Year: 1874

OLYMPIA, w. l., April 8, Ioff.


EDITOR DISPATCH According to pre-
vious notice the citizens of Olympia and
Tumwater turned out in strong force
yesterday, to begin the work on the
Olympia and Tenino Railroad. The
morning. though cloudy and cool. was
auspicious. Nearly all the business
houses ard Offices in Olympia were
closed. and every profession and de-
partment of industry was represented in
the gathering; the laborer, the mechan-
ic, the artizan, the merchant. the laws
yer, the doctor and the preacher.


At the hour of 8 clock the bells were
rung as the signal for gathering at the
Public Square. The band discoursed
music. and about 81 took up the line
of march towards Tumwater. The pro-
cession embraced both old and young,
and were it not for their natural good
looks might have been considered rather
motley crew, with their spades and
shovels, their picks and axes and mat
tocks. Very few we're clad in their usu-
al garb. as seen upon the streets or at
their Offices and usual places of busi-
ness, but their pants in their boots, or
clad in overalls with overshirt or blouse
their very appearance showed they meant
business. Appearances however were
not sufficient, the demonstration of real
tiles on the line of the road proved they
were in earnest.


A long line of boats filled with ladies
and provisions, proceeded shortly after
from Marshville bridge to the point of
beginning, on the West side of the Bay.
at or near Warren's point, about half
way between Olympia and Tumwater.
The men who formed the procession for
labor were ferried across in large fiat
boat from the East side, Immediately op-
posite to the place where the work was
to begin.


Quite a number both of ladies' and
gentlemen had formed the idea that it
was to be picnic party, that some
speeches would be made, few shovels-
full of earth be thrown out, the begin
ming be formally made, and all have a
good time generally. But the majority
went for the purpose of work, and work
they did. Assistant Engineer Brooks
estimates that there were not less than
twelve hundred cubic yards of earth re-
moved by this volunteer force, and done
carefully and judiciously, besides the
cutting and removal of timber and logs
on the line from the place of beginning
to Tumwater.


The citizens of Tumwater started on
their end of the line, about the time that
the citizens of Olympia started from
town, and their work chiefly was the
cutting of trees and removal of logs.
whilst those from Olympia were engaged
in grading, removing at the same time
in their route, such trees and logs as
were in the line, grubbing both trees
and stumps where necessary. The es~
timate of the engineers is that the vol
untary work, thus done on yesterday,
would at contract prices have cost the
company about $500. The entire work
ing force was about two hundred mer;
and it was remarked that if they had
been hired to do the work, they would
not have accomplished near so much.
Every one seemed to work with a will,
and the results were astonishing to all
concerned.


At noon the ladies provided plenti-
full and substantial repast, consisting of
bacon and beans. cold meats, bread and
butter, fanked with excellent coffee and
tea, and mary of them worked as hard
in their department, as did the men on
the road.


Many one to-day is complaining OF
being sore and stiff, many have bl;stered
hands, but none regret the work done,
or the record they made in the begin
ming of this important enterprise. It is
said that never before were there SO
many stiff and sore people in Olympia
as are to be found in it to-day.


1t would not surprise me if the peo-
pie would make another such demon
strrtion in week or two, as they are
determined to put the road through.


The action and results of yesterday
have been telegraphed to Hon. o. B.
McFadden. with the hope that such ac-
ton on the part of the people will show
to Congress how earnest they are in the
prosecution of this work. -