The daily morning Alaskan., 1899-07-07
LAST SPIKE DRIVEN @e,veAE> BENNETT CITY Steel Bands Connect Salt
 Water With Yukon.
ALL HONOR. ALL HAIL
Greatest Engineering Feat of nod- ern Days Pushed to SuccessFui COmpIetion-fTom New York 10 Dawson CIiy by HaiI and Water No Walking.

| or AlaSka, BtlUSn OOlumDld ana the Northwest Territory, the gre itest mineral producing country that exists on the face of the earth.
 A little more than one year ago a com panv began what was then considered an impossible task, that of constructing a railroad from Skagway to the summit of White Pass. But where energy and money combine, defeat Is unknown. Work was constantly carried on and never for one moment was there any nlgging Through a wild and rocky country where formerly the mountain goat dared not venture, a road ,ed was conSt ucted, steel rails were laid over which tEundered the iron horse drawing in his wake material for further construction. Contrary to the expectations of the most Sanguine the road was com. pleted to the summit far in advance of con tract time, tha ks to that indefatigable, ever awake and alert man, Y. ]. Heney. But construction lid not stop at the sum init. Twenty-two miles further east were tn. headwaters Of Yukon navigation, the threshold to the great gold producing fields oi the interior. This was the destination, and to this roint was construction contin- ued
 Yesterday the road was completed 10 Bennett, making it possible for travellers from any part of the United States to reach Dawson City on one continuous journey on rail and W ter where all the comforts of life may be enjoyed; no walk. ing, no packing of outfits on backs of men and beasts, and with no delay.
 lt was an enthusiastic party that left this city yesterday morning for Bennett to witness the driving Of the last spike that bound with bands of steel the salt waters of Lynn Canal to the fresh waters where ply the steam.rS Of the mighty Yukon. The start was made at s o'clock in the morning, the following persons being aboard the train:
 Il. N. McGregor, C. P. K. R.. Pills bury X Cleveland, photogra. hers; Capt. Wm. Moore and daughter, Mrs. A. Miles Taylor; C C. Runner, Per;v II. Peele, collector of customs; Arthur JImeS, Gun adian customs inspector; Rev. J. A. Sin clair, Dr. and Mrs. |. II. Moore, Dr. N. F. Hall, Dr. Whiting, F. N. Bush. E. A. Seeley, K. C. Smith, Mr. and Mrs. A. l.. Berdoe, ]. A. Paine, Red Line TranSporta- ton Co.,; F |. Keellr. John Stanley, C. E. Cole, Miss A. L. Burke, C. E. Hawkins and wife. J. r. Hlvne, L. n. Grey, F. II. Whiting, c. w. De Suctl, w. L. Will son, Agent BuSby.
 At the Summit a stop of some length was made for the purpose of regaling the guests with luncheon and other refresh mentS. From the Summit on to Bennett the trip was made on flat cars, the new road not being sufficiently balasted to jus tify the running of the regular passenger coaches.
 lt was } o'clock when Bennett was reached, the last several hundred yards of track being laid just in advance of the train. When the last rail was in place the honor of driv ng the last spike was dele gated to Mrs. Hawkins, wife of the chief engineer and general superintendent of the road, MT. E. C. Hawkins, although Mr. Hawkins, himself. Frank Walters. walk ing boss; Captain Jarvis, of the N. w. P, and Contractor N. ]. tIeney each hit it a lick for luck. At the time of the cere' mony of driving the spike Contractor Heney, as, president of the Red Star Transportation Line, had all his teams, comprising Iso horses, lined up in proceS- sion, the entire lake fleet of steamers in port blew their whistles and twentv-One earth qual<ing blasts were shot where a mountain side was being removed for a depot site. Taken as a whole, it was the most thrilling and eventful scene ever wit messed north of Puget Sou d.
 Scarcely had the echoes of the great tur- mutt subsided when Captain McGregor of the Canadian Pacific Railway Company, in Stentoran tones proposed three cheers for the White Pass and Yukon Route The cheers, with tiger, were given in a way that caused the bosom of Lake Ben nett to heave an inch or more. Cheers wer, also given for General Superintend' ent H awkins, Contractor Henev and other of the official of the company.
 Then came the erowning event of the day in the form of a banquet at Con tractor Heney's mess house Y here an ele- gant repast was served. Champagne flowed freely, every1odv was toasted and the affair in its entirtv was such as only Mr. Heney could conceive and successfully carry out.
 Il lt was a great day for the people of Bennett. The entire town was auayed in its Sunday apparel and, aided by three hundred men who had in the morning ar rived from Dawson and who were jubllant at the thought of getting a railroad ride to cLag,ya,, nothing Nyas done amiSS tu