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INCIDENTS OF A TRIP

GRHAT PLATTE VALLEY,

TO THE

ROCKY MOUNTAINS

AND

LARAMIH PLAINS,
IN THE FALL OF 1866,

WITH A SYNOPTICAL STATEMENT OF THE VARIOUS PACIFIC RAILROADS,

AND AN ACCOUNT OF THE GREAT

UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD EXCURSION

TO THE ONE HUNDREDTH MERIDIAN OF LONGITUDE.

New Dork:
D. VAN NOSTRAND, No. 192 BROADWAY.
1867.
BANBDA
\ALAe

 

 

Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1867,
By D. VAN NOSTRAND.

In the Clerk’s Office of the District Court of the United States for the Southern District
of New York.

 
my"

TO MAJOR-GENERAL JOHN A, DIX,

President of the Union Pacific Railroad Company ;

American Minister to the Court of France, etc.

GENERAL: The following narrative of personal inci-
dents, connected with a professional visit to the Rocky
Mountains, and Laramie Plains, during the months of
September, October and November of the past year, in
company with Hon. Jesse L. Williams, Government
Director, and Gen. G. M. Dodge, Chief Engineer of the
Union Pacific Railroad, was originally written for, and
all but the last three numbers, published in the “ New
York Times.”

Your appointment by the President of the United
States, as Foreign Minister, made it necessary for you to
leave the country before the numbers were all published ;
and also prevented you, much to the disappointment of
yourself as well as of your associates in the management
of the road, from participating in the great celebration
of the completion of the Union Pacific Railroad to the
one hundredth meridian of longitude, which is imper-
fectly described in the last numbers.

I have, therefore, taken the liberty of collecting,
revising, and dedicating them to you, in their present
A TO MAJOR-GENERAL JOHN A. DIX.

form, hoping that their perusal may afford you some
pleasure in your moments of relaxation from the cares
and responsibilities connected with your high official
position.
I have the honor to be, General,
Your obedient servant,

SILAS SEYMOUR.
New Yorn, Feb. 1, 1867.
CONTENTS.

I—New York to Pittsburgh—Chicago—Omaha—Fort Kearny and
Denver—Progress of the Union Pacific Railroad—Visit of Govern-
ment Directors.

II.—Denver City to Golden City—Idaho—Empire City and Berthoud
Pass—Valley of Clear Creek—Mining Operations—Scenery of the
Rocky Mountains—Mr. Williams’ Letter from Berthoud Pass.

Iil.—-Snow Storm in the Rocky Mountains--Empire City to Idaho—
Central, Golden, and Denver Cities—Virginia Caiion—Russell
Gulch—Quariz Mills at Black-Hawk-—Junction Ranch—Guy’s Hill
—Clear Creek Cafion—Entrance into Denver.

IV.—Colorado Agricultural Fair—Denver to Laporte—Virginia Dale—
Stone-wall Cafion—Steamboat Butte--Antelope Pass, and Laramie
Plains—Arrival at Fort John Buford.

V.—A Day at Fort John Buford—Mr. Williams’ Letter—Eastward
Bound—Death of the Elk-Stag—Crossing the Black Hills at
Eavan’s Pass—Descent towards the Plains--Lone Rock—Camp
on Dale Creek—A Herd of Elk—Camps on Lone-Tree and Box-
Elder Creeks—Death of the Antelope—Return to Laporte.

Vi.—Parting Supper at Laporte—Return Trip to Denver—Kearny and
Omaha—Ben Holladay and his Friends—Tribute to T. C. Durant—
Remarkable Progress of the Union Pacific Railroad—Arrival at
Omaha—Troubles at the Hernden House.

VII.—Two Weeks at Omaha—Wild Geese and Duck Shooting—Advent
of Chicago and Northwestern Agents on their way to Denver—
Parting Speech of Mr. Tappen—Anticipated Arrival of the great
6 CONTENTS.

Pacific Railroad Excursion—Antecedents and Objects of the Excur-
sion—Synopsis of Pacific Railroads—Speech of General Simpson—
Departure of Excursion from New York—Arrival at Chicago—Saint
Joseph, and Omaha—Reception and Ball at Omaha.

VIII.—Morning after the Ball—The Excursion Train—All on Board—
Its Progress Westward—The Great Platte Valley—Stations on the
Road—aAzrrival at Columbus—Camping Out on the Plains—Indian
War Dance—Morning Serenade—Town of Columbus—Sham Indian
Fight— Presents to the Indians—Contrast between Civilized and
Savage Life—Train still Going Westward—Way Stations on the
Road—Arrival at Camp No. Two—Military Encampment—Another
Night in Camp—Morning Exercises—Departure of the Elkhorns—
List of Excursionists—End of Track found at last—Buffalo and
Antelope Hunters—Dinner in Camp—Fireworks on the Plains—
Third Night in Camp—Homeward Bound—One-Hundredth Meridian
—Prairie-Dog City—Fire on the Prairies—Return to Omaha—
Departure of Excursionists Hastward—Their Safe Arrival Home.

TX.—Public Reception at Chicago—Resolutions—Speeches of Mayor
Rice—Mr. C, A. Lambard, and Senator B. F. Wade—General
J. H, Simpson’s Letter from North Platte Station--Death of
General Curtiss—Conclusion.
WESTERN INCIDENTS.

 

I.

NEW YORK TO PITTSBURGH, CHICAGO, OMAHA, FORT KEARNY, AND DEN-
VER—PROGRESS OF THE UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD—VISIT OF GOV-
ERNMENT DIRECTORS, ETC., ETC.

Denver Crry, Conorapo, Monday, Sept. 17, 1866.

It is now about two weeks since I left New York, in
company with the Government Directors of the Union
Pacific Railroad, for the purpose of inspecting the rapid
construction of that greatest of modern enterprises; and
also examining the different routes which have been pro-
posed for the road through the passes of the Rocky
Mountains ; and it seems to me that during that time I
have learned more of the vast extent and resources of
our continent than I had ever known before.

Leaving New York on the evening of the 4th Septem-
ber, by the New Jersey, and Pennsylvania Central Rail-
roads, we arrived at Pittsburgh on the 5th for dinner,
-after which we were placed in the Government Presiden-
tial car, which conveyed us most comfortably to Chicago
in time to witness the interesting ceremonies of laying
the corner-stone of the Douglas monument, pay our
respects to the Presidential party, and hear the elo-
quent address of General Dix. .

On Friday evening, the 7th, we continued our journey
from Chicago westward over the Iowa division of the
8 WESTERN INCIDENTS.

Chicago and Northwestern Railroad, in the magnificent
Directors’ car, which was kindly placed at the disposal
of the Government Directors by Mr. Dunlap, the Gen-
eral Superintendent, and which conveyed us to the end
of the track, a distance of about four hundred miles west
of Chicago. From this point we were compelled to make
the balance of the distance to Omaha, about ninety miles,
by stage. The rails are to be laid, however, upon this
portion of the route by the 1st of April next.

We arrived at Omaha, the eastern terminus of the
Union Pacific Railroad, on the morning of the 10th, and
spent the day in examining the extensive shops of the
Company, which have all been constructed within the
past year.

DEPARTURE FROM OMAHA.

On the morning of the 11th, the Directors accom-
panied by Gen. G. M. Dodge, Chief Engineer, Major
Bent, Major Chesbrough and myself, took a special
train, in charge of Mr. S. B. Reed, the General Super-
intendent, for the end of the track, which was then laid
two hundred and seventeen miles westward, in the Great
Platte Valley. We arrived opposite Fort Kearny at four
P. M., having passed over two hundred miles of road in
eight hours, or at the rate of twenty-five miles an hour.

_ dt may not be improper to state in this connection,
that only forty miles of track were laid on this road dur-
ing the latter part of 1865. And the balance, or about
one hundred and eighty miles, has been laid during the
present season ; and the track-laying is now progressing
so rapidly that it will reach the crossing of the North
Platte river, a distance of two hundred and eighty-five

miles from Omaha, by the Ist of November.
_ The law requires the President of the United States to
WESTERN INCIDENTS. 9

appoint five Directors to represent the Government in
the management of the road. And it also requires these
Directors to visit the road as often as they think proper,
and make a report upon its condition, management, and
progress, to the Secretary of the Ifiterior.

The following are the names of these Directors—Hon.
George Ashmun, of Mass.; Hon. Jesse L. Williams, of
Ind.; Hon. T. J. Carter, of Ill.; Hon. Springer Har-
baugh, of Penn. ; and Hon. Charles T. Sherman, of Ohio.
Mr. Ashmun did not accompany the party.

Our party separated at Kearny Station, and three of
the Government Directors, Messrs. Harbaugh, Carter,
and Sherman, remained on the north side of the Platte
for the purpose of inspecting the balance of the com-
pleted portion of the road, and then returning eastward.
While the other Government Director, Hon. Jesse L.
Williams, who is also an engineer of great experience,
together with Gen. G. M. Dodge, Major Chesbrough
and myself, crossed over to the stage station, near Fort
Kearny, for the purpose of continuing our journey by
stage to the Rocky Mountains.

FROM FORT KEARNY TO DENVER CITY.

We left Fort Kearny at one Pp. M., on Wednesday, the
12th inst., and arrived at Denver at ten A. M., on the fol-
lowing Saturday, making the entire distance of four hun-
dred miles in less than three days and nights. The
speed, comfort, and regularity of these Ben Holladay
Overland stages is certainly astonishing, when we con-
sider the fact that they pass through hundreds and thou-
sands of miles of almost uninhabited country ; and that it
is only five years since the experiment was first attempted.
Our party was exceedingly fortunate in falling in company

1*
10 WESTERN INCIDENTS.

with Gen. Hughes, the attorney of the Stage Company,
who, with his daughter, accompanied us from Omaha to
Denver.

FIRST VIEW OF THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS.

Our first view of the Rocky Mountains was from a
point on the Plains about one hundred miles distant,
and about an hour before sunset on Friday evening, the
14th inst. A heavy cloud had been lying along the west-
ern horizon during the whole afternoon, and it was feared
that we should not obtain the long coveted view before
the following morning ; but, fortunately, the sun broke
through and dispelled the lower belt of clouds just in time
to give'us a magnificent view of the entire range, and en-
able us to see the setting of the sun behind Luong’ s Peak,
the highest in the range. .

DENVER CITY.

The appearance of Denver, as you approach it from
the east, is not very imposing. The town is situated in
the valley of the South Platte, at the mouth of Cherry
Creek, about twelve miles in a direct line from the base
of the mountains. And the swell, or elevation of the
plain to the eastward, hides it from view until you ap-
proach within about three miles of the town. It then
bursts upon the view as if by magic; and presents a
most comfortable and inviting appearance to the weary
traveller from the Plains, who has seen nothing but log
and adobe ranches, at intervals of ten and twenty miles,
for many long and weary days and nights.

Denver boasts of four or five thousand inhabitants.
The streets are regularly laid out; and there are many
fine brick blocks, either constructed or in course of con-
WESTERN INCIDENTS. Lt

_ struction. You can purchase almost anything here that
can be purchased in New York, but at prices from fifty
to one hundred per cent. higher. The hotels are very
ordinary. Nothing would improve the town more than
-the construction of two or three first-class hotels.

We are about to start on our trip through the moun-
tains by way of Golden City, Idaho, and Empire City,
to Berthoud’s Pass.

General Dodge and Major Chesbrough will go from
here directly to Laporte, where Mr. Williams and myself
are to join them after our return from the mountains.
17. WESTERN INCIDENTS.

II.

DENVER CITY TO GOLDEN CITY—-IDAHO—-EMPIRE CIrY, AND BERTHOUD
PASS——-VALLEY OF CLEAR CREEK-——-MINING OPERATIONS—SCEN-
ERY OF THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS.

Emprrn Crry, Cororano, September 19, 1866.

Hon. Jesse L. Williams, one of the Government Direc-
tors of the Union Pacific Railroad, and myself, accom-
panied on horseback by Mr. P. T. Brown, the Assistant
Engineer, who had been making the surveys for the
road. through this wild and forbidding portion of the
route, started out from Denver on the morning of the
17th, in a comfortable covered carriage, drawn by a pair
of lazy, broken down mules, these being considered the
most safe and reliable for the rough mountain roads we
were to traverse. The outfit, as all conveyances are
designated in this country, was under the special charge
of Mr. Brooks, a most venerable and experienced moun-
taineer and driver. Our objective point was Berthoud
Pass, and our route lay up the Valley of Clear Creek, or
as near it as the road would allow us to travel.

From Denver, the base of the mountains appears so
near as to invite a short morning walk to them before
breakfast; but we only reached them after a long two
hours’ ride of twelve miles, behind our “safe and reli-
able” mules, over the intervening plains. We entered
the somewhat broken and irregular base of the first
range, or Table Mountain, as it is called, through the
opening made by the Valley of Clear Creek, instead of by
WESTERN INCIDENTS. 13

the regularly travelled road some miles further south ;
and made our first halt at Golden City, fourteen miles
from Denver. This place is most beautiful for situation ;
and should have been the great commercial city for the
mining interests of this portion of Colorado. But Den-
ver, during the Cherry Creek excitement years ago,
obtained a long distance the start of it, and will, from
present appearances, retain the advantage. Here we
found iron-ore, coal and fire-clay in abundance, all which
will, sooner or later, be turned to good account.

GETTING INTO THE MOUNTAINS.

It being impossible to follow further up the Valley of
Clear Creek,.on account of the intervening caiion extend-
ing some twelve or fifteen miles in our proper direction,
we were obliged to make a detour to the south, and enter
the next range through a less formidable gorge, up which
avery good road had been made in the direction of Idaho
and Empire Cities. We stopped an hour for a very good
dinner at the Genessee Ranch, where we were overtaken
by our very intelligent and eccentric friend Wolfe, whose
acquaintance we had made at Denver, and who was
wending his way to his mines in the mountains with a
load of enormous cabbages, turnips, water, musk and
other melons, the products of his large and well-cultiva-
ted Ranch on Clear Creek, near Denver. After regaling
us for dessert with one of his finest melons, Mr. Wolfe
opened to us his plans of a new process for separating
the precious metals from the quartz; and also his theory
for the extinction of cholera; all which, it is needless to
say, met with our unqualified approbation.
14 WESTERN INCIDENTS.

CLEAR CREEK VALLEY.

Our road towards Idaho now lay over a very rough,
precipitous country, to a point a few miles below that
city, where we again struck the Valley of Clear Creek.
As we followed along the abrupt windings of this valley,
we were continually reminded of the insatiate thirst of
man for the filthy lucre gold, by the broken and decay-
ing flumes and water wheels, and the crumbling and
half-refilled excavations in the banks along the stream,
which had been made and used by the earlier pioneers in
their search for hidden treasure. Some two miles below
Idaho we passed the extensive and more permanent
works, now being erected for the same purpose, by Gen.
Beaufort for an Eastern company of capitalists.

At early dusk we found ourselves in front of the Beebe
House, in Idaho, acknowledged to be the best hotel in
Colorado, with good mountain appetites for an excellent
supper which awaited us. Our venerable driver, and part
owner of our outfit, was almost exhausted by his continuous
wallopings of the mules; and our mules (or rather horses
by brevet, since the close of the war), were hors de com-
bat from the effects of a long drive over rough roads, and
the aforesaid wallopings of the venerable driver. On en-
tering the hotel I was most agreeably surprised to find
that it was owned and kept by old and familiar friends
from Sullivan county, New York; which fact rendered
our short stay exceedingly pleasant. The hot springs,
ample bathing, and hotel accommodations, render this
place the Saratoga of the mountains for the good people
of Denver and adjacent cities.
WESTERN INCIDENTS. — 15

ARRIVAL AT EMPIRE CITY.

An early breakfast enabled us to reach Empire City,
eleven miles further up the valley, at eleven o’clock in the
morning. At no point along our road were we out of
view of the gulch and mountain mining operations,
being carried on by the sturdy and adventurous moun-
taineers.

