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Show 0 f 0 By Bernice Gibbs Anderson W finesses At The Driving Of The Golden Spike Monday, May 10, 1869 dawned For one day be host to would Promontory giants of finance and industry. This was her day and no other spot on earth could ever rightfully claim it. cold and clear. Early in the morning, groups of workers began arriving, clad in wrinkled top coats and soiled hats, but newly shaved for the occasion. Settlers from the Mormon towns to the east, came in creaking buggies, hacks and wagons, whole families piled in, to see the ceremony and perhaps their first train. Construction trains, pulling onto sidings, disgorged more workers irom both east and west. Soon after nine oclock, a special train from Sacramento arrived, its whistle sending blast after blast into the quiet air. Then came two Union Pacific trains from the east, the last one bringing the Durant private car, with Thomas C. Durant, U. P. vice president; Sidney Dillon, chairman of the board of directors; John Duff, a director and later a president of the comGeneral Grenville M. pany; chief Dodge, engineer; General John C. Casement, his brother, Dan Casement and others. Soon after eleven the Central Pacific Stanford special, drawn by the Jupiter, gaily decorated with red, white and blue flags and ribbons, made its appearance upon the scene, having come from Monument Point. Governor Stanford marched over to the Durant car, and as the two parties shook hands, the crowd cheered, realizing that the long struggle was ended. Four companies of the 21st In. fantry and headquarters band Famous photograph above was taken at Promontory, Box Elder County, Utah, May 10, 1869, when, the Golden Spike was driven. This actual photograph shows the Central Pacifics Jupiter on the left, Union Pacifics Rogers 119 at right as the gap in the rails was closed. Telegraph instrument on table at right center sent the historic message to a waiting nation in the first national hookup. from Camp (Fort) Douglas, Salt side the gap, and a silver head- Union Pacific moved up to Lake City, and the Salt Lake ed spike to be used in driving within thirty feet of each other. The photographers moved in, Tenth ward band, gay in new the final spikes had been wired with moved into uniforms and equipped to connect with the telegraph and as the Chinese some one in of twelve hundred dollars worth place the last rail, hookin the national first new instruments,' swelled the key the crowd yelled, Take a shot! crowd while people in carriages up. Chinese workmen had lev- Having helped to blast the path and on horseback treked in from eled the road bed and laid the of the Central through the westies where the opening had been tern mountains, the little yellow all directions. teleleft for two lengths of rail, and men were thoroughly acquaint- Wires from the nearest 1 graph pole were attached to a as the rails were laid, the Jupion Following Page) special set on a little table be- - ter and the Rogers 119 of the (Continued Smdl fflhA VTJsD Lone Monument Marks Golden Spike Site Genuine Indian Jewelry Silver Spoons Salt and Peppers Souvenir Plates Leather Goods Greeting Cards gifts to send your friends and folks back home . . . . . . Hallmark greeting cards postcards for any complete line of Gifts of Lasting Charm vacation needs occasion. Complete Stock Of "All Lines Of O FILMS CAMERAS -- SUPPLIES -- FOR MOVIE AND STILL CAMERAS REMINDER Steel rails around the lake were taken up during World War II to furnish scrap metal. Mounted in concrete in the foreground are two of the original rails laid in 1869. OFFICE SUPPLIES O BUSINESS MACHINES L |