at a dis
tance of about four miles. The grade is
the same as at BOgeman. The sections Of
the train bearing the Willard party were
safely lifted over the height and the de-
scent was made to this point, where the
ceremony Of driving the last spike
i'll the Northern Pacific Railway was
concluded. From Portland there came
somewhat earlier a splendid train bearing
prominent citizens Of that section to par
tlclpate IN the ceremonies. There were
hearty greetings between the American
guests of the East and West. All were
surprised at what they beheld. Instead
of wilderness of Rocky mountains they
TaaAr Tnr
capable of seating more than 1000
people, over which ilOated the national
cOlOrs of the American. German and Brit
lsh nations. In front and reaching to the
road bed was an extensive promenade,
skirted by platform with seats. To the
right was band stand, occupied by the
Fifth United States Infantry Band from
Fort keogh. When the last of the guests
had arrived the ceremonies were opened
by President Willard, who divided the at
tentIOn Of the multitude with General
Grant, who sat on the platform. Mr..
Willard delivered his address amid
tremendous applause. He then intro
duced the orator of the Occa-
sion, Hon. W. VI. EVarts Mr. Willard
then introduced Secretary Teller, who
spoke of the great energy and capital re-
quired to complete the various trans
continental lines and their practical
benefit to the nation. Secretary Teller
was followed by eX-President Billings.
Speeches We're also made by Sir James
Harmon, of England; Baron Won Eisen-
decken, the German Minister: Doctor
kness, of Berlin University, and General
Grant. The Governors Of Wisconsin.
Minnesota, Dakota, Montana, Oregon and
Washington and the foreign guests were
then given seats on the platform, when
photograph was taken of them.
After that horse that helped to
build the road from it's inception
was brought upon the platform.
Then was witnessed an extraordinary
spectacle. Three hundred brawny men
quickly laid the iron and drove the spikes
on the thousand feet of uncompleted
track, except the last spike. During
this work. which was witnessed by the
foreigners with amazement, band
played and the people cheered. When
nearly completed a cannon salute was
fired. The last spike was driven by Ii.
c. Davis, Assistant General Passenger
Agent of the road, who drove the first
spike on the opening of the road, and the
spike was The same one first driven by
him, and was reached as the sun was
setting behind the mountains. The
enthusiasm Of the audience. variously
estimated at 1900 to 1900, was indie
scribable. Thus was brought to happy
conclusion a very remarkable event in
American history.