Gilpin observer., 1920-10-07
FIRST TRAIN CAME TO
GOLDEN so YEARS AGO
Whistle of First Engine Started
Big Celebration@Solid Gold
and Silver Spikes Driven.

anu oliver spikes Driven.
In these days when steam trains
and electric cars come to Golden
all during the day, when automo-
biles by the hundreds come rush
ing in, and when airplanes circle
over the city, the whistle of To-
comotive signifies nothing import
ant, but fifty years ago last Sun
day, September 26, the whistle of
a locomotive was the signal for
the greatest rejoicing the town
has ever known, and came as the
start of one of the grandest cele-
brations in Golden's history.
1t was just fifty years ago that
the railroad, the old Colorado
Central, was completed to Golden
City and the first train was run
from Denver. People from all
parts of the territory came to Col
den to take part in the celebra-
tion, for which preparations had
been going on for several weeks.
AS early as seven o'clock in the
morning, the farmers, with the
wives and children began to ar
rive in town, their wagons loaded
down with good things for the
dinner, which was served free to
all. The first train arrived from
Denver about eight o'clock, load
ed to the guards with people. By
ten o'clock teams from Gilpin
county began to arrive, and people
began to flock to town from all
directions. About one o'clock an
other train, loaded from the cow
catcher to the rear platform, came
in, bringing the word that hun
dreds had been left in Denver, and
a special train was Immediately
sent for them.
Each train, as it arrived, was
saluted with artillery and greet
ed with band music, furnished by
the G.. A. R. band and the Colo
RADIO cornet band. The locomotive
was decorated with evergreen,
flowers, flags and ribbons.
At three o'clock w. A. H. Love-
land called the crowd to order
and announced that the celebra-
tion would begin with the driv-
ing of a gold spike, and invited
the people to proceed to the end
of the track. 1t is estimated that
more than 1000 people were pres
ent.
Prayer was offered by Rev.
Lynde, and Mr.. Loveland then
presented a solid gold railroad
spike to President Carter, of the
railroad company. Mr.. Carter ac-
cepted the spike in neat and ap-
propriate address, and proceeded
to drive it in place. The gold
spike, made from the gold of Gil
pin county, was furnished by citi-
zens of that county. President
Carter then drove a solid silver
spike furnished by the people of
Clear Greek county.
After this ceremony was per-
formed, a parade, headed by the
two bands, was formed, and every
body proceeded to the depot. Men,
bers of the press, the governors,
judges and others, were given
seats on the platform. Among
those were Hon. Jerome Chaffee,
delegate-elect to congress, Judge
c. S. Eyster, of the supreme court,
President Carter of the c. c.,
Messrs. Byers, Daily and Thomas,
of the Rocky Mountain News, d.
c. Collier, of the Central City Reg
lister, Judge Baker, Of the Herald,
R. w. Woodbury., of the Denver
Tribune, and Geo. West, of the
Transcript.
Order was called by Mr.. Love-
land and in behalf of the people
of the territory, he presented an
elegant watch to Mr.. Carter. The
watch was made of Gilpin county
gold. Mr.. Carter responded and
said that he would do all in his
power to extend the road into the
mountains. Governor McCook,
who had been delayed, reached
Golden at that time, and made an
address. Speeches were made by
many other prominent men.
In the evening a big dance was
held in the depot, and as soon as
darkness came there was fine
display of fireworks. A huge bon
fire was lighted on Castle Rock.
Traina ran oil dau and niuht he