The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1907-03-26
DRIVING GOLDEN SPIKE
A Feature OF the Afternoon Witnessed
by Thousands of People.
BANQUET FEAST Al NIGRf
A Gay and Happy Assemblage of Men
of Prominence in Public Affairs and
of Railroad Men-An intellectual
Treat of Splendid Oratory. .

About twenty years ago there was
held in Shreveport an event similar to
that which eliminated last night, or
rather this morning at /: 80 o'clock, in
the celebration of the driving Of the
golden spike which completed the con
struetion of the Cotton Belt. On that
occasion Mr. NJ L. Lynch, Chief en-
gineer, with Colonel Fordyce and 9th
ers of that company were present 1t
was then gala day At that time the
NJ X & T. S extension to Shreveport
was in the perspective, but the Kansas
City Southern was not being considered.
At that time Shreveport was not Is aC-
i've, nor as buoyant, nor as pushing,
nor as commercially aggressive as now,
and since that day, when the golden
spike was driven in the presence OF Mr.
Lynch Shreveport,s strides have been
steady, sure footed, SO to speak, and its
development is pleaSingly amazing to
hose who, after many years absence,
.eturn to their old haunts, and wonder
over the expansion of the old town.
To the old-timers of twenty years ago
Mr. Lynch's presence at the festive
board last night aroused in reminiscent
mood these memories which linger in
mind and sEirecalled pleasantly.
THE BRIDGE.
This bridge, devised and built under
he direction of Mr.. Lynch. chief en-
,ineer OF the St Louis Southwestern
Railway System, assisted in its construc
ion by c. r. Fickers, resident engineer
nd others, is situated near where stoo,
Fort Humbug, a mile or more below
this city. 1t consists OF seven water and
Two land spans, and with its approaches
md terminals and the improvements in
cidental TO its construction, will aggre-
gate cost of quarters OF million
lolars 1t will carry the heaviest loco
motive in use today, and is complete in
every requirement, and is a beauty from
an architectural point of view
The dedication of the bridge yesterday
lfternoon was witnessed by thousands OF
citizens, including business men and la
dies and men of all walks of life. The
bridge was reached by an excursion
train running at intervals of thirty min
utes, and there was furnished by the
Cotton Belt refreshments and sand
wiches in abundance. AT the bridge the
musical numbers were dscoursed by
Rettigs Band.
THE GOLDEN SPIKE.
The driving of the golden spike was a
feature which aroused the greatest EN-
thusiasm, especially from the fair sex
who crowded closely towards Miss
Pearl Elliott. a special friend of the
Cotton Belt, who with GOODNESS and de
liberation struck the spike eight times
.conseeutively, the spike which completed
in fact this feature of this bridgeport
ing celebration After the spike had
been driven into the cross-tie, it was ex-
tracted and replaced by a steel spike,
while the golden spike was presented by
Commercial Agent ]. T. Ferguson to
Miss Elliott, with the compliments of
che company. Great and continued
cheers, with music by the band followed
this presentation.
Following the driving of the golden
spike, Mayor Bernstein, as the repre-
sentative of the city, addressed the as
'emblage, during which he reviewed the
construction Of the great bridges of an
cIent times and of today, and after
dwelling on the spirit of enterprise rep
resented in this bridge and commenting
highly the Cotton Belt and its officials,
presented to the assemblage Hon. ]. D.
Wilkinson, who was greeted with en-
thusiastic cheers.
MR. WILKINSON'S SPEECH
As is well known to his friends and
MS admirers, Mr.. Wilkinson is a force
ful. earnest. and pleasing speaker. He
| fiveted attention from the beginning to
the close of his interesting discourse.
Having referred to ''the wills the
'wonts' and the "cants," and especially
to the wills the men who do things,
he placed in this class Mr.. F. H. Britton,
vice president of the Cotton Belt system,
and said:
To him is due the praise, more than
to another. for the extensive improve
ments made and contemplated by his
company at this place. Through his eff