The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1883-08-29
A GREAT

The closing of the gap of the North
ern Pacific railroad, thus completing
another transcontinental line, and the
greatest Of them, is an event of the
highest Importance, and President Viii
lard is fully determined that it shall be
celebrated in an appropriate manner.
1t will be probably the most imposing
ceremony of the kind that has ever TAX
en- place and certainly will be attended
by a greater number of distinguished
gentlemen, both of our own and other
lands, than have appeared at any like
demonstration in the past. Although
the gap has been closed already, the
last spike ceremonies will not take place
until the 9Th prox. Several hundred
specially invited guests of President
Willard will be in attendance, among
them barons, dukes, lords, and titled
gentlemen Of every sort, who will be
whirled through the inimitable north
west in accordance with the following
programme:
Friday, August 81, arrive in Chicago,
breakfast at Grand Pacific hotel or Pal
mer house. During the day an excur-
sion will be made to Pullman on the in
vitation of George M. Pullman, Esq.
Saturday, September |, two special
trains will be made up at Chicago, con-
sisting Of Pullman sleepers and dining
cars, and will leave at 1890 o'clock in
the morning, one running over the
| Chicago. Rock Island and Pacific rail
road, and the other over the Chicago &
| Northwestern. Sunday, September 2,
arrive at st. Paul about 7 a. M, and
| proceed at once, without change of cars,
to Lake Minnetonka, reaching the lake
| at about s O'clock. Rest during the day
and excursion on the lake for those who
| desire it. In consequence Of the limited
| hotel accommodations, guests will sleep
upon the cars. Monday, September g.,
the day will be spent in visiting the
neighboring cities of st. Paul and Min
neapolis, and guests will return to Lake
| Minnetonka about 8 p. III. In the even
ing at 6 o'clock a banquet will be given
at the Hotel Lafayette by the citizens Of
st. Paul and Minneapolis. The party
will leave at 1880 a. m. in two trains,
which will keep half an hour apart for
safety. Tuesday, September 4, in the
the JIalIS Will pass nIOuSH
the lake region of Minnesota, arriving
at Fargo at Y NJ; leave Fargo at | p. m.
and pass through the wheat fields of
north Dakota, stopping a short time at
the Dalrymple farm at Casselton, and,
reaching jamestown at s p. m, spend
one hour here; arrive at Bismarck at II
midnight; remain all nightat Bismarck.
Wednesday, September 5, leave Bis
marck at 10 a. M, passing over the great
bridge across the Missouri and arriving
at Mandan at 1920; leave Mandan at
IL o'clock, and reach Little Missouri at
4:3O D. M, walk to the summit of a
bluff for a general view of the Bad
Lands; leave Little Missouri at $50 p.
M, reaching Billings about $3.50 a. NJ,
and remaining over night in the cars.
Thursday, September 6, leave Billings
at 1890 a. M, reaching Gray Cliff At |
b. nj. Here about two hours will be de-
voted to witnessing a war dance by the
tribes Of Indians inhabiting the Grow
reservation. Leave Gray Bluff at 8 p.
m, crossing the Belt range OF noun
tains over the BoZeman tunnel at about
6 D. m, and arriving at Helena at about
10 a. ~, remaining over night. Friday,
| September 7, will be devoted to visiting
: Helena, the capital of Montana, the