Mr. Brown had informed us that we could not travel
with our carriage nearer than a point about two miles
from the pass; and that it would therefore be neces-
sary for Mr. Williams and myself to procure saddle-
horses at Empire for the balance of our journey. This,
together with our hasty lunch, detained us about an hour
at Empire City. In the meantime we were informed by
gentlemen at Empire, that we could not make the ascent
to the pass and return during the afternoon, and had,
therefore, better defer the trip till morning. Mr. Wil-
liams, however, was too anxious to take a glimpse of the
Pacific slope of the continent, and had come too far for
that purpose, to be deterred by any such prognostications ;
and we therefore set out at twelve on horseback, after
arranging with our driver to meet us at five o’clock with
the carriage, at the foot of the trail.

Our road, still following the Valley of Clear Creek,
was quite good for six miles of the distance, to the foot
of the trail which leads from the wagon road up the
southerly slope of the valley of a small tributary of Clear
Creek, which heads near Berthoud Pass.

We made our way slowly up the trail without much
difficulty, although in many places the path was quite
steep and sideling, reminding one of the ascent as made
years ago from the Glen House to Mount Washington.
We dismounted several times to relieve our horses and
16 - WESTERN INCIDENTS.

perhaps for greater safety. When near the top we
started up a bevy of mountain grouse, one of which had
the audacity to sit out the discharge of our revolvers,
upon a limb within twenty feet of us, without evincing
ereater emotion than an occasional wink of the left eye ;
but after our pistols were unloaded, Mr. Brown fired a
stone at the bird, which struck a tree near by, and caused
it to beat a hasty retreat. I had unfortunately left my
rifle and fowling-piece in the carriage.

BERTHOUD PASS.

We reached Berthoud Pass at two P. mM. on Tuesday,
_ September 18; and were, for the first time in our lives,
greeted with a most extended and magnificent view of
the Pacific slope of the Western Continent. The sum-
- mit of the Pass is but a few hundred feet below the tim-
ber, or arborescent line; and is about 6,100 feet above
Denver City, and 11,200 feet above the level of the sea.
The main range, or divide of the continent, was visible to
the north and west for a distance of 100 miles at least,
far beyond Long’s Peak, which reared its bald head,
spotted with eternal snow, high above the average level of
the range. After spending an hour upon the Pass, and
taking such note of the topography as would refresh our
memories hereafter, we ascended the point of mountain
south of the Pass to an elevation several hundred feet
above the tree line, from which the view of Middle Park,
the valley of a tributary of Grand River, leading west-
ward from the Pass; and the extended westerly slopes of
the Rocky Mountain ranges, formed a most enchanting
picture. The exhilarating effects of the high mountain
air and sublime scenery, inspired Mr. Williams with a
desire for a patriotic song. After some urging from Mr.
WESTERN INCIDENTS. 17

Brown and myself, he led off with “ Sherman’s March to
the Sea.” Mr. Brown followed with the “ Star Spangled
Banner,” and I closed the exercises with Moore’s seren-
ade “Come o’er the Sea,” etc., after the style of Major
Scholefield, of the “ North Woods Walton Club.” The
entire range, from Long’s to Pike’s Peak, seemed to catch
the inspiration, and join in the chorus.

After concluding that no improvised glee club had ever
performed before a more select and appreciative audi-
ence; and after refreshing ourselves, and cooling our
over-taxed throats with some coarsely granulated snow;
at least a century old, which lay at our feet, we com-
menced the descent at four in the afternoon.

By permission of Mr. Williams, I take pleasure in an-
nexing the following letter written by him from the sum-
mit of Berthoud Pass :-—

Bertooup Pass, Rocky Movnrarns,
September 18, 1866. t
Evlitor Fort Wayne Gazette :—

Having reached the summit of this grand mountain range, in com-
pany with Col. Seymour, the Consulting Engineer of the Union Pacific
Railroad, and Mr. Brown, Assistant Engineer, my first impulse is to
write to my friends at home.

One of the experimental surveys for the Union Pacific Railroad fol-
lows Clear Creek to this Pass. That valley was therefore our route
from Denver, fifty miles east, bringing us through a rich gold mining
district. Hight miles back we took saddle-horses, rising by a mule
trail sixteen hundred feet in the last one and a half miles. The point
on which I write is some six hundred feet above the Pass, about six
thousand seven hundred feet above Denver, and about twelve thou-
sand feet above the sea. It appears to be some two or three hundred
feet above the line of arborescence, or “ tree line,” above which no
timber or vegetation grows. Patches of last winter’s snow are lying
around us on northern slopes, and some of them two hundred feet
below. The proposed railroad tunnel pierces the mountain far be-
18 WESTERN INCIDENTS.

neath us. From the summit the waters flow to the Pacific through
the Colorado of the West, and to the Atlantic through the Platte.

Peaks, five hundred, and one thousand feet higher than this, are
near us, while Long’s Peak, supposed to be nearly fifteen thousand
feet above the sea, is in full view forty miles to the northeast. During
the next two weeks, Col. Seymour and myself expect, in company with
Gen. Dodge, the Chief Engineer, to look over the routes surveyed
across the Black Hill range, one hundred miles north of this place.

The Union Pacific Railroad is under rapid progress. In November
next the locomotive is expected to cross the bridge over the North
Platte, two hundred and eighty-five miles from Omaha. The opening
of this work across the plains, will soon make the people of the States
more familiar with this Rocky Mountain range and its grand scenery ;
and, what is more important, will afford ready access to a new field of
enterprise in the work of developing its vast mineral wealth.

J. L. WILLIAMS.

We found our venerable driver at the foot of the trail,
as per arrangement ; but in order to insure his return to
Empire the same night, he had taken the precaution to
exchange his mules temporarily, with the Empire land-
lord, for a pair of good horses.

Mr. Brown and myself kept our saddles till we reached
Empire City, at six p.m.; but Mr. Williams, participating
to some extent in the peculiar characteristics of a locomo-
tive, from his long ride wpon the back of old “ Knock-
um-Stiff,” as he facetiously styled his horse, concluded to
take his accustomed seat in the carriage.

On our way down to Empire City, a conspiracy was
organized by our venerable driver to make a permanent
exchange of his mules with the Empire landlord for his
horses, but I am sorry to say that the scheme was not
successful.

The name of Bayard Taylor, that greatest of deserip-
tive travellers, who had preceded us but a few months
over Berthoud Pass, was still fresh in the recollection of
the mountain residents who had been favored with his
acquaintance. —
WESTERN INCIDENTS. 19

IIf.

SNOW-STORM IN THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS—-EMPIRE CITY TO IDAHO, CEN-
TRAL, GOLDEN AND DENVER CITIES—VIRGINIA CANON—RUSSELL
GULCH—QUARTZ MILLS AT BLACK-HAWK—JUNCTION RANCH—GUY’S
HILL—-CLEAR CREEK CANON—-ENTRANCE INTO DENVER, ETC., ETC.

Denver Crry, Cotorapo, Thursday, Sept. 20, 1866.

On the morning of September 19th, we awakened at
Empire City to find that we were in the midst of a
Rocky Mountain snow-storm. The weather for several
days previous had been delightful—even on the day
before, during our visit to Berthoud Pass, not a cloud
had bedimmed the sky until after sunset, when thin, hazy
clouds began to settle below the mountain tops around
us, all which, we were told, foreboded a storm.

As our venerable driver had not succeeded in his
attempt to impose his old mules upon our worthy host of
the Empire House, in exchange for a pair of horses, we
were compelled to address ourselves to our return jour-
ney behind these much-abused animals ; and he to resume
his powerful persuasives of the previous two days. The
snow had not accumulated to any great extent upon the
roads ; but it was falling fast, and prudence enjoined us
to be early on our way. Our hitherto guide, and most
intelligent and agreeable travelling companion, Mr.
Brown, remained at Empire, for the purpose, when the
storm abated, of rejoming his surveying party in the
neighborhood of Boulder Pass.
20 WESTERN INCIDENTS.

RETURN FROM EMPIRE.

Starting out at eight, we reached Idaho at ten in the
morning, and stopped a few minutes to say some parting
words to our friends of the Beebe House. We then
commenced the ascent of the Virginia Cajfion, and the
descent of Russell Gulch, a distance of seven miles to
Central City, which we reached at twelve.

I should not omit to mention, that in driving from
Idaho to Empire the previous morning, we had met
Messrs. Gukin and Ford, artists from Chicago, who were
engaged in taking some mountain views; and were on
their return from the Parks, where they had been
spending the summer months. At their invitation we had
promised to call at their camp as we returned, and look
over their pictures; but the morning was so stormy,
and their quarters looked so uninviting, that we con-
tented ourselves with a passing salute, and a promise to
visit their studios in Chicago on some future occasion. .
The place where we met these gentlemen is but a few
miles from the Chicago Lakes, the scene of Bier-
stadt’s great painting of the “Storm in the Rocky
Mountains.”

The snow had fallen to a depth of from six to eight
inches on our arrival at Central City ; and we were fully
conscious of having lost, by reason of the thick-falling
snow, as we passed down Russell Gulch to Central City,
many fine views, as well as a passing inspection of some
of the finest and most extensive quartz mining and crush-
ing operations now being carried on in this part.of the
Territory. The result, however, was unavoidable, and we
were obliged to content ourselves with such information
as our venerable driver could give us, he being
familiar with the country, and part owner of some of
WESTERN INCIDENTS. 21

the mines around us, as well as of the outfit in which we
were travelling.

CENTRAL CITY.

Central City seems to be situated at the confluence of
several gulches, which, united, form the north branch of
Clear Creek ; and the streets are made to follow the wind-
ings of the beds of the streams. The houses are gen-
erally built upon benches cut in the side hill for the dif-
ferent stories, with basements upon the streets; so that,
in order to reach the cellar or back-yard, you are
frequently compelled to ascend one or two pairs of
stairs from the office or dining-room of your hotel. I
mention this fact, not so much the result of my own
observation, as from information derived from my
esteemed friend and travellmg companion, Mr. Wil-
liams, who spent at least a half hour in an investi-
gation of the subject, immediately upon our arrival at the
hotel. Central City boasts of several thousand inhab-
itants, or, at least, as many as Denver. We noticed
several fine blocks of brick and granite buildings, two or
three large banking houses, and also the “ Big Barn,”
situated directly in the centre of the city, and which
seems to be the general corral for all the town and sur-
rounding country.

After partaking of a very good dinner, and giving such
attention to our surroundings as the gloomy state of the
weather would permit, we held a consultation as to our
future movements. It had been our intention, on leav-
ing Denver, to spend the present afternoon and night
here, which would give us an opportunity to examine
many of the mines, as well as quartz mills in the vicinity.
Mr. Chaffee, Senator-elect from this forthcoming State,
‘whom we had met in Denver, had very kindly promised
22, WESTERN INCIDENTS.

to meet us here and show us about ; but the violent storm
had evidently prevented his coming.

It had also been our desire and intention to spend the
one or two following days m an examination of the Boul-
der Valley and Pass, under the guidance of Mr. Rawlins,
whose works are situated on the Boulder ; and whom we
had met in Denver; but he was nowhere to be found.
The storm was still raging and the weather growing colder.
Icicles a foot in length were hanging from the eaves of
the houses. Our venerable driver and more venerable
mules also became objects of our deepest solicitude—the
driver claiming that the oulfit was unfit to go further this
stormy day ; but if we would let him and the mules vest
till to-morrow morning, he would then drive us to Denver
(forty miles), or perish in the attempt.

We finally concluded that, as the main object of our
journey had been accomplished ; and as the state of the
weather rendered a further examination of mountain
passes and scenery exceedingly unpropitious at the pres-
ent time, we would turn our faces toward Denver, with a
view of reaching there on the following night. To insure
this result, it appeared important that we should accom-
plish a portion of the distance during the present after-
noon. We therefore set out again in the storm at four
Pp. M., with the intention of reaching the Junction Ranch,
nine miles distant, before nightfall.

BLACK-HAWK AND LYONS MILLS.

On our way down the valley of North Clear Creek, we
passed through the town of Black-Hawk, about two miles
below Central City, where we stopped an hour to examine
two of the largest quartz mills now in operation in this
valley. One, the Black-Hawk mill, which adheres to the
WESTERN INCIDENTS. 23

old method of stamping and washing the ores from the
quartz ; and the other, the Lyons mill, in which the new
process of decomposing the quartz and separating the
ores by the action of heat, is being carried on.

This matter of separating the precious metals from the
quartz, is one of vast importance to the mining interests
of Colorado ; and he who shall first succeed in economi-
cally and successfully accomplishing the object, will be
entitled to the lasting gratitude of “ all the world and the
rest of mankind.” ‘The exact and proper process seems
yet to be hidden in the womb of the future ; and many
an alchemist is now racking his brain, and experimenting
in his crucible over his midnight lamp, in the hope of
first discovering this great secret in chemical science,
which the Almighty has, for some great and wise purpose,
thus far withheld from us.

JUNCTION, OR BOUTWELL’S RANCH.

Our journey up the long hill of four or five miles, —
between the valley of Clear Creek and Junction, was
most tedious and uncomfortable. Like most other ob-
stacles in this world, however, it was finally surmounted ;
and on descending one or two miles beyond the summit,
we found ourselves in front of a most excellent and hos-
pitable Ranch, kept by Mr. Boutwell, with a huge fire
blazing from a large, old-fashioned fire-place, inviting us
to comfort and repose.

A hearty supper, good night’s rest, and early breakfast,
enabled us on the following morning to resume our jour-
ney with every prospect of reaching Denver before night.
The storm had passed over, and the weather was clear
and cold—snow one foot deep, ice one inch thick, and the
thermometer sixteen degrees above zero. Our venerable
24. WESTERN INCIDENTS.

driver was also in high spirits at the prospect of a speedy
termination of his arduous labors. He had frequently
bemoaned his fate in having, at his age, and for the first
time in his life, become reduced to the level of a common
mule driver. The near sorrel mule, whose thick and
unfeeling hide had, for three long days, been the recipi-
ent of unceasing wallopings from the driver’s almost
worn-out whip and nearly disabled arm, seemed to be
inspired with the idea that he was approaching the end
of his journey. His long ears, instead of flopping list-
lessly back upon his neck, suddenly assumed a rigid posi-
tion a little forward of the perpendicular ; and away he
went over the almost trackless road, down hills, through
caverns, gulches and gorges, at arate which seemed to
hazard the safety of our outfit, to say nothing of our
own lives and limbs, till we reached the foot of Guy’s
Hill, which suddenly stretched its huge and uncouth
sides directly athwart our path.

The road up this formidable hill is located wpon the
zigzag principle—that is, it switches back and forth in
the gorges, and along the rough mountain sides a dis-
tance of nearly two miles from the base to the summit.
Fearful tales were told us by our driver, of the many acci-
dents and hair-breadth escapes which had occurred here;
and we were impressed with the idea that so important a
thoroughfare, and one over which so large a traffic be-
tween Denver, and the heart of the mining regions about
Central City, was necessarily carried on, should have been
made to follow the equally direct, and far more gentle and
uniform grades of the Valley of Clear Creek. This will,
as a matter of economy, if not necessity, be done sooner
or later, either by railroad or turnpike. :

Having safely reached the high summit of Guy’s Hill,
our descent through Golden Gate to Golden City, a dis-
WESTERN INCIDENTS. 25

tance of sixteen miles from the junction, was speedy and
uninterrupted.

CLEAR CREEK CANON—IRON AND COAL.

_ Mr. Williams was desirous here, if time permitted, of
making some further examination and notes of the coal
and iron deposits; and also of the lower end of the Clear
Creek cation. Halting therefore, at eleven o’clock, at the
Cheney House, we were speedily furnished with excellent
saddle-horses, through the kindness of Messrs. Loveland
and Fisher, the former of whom accompanied us some
distance up the cafion; and also over a considerable ex-
tent of the outcroppings of iron-ore and coal, of which he
is the principal owner. After which, and the partaking
of a very good dinner, in company with the stage passen-
gers from Denver to Central City, we resumed our jour-
ney to Denver.

