The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1910-12-10
.BARES SECRET OF
FAMOUS CANVAS
Story OF An Historic Railroad
Scene at Promontory Point
Is Now Corroborated

4
Salt Lake Tribune: Some time since
The Tribune printed story in connec-
tion with the driving of the gold spike
which connected the rails of the first
transcontinental railroad in the world
at Promontory Point, Utah, in May.
1869, and also a picture of the historic
scene. In the New York Herald Of the
22nd inst. appears the following story
in connection with this historic affair
Says the Herald:
Driorng Last Spike
Simultaneously with the announce
ment of the auction next month of
paintings and sketches of the late
Thomas Hill. California landscape ar
tist, there came to light to-day a re-
markable story of Mr.. Hills famous
painting, "The Driving of the Last
Spike. That picture is now in the
art museum at Golden Gate Park, but
it still belongs to the estate of Mr.. Hill,
of which his son, Robert r. Hill is exc
ecutor.
A privately circulated pamphlet writ
ten by Mr.. Hill and withdrawn after q
few copies had been circulated, set
forth that the picture was dictated by
the late United States Senator Leland
| Stanford. aud it was he who named the
persons who should appear. Robert r.
Hill has at last made the pamphlet
public.
Mr.. Stanford, it is related. insisted
that he be the central figure. Later
he rejected the picture, after Mr.. Hill
had spent four years and much money
on his work. Why he rejected it has
long been q subject of speculation in
California.
Senator Stanford would direct Mr..
Hill to behead some too prominent rival
and on the shoulders of the figure place
the head of a mau he preferred, the
artist relates. After years of procras-
tination Mr.. Stanford died and the
picture was left on Mr.. Hills hands.
| He tried to collect from Mrs. Stanford,
but the obligation was not considered
by the trustees of the estate. To show
Senator Stanford's desire for pre-emiu-
ence In the picture, Mr. Hill wrote:
What Mr.. Hill Wrote
"He would dictate. with enthusiasm
even to severity. For instance, was
asking some questions in regard to MIR.
Durant (of the Union Paciic). who oc-
cupied the second position. and was
placed by the side to Stanford, each
having hammer. Twas informed that
Mr.. Durant drove the silver spike, so
placed him in his true position. Mr..
Stanford objected to the arrangement
and remarked: Nobody has hammer
but me; you have given him too i'm
portant place.
"At another time l spoke of having
placed Mr.. McCrellish. editor Of the
Alta California, in a good position on
the left of the picture, apparently in
conversation with Stephen I. Gage.
His eyes flashed at the sound Of the
editors name. and he said. excitedly:
Have you got that man imp / told
him that ! believed he was present on
the occasion and that it would not be
we'll for me If / should leave him out,
for, being the editor Of paper, he
would annihilate me. His answer was:
Il will annihilate you if he is in.
Put Sargent There
'I asked Mr.. Stanford whom should
put in the place of Mr.. Durant. He
said. You must make that Mr.. Strow.
bridge. His eye caught the figure OF
David Cotton. He said. Il don't want
that man in You can put Senator
Sargent there All these changes were
noted down, and many others, until
very few of the foreground figures were
left unchanged.
Ii was an exciting moment when
Charles Orocker first saw the picture.
Mr.. Hill wrote: What nonsense Is
that?' said he, when his eye got fairly
rested upon the picture. explained the
whole business to him and spoke OF the
Importance of his giving me sitting to
perfect his likeness. lie was too mad
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