The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1885-12-31
from junction City to Chico

The first passenger train over the
Topeka, Sslina & Western Railroad
into Saline county, started from
Junction City, last Monday morning
at o'clock. This was the time APP
pointed for the county commissioners
Of Dickinson county to inspect the
road through that county, and an ele-
giant reclining chair car was provided
by the managers for the invited
guests who accompanied the excur-
sion, beside the ear Of the Gen. Sup
erintendent OF the Mo. Pac. Ry. Co.,
which was also placed at the disposal,
Of the company. Mr.. Richard Waring
the county clerk, and A. s. Davidson,
the Clerk Of the District Court, ae-
cOmpanied the commissioners, and
Henry Lifts, Of the Abilene Reflector
and George w. c. ROhrer, of the abb
lene Gazette, were among the party.
The persons sviling themselves Of the
cordial invitation Of the managers
from Saline county, were Messrs.
Seitz, Ober, Dodge, Kingman, Gibbs
and Hitler. The sky was yelled in
clouds as the train started over the
track Of the NJ. K. & T. Railway, but
their gloomy aspect east no dampness
over the spirits Of the happy party
who entrusted themselves to the iron
horse, to be guided over prairie lands
now for the first time Joined by rail
aud wire with all other portions Of
the civilized world. With increasing
speed the train passed over the road
and along the farms so giried with
stone fences IS to remind one Of the
bits of ground IN the rock ribbed
New England coast. through the
towns Of SKiddy, White City, aud
Parkrrsviii-. to the beautiful valley af
Ne'isuu, aud acrO-s its river Into tue
city Of Council Grove, where a short
stnp was made AMI Tie parry was ii-
creased by Aessrs. dOrlariIy, editor of
the Cosmos, Judge Nicholson, aud nu-
merOus additions Of prominent citi-
Zens, an occurrence which was re-
peated at every station thereafter so
hearty was the welcome 10 all.
scarcely had we time 20 think that
this was the last abode II the Kansas
Indians in the land Of their fathers,
when all ideas Of the past were dis
PEELED by the all engrossing interest
Of the present aud with the thought
engendered by the signal bell, Let
the dead bury the dead" we dis
missed all memories Of prehistoric
time, and found ourselves in the
seething, boiling current Of life at the
close Of the nineteenth century. We
were making history and we felt 1t.
The virgin soil was to yield its
bounteous harvests to the care Of its
chosen Railway; IN return the
road promised Increased prosperity TO
all, and new towns and cities 10 fur
Their develop this locality. (hithertO
unexplored by Railgays) and yet so
promising q portion Of our Garden
State. Branching or from the M. X.
& T., we found ourselves racing along
the line Of the Topeka, Salina & |
Western Railroad. What says our
reader that long time paper railroad ? |
Ay, yes, dear reader, the No. Pacific |
Railway Co., has ct last given the
airy nOthings a local habitstion and a
name. And yet with ali the enthusi-
asm Of the citizens Of the locality for /
the contamination OF their long de-
ferred hope Of railway commanica-
ton, L - needles to say that Col.
Everest was the life Of the whole
party. He possesses 80 much Of
what Is called the superfiulty Of man
hood, united with the milk OF human
kindness, that be nos only enjoyed
the trip himself, but made every one
else enjoy It. he had his s'thorn In
the fieshn Il Is true, bat he would not
ailoW that 70 mar the happiness Of the
0ooaai0n. And thus with every one
in the best possible spirits, the train
sped on through Morris county, past
The town Of WIlssy 70 Herrington, In
county. and then 10 miles
further % Hope. where Charlie viii
naFth with q corps Of assistants were
engaged Ga constructing for Messrs.
6oo6now a Wiekham. Que Of the
insst and most convenient elevators
IN this portion Of the state. Here
Bal Merrill BEARDED the lfain 10 see
hog The Gylsam laoEe5 with Rail-
way. Th.ee niles further brought o.
b Dillon. and ilTa mites lnrfhef We
passed Kline siding. ana found tie
asu town OF Csrislss. thrss miles be-
pond. Procseling onward nsst tbs