The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1883-09-15
The Golden Spike Driven.

GOLDEN SPIKE STATION. VIA HELENA sent a.
The last spike forthe Northern Pacific was driven
about p m, i'll charming valley of the Pacific
slope, fifty miles west Of Helena 30 miles from
st. Palh and $50 miles from Portland Lying ike
a natural anphitheatre, within a ring of low
rounded hills with the Little Blaekf0ot, a wind
ing stream fringed with cottonwoods and willows
running through it, gave a touch of pastoral beau
ty to the scene, enhanced by the park-like aspect
Of narrow meadows lying on either side and low
hill slopes dotted with dark-green dwarf pines
The journey from Helena, on the main divide of
the Rocky mountains 5000 feet above the sea, the
most imposing and picturesque scenery of the
trip, was fitting introduction to the central event
of the excursion. The expectations of the excur-
sionists were rather whetted than dulled by the
delay of the several trains, and when the sections
met at the spot to be historical henceforth the
scene of solemn Importance of the final event in
the great work thrilled the whole mass with a
common feeling.
Trains on the Utah Northern brought a party
from Deer Lodge and other points on the line, to
participate in the ceremonies while a special
Northern Pacific train Of eleven ears arrived from
the Pacific. An ample platform had been erected
by the side of the track within a stones throw of
the green bordered stream, with large covered
pavilion for spectators The level space was filed
with a crowd composed ofpcople Of the surround
ing country, who had come in carriages, on horse
back and on foot On the main track gap of
nearly quarter of n mile remained ready for the
rails the tie prepared for tie Last spike being OPP
posite the pavilion. The roar of cannon and mu-
sic by the band welcomed the last section and in
augurated the ceremonies which made this day
an epoch in the history Of the Northwest. Music
was furnished by the Fifth regiment band, ana
the opening number the original triumphal
march, g. The Iron Horse" dedicated TO Henry
Willard.
Perhaps the remarkable feature ofthe occasion
in The eyes OF Eastern guests was the number of
persons present from The surrounding country,
who outnumbcred the guests five to one. The
last preparations made were attaching the wire
which was instantly to announce the blow on the
spike in St. Paul and the ranging Of the 800 ex-
pert trackayers who lay the last 200 feet
oftrack under the eyes Of the assembly As the
hour approached for the beginning of the cere-
monies the space between the grand stand and
gap in the main track were filled with a dense
mass of people On the stand President Willard
was the central figure, hankgd by 1Iessrs. Cass,
Billings, Grant, Eyarts, and supported by Ameri-
can, German ana English guests in the rear.
At ) minutes before Mr.. Willard arose and, beg
ging the privilege Of speaking with his hat on,
addressed the assembly. The first cheers were
evoked by the name Of JAY Cooke, and the close
ofthe speech was greeted with applause, which
Mr Willard deprecated with an impeIious ges-
ture commanding silence. M Evarts flashes OF
Wit were appropriately checred as We're Mr..
Billings, when he arose to speak. This ended the
speech-making but brief gaud happy remarks
were made by minister Sackville-West Sir James
Hammer, Dr. Elsendceher Cows. Rusk, Hubbard,
Ordway, and Crosby, who had an ovation from
the M9ntunians in the crowd; Gov Moody Of Ore
con, and Gov. Newell of Washington, who reviv-
cd the tagging interest hy his hyperboEc encomi-
inns upon his Territory. Gen Grant was than
trotted out and it was understood that speech
making was over, The crowd then separated to
permit the guests to arrange themselves on either
side ofthe track and the signal was given to
the tEacklaycrs With cheers they started from
eitherend in mad rush for the center of the gap.
The west gang Of men met with an accident to
their car, and the east gang finished their work
in SIX and half minutes, laying GJ) feet Of track.
The junction was made in about FIVE minutes
more The band ana q file Of soldiers marching
ahead Of the tTacdayers. The spikes were then
driven and al was prepared for the last spike,
which y. c. Davis stood ready to drive, while the
officer ana guests gathered about as best they
could IA the Wild rush of the crowd To see tine
closing scene. At twelve minutes before 6 Mr..
Willard raised hieh in the air the famous golden
spike which looked siug5llary like plain steel
and a minute later the boom Of cannon echoed
to the faint sound Of strokes on The last spike.
The first blow was struck by H. c. Davis the next
by Mr. Willard, the third 10y sir. Billings, and
othe.s by Carl Schurze, Iron Bull IA Eathcud
chief and others. The spcech-makiHg MANN
was breaking out again, but the rush OF the
crowd soon suppressed il. Informal cougratua-
tious and Publication followed, and the crowd
made IA break for its respective trains east and
west. G.. ID. IAAll8)RN, Land commissioner