Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1903-08-14

ceremonies at Cerrillos when the Atchi-
son, Topeka & Santa Fe reached that
place. He spoke of the great import
ance of the Santa Fe Central Railway.
giving Santa Fe connection not only
with the great Rock Island system but
with all the world.
Ex-Governor L. B. Prince was the
last speaker and he reviewed the event
of twenty-three years ago when the
last spike was driven at Santa Fe in
the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe
line. He told how Governor Lew Wal
lace and General Hatch with great dig
nifty lifted the hammer and each missed
the spike by six inches. Ex-Governor
Prince was chief justice at that time
and was more successful in striking
his spike and so was the chairman Of
the board of county commissioners who
drove the fourth spike. Judge Prince
eloquently emphasized what is of great
er Importance even than the new rail-
road-the spirit in which it came, the
desire of it's promoters to build up
Santa Fe. He prophesied a glorious
future for the city.
Each speaker was applauded. There
were thre eringing cheers for General
Manager w. S. Hopewell, for Senator
w. H. Andrews, for General Francis J.
Torrance, for Senator Arthur Kennedy
for 7. Lee Clark, for Chief Engineer A
G. Kennedy, for Superintendent Harris,
for Mayor Sparks, for Ex-Governor L.
B. Prince, and for all the men and la
borers who had taken part in the work
of building the road
1t was an impressive scene. The sun
was nearing the edge of the mountains
in the west and sent it's rays over the
mesa, clothing it in gold. On the high
embankment leading to the overhead
crossing over the Atchison, Topeka &
Santa Fe not quite 200 men and sew
eral ladies were grouped around Mayor
Sparks who had just lifted the sledge
to strike the last blow. On the bridge
over the Santa Fe crossing stood the
work train, with the track-Iaying ma
chine which had just completed it's |
work, while in the opposite direction |
through a deep cut were visible the |
yellow buildings of Kennedy. To the |
north shimmered the hoary peaks of |
the Santa Fe range and beyond them |
the Pecos range, while to the north
west were the gigantic Jemez and Co
chiti ranges bright in the rays of the
sinking sun. To the east was Lamy
where rose columns of smoke
from engines. Right below glistened
the tracks of another great highway,
the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe, upon
which a freight train came speeding |
along at that moment and whose rumb.
ling was suddenly broken by cheers.
long and loud, and by the shrieking
of two locomotives. Nigh two
hundred hats waved in the air and
there were more cheers before the 81
lence again resumed it's customary
abode in the hills around Galisteo
The homeward trip was broken by
several humorous incidents. Frank
Dibert and C. G. Kaadt, who intended
70 leave Kennedy for the coal fields to
AXE photographs for the railroad, dis
covered three miles out Of Kennedy l.
hat the train was speeding towards
Santa Fe instead of toward Kennedy.
There were frantic efforts to stop the
rain which finally were answered and !
he two wayfarers stepped off with
heir luggage, walk of three miles to
Kennedy being ahead of them. How
sver, the air was cool and had it not
been for a mountain of luggage they
lad with them, the walk would have
,een quite enjoyable. There was sing
ng and merry making, and those who
lid not take part scanned the scenery
along the road or hallooed at the
ack rabbits which were scared up by
he hundreds by the locomotive. 1t was
':15 p. m. when the train arrived at
Santa Fe. It was a memorable occa-
lion and those wro-1ook part in it will
'emember its incidents for many years
o come.
While the lis miles Of track between
santa Fe and Kennedy are now COM
,leted, it will take some time yet be-
ore the road will be open to through
raffic. The work Of ballasting, sur
acing and tamping which is we'll under
vay, will be pushed to completion at
he rate of two and more miles a day
nd by September l, and probably be-
ore that time. there will be through
rains. The time table is in preparation
nd the two trains which will be put
n each way between Santa Fe and