The snow had nearly disappeared from the surface at
the foot of the mountain ranges; and had left in its place
a deep salvy mud, which rendered the roads heavy and
tedious. The near sorrel mule had evidently lost much
of the interest in our progress which he had so satisfac-
torily manifested in the earlier part of the day; and his
ears (that unfailing indication of a mule’s thoughts) were
manifestly tending considerably backward of the perpen-.
dicular. Our venerable driver’s right arm, however, had
become well rested, and he was able, by its constant use,
to reach Denver by four o’clock in the afternoon.

ENTRANCE INTO DENVER.

Tt was, however, at this last stage in our eventful jour-
ney, and when near its termination, that Mr. Williams’
2
26 WESTERN INCIDENTS.

commendable desire for further information, came near
being the innocent cause of a most serious calamity to
our venerable driver and outfit. Mr. Williams had in-
timated that he would like to approach, and enter the
city, by another road from that by which we had departed,
so that he might obtain a different view of its present
extent and future resources. This induced the driver to
take a road which, unfortunately, led past his stable, on
the way to the Planter’s House, where we were to stop.
On passing the stable, the contest between the driver
and mules was most spirited and exciting; business in
town for the moment seemed to be suspended ; and every
one was anxiously awaiting the result of the driver's
efforts to reach the hotel on the next block. It was in
vain that I suggested that we had plenty of time to stop
at the stable, and exchange our outfit before proceeding
to the hotel—the driver swore that he would drive the
d—n mules to the hotel or h-Il, and he did not much care
which. And he came near succeeding in both; for, on
finally reaching the hotel, and just as our venerable friend
had taken the last article of baggage from the carriage,
the pesky animals (if they may be dignified by that re-
spectable name) started off suddenly on their own hook
for a run-away. The driver was knocked down while
closing the carriage door, but fortunately the wheels did

not pass over him. And the outfit went sailing and .

crashing down the street, among the carriages, and herds
of mules and cattle, towards the rivers.

After recovering from a most improper, but uncontrol-
lable fit of laughter, occasioned by the sudden and very
unexpected turn things had taken, I assisted our venera-
ble friend to his feet. He was covered with mud, his
countenance was pale with rage and fright, and his lips
and clenched teeth muttered curses low but deep against
WESTERN INCIDENTS. 27

the whole family of mules and their offspring, now, hence-
forth and forever.

The mules and carriage, unimpaired, were soon brought
back, however, by an intrepid horseman who had stopped
them in their mad career; and the last I saw of our out-
fit, it was going at double-quick toward the stable, the
head of the driver surging above and below the top of the
carriage, as he administered to the refractory mules such
merited punishment as his remaining strength enabled
him to do.

Thus ended our trip to Berthoud Pass, and the Snowy
Range of the Rocky Mountains.
28 WESTERN INOIDENTS.

COLORADO AGRICULTURAL FAIR—-TRIP FROM DENVER TO LAPORTH—
LAPORTE TO VIRGINIA DALE—STONEWALL CANON—STEAMBOAT

BUTTE, ANTELOPE PASS AND THE LARAMIE PLAINS——ARRIVAL AT
FORT JOHN BUFORD.

Fort Joun Burorp, Laramre Prats, D. T.,
Thursday, September 27, 1866.

The first Agricultural Fair of Colorado had been
advertised to come off on Thursday, September 20, and
be continued on Friday and Saturday; but the severe
storm of the preceding Wednesday had made the travel-
ling so bad, that the Committee determined to post-
pone the commencement till Friday, and continue the
exhibition till the following Tuesday.

On Friday morning Mr. Williams and myself were
invited to visit the grounds by General Pierce, the Sur-
veyor-General of the Territory, and General Hughes, the
general agent and attorney for Holladay’s Overland Stage
and Express Company. We found that the grounds,
which are situated about one and a half miles to the
northeast of Denver City, consisted of forty acres of most
beautiful plain in the form of a parallelogram, inclosed by
a tight wall, composed of concrete, about two feet thick
and eight feet high. Upon one side of the rectangle was
an elliptical track one half mile in length, for the trial of
the speed of horses and mules ; and upon the other side
were innumerable stalls for the exhibition of domestic
animals. In the centre was a large covered amphitheatre,
in which were exhibited the products of the soil, and such
articles of trade and commerce as the mechanical skill of
WESTERN INCIDENTS. 29

the Territory could produce. The whole affair, both in
its inception and execution, would have done credit to
any State east of the Missouri River.

The articles which most attracted our attention were
the mammoth specimens of vegetables on exhibition.
Such cabbages, beets, turnips, tomatoes and potatoes I
have seldom seen at any State or county exhibition in
New York, and they were all produced by irrigation.

The farmers with whom we conversed informed us, that
they much preferred this sure method of raising a crop, to
the uncertainty attending all farming operations in the
Eastern States where they had resided; the expense was
comparatively trifling, and their preparations for irriga-
tion had now become so far advanced, that they felt sure
of being able to supply the entire demand hereafter, and
at moderate prices.

The knowledge of this fact has changed my whole
former theory on this subject. I had supposed that the
immense population which is settlmg in the mountains,
would have to be supplied with agricultural products, for
all time, from the productive regions of the lower Platte,
and the States of Iowa, Illinois and Missouri. But now
I see that all these lands, lying along the eastern base of
the Rocky Mountains, and susceptible of being irrigated
by the mountain streams, whose sources are the eternal
snows upon their summits, will sooner or later be made
to produce all that will be required for the millions of
hardy mountaineers, whose thirst and search for gold and
the other precious metals preclude them from devoting
their time to agricultural pursuits, even though the cli-
mate and soil of the mountain regions should warrant it.

The specimens of jewelry, saddlery, needle-work and
other varieties of mechanical skill too numerous to men-
tion, were remarkable for their ingenuity and perfection.
30 WESTERN INCIDENTS.

And we came away from the fair grounds, after witness-
ing one or two trials of speed between a lot of second or
third class trotting horses, impressed with the idea that
this young and unfledged State was bound soon to
take higher rank in the confederacy than some of the
“ Old Thirteen.”

Under the new programme, the trial of the fastest
horses, and riding by the ladies, which we would like much
to have seen, had been postponed to the following week.

FROM DENVER TO LAPORTE,

On the afternoon of Saturday, September 22, we again
left Denver, by Holladay’s Overland Stage Line, for the
scene of our future explorations in the Black Hills, north
and west of Laporte. The light from the stars and wan-
ing moon was barely sufficient to reveal the dim outline
of the ragged sides and crest of the mountain ranges as
we passed within a few miles of their base, and across
Clear, Coal, Boulder, St. Vrain, Little and Big Thomson
and Cache la Poudre Creeks, that flow from the huge
gorges in their sides.

We reached Laporte, a distance of sixty-seven miles
by stage road from Denver, at daybreak on Sunday
morning, and found most comfortable quarters at the
stage-station, kept by Mr. Taylor; and were joined, in
the evening, by General G. M. Dodge, Chief Engineer,
and Mr. James A. Evans, Division Engineer, of the Union
Pacific Railroad.

We were now about to enter in real earnest upon the
rough and adventurous features of our excursion. Gen-
eral Dodge commenced our education by intimating in
the most gentle manner, that we would be expected to
feed, water and clean our saddle-horses during the trip.
WESTERN INCIDENTS. OL

Our host of the Ranch also informed us, that he had no
sleeping accommodations for us, and that we had better
look around for lodgings.

In view of such an emergency, Mr. Williams and my-
self had fortunately provided ourselves with plenty of
buffalo skins, blankets and ponchos. We therefore inti-
mated to the landlord, that one of us would occupy the
lounge in the corner of the dining-room, and the other
would sleep on the floor by the stove. Upon this the
cook, a buxom middle-aged woman, with a sucking child,

called out from the kitchen, in not very gentle tones, ~

that that lounge was her bed. Mr. Chamberlain, an
enterprising merchant in the vicinity, here came to our
relief, and kindly offered us the use of the floor in the back
room of his log-store, which we were very glad to accept.

The following day was spent in making preparations
for ourintended reconnoissance on horseback, of the Black
Hills and Laramie Plains. An easy-going black saddle-
horse was procured of Mr. Chamberlain, for the use of
Mr. Williams. A chestnut cavalry horse, procured by
General Dodge from Fort Collins, was allotted to me.
He had previously selected a fine roan from the same
place for himself. And Mr. Evans adhered to a large
black mule which he had been riding for some days pre-
viously. He very kindly offered this mule to Mr. Wil-
liams, with the quiet remark, however, that he was apt to
buck once in a while, which meant, as he afterward ex-
plained, that he would occasionally stick his head down
between his fore legs, kick up behind, and throw his rider
over his head. Mr. Williams having had some experience
with mules, on our trip to Berthoud Pass, very promptly
declined the offer.

Hon. Green Clay Smith, Governor of Montana, break-
fasted with us as he was passing through with his suite,
by stage, on his way to the scene of his future labors.
32 WESTERN INCIDENTS.

FROM LAPORTE OVER THE BLACK HILL RANGE.

On Tuesday morning, September 25, our party, con-
sisting of Mr. Wiliams, General Dodge, Mr. Evans and
myself, started from Laporte, fully mounted and equipped
as cavalry, and armed to the teeth with breech-loading
carbines dangling from our saddles, and revolvers buckled
around our waists, accompanied by a supply wagon, in
charge of Mr. McLain, one of Mr. Evans’ assistants, in
which were our bedding, and such supplies as we would
be likely to want on our trip.

Our course lay up the valley of the Cache la Poudre a
few miles, and then we turned more northerly and fol-
lowed up the valley of one of its tributaries, which again
led us into the valleys of the Pitchfork, Stonewall, Poisen
and Dale Creeks.

To the right of us, toward the Plains, were what time
had suffered to remain of the rough, jagged crests of the
secondary formations as they had rested from the great
upheaval of this portion of the earth’s surface, when, dur-
ing some former age, Old Vulcan had undoubtedly fallen
asleep, and allowed the subterranean fires, which he
used in forging those immense iron wedges and other
machinery with which he keeps the universe in equili-
brium, to attain too great a degree of heat.

To the left of us were the higher and more imperish-
able debris of these same formations, flanked in the dis-
tance by the snow-clad summits of the primeval rocks,
which have for so many centuries withstood the combined
attacks of time and the elements. The objects of more
immediate interest, however, were the “ Stonewall Ca-
fon,” with its perpendicular walls of rock several hundred
feet in height; and the “Steamboat Butte,” which from
a distance presents to view all the characteristics of a
WESTERN INCIDENTS. OO

steamboat, with upper cabin, chimneys, pilot-house, etc.,
the passer-by pausing unconsciously to hear the bell
ring, and the familiar cry of “ All aboard,” before it shall
start away.

Our wagon, having followed the travelled road, which
we were compelled in a great measure to avoid, had ob-
tained some distance the start of us; and we did not
overtake it until about two Pp. M. Having been in the saddle
at least six consecutive hours, we were very glad to dis-
mount, and, after unsaddling, watering and picketing our
horses, and extending ourselves upon the grass in the
shade of the wagon, partake of a lunch which our com-
missary (McLain) had made ready for us ; after which a
ride of three hours brought us to Virginia Dale, one of
the stations of the Overland Stage Company.

A NIGHT AT VIRGINIA DALE.

This is a most beautiful amphitheatre, surrounded by
mountains, with Dale Creek running through the centre;
and is near the boundary line between Colorado and Da-
kotah. Gen. Dodge here suggested that all the requisites
for a good camping ground were at hand, to wit—wood,
water, and plenty of grass for our animals; but while
the wagon was coming up, I took the liberty of riding
forward to the stage ranch; and received the gratifying
intelligence that the proprietor was prepared and willing
to afford both man and beast very comfortable accommo-
dations for the night. Mr. Williams at first objected,
saying that he had come out expecting and fully pre-
pared to rough it in the mountains, sleep on the ground,
&c., and he thought it was about time to try it; but he
finally yielded very gracefully ; and, after providing for
the comfort of our horses, we soon found ourselves seated

OX
34 WESTERN INCIDENTS.

before a cheerful fire, talking over the peculiarities of
the country and incidents of the day.

A most excellent supper of coffee, warm rolls, boiled
potatoes and stewed antelope, together with the fatigues
of the day, inclined us to seek early repose; but here a
new embarrassment awaited us. There was but one spare
bed in the ranch, and there were at least three of our
party for whom, with proper deference to age and rank,
the enjoyment of this luxury would seem quite appropri-
ate; but both Mr. Williams and Gen. Dodge were inex-
orable; and I, whose romance had nearly oozed out dur-
ing the day, was obliged to submit to the mortifying
necessity of occupying the comfortable bed, while they
camped down in their robes and blankets upon the floor,
in opposite corners of the same room.

ANTELOPE PASS AND LARAMIE PLAINS.

We were again on our way early the following morn-
ing. Having ordered the wagon to halt for lunch at the
Willow Springs stage station, we followed up the valley
of Dale Creek in the direction of Antelope Pass, which
we reached at one Pp. M. This pass is supposed to be the
lowest point in a depression extending several miles
longitudinally along the crest of the Black Hill range,
and is about 8,000 feet above the sea. From this sum-
mit we were greeted with our first view of Laramie Plains,
extending as far to the northward as the éye could reach,
bounded on the east by the Black Hills; and on the west
by the much higher range of the Medicine Bow Moun-
tains, which form the easterly side of the North Park.

This pass was named “ Antelope” by Gen. Case (who
first explored it for the Union Pacific Railroad Company
in 1864), on account of the numerous herds of antelope
WESTERN INCIDENTS,

that he found in its vicinity. We saw several groups,
but they were careful to keep beyond the range of our
carbines; and we were therefore obliged to proceed on
our journey with only a mountain grouse, and jack rabbit
in our haversacks, which I had brought down with my
Ballard carbine during our morning ride.

Our descent toward the Laramie Plains, soon brought
us to an intersection with the stage road, which we fol-
lowed to the station at Willow Springs, where we found
our attentive commissary prepared to receive us, with an
excellent lunch for ourselves, and provender for our
animals.

A further ride of six or eight miles, brought us to Fort
“ John Buford,” just at sunset, where we were most hos-
pitably received and entertained by Col. Mizner, the offi-
cer in command. In addition to his own quarters, which
he placed at our disposal, he caused to be put up another
fine wall-tent for the accommodation of the balance of
the party ; and our stay thus far of one night in his camp
has been both pleasant and refreshing.
36 WESTERN INCIDENTS.

V.

A DAY AT FORT JOHN BUFORD,“ ON THE LARAMIE PLAINS—wMR,
WILLIAMS’ LETTER—EASTWARD BOUND—-DEATH OF THE ELK—
CROSSING OF THE BLACK HILLS AT EVANS’ PASS—DESCENT
TOWARDS THE PLAINS—CAMP ON DALE CREEK—-LONE ROCK—
NARROW ESCAPE OF A HERD OF ELK—CAMP ON LONE TREE—
BOX-ELDER—-DEATH OF THE ANTELOPE—RETURN TO LAPORTE.

Larortr, Conorapo, Monday, October 1, 1866.

Thursday, the 27th of September, was spent by our
party at and about Fort John Buford, on the Laramie
Plains. Mr. Evans and myself took a leisurely ride in
the afternoon, of some seven or eight miles down the
Laramie River, for the purpose of inspecting one of the
crossings proposed for the Union Pacific Railroad. Mr.
Williams employed himself in posting up his notes,
writing letters, and examining maps and profiles with
General Dodge. And the General himself examined,
with his military eye, in company with Colonel Mizner,
the extensive warehouses, barracks, ete., which were in
process of construction for the better accommodation
and protection of the troops and their supplies.

The following letter was written by Mr. Williams on
the day of our sojourn at the Fort, a copy of which he
has kindly furnished me :—

Fort Joun Burorp, Daxoran Territory, September 27, 1866.
To the Editor of the Fort Wayne Gazette—
My last was from Berthoud Pass, September 18th. The day was
delightful. The next day we encountered a snow storm. Stopping
half way down the eastern slope of the mountain, we found the snow

 

 

* Name since changed to ‘‘ Fort Saunders.”

