Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1902-02-19
,e present o would this great trans.

w HOooibAN VI cho htNAch - ~ WV
not for the people they saw in front
OF them. This settled il with the local
visitors, and the general had a busy
half hour with the congratulations
showered upon him.
Six hundred yards apart stood a
rest the ~track-laying gangs from the
east and the west, each having 300
yards OF steel TO lay to the point &c
feet east OF the crossing Of lndepend
once creek. where the spike vas to be
driven. Mr.. Willard had appropriated
a premium Of 5 / 1000 to the gang that
got there first. Side bets among the
onlookers were frequent, adding a
zest to the performance. The west
ern fellows were favorites with the
local sportsmen, because they had
such a stalwart look and they showed
to any observer that they were pre-
pairing for a contest. They bore plen.
ty of decorf ions, In which was prom.
inent. of curse. the 'red, white and
blue" Besides. they had in their
front the celebrated black stallion
that had pulled every rail car to the
front since the revival of the building
OF the western division-more than
500 miles. In the decorations the
web-footers had not forgotten this val
liable adjunct. This noble animal
looked his part. and in action later he
acted il. At the word the contest be.
gan and amid shouts progressed to an
exciting finish. occupying only a few
minutes. The most interesting exhi.
billions of skill and cleverness were
developed on both sides, but somehow
you could see the lads from the west
possessed some trick that o~verreached
the others. They came to the point
Of finish one minute ahead of the boys
from the east.
Was a Queer Crowd.
While waiting during a necessary
lapse in the ceremonies 1t might be
proper to recall what a curious col.
lection of people was here assembled,
at a locality so recently a bowling
wilderness, in the vicinity of which
Gold Tom" in 1860 washed out the
few shining colors of gold found in
Montana. Mixed with the people al.
ready described were found visitors
from every state and territory In the
Union: miners from all yer the Pa.
cific slope. desperadoes. gamblers bun.
co steerers. Chinese, Japs. islanders,
soldiers and Indians; seemingly ev-
cry race and every nationality was
represented. and all making a holiday
OF il.
During one of my rounds I found a
big detachment of our hoboes revel-
ing in an immense lunch, with a beer
and champagne accompaniment. At
sight of me there was a universal in
yitation to join them. | was hungry
enough, | ssh you. and did not
stand upon the order. but ut once ac-
cepted. | ate and drank to repletion
OF most appetizing reflections, and. fin.
ishing. | suggested | was sorry | could
not set up the cigars. ~whereupon In.
stantly several boxes of choice Ha.
vanas were produced. 1t occurred ~
me to ask where this sumptIous
spread came from. The spokesman
replied: I'VE trew down de coon por.
ters of de private cars" Ever since
| have had charity for the genus ho-
DO. because it is on record that there
we're several thousand empty stom.
achs that day.
Driving the Spike.
Mr.. Willard. his wife. child and
nurse. led the way to the spot where
was to take place the event Of the
congregation. He was permitted Il
, surround himself with persons in thC
DloD'l VI Blfi'l'i''s ohu fi
/, forts were made to extend to him anC
/, his program every possible considera
ton. but il was Immediately NANTES
that curiosity. eagerness and enthusl
asm were too much for regularity
propriety and entire good order. Thi
disconnected the great chief yer.
} much, and in a measure he lost hi
head. listening, II appeared to me. L
too much advice. which came not or
, ly from his immediate friends. blu
from the immense c%oncourse Of spec
~tators.
Mr.. Willard exhibited the spike tina
was to be driven. making the Norti
ern Pacific a great trans-continenta
G railway, stating. IL ] remember RICH
ly. that 1t was the one driven frat /
! the Inauguration of the great systeT
1.-THE first and last spike.
At this point the interest was Il
n tense, everyone seeking TO see a
! much as possible. Mr.. Willard struc
= several light blows, nicely startin
the spike on its way; ave the han
mer to his wife. who tapped II; ha
L his little son to touch IL while ma
: ing one stroke; passed IL to the di
tinguished visitors. much as the i
y dian pipe of peace is passed aroun
and. at what appeared to be the pro
: CT time. prepared to send the spil
r. home. Watching him closely. | sa
he was very nervous throughout.
IL this moment he hesitatcd in a dazC
a Tha, h.sS,o,ion tn.,.y