The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1883-09-21
THE CONNECTING LINK.
The Iron Highway From tho Atlantic to
tho Pacific.

BETWEEN GARRISON AND GOLD
CREEK, NORTHERN PACIFIC RAIL.
ROAD, September 8, VIA HELENA Mon.
TANA, September 9.-It.is miles from
Helena to the point where the steep
grade of the Rocky Mountains begins
and II miles from there to the mouth of
Mullen tunnel. AS the tunnel Is not
completed, Mullen pass is crossed by
running in curves at q distance Of about
miles. The grade is the same us at
Bogeman. The sections OF the train
bearing the Willard party were safely
lifted over the height and the descent
was made to this point, where the cere.
mony of driving the last spike in the
Northern Pacific Railroad has just been
concluded. From Portland there came
somewhat eurlier splendid train, bear.
ing prominent citizens of that section to
participate In the ceremonies. There
were hearty greetings between the Amer.
lean guests of the East and West. All
were surprised at what they beheld. In.
stead of q wilderness of rocky noun.
tains they here beheld a magnificent
pavilion capable of seating more than
1000 people, over which foated the
man and British nations. In front and
reaching to the road bed was en- exten.
sive 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 attention of the
multitude with Gen. Grant, who sat on
the platform. Mr.. Willard spoke at
some length, and concluded amid tire.
mcndous applause. He then introduced
the orators of the occasion. Hon. w.
NJ. Fvarts then addressed the assemblage.
Mr.. Willard then introduced Secretary
Teller, who spoke of the great energy
and capital required to complete the
various trans. continental lines and their
practical benefit to the nation. Secreta.
ry Teller was followed by ex.President
Billings. Speeches were also made by
Sir James Hannen, Of England Baron
Won Eisendreker, the German Minister
DR.. Kneiss, of the Berlin University,
and General Grant. The Governors Of
Wisconsin, Minnesota, Dakota, Montana.
Oregon, Washington and the foreign
guests were then given seats on the plat
form, when a photograph was taken Of
them. After that horse that helped to
build the road from its inception was
SHSo6us ~ oh shO PAoS1OI"s AhOu WhS
witnessed an extraordinary spectacle.
Three hundred brawny men quickly laid
the iron and drove the spikes on the
thousand feet of uncompleted track, ex-
cept the last spike. During this work,
which was witnessed by the foreigners
with amazement, the band played and
the people cheered. When nearly com.
pleted q cannon salute was fred. The
last spike was driven by FL. @. 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. Tho
end was reached as the sun was setting
behind tho mountains. The enthusiasm
Of the audience-variously estimated at
5000 to 5,000-was indescribable. Thus
was brought to happy conclusion a
very remarkable event In American bis.
tory. II,