 
WESTERN INCIDENTS.

on the morning of the 19th eight inches deep—icicles on the eaves two
feet long, and the thermometer only sixteen degrees above zero.
West of the mountain range, the snow fell to the depth of two feet, com-
pelling Mr. Brown’s engineer party to abandon the survey, for the time
’ being, and cross the range for subsistence for the mules, after dividing
with them the rations for the men. At Denver there was but a
sprinkling of snow. Such are the varied meteorological effects caused
by difference of elevation, and the influence of the mountain range, in
arresting and precipitating the moisture.

Passing north to the Black Hills; and beginning the ascent of this
range at the Cache-la-Poudre, the largest tributary of the South Platie,
which takes its rise in the snowy heights of Loug’s Peak, we followed
on horseback to this place, another of the experimental lines run for
the Union Pacific Railroad, crossing at Antelope Pass. Our party in
this most interesting reconnoissance consisted of Gen. Dodge, Chief
Engineer of the U. P. R. R., Col. Silas Seymour, Consulting Engineer,
and Mr. Evans, the engineer who made the surveys. Travelling in a
northwest direction, we had the snow-capped peaks of the grand snowy
range always in view twenty to thirty miles to the left. The highest
altitude reached on this survey is 8,050 feet above the sea. The tran-
sition from the sedementary rocks forming the slope near the base, to
the granite which everywhere composes the central and higher parts
of these mountain ranges, is plainly marked. In the secondary forma-
tion, and lying geologically next above the granite, is observed near
the base of mountains on both slopes, what our geologist decides to be
the veritable “ old red sand-stone” of Hugh Miller; which the genius
of that distinguished devotee of geological research invested with so
much interest in the scientific circles of Europe.

The valley of the Laramie river,in which we have travelled for
twenty miles,on the western side of the mountain, is a vast plain
without a shrub. It is twenty-five to thirty miles wide. The groves
of pine on the Medicine Bow Mountains, forming its western bound-
ary, and on the Black Hills to the east, is a relief to the view.

Fort Buford, from which I write, is a newly established U. 8. mili-
tary Post, now in the course of erection, taking the place of both Forts
Halleck and Collins, which are to be abandoned. It is on the Laramie
Plains, 125 miles northwest of Denver, on the road to Salt Lake. The
name is in honor of the distinguished Cavalry General, who defeated
the rebel General Stewart in Virginia, but died soon afterwards.
Col. Mizner, of the 18th U. 8. Infantry, who hails from Detroit, is in
38 WESTERN INCIDENTS. —

command. His kindness to our party, while resting here for a day, is
unbounded.

From this point we expect to return over another experimental sur-
vey, crossing the Black Hills further north at Evans’ Pass, and thence
to Crow Creek and Lodge Pole Creek—branches of the South Platte,
In that section the Indians indulge in mule stealing (and sometimes
in scalping their owners), having recently taken seventy mules from
a transportation train. General Dodge has been furnished by order
of the Department Commander, with an escort of twenty soldiers,
ten of whom are mounted.

Major-General Dodge, before the war, was a civil engineer on
the railroads of Illinois and Iowa, and had explored, extensively,
these plains and mountains. Until recently, he was in command of
this military department; and by all these opportunities has ac-
quired much knowledge of the topography of this region. His
services in the location of the Pacific Railroad will be valuable, as,
in the late war, they were eminently distinguished in the high
commands which he held in the Union army. But the people of
the Council Bluff district, in Iowa, are about to lay violent hands
on him, and, without any effort on his part,make him a member of
the Fortieth Congress.

J. L. WILLIAMS.

I desire to add my testimony to that of Mr. Williams,
in relation to the perseverance and skill which General
Dodge has brought to bear in directing the surveys during
the past year, through this difficult and mountainous
country. And, also, to the intelligence manifested by
Mr. Evans, in all the important details of topography
connected with the extensive surveys and reconnoissances
made by him for the Railroad Company, during the past
three years, upon this and other portions of the line.

Captain McCleary, the very accomplished and gentle-
manly officer second in command at the Fort, returned in
the evening from a hunting excursion on horseback, with
his horse and that of his orderly literally laden with wild
geese and ducks, which he had slaughtered during the
day. on the Laramie River, within a few miles of the Fort.
WESTERN INCIDENTS.

Arrangements were also made with Colonel Mizner by
General Dodge, for an escort of twenty infantry, ten of
whom were to be mounted; this precaution being deemed
prudent, if not absolutely necessary, on account of the
late depredations of the Indians in the vicinity of the
route by which we proposed to return.

EASTWARD BOUND.

All preparations being perfected, we bade our friends
at the Fort adieu, at an early hour on Friday morning, and
started on our backward course. The weather was now,
and had during the past few days, been perfectly delight-
ful. The sun, perhaps a little too hot during mid-day,
had blistered our ears and noses somewhat; but the soft,
balmy air of the Plains tended to elevate our spirits; and
the hazy, dreamy state of the atmosphere, rendered the
dissolving views of the distant mountains truly enchant-
ing. Our road for several miles was the same which we
had previously followed to the Fort.

DEATH OF THE ELK.

On reaching a point some six miles from the Fort, in
the vicinity of a beautiful lake, we were electrified by the
appearance of a very large and beautiful Elk-Stag upon
the verge of the lake; and apparently transfixed to the
spot by some mysterious and fatal power which he could
not control. Several shots were fired almost simultane-
ously, and after staggering a few rods he fell. When we
reached the noble animal, life was extinct.

Modesty, while it will not justify any material departure
from truth, always forbids the historian of any great
achievement from arrogating to himself peculiar prowess,
WESTERN INCIDENTS. 41

FISHERMEN’S LUCK.

We reached our camping ground, in the beautiful val-
ley of Dale Creek, at four o’clock in the afternoon, having
ridden about sixteen miles. Gen. Dodge had promised
to regale us with plenty of speckled trout, from the clear,
cold mountain streams along our route; but up to this
time, the only ones we had seen or tasted were upon the
dinner table of our excellent and hospitable friend, Gen. .
Pierce, of Denver City.

As we were watering our animals in Dale Creek, just
previous to our halt for the day, the General declared that
he saw several speckled trout in the stream ; and imme-
diate preparations were therefore made to secure suflfi-
cient for our supper. The General and myself trolled
the stream for a half mile in each direction, Mr. Wil-
liams following with a gunny-sack in- which to bag our
prey ; but it was of no avail; nota bite, nor even the
faintest nibble, did I have ; but the General protested to
at least one fair bite, and some half-dozen glimpses of
the little rascals as they dodged around the bends in the
stream. We were therefore compelled to fall back upon
our regular bill of fare for dinner, aided by our elk-
steaks, which, being fried with bacon, we found most
excellent.

CAMPING OUT.

We had at last reached the realization of our hopes
and dreams, and were actually “camping out” in the
mountains. We could roll in the long grass, drink our
fill from the sparkling stream, sing and halloo as loud as
we pleased, without disturbing any one outside of our
own little party. The Indians might be watching us
from some of the surrounding crags, and coveting our
WESTERN INCIDENTS. 4]

FISHERMEN’S LUCK.

We reached our camping ground, in the beautiful val-
ley of Dale Creek, at four o’clock in the afternoon, having
ridden about sixteen miles. Gen. Dodge had promised
to regale us with plenty of speckled trout, from the clear,
cold mountain streams along our route; but up to this
time, the only ones we had seen or tasted were upon the
dinner table of our excellent and hospitable friend, Gen.
Pierce, of Denver City.

As we were watering our animals in Dale Creek, just
previous to our halt for the day, the General declared that
he saw several speckled trout in the stream; and imme-
diate preparations were therefore made to secure sufii-
cient for our supper. The General and myself trolled
the stream for a half mile in each direction, Mr. Wil-
liams following with a gunny-sack in which to bag our
prey ; but it was of no avail; nota bite, nor even the
faintest nibble, did I have ; but the General protested to
at least one fair bite, and some half-dozen glimpses of
the little rascals as they dodged around the bends in the
stream. We were therefore compelled to fall back upon
our regular bill of fare for dinner, aided by our elk-
steaks, which, being fried with bacon, we found most
excellent.

CAMPING OUT.

We had at last reached the realization of our hopes
and dreams, and were actually “camping out” in the
mountains. We could roll in the long grass, drink our
fill from the sparkling stream, sing and halloo as loud as
we pleased, without disturbing any one outside of our
own little party. The Indians might be watching us
from some of the surrounding crags, and coveting our
42, WESTERN INCIDENTS.

scalps as trophies for the adornment of their wigwams ;
or might be planning an escapade for our stock; but
what matter—we all felt that innate sense of security and
reliance upon ourselves, which always accompanies a
wild and roving mountain life; and which, we felt confi-
dent, would enable us to cope successfully with five times
our number of these savage denizens of the forest.

Our “headquarters” had been furnished, through the
kindness of Col. Mizner, with two wedge tents, each cap-
able of sheltering and sleeping two persons comfortably ;
these were pitched near our wagon; and the wagons and
tents of our escort were distributed at a respectful dis-
tance in our rear. The General gave the necessary
instructions to the Sergeant in command of the escort,
respecting the careful picketing of our stock, and the
posting of the guard for the protection of our camp from
surprise during the night; and after we had indulged
in our most comfortable evening talk and smoke, by the
light of our waning camp-fire, we were admonished by the
cool evening air, and the noiseless quiet which reigned
around us, that it was time for us to retire to rest.

LONE; ROCK—ESCAPE OF AN ANTELOPE.

After an early breakfast the following morning, we pur-
sued our way over the high and somewhat broken divides
till we reached the plain which stretches itself between
the valleys of Lone Tree and Crow Creeks. On pass-
ing an immense detached pile of granite rock, eighty feet
high, and fifty feet square at the base, Gen. Dodge and
Mr. Evans ascended with some difficulty to its summit,
and reported a most extended view of the surrounding
country.

A little further on, while most of our party were col-
WESTERN INCIDENTS. 43

lected upon an eminence, some of the escort started up
an antelope at some distance from us, which, from the
shouts and firing of its pursuers, became almost fran-
tic with fright ; and, after circling partly round the hill,
actually approached so near to where we stood that we
could distinctly see its wild, staring eyes, and panting
chest. Stopping for a moment immediately in front of us,
it seemed to take in the situation at a glance, when it
turned and left us like the wind. Several shots were fired
at the beautiful animal, but it seemed to have a charmed
life.
NARROW ESCAPE OF A HERD OF ELE.

Still further on we espied, at a distance of about a
quarter of a mile in advance, a herd of some thirty elk,
quietly reposing in the valley. Gen. Dodge, Mr. Evans,
and myself immediately dismounted, and endeavored to
make our way to the shelter of an intervening ledge
before they should discover us; but what was our cha-
grin upon reaching the desired spot, which was within
easy range of our carbines, to find that some of the
escort, in hurrying over a hill to our right, had alarmed
the herd ; and that they were flying from us at full speed.
These, with an occasional shot at a sage hen, or far-off
antelope, comprised the only sporting recreations of the
day. We made our camp in the valley of Lone Tree
Creek at four P. M., having travelled eighteen miles from
our camp of the previous night. |

After partaking of our frugal dinner, and arranging
matters for the night, Mr. Evans and myself strolled a few
miles up the creek, in the faint hope of meeting again
with the herd of elk which had fled in this direction; but
they were nowhere to be seen.

The next day being Sunday; and. as
44 WESTERN INCIDENTS.

‘The sound of the church-going bell,
These valleys and rocks never heard—”

we concluded to work our way out upon the Plains by
easy stages, and camp sufficiently far in advance to enable
us to reach Laporte for dinner on the following day. We
stopped an hour or so in the middle of the day, at Jack’s
Springs, where General Dodge regaled us with lunch from
a French patti of plover, which was most excellent, and
should form a staple for all self-subsisting travellers. At
four P. M. we reached the valley of Box-Elder Creek, and
encamped for the night.

Our route during most of the day had passed over the
heavy swells, or sedimentary formations, which lie be-
tween the former base of the mountains and the present
level of the plains; and which were formed, undoubt-
edly, by débris of the more perishable rocks, brought
down by the mountain torrents, and deposited in long,
irregular slopes at their base.

DEATH OF THE ANTELOPE.

On Monday morning we resumed our course towards
Laporte, having left our escort to await orders at Camp
Box-Elder. Our route lay over very much the same
character of country as we had traversed the previous
day. When at a distance of about two miles from camp,
Mr. Williams, who was riding in advance, observed an
antelope, lymg down, some three or four hundred yards
directly in our front. He quietly halted until the balance
of the party came up, when General Dodge and myself
dismounted and prepared for action; Messrs. Williams
and Evans remaining in their saddles, the better to
observe the effect of our guns.

The General, from his long practice, was able to unlim-
WESTERN INCIDENTS.

ber his carbine and bring it to bear before I was quite
prepared, and consequently obtained the first shot, upon
which the animal, evidently aroused from a quiet sleep,
quickly arose to its feet, and looked toward us for an ex-
planation.

Seeing my advantage, and having observed that the
General’s ball struck the ground some distance short of
the antelope, I concluded that the distance was too
great for a point blank range, and therefore decided to
fire upon the ricochet principle, which proved entirely
successful. The animal fell instantly, and when we
reached the spot was almost lifeless from loss of blood,
caused by the passage of the ball through the neck, and
severing the carotid artery. Mr. Williams, although
evidently entertaining some doubts as to the legitimacy
of the shot, manifested great delight at the result; and,
without intending any disrespect to General Dodge,
whose reputation for skill in bagging much larger game
had become so well established during the late war, im-
mediately pronounced me the huntist of the party, and
awarded me the beautiful skin as an additional trophy.
Our commissary, McLain, on coming up soon afterward,
hung the antelope upon the elk-horns at the rear of the
wagon, and thus followed us triumphantly into Laporte,
where we arrived at eleven A. M.

END OF THE MOUNTAIN EXCURSION.

Thus ended the equestrian part of our excursion. The
exercise had been long and somewhat severe ; but the
natural as well as professional interest which Mr. Wil-
liams and myself had taken in the features of the country
(150 miles of which we had traversed on horseback dur-
ing the past six days), together with, to us, the unusual
46 WESTERN INCIDENTS.

and exciting incidents connected with mountain camp-
life, had made the time pass most pleasantly; and caused
us to regret the pressure of other engagements which
would soon compel us to leave it, and part, for a time,
at least, with our most attentive and agreeable trayel-
ling companions.

My faithful horse had also become an object of sincere
attachment. His fast, ambling gait was most easy and
comfortable, after the first one or two days of back-clima-
tion; and he had never failed me, either in a sudden
dash across the plain after an antelope, or the difficult
crossing of a mountain-ledge or chasm; and I parted from
him with sincere regret.

But I fear it was not so with my friend Mr. Williams,
whose black horse “ Chug-water” (which name he gave
him on account of some peculiarity in his gait) came near
_ failing him on several occasions ; once, I recollect, when
he stumbled and broke his saddle-girth ; and quite fre-
quently when he would persistently try to descend a hill
upward, or, rather I should say, sideways or backward,
instead of the straightforward way downward.
WESTERN INCIDENTS. 47

VI.

THE PARTING SUPPER AT LAPORTE—-JOURNEY TO DENVER—-RETURN
TRIP OVER THE PLAINS TO KEARNY——-MEETING WITH BEN HOL-
LADAY AND FRIENDS——RAILROAD TRIP TO OMAHA—-TRIBUTE TO
THOMAS C. DURANT——-REMARKABLE PROGRESS OF THE UNION

PACIFIC RAILROAD—-TROUBLES AT THE HERNDEN HOUSE.

Omana, Neprasxa, Monday, Oct. 8, 1866.
LAPORTE TO DENVER AND KEARNY.

After a most excellent parting supper from the antelope,
killed the previous day, and other fixings which our
hostess, Mrs. Taylor, provided in her best style, Mr.
Williams and myself parted from our friends, Gen.
Dodge and Mr. Evans, at Laporte, on the evening of
October 1, and took the stage for Denver; which place
we reached for breakfast on the following morning, with-
out accident or adventure. The succeeding day was
spent in preparing for our departure eastward.

