Morning journal and courier., 1888-10-18
n1Rror ro rHE WEST.

cut press and other guests, pulled out from
 the new Derby depot on Commerce street
 among the cheers from the crowd which had
 collected to see the train off. The train was
 made up of engine No. 5, combination car
 No. IS and passenger cars Nos. 93 and 95 of
 the Housatonic road and passenger car No.
 2 of the Derby road. The cars were hand-
 somely decorated with flags of all nations, as was the engine, and were made to look very pretty by William McGrath, jr., manager of the New Haven Decorating company. Pre- vious to the leaving of the train Wheeler 6 Wilson's band, which accompanied the jour- nalists, played several popular selections for the amusement of those present. On board when the train left this city were: President W. Fl. Stevenson, Superintendent John Hopson, General Freight and Ticket Agent Bradley, Assistant Auditor Heidman, Secre- tary Porter and Superintendent of Motive Power Kittendorf of the Derby, Superinten-
 dent Frederick Paine of the Norwalk and Danbury road, Superintendent of Motive Power Ryder and Superintendent Lyons of the Housatonic road, Hon. N. D. Sperry, Hon. Lnzon B. Morris, Hon. E. G. Stod dsrd, General s. E. Merwin, Captain Frank E. Lovejoy, MT. George A. Butler of this city, B. S.. Hinman, assistant secre- tary of State, and Samuel A. Eddy of Canaan, while the newspaper men were F. A. Wood, Bridgeport Standard; Frank Sherwood, Bridgeport Leader; J. B. Billings, Arthur French, Bridgeport Morning News; James R. Craig, E. B. I4ounsbuly, Danbury Democrat; W. Collins. Hartford Courant; B. W. Naples, Norwalk Hour; D. 0. BirdsaI, Hartford Telegram; G. E. Sill, William G. ! Sill, Winsted Citizen; Julian Sterling, New York World, Col. L. L. Morgan, New Haven Register: George W. Robinson, NEW HAVEN JOURNAL & COURIER, H. Q. Webb, John W. Harding, New Haven Union; Wm. H. Hale, New Haven Palladium; James J. Buchanan. New Haven Morning News; J. M. Emerson, Ansonia Sentinel; F. H. Afford, Middletown Herald; D. T. Bacon, Derby Transcript; Wei gan Schlein, New Haven Republicaner; John Rhodemeyer, Norwa1k Record.
 As the train under the charge of Conduc- tor Charles N. Phillips and run by Engineer Less Ferris, with Fireman Frank Treat, Bag gagemaster Frank Smith and Brakeman Thomas F. Connors left the city it was hear tily cheered at each crossing and bridge by the crowds who collected to see it pass. At Il :05 as the train drew into Shelton, all the locomotive and shop whistles kept up con- { tinual footing, while the shop windows and thoroughfares near the track were crowded with spectators, who cheered Justify at the passing train. At the depot the train stopped for few minutes, after which it slowly proceeded over the new load with President Stevenson at the throttle of the
 
 \ in the rear car explaining the road to those present. It was Il :50 o'clock when the train arrived at the place where the silver and gold spikes were to be driven, and as the train [ came to stop the passengers were saluted ' with cannon and the cheers of the Italian laborers and about fifty residents of the vii cinity who had gathered to the spikes driven. The place where the train stopped and the spikes were to be driven is about midway between the two extremities of the extension (which is about IS 1-2 miles long) and in the town of Monroe, overlooking the Housatonic river, and one of the most charm ing views in the State. Here the passengers left the train, and after some se lections by the band Superintendent Hopson handed President Stevenson large sledge
 hammer and the gold and silver spikes, while those present gathered around to see the
 spikes driven. Colonel Stevenson grasped the sledge, and after stating that as it was
 rainy day the speeches would be deferred un-
 til later in the day, but that he would now
 proceed to drive the spike uniting the Derby
 road with the Housatonic road and the great
 West, he advised the crowd to stand back, as
 his aim was not sure, and he then in the left
 rail drove with thirteen blows the silver
 spike and on the right with fifteen blows the
 gold one. The spikes were then pulled up
 and after three cheers given with will for
 President Stevenson, and Superintendent
 Hopson and the success of the new venture
 of the Derby road the passengers resumed
 their seats and the train proceeded slowly to
 Botsford where a short stop was male, after
 which the train proceeded direct to Danbury,
 arriving there about 2 o'clock. From the
 depot Colonel Stevenson's guests, headed by
 the band, marched to the Turner House
 where they sat down to @ banquet given by
 Colonel Stevenson. At each plate was an
 elaborate menu card with the following
 printed on it's face:
 Banquet to the press given at the Turner House,
 Coionel Mam % + Stevenson in Ronor of a the sue S
 cessful driving of the silver spike that unites the
 little Derby with the Housatonic system"
 Each guest also wore a silk badge properly
 worded for the occasion, presented by Col
 onel Stevenson. After the inner man had
 been satisfied Colonel Stevenson arose and
 said: Gentlemen of the press, desire to
 say few words to you on this occasion be- fdare l introduce to you several prominent men here present with us wEq> can tell you much more about the past history Of %hst Derby road, which to-day was made part Of | the Housatonic system, than can. say that although this road may be @ small one, we have done great thing in putting it | through and giving to the people long felt want in an outlet from New Haven to the \ West through the Housstonic road and it's branches. We have with us to-day 6 man who saw the birth of the Derby, and he can \ tell you moro about that than I \ can. We have with us also a man nominated for governor of this State, and just as great man who is nominated for lieutenant governor. [Applause.l They are both interested in the Derby road, and its new extension, and they will tell you that after November 1st trains will be run regu- larly over the extension, and 1 now take pleasure in introducing to you Hon. Luzon B. Morris. Mir. Morris was received with great applause as be arose to his feet and began:
 "Colonel Stevenson, gentlemen and gentle men of the press-Allusion has been made to my being one of the candidates for governor Of the State, but of that I cannot speak to- day. When the contract was made by Mr. Starbuck and the city of New Haven, I was one of those appointed to see that it was carried out, and officially shall report the going over the road of this train to-day and the completion of the contract You gentlemen can all see the importance of this line, which gives access direct to the West, and that it is bound to increase both the business interests of New Haven and the towns on the line. Now I will give way to some of the other gentlemen who are to spesk.n MT. Morris was warmly applauded. !
 Colonel Stevenson then introduced Gene \ ral s. E. Merwin, who said: "Mr. president and friends of tine press-There is a saying ! that all things come to those who wait. am not talking politics {spplause). Over twenty \ years ago had an interest in the Derby road and I hoped then that it was beginning of something for which to wait and today see my hopes fulfilled in the uniting of the Der by with the Housatonic road, which opens ! up the western part of the State to us, as ' well as gives us direct route to the West, | which to New Haven means 8 great deal. still have an interest in the road to-day, and am glad to see this extention, as every new mile of railroad laid in this State means more business and consequently more wealth for the State. It not only requires wealth but srains to run railroad, and you see to-day It the head of the table the president of the Derby, and in him man with every quality | for successfully operating such @ railroad. I will say once more that am glad to meet you, gentlemen of the press, as always am, and in closing will state that all we ask is that Colonel Stevenson will give us as good ;arif rate in freight as he does those living in Bridgeport. (Applause)
 Hon. N.D.Sperry was next introduced and delivered an eloquent address, interrupted with applause. During his speech he said:
 Coloael Stevenson and friends-I am glad 10 be with you to-day. I was glad to be with you on the way up, and of the manner n which Colonel Stevenson drove home that