The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1883-08-09
BRIDGE 0PENED.
Completion " The Texas a ~. Louis
Missing Link.
Speeches and Congratulations Grand
Gala Day.
Another rough Line From Texas

LITTLE Rock, Aug. 4.-[specisl. J.
Shortly otter IL O'Clock to-day hundreds Of
visitors to and citizens Of Pine Bluff we're
taken in coaches and Aat-cars from Pine
Bluff down to Rob Roy, distance Of
about nine miles. This is the site OF the
bridge, and thousands OF people were
present. All the engines aud
cars were covered with bunting
and evergreens One engine bore
the name OF j. w. Paramore; another, O..
p Stephens The bridge is 600 feet in
eng ard is supported by eight piers.
u uay. An engine from the north side
was the first 10 come upon
the bridge, and its progress
across the structure was sigpalized by
continuous applause and sslutes. 1t was
the first to cross the bridge, and was fol-
lowed by three trains, and the people min
gled with those from south OF the Arkan-
sas river. The first train to cross the bridge
was special, all the way from st. Louis,
and contained Mrs. j. w. Paramore
and Mr.. and Mrs. A. A. Bells, Mr.. ard Mrs.
L. Mathes, MIR. and Mrs. George ID. Fisher,
Mr.. and Mrs. Fred W. Paramore, Superin-
tendent A. e. Buchanan and others. As
soon as order could be obtained and the ap.
plause subsidized, Colonel NJ. l.. Bell, Of
zine Dull, tOUh tuo opcdhcl anu
congratulated the company on the compile
ton of the railroad, and extended the hos
pitalities of the people OF Jefferson county.
Bell spoke at considerable length, and
closed by introducing Governor Hubbard,
of Texas. He said he was there to rejoice
with and for the people, and for the peo-
ple..of Illinois and.Chicago. The completion
OF the bridge he regarded as more glorious
event than any glory of arms. He would
not have missed the sight for much, and
that he had Travelled a long distance and
carried with him his 300 pounds. [Cheers.l
The first twenty-one miles OF this road
was built in Texas and then st. Louis
came to our rescue. He explained the con-
struction of the road Its difficulties, its
popularity in Texas as well as in Arkansas,
and pictured for it the greatest success.
He was repeatedly applauded and was
followed by other speakers. After this the
last spike was driven, and Texas and Hi
nois, through Arkansas and Missouri were
connected by the narrow-gauge road.
PINE BLUFF, ARK, Aug. 4.-[Special. J.
A crowd of more than 1000 people from
Missouri, Arkansas, Texas and other points
witnessed this afternoon the formal cere-
monies of the completion of the Texas q
st. Louis railway, and the christening OF
its immense bridge across the Arkansas
river at Rob Roy The ceremonies opened by
a warm, able speech OF welcome, by Judge
Bell, of this city, after which Governor
Hubbard, of Texas, was introduced, who
spoke for an hour and half, in that cap
tivating and enchanting style so peculiarly
his own, reviewing at length the incep-
ton, struggle progress and final compile
ton of the Texas y st. Louis
rail way. He paid fitting tribute
to the nerve and brain of the men who had
invested their capital II this grand enter
prise, and pictured the continued and In
creased prosperity in its final com pletion,
binding with bands of steel the three
great states of Texas. Arkansas and
Missouri. He was followed by President
Paramore, who said he was no speaker,
but that the immense bridge before which
he stood. the largest south of st. Louis,
would speak for himself and his associates.
General KING White, of Pine Bluff, was
called for, ..and responded in a few we'll
timed remarks, pertaining to the
occasion. The bridge, which ID l,6I7 feet
long, was tested by several engines and
trains being drawn slowly over just before
the opening OF the ceremony. The excur-'
sionists were Hospitality received and roy
ally entertained by the citizens OF Pine
Bluff. Tonight grand torch-light pro-
cess,on. headed by the Garland Grays, q
superb-looking military company, is IN
progress, after which banquet will be ten
dered the visitors.
LITTLE Rock, Aug. 4.-[Press To-day
the completion Of the Texas st. Louis d
narrow-gauge railroad from CAIRO through
Arkansas to TeXarkana, was celebrated at
Rob Roy, on the Arkansas river, the
first train being RI mover the bridge, which
was l 700 feet long, several thousand per
sons were present at the usual ceremonies
of driving the silver spike, OF the narrow
gauge, whose northern central road is now
open for business TO Gainesville.