On Wednesday morning, October 3, we took our seats
in one of Ben Holladay’s best coaches, in company with
Senator Chaffee, of Central City, Colorado bound for
a connection with the somewhat more comfortable cars
of the Union Pacific Railroad, at the nearest practicable
point, which we hoped to be Plum Creek, or some point
further west.

The roads were in excellent condition; and nothing
worth noting occurred to break the dull monotony of
our passage over the dry and sterile plains, covered
with low tufts of yellow frost-bitten grass, and the
48 WESTERN INCIDENTS.

whitened bones or decaying carcasses of innumerable
cattle which had fallen out by the way, until we reached
Fort Kearny on the following Saturday morning for
breakfast.

Mr. Williams, however, did not lose an opportunity of
impressing upon our minds, as we met and passed the
long emigrant and freight trains, wending their slow and
tedious way to and from the more distant West, the truth
and practicability of his favorite theories in relation to
the formation and ultimate destiny of this portion of
the country, which were:

First.—That the Great Platte Valley, extending, as it
does, in a direct line eastward, nearly six hundred miles
from the base of the Rocky Mountains to the Missouri
Valley, was intended as the great thoroughfare for the
overland commerce of the world.

Second.—That the Platte River itself was intended, in
the first instance, to supply water to the early pioneers
and emigrants in their pilgrimages to and from the Rocky
Mountains; and subsequently to afford the means for
irrigating the immense plains along its borders; and thus
render it eventually one of the finest pastoral and agri-
cultural regions upon the continent. And,

Third.—That the perpetual snows upon the mountains
were intended to furnish an unfailing supply of water
to the mountain streams which flow into the Platte; and
thus, during all time, afford the means of irrigation to

the extensive table lands along the eastern base of the
mountains.

BEN HOLLADAY AND FRIENDS.

At Fort Kearny we met the veritable Ben. Holladay
himself, with his agent, Mr. Street, and travelling com-
panion, Dr. Sayre, of New York city; together with a
WESTERN INCIDENTS.

select party of friends, who had accompanied him the
previous day in a special train over the Union Pacific
Railroad from Omaha.

Mr. Holladay was on a tour of inspection over his
stage route to Denver and Salt Lake City; and he in-
formed us that he should probably visit San Francisco
before returning to New York. We examined with
some curiosity his fine private four-horse coach, which
seemed perfect inall its appointments, having ample stow-
age and sleeping accommodations for a party of three
or four gentlemen, or even ladies.

Mr. Holladay also informed us, that he could not well
shorten up this end of the stage route, and make an
earlier connection with the cars, which were now running
some forty or fifty miles west of Kearny, until the track
had reached a point opposite Cottonwood Station, where
the Platte river could be crossed without difficulty. This
will -be done about the first of November; and then the
staging to Denver will be reduced to two days instead of
three, as it is at present.

KEARNY TO OMAHA BY RAILROAD.

We crossed the Platte, in company with Mr. Holladay’s
returning friends, and took a special tram for Omaha,
over the Union Pacific Railroad, at ten 4. mu. Here we
learned that during our absence, the Government Com-
missioners had been out and accepted thirty-five addi-
tional miles of track, making in all, two hundred and
forty-miles of road, from the initial point at Omaha.

The scene along the road was both interesting and
exciting. Here was a fine passenger station in course of
construction ; there, a freight or water station was being
put up, as if by magic. Now, we were halted upon a side-

3
50 WESTERN INCIDENTS.

track to allow a train of thirty or forty cars laden with
ties, rails, chairs, and spikes for the track, to pass. And
then, we would meet a train laden with stone or other
material for the foundations or superstructure of a distant
bridge. Everything, and everybody seemed full of life
and energy ; and all working to the same great end, and
being directed by the same master mind.

TRIBUTE TO THOMAS C. DURANT.

No one who knows Mr. Thomas C. Durant, the Vice-
President of the Union Pacific Railroad; and has wit-
nessed. his entire devotion to this great enterprise, and the
untiring energy which he has brought to bear in over-
coming the many difficulties in its rapid construction,
while acting as the principal executive officer of the
Company, in the absence of the President, Gen. Dix
(whose time, during the late war, was principally devoted
to his duties in the army), will hesitate to award to him
the highest honors, both as a railroad manager and public
benefactor.

One year ago, not a mile of road had been accepted by
the Government ; only twelve or fifteen miles had been
laid west of Omaha; and it was struggling along at the
rate of from one-quarter to a half mile per day. To-day,
two hundred and forty miles of track have been accepted
by the Government. Some twelve or fifteen miles addi-
tional have been completed, and it is steadily progres-
sing at the rate of from one and a half to two miles per
day. Fourteen thousand and two hundred feet, or two
and seven-tenths miles, have been laid in a single day.

One year ago, the foundations were commenced for the
machine shops at the eastern terminus of the road. To-
day, they are substantially completed, and in full opera-
WESTERN INCIDENTS. 51

tion, with stalls for twenty locomotives, and machinery for
doing the repairs of three hundred miles of road; also car-
shops, manufacturing and turning out two cars each day;
and the whole giving employment to three hundred and
fifty mechanics. One year ago, there were only three loco-
motives and twenty platform cars engaged in the trans-
portation of materials. ‘To-day, there are twenty-three
locomotives, and two hundred and fifty freight cars
employed in the same business—five first-class passenger
cars, with the necessary mail and baggage cars, and two
magnificent excursion and sleeping cars, prepared for
their appropriate use. One year ago, passengers for
Denver, Salt Lake, and San Francisco were obliged to
ride the whole distance from the Missouri river in old-
fashioned stage-coaches, hacks or mud-wagons. To-day,
there are no stages running east of Fort Kearny; and
nearly one half the distance to Denver may be travelled
in ten hours, and in the most luxurious passenger
cars.

One year ago, every pound of freight, owned either by
the Government or individuals, had to be transported
west of the Missouri, by means of ox or mule teams, at
the slow rate of fifteen or twenty miles per day. To-day,
cars heavily laden with Government stores and private
freight, destined for the western slope of the continent,
are attached to the construction trains, and find their
way in twenty-four hours to the end of the track, many
miles west of the one hundredth meridian.

One year ago, the great Union Pacific Railroad was
regarded as a myth, and the men engaged in and con-
trolling it, as a set of stockjobbing Wall-street speculators.
To-day, it is known and felt to be a power and a reality;
and Mr. Durant and his associates are believed to be in
earnest, and fully capable of carrying out to successful
52 WESTERN INCIDENTS.

completion the mammoth work which they have under-
taken.

When it is remembered that this great transition has
been accomplished in one short year, in a country desti-
tute of labor, materials, and supplies; and with nothing
but the dangerous and uncertain navigation of the Mis-
souri River to rely upon during the summer months as a
base of operations, it must be admitted that a new era is
dawning, or rather has already been successfully inaugu-
rated, in the history of railroad construction.

ARRIVAL AT OMAHA—DEPARTURE OF MR. WILLIAMS.

Arrriving at the Omaha depot in the early evening, we
were met by our genial friend Major Bent, of burnetiz-
ing notoriety, who kindly assisted us to the Hernden
House, and saw that we were comfortably quartered for
the night.

We found, however, that the Hernden, which has long
been regarded as one of the most prominent institutions
of Omaha, was in a sort of transition state, and its guests,
as the farmers say, “ between hay and grass.” Our long
time friend, and distinguished host, Mr. Allan, had been
called upon by Dr. Monell, the landlord, to surrender its
use and occupation into the fair hands of Mrs. Brown-
son, who had recently leased it, and stood ready to enter
upon the duties of hostess as soon as Mr. Allan could
find it convenient to evacuate the premises, all of which
the said Allan seemed in no haste to do.

An entire week had been spent by the parties in strat-
egy and legal skirmishing, during which it was not unu-
sual for Allan, on visiting the kitchen in the morning, to
find Mrs. Brownson’s cooking-stove standing in the place
of his own, which had been thrown over the adjoining
WESTERN INCIDENTS. 53

fence during the night; and not unfrequently were the
guests of the house stopped in the middle of a meal
(while waiting, perhaps, for more warm cakes), by intelli-
gence from the waiter that the stove had just been thrown
out of the kitchen. Fortunately for us, however, Mrs.
Brownson’s stove was outside of the fence when we
arrived, and remained so during the following day,
Sunday.

But the condition of affairs about the hotel seemed
so unsettled and critical that Mr. Williams concluded
to cross over the river to Council Bluffs, during Sunday
afternoon, where he could enjoy that rest and quiet
which he so much needed after his long and fatiguing
journey ; and at the same time be prepared to take the
stage on Monday morning for Dennison, and there take
the cars of the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad, for
his home at Fort Wayne, Indiana.

In parting from Mr. Williams, I desire to say, that it
has never been my good fortune to spend so many weeks,
either socially or professionally, with a more agreeable
and intelligent gentleman and travelling companion; and
I hope he may live long to give the world the benefits
of his sound judgment, and professional skill and expe-
rience, in all matters connected with our great national
improvements, such as the Union Pacific Railroad, with
which he has been so long, and so honorably connected.
54. WESTERN INCIDENTS.

VIl.

TWO WEEKS AT OMAHA—-WILD GEESE AND DUCK SHOOTING—ADVENT
OF CHICAGO AND NORTHWESTERN RAILROAD AGENTS ON THEIR
WAY TO DENVER—-PARTING SPEECH OF MR. TAPPEN—ANTICI-
PATED ARRIVAL OF THE GREAT PACIFIC RAILROAD EXCURSION—
ITS ANTECEDENTS AND OBJECTS——-DEPARTURE FROM NEW YORK—
ARRIVAL AT CHICAGO—ST. JOSEPH, AND OMAHA-—RECEPTION AND
BALL AT OMAHA.

Omana, NeprasKa, Oct. 23, 1866.

The difficulties at the Hernden House, heretofore
alluded to, were amicably arranged on the Monday fol--
lowing our arrival from the Rocky Mountains; and Mrs.
Brownson, the new lessee, was fully installed in quiet
possession.

A favored few of the guests were allowed to retain our
rooms in the gloomy, half-deserted house; and vegetate,
as best we could, among the restaurants, until the hotel
could be renovated and refurnished.

Mrs. Brownson will not only prove herself to be a public
benefactor, but do much towards establishing the doctrine
of the social and business equality, and vested rights, of
women, if she succeeds in the hazardous undertaking of
keeping a good hotel. She certainly has the best wishes
of her numerous friends in the town, as well as of the
railroad people and travelling public generally.

' But the city of Omaha should boast of several first-
class hotels. The town is growing, and will continue to
grow rapidly. It has the eastern terminus of the Union
Pacific Railroad; and is the half-way point between
Chicago and the Rocky Mountains. No finer site was
WESTERN INCIDENTS. 55

ever selected for a large city; and the country about it
cannot be excelled for beauty, as well as productiveness.
Elegant residences, and large brick blocks of stores, are
continually being erected. “The Credit Foncier of
America,” and other capitalists, are making large imvest-
ments there, and the inhabitants are wealthy, energetic,
and liberal. Why, then, not give us one or two more
hotels, equal at least to the Tremont and Sherman House
of Chicago?

WILD GEESE AND DUCK SHOOTING.

Having received orders to remain for the present at
Omaha, I was very glad of an opportunity, when other
duties would permit, of accompanying my friend Collins
on his hunting expeditions to the Florence lakes, a
few miles above Omaha, where fat wild geese and
ducks did much abound. And here I must be permitted
to say, that a young wild goose, when cooked under the
supervision of Mrs. Collins, is the finest eating of the
feathered game kind that I ever tasted.

My friend Major Bent would sometimes join us in these
excursions, and then we would be sure to return with
enough game to supply our restaurant table for one or
two days.

CHICAGO AND NORTHWESTERN RAILWAY AGENTS.

Another pleasant incident, in this somewhat dull and
monotonous period of my Western sojourn, was the
advent of Messrs. Tappen, Patrick and Brown, heads of
the freight and passenger departments of that “ Great
connecting link,” the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad,
who tarried a few days at Council Bluffs and Omaha, as
they were passing on their way to Denver, for the pur-
56 WESTERN INCIDENTS.

pose of establishing offices, and making other business
arrangements in connection with their road, and its far-
reaching Western tributaries.

As they started westward, on the morning of the 17th
October, in a special train laden with demijohns, cases,
canned meats, fruits and pickles, rolls of buffalo robes
and blankets; together with almost any number of breech-
loading carbines and revolvers, one would think that they
expected to spend at least six months among savage
beasts and Indians, before returning to the land of
civilization.

PARTING SPEECH OF MR. TAPPEN.

When the train was about starting from the depot at
Omaha, Mr. Tappen was loudly called upon by his friends
who remained behind, for a few parting words. Upon
which he promptly made his appearance upon the rear
platform, raised his hat, bowed gracefully to the audience,
steadied himself by a firm hold upon the railing, and
spoke substantially as follows:

“ Weriow-Crrzens: But a few short years ago, the
spot on which my foot now rests, was part and parcel of
a howling wilderness”—just here, the sudden starting of
the train so disturbed the spot upon which the distin-
guished speaker’s foot was resting, that he came near
being thrown overboard; but, on recovering himself
instantly, he proceeded with great composure to say:

“During a somewhat short but eventful life, I have held
every position, from”—at this point, the train being fairly
under way, it became quite difficult to hear distinctly,
except the closing sentence, which was as follows :

“T leave the Great connecting link in your hands, while
I proceed to swing around the’—the remainder of this
WESTERN INCIDENTS. 57

happy speech was lost ; but the speaker evidently alluded
to a curve in advance of the train.

The train soon disappeared, but the telegraph wires
kept us continually posted, during the day, as to the pro-
gress of the party; and the nature of the despatches was
such as to afford the most gratifying evidence of the
expansive powers of the air and scenery west of the
Missouri River, particularly when a party, like our friends,
are borne for the first time with railroad speed along
the broader expanse of the great Platte Valley, on their
westward course to the Rocky Mountains.

The following specimens have fortunately been pre-
served :

Fremont, 10:12 a. m—“ Green leaves grew where my
hand now rests. Wild beasts roamed unmolested by the
hand of man. More to come.”

North Benn, 10:35 a.u.—*The shrill whoop of the
gavage alone broke the solitude and silence of nature. It
was at this epoch of our nation’s existence, that two
solitary horsemen might have been seen—To be con-
tinued.”

CotumBts, 11:25 a. ma—“ Or words to that effect. Con-
clusion.”

ANTICIPATED ARRIVAL OF THE GREAT EXCURSION.

By far the most exciting event of all, however, was the
official announcement received on Thursday, October 18
that the great Pacific Railroad Excursion had reached
Chicago, on its way westward from New York, and that
it might be expected to arrive at Omaha on the following
Monday morning.

The worthy Mayor immediately convened the Com-
mon Council; and the President of the Board of Trade

3*
58 . WESTERN INCIDENTS.

called that august body together at once, for the purpose
of conferring upon the subject, and giving a proper re-
ception to the distinguished strangers.

It was finally arranged that the freedom of the city
should be tendered to the excursionists; and that a grand
reception ball and supper should be given them at the
Hernden House, on the evening of their arrival in town.

ANTECEDENTS AND OBJECTS OF THE EXCURSION.

Before speaking further of this great excursion, it may
be well to refer briefly to its objects, as well as to its im-
mediate antecedents.

The public generally, is so ignorant respecting the
identity of the many railroads in this country, which bear
in some form the appellation of Pacijic, that I will take
the liberty of inserting the following letter written upon

that subject, and published for general information, more
than a year ago, in the National Intelligencer, at Wash-
ington.

The status of many of the roads referred to has un-
doubtedly become changed somewhat since the letter was
written ; but itis believed that it will be found substan-
tially correct for our present purpose :—

UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD.

Confused Ideas as to its Locality—Nine Different Pacific Railroads—
Location and Present Condition of Hach—Giovernment Aid, ete.

