Sacramento daily record-union., 1883-09-10
The NoRTHERN PACIFIC.
Driving of lthe Last spike-scene at the
Junction,

JuuCtluA'
[BY Telegraph
GOLD SPIKE STATION Mouth of Indepen-
dent Gulch, NJ. T., via Daer Ledge, NJ. T, J,
September 6th.-A special train from Port
land left Missouls last night at 10 o'clock,
bouud for the scene of the spike. driving GER
emonies. from Missoula to the point of june.
tion about seven miles. The train ran as far
as Gold creek, within four miles of the juno.
ton, and stopped several hours, the object
being not to reach the point before A, NJ,
when three trains from the East, bearing
Wizards guests, were expected to arrive from
Helena. The morning was cool and cloudy,
and quite little shower fell about day
light. at S:15 the train left
Gold creek for the mouth of
the Little Blackfoot river, where the cers-
monies were to be held. A twenty minutes
run brought the train to the scene, arriving
at S:42, Several thousand people had a.
ready assembled at the scene, having come
from all points of the country. Wizards
train had not yet arrived. Two cannon and
a detachment of artillery from Fort Lincoln
we're already on the ground, also 8 military
band to render music during the ceremonies.
Soon after the east-bound train arrived, ga
Lutte of ten guns was fred. An immense
platform and pavilion, cspsble OF accommo-
dating 3, 900 people. were erected few rods
PLACE OF MEETING.
The building was very handsomely deco
rated. On the eastern side, fronting the
spot where the golden spike was to be driven,
were number of sheafs of grain and other
products of Montana, with shovels, crow
bars. etc., arranged in neat manner. The
spot where the spike was driven was marked
by flags and colors for quarter of mile.
The track was laid shortly before the eere-
monies commenced, leaving the space only of
one rail, snd General Anderson. Chief Engi.
neer of the Northern Pacific Railroad, ar
rived early this morning on special train,
and Immediately assumed charge of the cere-
monies, By 9:15 the crowd had increased
greatly. Several hundred ladies were pres
ent, many of whom had come long dis
tance to witness the memorable cerem onies.
The junction is sixty-fve miles east Of
Missoula, at the mouth of Inde-
pendenoe creek, and sixty miles
west of Helena. and is situated
in a beautiful little valley, surrounded by
wild, rugged mountains Shortly before the
commencement of the exercises large dele
pation of Crow and BLsckfeet Indians, in
Guiding Chiefs Old Dog, Wswman and Iron
Bull, marched in body and took position in
front of the grand stand. They were mag
niicent specimens of Indian manhood. They
were attired in strikiugly fantastic costumes,
in full war paint, and formed an important
feature of the celebration. At 1888 the
trains containing President Willard aud his
distinguished party came 10 under full speed.
with colors flying and banners streaming
amid salutes and sweet strains of music. The
trains drew up in front Of the stand. MIR.
Willard was the first of the party to step to
the platform, and WAS received by the COM
mittee. Among the trains we're four Pres
idents' cars of different roads.
THE SPIKE DRIVEN.
GOLD SPIKE IN. T), September S5h.-
The ceremony of driving the golden spike,
which completed the Northern Pacific Rail
road, and permanently joined the Northern
Pacific Coast with tie Atlantic, has just
been completed at half-past o'clock. There
are large crowds, and booming of cannon and
displays of oratorv. TIE speakers were
President Willard, Hon. VIM. M. Evarts,
Secretary Teller, ex-President frederick
Billings, General Grant and the Governors
of Wisconsin. Minnesota, Dskots, Montana,
Oregon and Washington Territory.
The LAST spike was driven home by Fl, c..
Davis. Assistant General Passenger Agent of
the road, who drove the first spike on the
opening of the road, and this spike was the
same ons driven by him then. The end was
reached as the sun was setting behind the
mountains. The enthusiasm Of the people,
ysriously estimated from 5000 to 5000, was
indescribable. The heights reverberated
with the mingled sound of cannon and shouts
of men. Thus was brought 20 happy con-
clusion a very remarkable event in American
history.
DEPARTURE OF THE GUESTS.
The trains were formed and dguests departed
The Eugiish and part Of the Americans, iu-
Guiding George NJ. Pullmsn and Weep
dent Harris, returned TO the East. This rest
went west to Puget Sound. The Associated
Press secured special engine, which had
steam up ready for special rup, conveying
their representatives to Helena, where sufi
cisnt telegraph facilities could be secured.
The ride was an exciting one, and was made
in the shortest time possible, Helena being
reached at 1880 o'clock that night. The run
from the last spike station was made IN three
hours-quiek time, considering the grades
over Mullan pass.
THE HIGHEST PEAK IN NEvADA.-The
Phoebe Record says: Major William Em.