The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1883-09-13
ST. PAUL AND MINNEAPOLIS.

Drive the Golden Spike.
ST. PAUL, MINI, Sept. 8.
Today st. Paul entertained President
Willard, of the Northern Pacific, his distin-
guished guests, who will accompany him
on the trip to drive the golden spike which
officially completes the Northern highway
TO the Pacific, and President Arthur and
company, who celebrated in royal style
the event which gives st. Paul direct COM
munication by rail with the waters of the
Pacific. The demonstration was incompar-
ably vaster than any like attempt in the
history of the city. Every thoroughfare
was decorated TO the limit of evergreenS,
triumphal arches, notices and ingenious
devices. The grand procession was ten fuIl
miles in length, composed of United States
troops and State militia, Indian troops or
horses and hundreds of spec ial features in
the line of industrial exhibition. The grand
array was three hours in passing given
point, and General Grant was heard to re-
mark that he never saw so vast an indus
trial exhibit before, and that he did not see
so much bunting displayed in the whole
course of the war. The procession was re-
viewed by Mr.. Willard, General Grant,
Secretary Evarts, Ex-Governor Curtin,
Hon. Sackville West, British Minis
ter and other distinguished guests
at Rice Park, after which carriages con-
veyed the guests about the city to view the
objects of local interest. During the pro-
gress CT the guests through the principal
arch, Mr.. Willard looked upon the platform
above his head and noticed tableau which
gave him infinite pleasure, the flower
throwing maidens, the arch of welcome,
and in the center Of a group of school chill
dren was tableau representing Columbia,
Mrs. Joseph Grieser; Germauia, Mrs.
Charles Schmidt; Britannia, Miss Pauline
To the (TOdnpSS
of the Northern Pacific Railway, Miss
Julia Winter. Miss Julia Elbel represent
ed Manufacture, with her anvil and ratchet
wheel, Miss Martha Warner represented
neutrality-suspicious., plow, scythe and
sheaves of wheat, in the balcony. Portland
was represented by Miss Mary Schnitzens
and st. Paul by Miss Annie Strong. The
bouquets distributed were tied with blue
ribbon marked "WelcOme, n. 2. K. R."
Under the arch in turn flowers were rained
upon them and it was noticed that the
elder gentlemen were the most gallant in
their acknowledgements, raising their hats
and throwing kisses to the fair nymphS.
Just west of the triumphal arch two long
platforms were constructed, and these were
crowded with children dressed in white,
who, provided with bouquets, awaited the
arrival of the grand procession. A dozen
policemen secuted ahead and cleared the
streets. The procession was headed by
General SanboTn, Chief Marshal, and aids.
Following these came platoon of thirty
two police, under Sergeants Walsh and
Morgan. Then came one hundred lads in
fantastic uniforms, mounted as special
aids, followed by the Fort Smelling Band
of twenty-five pieces.
After the demonstration a surprise was
given in the arrival of President Arthur
and his Yellowstone Park company, who
reached the city at two O'Clock p. M, and
were escorted to the State Capitol, where
& lunch was served, after which the Presi-
dent appeared and briefly congratulated
the citizens of st. Paul upon the completion
of their lcng-cheriShed hope, the Northern
Pacific, and expressed his great delight and
surprise at what he had seen and learned
of the vast resources of the great North
west. He complimented st. Paul especially
on the beauty and evident thrift of the
city.
After the speech the crowd poured into the
Capitol building, and the President received
for about half hours time. He then de-
parted by special train for Hotel Lafayette
at Lake Minnetonka, where the City of st.
Paul banqueted Mr.. Willard AID the guests,
about one thousand covers being laid.
During the afternoon Minneapolis held
its celebration Of this all-absorbing event,
aud Mr.. Willard and his guests proceeded
to that city, where the time was passed
much the same as at st. Paul until the hour
for departure to Minnetonka. The demon
stratiOn at Minneapolis was much the same
as at st. Paul, and consisted of an immense
exhibit of her manufacturing resources. In
the evening a grand banquet was given by
the city of st. Paul at Hotel Lafayette,
Lake Minnetonka, at which among other
notable guests were Mr.. Willard, President
Arthur, General Grant, General Sheridan,
Secretary Lincoln, General Terry, Secreta-
ry Evarts, Governor Hubbard, Carl Schurz,
Baron Won DiseDdeder, Count Weissenfeld,
English Minister West, Governor RuSk and
General Fairchild, of Wisconsin, and rail-
road Presidents, Senators and Representa-
tives without number. The affair taken al
together has been tremendous demonstra-
ton by the twin cities of the Northwest,
far exceeding in every way anything of the
kind ever before attempted in the Western
country. The combined professions OF the
two cities would have exceeded thirty
miles, which was a splendid tribute in it
self to the great work of completion of the
Northern Pacific Railroad.
At midnight the special trains bearing
Willard and his guests departed for the Far
West. The President and his party left to-
night at twelve o'clock for Chicago.
A Lake Minnetonka dispatch says: The
Hotel Lafayette was filled with guests OF
st. Paul to attend the banquet given this
evening in honor of Henry Willard and par
ty. The distinguished party, which had
already gathered to aid in the city celebra-
ton, was this evening augmented by the
arrival OF President Arthur, General Sher-
idan and party. The magnificent dining
room of the beautiful hotel was profusely
decorated with flowers, streamerS, shields
aud mottoS of various States and Nations
from which cities the guests are gathered
In addition to the regular toastS President
Arthur, General Sheridan and General
Grant made short speeches. Following
was the order of proceedings: Address OF
welcome, Hon. G. B. O'Brien, Mayor Of St
Paul.
The Northern Pacific Railroad-We hail
its completion, heralding the brightest flu
ture for the country. This royal infant
though in her cradle yet, now promises
upon this land a thousand blessings which
time will bring to ripeness; Henry Willard
Esq.
The City of st. Paul-The eastern termi
nus of the Northern Pacific Railroad; Hon
E. F. Drake.
The United States Government-By en-
couraging transcontinental lines strength
ems the Union; Hon. H. M. Teller.
Our Foreign Guests-The representative:
of nations whose people are becoming TIT
strength and glory of the great Northwest
Hon. l.. Sackville.
The State of Minnesota; Governor L. F
Hubbard.
The Army-Holding the savage in checl
while the shores of a continent wer'
united; Major-General Terry.
The New Northwest-Its boundless re
sources now thrown open for development
will revolutlonize the commerce of tn