OrFIcE oF THE Unton Pactric Rartroap Company,
No. 13 Wiitram Srreet, New Yorr, February 10, 1866. t

To the Editors of the National Intelligencer :-—

So much doubt and confusion appears to exist in the minds of the
people, and possibly of some members of Congress, in relation to the
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locality, present condition, and future prospects of the Union Pacific
Railroad, that, with your permission, I will endeavor to throw some
light upon the subject.

There are, at the present time, no less than nine different projects,
or organizations, known as Pacific railroads—and, consequently, when
allusion is made to either one of these, it is erroneously, and some-
times quite injuriously, applied to the one great trunk line chartered
by Congress for the purpose of constructing a railroad through the
entire Territories of the United States, and thus connecting the rail-
roads of the extreme Eastern and Western States in one continuous
line across the continent. .

In speaking of these different organizations, I shall refer to them in
their proper geographical order, from the east and south to the west
and north; and shall endeavor to confine myself to a simple and con-
cise statement of facts :

1. The Pacific Railroad of Missouri, a State organization, extending
from the city of St. Louis to the east line of Kansas, at or near Kansas
City, a distance of 283 miles. This road is now completed and in
operation.

2. The Union Pacific Railway, Eastern Division, extending from the
western terminus of the Missouri Pacific Railroad, at the eastern -
boundary of Kansas, to an intersection with the Union Pacific Rail-
road, “ at a point on the one-hundredth meridian of longitude west from
Greenwich, between the south margin of the Republican River and
the north margin of the valley of the Platte River, in the Territory of
Nebraska, at a point to be fixed by the President of the United States
after actual surveys.” The total distance is about 380 miles. This is
also a State organization, and was formerly known as the “ Leaven-
worth, Pawnee, and Western Railroad Company of Kansas ;” but the
Company, in 1863, assumed the name of “ Union Pacific Railway, Eastern
Division,” by which title it has since been recognized. This Company
receives the same amount and kind of aid from the General Govern-
ment as the Union Pacific Railroad, which, to avoid repetition, will be
described in connection with thatroad. The laying of track was com-
menced in 1863, since which sixty-two miles have been completed,
and the road is now open for use to Topeka, the capital of the State.

This Company is also required to “ build a railroad from the city of
Leavenworth, to unite with the main stem at or near the city of
Lawrence ; but to aid in the construction of said branch the said Com-
60 WESTERN INCIDENSS.

pany shall not be entitled to any bonds.”

This branch will be com-
pleted carly next scagon.

3. The Central or Atchison Branch of the Union Pacific Railroad,
extending from Atchison, on the Missouri river, in Kansas, to an in-
tersection with the Union Pacific Railway, action Division, in the val-
ley of the Kansas River or Republican Fork. This oes by virtue
of an assignment from the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad Company,
receives the same aid from the Government as the Union Pacific Rail-
road for the first one hundred miles west of the Missouri River. The
grading and mechanical work upon the first section of twenty miles is
substantially completed, the iron on hand, and track-laying com-
menced. The second section of twenty miles is under contract to be
completed by the first of May next. There is now a railroad connec-
tion from the east, via the Hannibal and St. Joseph, and Platte Country

railroads, to a point on the east bank of the Missouri opposite
Atchison.

4, The Union Pacific Railroad, extending from the western boundary
of the State of Iowa, at Omaha, “to the western boundary of the
Territory of Nevada, there to connect with the line of the Central
Pacific Railroad Company of California,” a distance of about sixteen
hundred miles. The capital stock is one hundred million dollars.
The organization is entirely the creation of Congress, and being
located within the Territories, is not subject to any State or municipal
regulations. To aid inits construction the Government grants “ every
alternate section of public land, designated by odd numbers, to the
amount of ten alternate sections per mile, on each side of said railroad
on the line thereof, and within the limits of twenty miles on each side
of said road, not sold, reserved, or otherwise set aside by the United
States, and to which a pre-emption or homestead claim may not have
attached at the time the line of said road is definitely fixed.” The
law further provides that “said company shall designate the general
route of said road, as near as may be, and shall file a map of the same
in the Department of the Interior, whereupon the Secretary of the
Interior shall cause the lands within twenty-five miles of said desig-
nated route or routes to be withdrawn from pre-emption, private
entry, and sale; and when any portion of said route shall be finally
located, the Secretary of the Interior shall cause the said lands herein-
before granted to be surveyed and set off as fast as may be necessary
for the purposes herein named.
WESTERN INCIDENTS. 61

To aid further in the construction of this road, the law provides that
as certain portions therein specified are fully completed and equipped,
the Secretary of the Treasury shall “issue to said Company bonds of
the United States of one thousand dollars each, payable in thirty years
after date, bearing six per centum per annum interest (said interest
payable semi-annually), which interest may be paid in United States
Treasury notes, or any other money or currency which the United
States have or shall declare lawful money and a legal tender,” as fol-
lows: “For three hundred miles of said road, most mountainous and
difficult of construction, to wit: One hundred and fifty miles west-
wardly ffom the eastern base of the Rocky Mountains, and one hun-
dred and fifty miles eastwardly from the western base of the Sierra
Nevada Mountains, said points to be fixed by the President of the
United States,” forty-eight thousand dollars per mile ; and between the
sections last named of one hundred and fifty miles each, thirty-two
thousand dollars per mile; and for the entire balance of the road, sixteen
thousand dollars per mile. These bonds constitute a second mortgage
upon the whole line of the railroad, rolling stock, and fixtures, and
“one-half of the compensation for services rendered for the Gov-
ernment shall be required to be applied to the payment of the
bonds issued by the Government.” The Company is also authorized
to “issue their first mortgage bonds to an amount not exceeding the
amount of the bonds of the United States, and of even tenor and date,
time of maturity, rate and character of interest,” with the Government
bonds, “and the lien of the United States shall be subordinate to ”
these first mortgage bonds; and it is also authorized to issue these
bonds “to the extent of one hundred miles in advance of a continu-
ous completed line of construction.”

The work of construction has been materially hindered during
the past year by the delay of the President of the United States
in deciding upon a question of location near the eastern terminus.
The laying of track was commenced in July last, and forty miles
were completed and examined by the Government commissioners
on the 6th instant. Since that time the track has been extended
to Fremont, fifty-five miles from Omaha. The grading of the
first one hundred and ten miles is now completed, and arrange-
ments are perfected for opening one hundred miles to the public
before the 4th of July next. The progress of the work is very
much retarded and embarrassed by the want of an easterly railroad
connection; but itis hoped that this will be remedied during the
present year.
62 WESTERN INCIDENTS.

Large and commodious brick shops, engine and station houses
have been constructed by the Company at the Eastern terminus of the
road, and these will be repeated as often as may be necessary to
operate the road successfully.

The surveys of several routes have been extended ag far west ag
the meridian of Salt Lake City, and of one line to the Humboldt Val-
ley ; but the location cannot be regarded as definitely fixed beyond
the first two hundred miles.

5. The Sioux City and Pacific Railroad, extending from Sioux City,
Towa, on the Missouri River, to a connection with the main line of the
Union Pacific Railroad, “said point of junction to be fixed by the
President of the United States, not further west than the one hun-
dredth meridian of longitude aforesaid, and on the same terms and con-
ditions as provided in this act” (approved July 1, 1862) “for the con-
struction of the Union Pacific Railroad.” This branch was originally
to have been constructed by the Union Pacific Railroad Company ;
but the act of July 1, 1862, was amended by the act of July 2, 1864,
so as to release the Union Pacific Company, and authorize the Presi-
dent of the United States to designate a Company to construct it
upon the same terms and conditions as were previously granted
to the Union Pacific Company, with an additional grant of
“alternate sections of land for ten miles in width on each side of
the same along the whole length of said branch.” The President, on
the 24th December, 1864, designated the “Sioux City and Pacific
Railroad Company” for this purpose. The map designating the gen-
eral route of the road was filed in the Department of the Interior, June
27,1865. Nothing further has been done towards its construction.

6. The Central Pacific Railroad of California, extending “from the
Pacific coast, at or near San Francisco or the navigable waters of the
Sacramento River, to the eastern boundary of California.” This is a
State organization, but it receives from the General Government the
same aid as the Union Pacific Railroad. It has also been authorized
by Congress to extend its road one hundred and fifty miles eastward
into Nevada, in case the Union Pacific Railroad is not completed to
the State line when it arrives there. This Company has transferred to
the Western Pacific Railroad Company the right to construct the road
to the Pacific coast, and is now engaged in the construction of the
line easterly from Sacramento to the State line, a distance of 164
miles. The laying of the track was commenced in June, 1864, and
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56 miles of road have since been completed and accepted by the Gov-
ernment. Seventeen additional miles of grading are now completed,
and the balance of the grading is well under way. The line, as estab-
lished by the Company, intersects the easterly boundary of California
in the valley of the Truckee River.

7. The Western Pacific Railroad of California, extending from Sac-
ramento to San Francisco, by way of San José, a distance of one hun-
dred and seventy miles. This is also a State organization, and receives,
through an assignment from the Central Pacific Railroad Company:
which has received the sanction of Congress, the same aid from
the Government as the Union and Central Pacific Companies. The
line from San José to San Francisco, a distance of fifty miles, is com-
pleted. From San José eastward, twenty miles are about completed,
and the iron for the balance of the distance to Sacramento is already
purchased and going forward. The grading is entirely out of the
way.

8. The Southern Pacific Railroad of California, extending from the
bay of San Francisco to the port of San Diego, and thence to the east
line of the State of California, a distance of about four hundred and
twenty miles. Capital $30,000,000. This is a State organization, and
receives no aid from the General Government. Very little, if any, work
has been done up to the present time.

9. The Northern Pacific Railroad Company, extending from the head
of Lake Superior to Puget Sound, “with a branch via the valley of
the Columbia River to a point at or near Portland, in the State of Ore-
gon.” Capital stock $100,000,000. This Company was chartered by
Congress in 1864. The Company receives from the Government
“every alternate section of public land, not mineral, designated by
odd numbers, to the amount of twenty alternate sections per mile on
each side of said railroad line as said Company may adopt, through
the Territories of the United States, and ten alternate sections per
mile on each side of said railroad whenever it passes through any
State, and whenever on the line thereof the United States have full
title, not reserved, sold, granted, or otherwise appropriated, and free
from pre-emption or other claims or rights at the time the line of said
road is definitely fixed, and a plan thereof filed in the office of the
Commissioner of the General Land Office ; and whenever prior to that
time any of said sections or parts of sections shall have been granted,
sold, reserved, occupied by homestead settlers, or pre-empted or
64 WESTERN INCIDENTS.

otherwise disposed of, other lands shall be selected by said Company
in lieu thereof, under the direction of the Secretary of the Interior, in
alternate sections and designated by odd numbers, not more than ten
miles beyond the limits of said alternate sections.”

Tam not aware that anything further than an organization of the
Company has been effected up to the present time.

In addition to the above it may be proper to mention the old
organization known as the Southern Pacific Railroad, which was in-
tended to run from Memphis to San Diego, about which very little
has been heard for some years.

S. SEYMOUR,
Consulting Engineer, U. P. R. R.

GENERAL SIMPSON’S SPEECH.

The following speech of General Simpson, President
of the Board of Government Commissioners (copied from
the Chicago Tribune), delivered at Chicago, on the return
of the excursionists, will also be found to contain much

interesting and valuable, as well as later information upon
this subject :-—

Mr. Mayor, Lapizs anp GENTLEMEN :—

The interests of the Pacific Railroad have been ably pre-
sented by the gentlemen who have preceded me ; but as there
are some points upon which they have not touched, and it
may be expected of me, as the President of the Board of Com-
missioners on the road and its branches east of the Rocky
Mountains; and the officer to whom has been intrusted by the
President of the United States the charge of the road and its
branches, so far as concerns the General Government, to say
something in this regard, I trust I shall be pardoned for
making the following statement :—

MAGNITUDE OF THE ENTERPRISE.

Preliminary, however, to this, I cannot but generally
descant upon the magnitude and importance of this great en-
terprise. If we take a railroad map of our country, we
WESTERN INCIDENTS. 65

cannot but be struck with the net of railroads which traverse
our domain on the east side of the Missouri River, from Maine
to Florida. This bird’s-eye view immediately evolves the
immense traffic, social comfort, and political homogeneity and
harmony which these roads must develop and enforce ; and
not only so, it also discloses the wonderful progress which
has been made in bringing the different sections of the por-
tion of our country alluded to, in close bonds of affiliation, and
therefore of Christian love and sympathy.

But still farther scanning the map of our extended country,
we find a most important portion of our domain along the
Pacific coast, already filled with a teeming population, and
capable, agriculturally, mineralogically, commercially, mili-
tarily, politically and socially, of still farther development, so
remotely situated, with regard to the portion on the east side
of the Missouri River—so isolated by distance and barriers of
mountain chains and extended deserts, that it at once suggests
the deficiency and the absolute requirements of the extension
of our railroad system, so as to bring this portion of our
republic into closer and more sympathetic relation with the
other; and thus to bind all portions of our country in one
homogeneous organism of political, military, social, com-
mercial and Christian nationality and power.

This is to be effected by the Pacific Railroad and branches ;
and because of their infinite importance in this respect, their
completion ought to be pushed forward by the people and Gov-
ernment with the greatest possible dispatch.

CONGRESSIONAL ACTION.

The acts of Congress bearing on this important project are
chiefly the act of July 1, 1862, the act of July 2, 1864, and
the act of July 3, 1866. These acts, as they now stand, author-
ize the construction of one main line, commencing at Omaha,
Nebraska, the initial point fixed agreeadly to law by the late
President Lincoln, and extending westward in the most direct
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and practicable line, till it meets the Central Pacific Railroad
of California, extending eastward from San Francisco, These
two Companies are unrestricted in the extent of the road they
shall build, except that they are required to locate and join their
respective portions in the most direct and practicable manner,

THE UNION PACIFIC ROAD.

The Union Pacific has been constructed and accepted by
the President of the United States, west from Omaha to the
two hundred and seventieth mile post, or to a point seventy-
seven miles west from Fort Kearny ; and the probabilities are
that by the setting in of winter there will be about three
hundred and ten miles of the road finished ; which will carry
it beyond the Forks of the Platte, and embrace the bridge
now near completion over the North Fork. The surveys for
this road have extended across the Rocky and Wasatch
Mountains to the valley of the Humboldt ; and lines of routes
have been found which will not require a grade, at any point,
over one hundred and sixteen feet per mile, the maximum

grade of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, and the limit fixed
by law.

THE CENTRAL PACIFIC ROAD.

The Central Pacific of California, on the 6th of the present
month, had been graded from Sacramento eastwardly to
Cisco, a distance of ninety-three miles, or to a point within
twelve miles of the summit of the Sierra Nevada; and the
track has been laid from Sacramento, eighty miles of that dis-
tance, and the cars are running thereon. The surveys show a
perfectly feasible route over the Sierra Nevada, with maximum
grades within the limits prescribed by the law ; and as they
show a very easy line along the valley of the Humboldt, not
requiring a grade over fifty-three feet to the mile, the Presi-
dent of the Company, Leland Stanford, Esq., confidently antici-

pates that they will be able to reach Great Salt Lake during
the year 1870.
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BRANCH ROADS.
The branch roads west from the Missouri river joining the
Union Pacific Railroad, are, commencing at the most northern
point and running southwardly, first :—

THE SIOUX CITY AND PACIFIC RAILROAD,

extending from Sioux City westwardly, and to join in the
most practicable and direct manner at such part of the Union
Pacific Railroad as the Company may select. Surveys, I have
been informed by Mr. John J. Blair, the President of this
Company, have been made for this road, but as they have not
yet been officially reported to the Government, the final
location of the route has not yet been established, and
nothing further remains to be said than that no work has yet
been done on this branch. Next,

THE EXTENSION OF THE BURLINGTON AND MISSOURI RIVER RAILROAD,

:

which by law is to cross the Missouri River south of the mouth
of the Platte, and, according to the map filed in the Interior
Department, has been located by the Company as far as
Kearny City, along the south side of the Platte, and getting
into the Platte Valley again within eighteen or twenty miles
east of Fort Kearny. The road is to join the Union Pacific,
not further west than the one hundredth meridian of west
longitude. No work has been commenced on this branch.
Next,

THE EXTENSION OF THE HANNIBAL AND ST. JOSEPH RAILROAD, BY THE
WAY OF ATCHISON,

which the Company have, by law, the option of connecting
in the most direct and feasible way with the Union Pacific,
not farther west than the one hundredth meridian, or the
Union Pacific, Eastern Division, without restriction to dis-
tance. Twenty miles of this road west from Atchison has
68 WESTERN INCIDENTS.

been constructed and accepted by the President of the United
States, and another section of twenty miles is represented to
be nearly ready for examination by the Commissioners. The
next branch is

THE UNION PACIFIC RAILWAY, EASTERN DIVISION,

which starts from the mouth of the Kansas River, on its south
side, and has been located up the valley of the Kansas River
as far as Fort Riley, and thence across to and up the valley
of the Smoky Hill Fork, as far as the western boundary of
Kansas ; thence it is to go to Denver City, and join the
Union Pacific at a point not farther than fifty miles west from
the meridian of Denver. This road has been accepted by the
President of the United States for a distance of one hundred
and thirty miles west from the initial point at the mouth of
the Missouri River, and has been represented recently as com-
pleted and the cars running thereon as far as Fort Riley, a
distance of one hundred and thirty-six miles.

GOVERNMENT AID.

The Union Pacific and the Central Pacific Railroad of Cali-
fornia, on the completion of sections of not less than twenty
miles of their roads, will be alike entitled to bonds respec-
tively from the Government to the extent of $16,000 per mile
from their initial points to the east line of the Rocky Moun-
tains, and to the west base of the Sierra Nevada, thence
across the Rocky Mountains to the west base of the same for
a distance of one hundred and fifty miles, and across the
Sierra Nevada to the east base of the same for a distance of
one hundred and fifty miles, they respectively got three times
$16,000, or $48,000 per mile. Between the western base of
the Rocky Mountains and the eastern base of the Sierra

Nevada, they will be entitled totwice $16,000, or $32,000 per
mile.
WESTERN INCIDENTS. 69

Both these Companies will, by law, be entitled to ten alter-
nate odd sections of land on each side of their road, not sold,
reserved, or otherwise disposed of by the United States, and
to which a pre-emption or homestead claim may not have
been attached.

The Union Pacific Railway, Eastern Division, (properly the
Southern Division), agreeably to the act of July 3, 1866,
receives, on the completion of sections of at least twenty miles
of its road, $16,000 per mile, for a distance from its initial
point at the mouth of the Kansas River, as far westward as
would be equal to the length of its road, had it, according to
the act of July 1, 1862, joined the Pacific Railroad on the one
hundredth meridian of longitude, between the north bank of
the Platte River, and the south bank of the Republican Fork
of the Kansas River. This road is entitled, in addition, on the
completion of sections of not less than twenty miles of its
road, to ten alternate odd sections of land on each side of its
line, subject to the reservations, as in the case of the Union
Pacific and Central Pacific Railroad before stated.

The Atchison and Pike’s Peak Railroad, or Pacific extension
of the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad, on the completion
of sections of not less than twenty miles, gets bonds of
$16,000 and ten alternate sections of land on each side of the
road, per mile, but only for a distance of one hundred miles
west from Atchison.

The Sioux City Pacific Railroad under the act of July 2,
1864, is entitled to bonds of $16,000 per mile on the comple-
tion of sections of not less than twenty miles, for a distance
from the initial point at Sioux City, not greater than it would
have been entitled to under the act of July 1, 1862, which re-
stricted its junction with the Union Pacific, at a point not
farther west than the one hundredth meridian of west longi-
tude. This road also gets land, but only to the extent of five
alternate sections within a limit of ten miles on each side of
the road, with the same restrictions as stated in the case of
the roads already mentioned.
70 WESTERN INCIDENTS.

The Pacific extension of the Burlington and Missouri River
Railroad, by the act of July 2, 1864, is not entitled to bonds,
but to lands to the extent of ten alternate odd sections on
each side of its line of route.

THE COMPLETION OF THE ROADS.

Having thus given the chief points of the law with regard
to the Union Pacific Railroad and branches, I would recall
your attention to the anticipation confidently entertained by
Mr. Stanford, the President of the Central Pacific Company
of California, that they will, even under the present law, be
able to reach Great Salt Lake during the year 1870. General
Dix, the President of the Union Pacific Railroad Company,
has informed me that they will meet the Central Pacific, of
California in five years; and, thus, according to both the
gentlemen named, we may expect the completion of the road
in 1871, or six years before the Ist of July, 1877—the limit fixed
by the law. It is submitted, however, that as the work in the
Rocky Mountains and Utah will be very heavy, there should
be some legislation which will enable the Union Pacific Rail-
way Company to work in advance of their completed line, at
least eight hundred miles ; so that the Company could now be
employing the Mormons in Utah, who, with the “ Gentiles,”
are willing and anxious to take contracts for grading the
road, getting out the ties, and making the necessary iron.
The act of July 3, 1866, enables the Union Pacific, and Cen-
tral Pacific of California, to work three hundred miles in
advance of their continuous line ; but while this privilege is
probably sufficient for the California Company, on account of
the nature of the country through which it will have to con-
struct its road, it is not so for the Union Pacific, whose diffi-
cult portions stretch out for so great a distance west of their
present work. It is hoped that this matter will receive the
attention of Congress at the earliest possible moment.
WESTERN INCIDENTS. val

CONFUSION OF NAMES.

There is another item of legislation required, which has
grown out of the confusion that exists with regard to the
names of the roads, which should be attended to. The branch
road, which starts from the mouth of the Kansas River, is
called the Union Pacific Railway, Eastern Division. The con-
sequence is, that though this road is being made by an entirely
different Company from the Union Pacific Railroad Company,
which is constructing its road all the way through from
Omaha, till it meets the Central Pacific of California, the
credit or discredit which attaches to the one naturally
attaches to the other, to the enhancement or depreciation of
its bonds ; and already I am informed there have been consid-
erable serious misapprehensions existing on this account, to
the advantage or detriment of one or the other Company.
This liability to error can only be obviated by Congress
changing the name of the Union Pacific Railway, Eastern
Division, so that it may not by any possibility be confounded
with the Union Pacific Railroad, with which it is in no way
pecuniarily connected. A sufficiently distinctive name would
be the Kansas River Branch of the Union Pacific Railroad.

BENEFITS TO CHICAGO.

Thus, Mr. Mayor, -ladies and gentlemen, I have at some
length given you a description of the Union Pacific Railroad
and branches, with the provisions of law relating thereto ;
but I cannot close my remarks without pointing out to you
the great benefits which must inure to your city from the com-
pletion of this great highway of nations. Standing as you do
pre-eminently related to the great lakes of the North ; and by
your railroads with all portions of the United States on the
east side of the Rocky Mountains, with the prestige of your
past and present growth ; and immediately on the great air-
line route across the continent from New York, you cannot
but become the great entre-dépét of trade and travel of the
U2 WESTERN INCIDENTS.

world ; and therefore without doubt one of the ereatest
cities of the world—second on this continent to probably only
the metropolis of New York.

Adding my thanks to those of the gentlemen who have
preceded me for the very kind and munificent reception
which the Union Pacific Railroad excursion party has re-
ceived at your hands, I will here close my already, I fear,
too extended remarks.

The laws of Congress require that the first one hundred
miles of the Union Pacific Railroad, west of the Missouri
River, shall be completed on or before the 27th June,
1866 ; and that it shall be completed to the one-hundreth
meridian of longitude, a distance of one hundred and
forty-seven miles further, at the rate of one hundred miles
per year thereafter ; or, say, by the middle of December,
1867.

The Railroad Company however, had, in utter disre-
gard of all precedents in railroad construction, completed
the first one hundred miles on June 2d, 1866, and had
laid the track across the hundredth meridian on the 5th
October of the same year.

In fact, the Company had become so regardless of these
precedents, and of the slow progress contemplated by
Congress, that it had allowed Mr. Reed, the Engineer in
charge of construction, to do the grading, construct the
bridges, and lay the superstructure, all complete, wpon
two hundred and forty-five miles of road in one hundred
and eighty-two working days; averaging more than one
and one-third miles per day.

Tt was therefore deemed expedient and proper, by the
managers of this great national enterprise, that the com-
pletion of the first division, extending from the Missouri
River, at Omaha, to the one-hundredth meridian of longi-
WESTERN INCIDENTS.

tude, within considerably less than a year from the time
required by law, should not only be suitably advertised
to the world, but satisfactorily verified by the proper
officers of the Government, and members of Congress.

Invitations were accordingly extended to the President
of the United States, and members of his Cabinet; also
to all the members of Congress, Foreign Ministers, mili-
tary and naval commanders, and to the principal railroad
men and leading capitalists throughout the country, to.
join in a grand excursion from New York City to the one-
hundredth meridian, in the Great Platte Valley, a dis-
tance of about seventeen hundred miles, and more than
half way across the continent.

No railroad excursion of similar character and magni-
tude had ever been projected in this, or any other coun-
try ; and the parties most interested were, of course, un-
tiring in their efforts to make it a complete success.

The different lines of connecting railroads, steamboats,
and stages between New York and Omaha, were at once
placed at the disposal of the Company by their liberal
and enterprising managers, who seemed to vie with each
other in their efforts to aid the Union Pacific Railroad
Company in its great and somewhat novel undertaking.

Very much to the regret of the excursionists, as well
as the receptionists along the route, General John A.
Dix, the President of the Company, was prevented from
accompanying the party, by receiving from the Presi-
dent of the United States, the appomtment of Minister
to France, just previous to its departure from New York.
The charge of the excursion therefore devolved upon
Mr. Thomas C. Durant, Vice-President, and Messrs.
Sherman, Cook, Dillon, Lambard, and Duff, Directors ;
assisted by Mr. B. F. Bunker, Assistant Secretary of the

4
74 WESTERN INCIDENTS.

Company, Col. N. A. Gestner and Mr. E. Simmonds, from
the New York ofiice.

DEPARTURE FROM NEW YORE.

The party, consisting of about one hundred persons,
fully supplied with everything that could be improvised
or thought of for its comfort and enjoyment, left New
York on Monday evening, October 15th, by way of the
New Jersey, and Pennsylvania Central Railroads, to
Pittsburgh ; and the Pittsburgh Fort Wayne and Chi-
cago Railroad to Chicago, where they arrived in high
spirits on the following Wednesday evening.

Considerable accessions of invited guests were made
to the party on the way to, and at, Chicago. Messrs.
Springer Harbaugh, of Pittsburgh, and Jesse L. Wil-
liams, of Fort Wayne, Government Directors of the road,
accompanied the excursion to Chicago; but, as both
these gentlemen had just returned from a somewhat
extended inspection of the road, they were very reluc-
tantly excused from proceedizig farther with the party.

Several of the excursionists preferred to remain a day
or two at Chicago; and then proceed over the Chicago
and Northwestern Railroad, in company with the offi-
cers Of that Road, to Dennison; and from thence to
Omaha by stage. But by far the largest portion, accom-
panied by the Great Western Light Guard Band, started
from Chicago on Thursday morning, October 18th, by way
of the Chicago Burlington and Quincy, and the Hanni-
bal and Saint Joseph Railroads, and arrived at St. Joseph
on the following Friday evening.

Here they were met by Mr. H. M. Hoxie, the General
Western Agent of the Union Pacific Railroad, to whose
WESTERN INCIDENTS. 15

care had been assigned the transportation on the Mis-
souri River, a distance of two hundred and fifty miles, by
river, from St. Joseph to Omaha; and also the subsistence
of the entire party until its return to Saint Joseph.

Two of the largest class Missouri River packets—the
Denver, Captain Waddell, and the Colorado, Captain
Hooper—with an additional band of music on board,
were in readiness to receive the party on its arrival at
Saint Joseph; and the excursionists soon found them-
selves, with bands playing and colors flying, steaming up
the great Missouri River, which, for many hundred miles
of its turbid, snaggy, barry, winding course, forms the
western boundary of the Atlantic portion of the United
States.

The journey from Saint Joseph to Omaha was accom-
plished, without serious accident or detention, in less than
forty-eight hours; and the party reached the eastern
terminus of the Union Pacific Railroad on Monday morn-
ing, the 22d of October, having been on the way from
New York a little less than one week.

Some idea of the manner. in which the excursionists
were subsisted under the supervision of Professor Hoxie,
while passing up the Missouri River, may be formed by a
perusal of the following bills of fare on board the
steamers -—
76 WESTERN INCIDENTS.

COMPLIMENTARY EXCURSION

TO THE

Chief Owners of all Railroads in the Wnited States,

ON BOARD THE SPLENDID

SOK AMG GOLOR ABO,

 

J. D. HOOPER, Com. | O. M. BROWN, Clerk.
R. FORD, General Superintendent Packet Line.

 

BILL OF FARE.

STEAMER COLORADO, October 20, 1866.

 

SOUP.
Chicken Gumbo, Oyster.
FISH,
Baked Pike, Oyster Sauce. Boiled Trout, a-la-Normande.
BOILED.
Leg of Mutton, Caper Sauce. Ham. Tongue,
Turkey, Oyster Sauce, Corned Beef and Cabbage.
Chicken, Egg Sauce. Beef, a-la-mode.
ROAST.
Turkey, Giblet Sauce. Saddle Mutton. Lamb, Barbecued.
Quails on Toast. Spare-Rib of Pork. Ribs of Beef.
Sugar-Cured Ham, Champagne Sauce.
COLD DISHES.
Chicken Salad, Young America style. Boned Turkey, with Jelly.
Lobster Salad, Boston style. Leg of Mutton, Boiled.
Fresh Tongue, in Belvue. Pressed Corned Beef,

Anchovy Salad. Ham. Roast Beef. Buffalo Tongue.
WESTERN INCIDENTS. 77

ENTREES.

Rabbit, sauti, a-la-Chasseur.

Small Patties, a-la-Frangaise.

Lamb Chops, a-la-Millionaire,

Chicken Livers, fried in paper.

Calf’s Head, stuffed, a-la-Royal.

Fricassee of Chicken, a-la-Rhine.

Escaloped Oysters, Louisiana style.

Fillets of Beef, larded, a-la-Soubise.

Rice Croquettes, garnished with Preserves.

Fried English Cream, flavored with Vanilla,

Calf’s Brains, fried in Batter.

Veal Cutlets, breaded, Sauce Tortue.
Baked Pork and Beans, Boston style.
Prairie Chicken, larded Tomato Sauce.

Vel au Vent, aux huitres.

Petis Pates, garnie a-la-Bechamelle.
Croquettes de Volaille.

Boudins, a-la-Richelieu.

Filet de Boeuf, Sauce Medere.

Supreme do Volaille, aux Champignons.
Canards Braise, aux Oliaes,

Fricandeau de Veau, pica aux Epinards.
Pigeons, Braise, a-la-Financiere.
Baked Salmon, with Cream.

Turkey Giblets, a-la-Valenciene,
Antelope Steak, Sherry Wine Sauce.
Maccaroni, with Oparmesseur Cheese,
Fried Oysters.

Tenderloin of Venison, brazed, a-la-Italian.

GAME.
Grouse, larded, Madeira Sauce.
Quails, on Toast.

Wild Turkey.

Rabbit Pot Pic, Boston style.

Antelope, larded, Sauce Bigarade.

Bear, brazed, Port Wine Sauce.

Saddle of Venison, Cranberry Sauce.

Mallard Ducks—Teal Ducks, Malaga Wine Sauce,

‘ VEGETABLES.

Oyster Plant. Carrots. Onions, Boiled Potatoes.
Parsnips. Turnips. Sour Crout. Cabbage.
Hominy. Boiled Rice. Mashed Potatoes.

RELISHES.
Tomato Catsup. Worcestershire Sauco. Boston Pickles.
Beets. Celery. Olives. Cold Slaw.

PASTRIES,
English Plum Pudding, White Sauce. Rum Jelly. Pound Cake.
Jelly Cake, Vanilla Ice Cream. Champagne Jelly. Lady Fingers.
Fruit Cake, ornamented. Chocolate Cake. French Kisses.
Pyramid of Macaroons. Princess Pyramid. Old Castle.
Cranberry Tartlets, Mince Pie. Cream Pie. Apple Pie.
Almond Macaroons. Cranberry Tartlets, Swiss Cottage.

DESSERTS.
Oranges. Pecans. Almonds. Raisins. Merungues aux Peches.

Bonbon, a-la-Vanilla,
Bavarois Glace, aux Amandes.
Grapes. Peaches. Filberts.

Gateau Genoise, a-la-Jelée.
Charlotte Russe au Marasquin.

English Walnut. Apples, Pears.

Figs.

TEA, COFFEE AND CHOCOLATE.

HOURS FOR MEALS:
Breakfast.....20. ...+0: Tto9 | Dinner..... ....... seneet Lto 3
Ser aeerceeetarrieeericscrt +» ©’ Clock.
78 WESTERN INCIDENTS.

Union Pacific Railroad Excursion—Road open from
Omaha to one-hundredth meridian.

DINNER BILL OF FARE,

itp

STEAMER DENVER.
October 28, 1866.

 

SOUPS.
Purée of Rabbit, a-la-Chantilly. Rice Soup, a-la-Florentine.

Trout, a-la-Victoria. Pike, a-la-Chevaliere.

ROAST.
Beef. Mutton. Pork. Pig. Turkey? Chicken. Duck.
: Veal. Grouse.
BOILED.

Leg of Mutton, Caper Sauce, Turkey, Oyster Sauce, Chicken, Supreme Sauce
Tongue. Duffield Ham. Corned Beef and Cabbage.

VEGETABLES OF THE SEASON.

ENTREES.

Chicken, a-la-Montmorenci. Chartreuse of Vegetables, garnished with
Cushion of Veal, a-la-St. George. Partridges.

Timbal of Maccaroni, a-la-Mazarine. Border of Potato Paste, garnished with
Tourte of Ox, Palates a-la-Francaise. Calyes Brains a-la-Bavigotte.

Croustade of Bread, garnished with Calves Tails a-la-Poulete,

GAME.

Saddle of Elk, a-la-Bellevue. Teal Ducks, a-la-Royal. Snipes, a-la-Essler.
Pheasants, a-la-Monclas, Goose, a-la-Anglaise,

COLD DISHES.
Boar’s Head, with Aspie Jelly. Italliene Salad,
Gelatine Turkey, with Aspie Jelly. Salina of Duck, with Aspie Jelly.

RELISHES.

Celery. Currant Jelly. Tomato Catsup. French Mustard. Horse Radish,
Walnut Catsup. Chow-Chow. Cold Slaw. Pineapple Cheese.
Pickles and Olives. Mushroom Catsup. Assorted Sauces.
WESTERN INCIDENTS. 79

PASTRY AND DESSERT.

 

PUDDINGS.
Cocoanut, Cream Sauce.

PIES AND TARTS.
Apple. Peach. Damson. Blackberry. TurnoverofApple. Jelly Tarts. «

CAKES,
Pound. Lady. Fruit. Sponge.

CREAMS AND JELLIES,

Maraschino Bavarian Cream. Celestine Strawberry Cream,
English Cream, with Peaches. Pineapple Jelly.
Orange Jelly, a-la-Anglaise. Macedoine of Fruits.
DESSERT.

Web Meringue, a-la-Parisiene, Nouilles Cake, a-la-Allemande,
Cream Fouctt, a-la-Printanier. Strawberries and Cream.

Fruit Meringues. Cocoanut Candy.

ORNAMENTS.

Horn of Plenty. Pyramid of Sponge Candy. Pyramid of Rock Candy, Gothic style.
Ornamented Fruit Cake, with Nougat Vase,

NUTS AND FRUITS.

Grapes. Oranges. Apples. Pears, Prunes. Figs. Raisins.
Almonds. English Walnuts, Filborts. Brazil.
Peanuts. Pecans. Dates. Pappas.

COFFEE, TEA AND CREAM,

 

 

HOURS FOR MEALS:
Breakfast.......... artes FC ORO Men MLD) ti rtra eo 1?epsteretleiteleteeey= eee CONS

ORG ayeeertieetiteriterctierinerict 6 o’cloek.

WILLIAM DWYER, Steward.
80 WESTERN INCIDENTS.

RECEPTION AND BALL AT OMAHA.

The authorities of Omaha were on the alert at an early
hour for the purpose of welcoming and entertaining the
distinguished party. Governor Saunders, Secretary Pad- “
dock, Mayor Miller, and Vice-President Patrick, of the
Board of Trade, soon made their appearance upon the
steamers, and welcomed the excursionists in appropriate
speeches, tendering them the freedom of the City and
Territory ; and inviting them to a reception ball at the
Hernden in the evening ; all which were duly responded
to and accepted by Senator Patterson, Government
Director Sherman, and others of the party.

Carriages were in waiting, to convey such of the num-
ber as desired to leave the boats, either about the town,
to the hotels, or to the residences of several of the pri-
vate families, which had been most liberally thrown open
for the occasion. .

That portion of the party which had crossed the State
of Iowa by land, including Mr. Perry H. Smith, the
Vice-President, dnd Mr. George L. Dunlap, the General
Superintendent of the Chicago and Northwestern
Railroad, Messrs. Turner, Ayer, Bowen, Crerer, and sev-
eral others from Chicago, with the most important addi-
tion of Professor Kinsley, the justly celebrated caterist of
Chicago, and a strong detachment of his assistants, hav-
ing re-joined the party in the morning, were assigned to
quarters on the Railroad Company’s steamer EHikhorn,
which lay at the landing immediately across the bows of
the steamer Denver.

It should here be recorded for the benefit of all future
historians, as well as the “rest of mankind,” that, on this
memorable day, and upon this veritable steamer Elkhorn,
the famous, and never-to-be-forgotten Elkhorn Club was
WESTERN INCIDENTS. 81

duly organized and established upon a firm, and it is to
be hoped an enduring basis.

The excursionists, with their insignia of ribbons and
rosettes, were soon to be seen in all parts of the town,
and among the extensive workshops of the Railroad
Company, evidently delighted, and somewhat astonished
to find themselves, after a week’s journeying westward
from New York, still among people of wealth, refinement,
and enterprise.

The ball in the evening, however, was perhaps the
greatest surprise. The presence of General Phil-
lip St. George Cooke, commanding the Department,
with his staff; Governor Saunders, Chief-Justice Kel-
logg, Secretary Paddock, Senators Thayer and Tipton,
all of Nebraska; together with the city authorities, and
the wealthy, enterprising, business and professional men
of Omaha, with their families, all conduced to make it an |
entertainment which would have done credit to any gather-
ing of a similar character in Chicago, Washington, or
New York.

The dance, alternating with the promenade, and a
judicious sprinkling of excellent and substantial refresh-
ments, occupied the time most pleasantly till the small
morning hours, when all separated in the best of spirits,
ready for the new and exciting scenes which were to open
upon them on the morrow.

Here we will leave them for the present, and be pre-
pared to accompany them many hundred miles farther
westward, towards the never-setting Star of Empire.

4
82

WESTERN INCIDENTS.

VIII.

MORNING AFTER THE BALL—-THE EXCURSION TRAIN—ALL.ON BOARD

—ITS PROGRESS WESTWARD—THE GREAT PLATTE VALLEY—
STATIONS ON THE ROAD—-ARRIVAL AT COLUMBUS---CAMPING oUT
ON THE PLAINS—INDIAN WAR-DANCE—-MORNING SERENADE—
TOWN OF COLUMBUS—-SHAM INDIAN FIGHT—-PRESENTS TO THE
INDIANS—CONTRAST BETWEEN CIVILIZED AND SAVAGE LIFE—
TRAIN STILL GOING WESTWARD—-WAY-STATIONS ON THE ROAD—
ARRIVAL AT CAMP NO. 2-——-MILITARY ENCAMPMENT—-ANOTHER
NIGHT IN CAMP—-MORNING EXERCISES—-DEPARTURE OF THE ELK-
HORNS—-MORNING NEWSPAPER—LIST OF EXCURSIONISTS—END
OF TRACK FOUND AT LAST—-BUFFALO AND ANTELOPE HUNTERS
— DINNER IN CAMP—-FIRE-WORKS ON THE PLAINS—THIRD NIGHT
IN CAMP—-HOMEWARD BOUND—-ONE HUNDREDTH MERIDIAN—
PRAIRIE-DOG CITY—-FIRE ON THE PLAINS—-RETURN TO OMAHA—
DEPARTURE OF EXCURSIONISTS EASTWARD—-ELKHORN CHEERS TO
MR. DURANT—-THEIR SAFE ARRIVAL HOME.

Omana, NeprasKa, Nov. 5, 1866.

MORNING AFTER THE BALL.

The elegant entertainment given by the citizens of Ne-

braska and Omaha to the excursionists the previous
evening, did not prevent them from being astir at a
reasonably early hour on Tuesday morning, October 23.
Nearly all the gentlemen interested or curious in such
matters, visited the extensive depots and machine shops
of the Union Pacific Railroad, and expressed their
astonishment and delight at the magnitude and adaptation
of the works, the construction of which had only been
commenced within a year from the present time.
WESTERN INCIDENTS.

It was a source of very general regret, that Mr. Samuel
B. Reed, the efficient General Superintendent of the
Road, and Engineer in Charge of Construction, was
prevented, by severe illness, from showing any attention
to the excursionisis at Omaha, and also from accompa-
nying them over the road. His place, however, was
admirably filled by Mr. Webster Snyder, his principal
assistant, aided by Mr. G. W. Frost, Major L. 8. Bent,
General Casement, Mr. A. A. Bean, Mr. Congdon, Mr.
Gambol, and the other heads of departments.

The Chief Engineer, Gen. G. M. Dodge, who had re-
turned from the mountains during the previous week,
rendered every assistance in his power ; and the Consult-
ing Engineer, by his timely presence, was enabled to
relieve the others from much, if not all the heavy standing
around.

THE EXCURSION TRAIN.

The excursion train consisted of nine cars drawn by
two of the Company’s powerful locomotives. The mag-
nificent Directors’ car, constructed by the Pittsburgh,
Fort Wayne and Chicago Railroad Company for this
road, was placed in the rear, and devoted to members of
Congress, and other distinguished guests, who felt desir-
ous of making a critical examination of the road and
adjacent country, which they now visited for the first, and
possibly the last time.

The next car forward, was the celebrated Government,
or Lincoln ear, the private property of Mr. Durant, and
was therefore devoted principally to his own personal
friends and their families.

In front of this, were four fine passenger coaches, put
up atthe Company’s car-shops at Omaha. These were
84 WESTERN INCIDENTS.

devoted to the excursionists generally. One of which,
however, was occupied almost exclusively by the Elkhorn
Club.

Next in order, came the mess, or cooking car, con-
structed also at the Fort Wayne shops, and designed
as a tender, or companion to the Directors’ car. In front
of this was a mail, or express car, conveniently fitted up
as a refreshment saloon. And in front of all, or next to
the engine, was the baggage and supply car. The en-
-gines were profusely decked with flags, and appropriate
mottoes ; and the whole outfit presented a most imposing
appearance, as it left the Missouri Valley, and steamed
away towards the Rocky Mountains.

ALL ON BOARD.

It had been announced by Mr. Durant that the excur-
sion train would start westward at ten in the morning.
But the difficulty and delay attending the gathering

together of the excursionists, prevented our departure |
- till about twelve, when the entire party, enlarged by the
civil and military authorities, members of Congress, etc.,
of the Territory, with their families, started westward in
high spirits, to view, most of them for the first time,
the great, and almost uninhabited Platte Valley, extend-
ing, as it does, in an almost direct westerly course from the
Missouri River to the Rocky Mountains, a distance of six
hundred miles.

The train had been supplied by Mr. Hoxie with every
comfort and even luxury that the heart could wish; and
soon after starting, the guests were invited to partake of
an excellent lunch, served through the cars by the atten-
tive waiters.
WESTERN INCIDENTS.

THE GREAT PLATTE VALLEY,

The fine valleys of Mud Creek, and the Papillon, were
passed successively, and at about two P.M, the Great
Platte Valley opened to the view, and elicited an excla-
mation of wonder and admiration from all who now saw
it for the first time.

The tram—which had been ordered by Mr. Durant to
proceed at a slow rate of speed, so that the excursionists
could obtain a satisfactory view, not only of the surround-
ing beautiful country, but of the road and structures, as
they passed—after halting at the fine bridge structures
over the Papillon and Elkhorn Rivers, stopped a short
time at the Fremont and North Bend stations, in order to
give the guests an opportunity of examining the commo-
dious depot buildings, water stations, etc., which had been
constructed by the Company at intervals of fifteen or
twenty miles along the line.

ARRIVAL AT COLUMBUS.

The train finally reached Columbus, the proposed end
of the first day’s journey, a little after night-fall, and
here a new surprise awaited the party.

The train was halted immediately in front of a bril-
liantly illuminated encampment, which covered several
acres of beautiful ground situated a few rods northward
of the Columbus station buildings, and so arranged as to
afford comfortable accommodations for all who wished to
leave the cars and enjoy the novelty of a night’s sleep in
camp.

Soon after our arrival, supper was announced by the
ubiquitous Hoxie, and the party found themselves com-
fortably seated in a large tent, and urged to partake of
86 WESTERN INCIDENTS.

substantials and luxuries, which might well have vied
with those found upon the tables of our Eastern hotels,

The irrepressible Elkhorns were seen and heard every-
where, adding life and exhilaration to the Scene; and
thus an hour or two were passed in social intercourse
until the evening’s entertainment was announced.

INDIAN WAR-DANCE.

This entertainment consisted of a war-dance, at a
short distance from the encampment, executed by a large
delegation of Pawnee braves, under the immediate super-
vision of that celebrated Jndianist, Professor Taylor, who
had most kindly volunteered his valuable services for the
occasion ; and of all the wild and hideous yells, grotesque
shapes and contortions that have ever been witnessed by
a civilized assemblage in the night-time upon the plains
this was most certainly the climax. The light of the
moon, aided slightly by that of a dim camp fire, was
barely sufficient to enable the spectators to distinguish
the features and grotesque costumes of the savage per-
formers ; and the congregation of lady and gentlemen
spectators were only too glad to know that the Indians
were entirely friendly, and catering only for the amuse-
ment of the company, instead of being enemies, dancing
and gloating over their scalpless bodies. This amuse-
ment being ended, the waning moon and camp fires
admonished the excursionists that the hour for retire-
ment and rest had arrived.

Each individual, family, and party, found comfortable
tents allotted to them, well stored with soft hay mattres-
ses, buffalo robes, and blankets. Without the least dis-
order or confusion, therefore, all were soon dreaming of
the wondrous novelty of the situation ; and nothing but
WESTERN INCIDENTS. 87

the howling of the distant wolf, or the subdued mutter-
ings from the Indian camp, broke the stillness of this
first night on the plains.

A MORNING SERENADE.

Before daylight, however, the more timid of the party
were startled from their slumbers by the most unearthly
whoops and yells of the Indians, who were tramping
about among the camp fires in front of the tents; and
many disordered heads, with anxious and inquiring coun-
tenances, were to be seen protruding through the aper-
tures of the tents, to ascertain whether they were to be
immediately roasted alive, or allowed a short time in
which to say their prayers, and write a few parting words
to their distant friends.

All was soon explained however, when it became known
that Mr. Durant himself, assisted by General Dodge,
Secretary Paddock, and a partially standing, but more
generally reclining committee of Hlkhorns, had these
wild denizens of the plains, under the most complete con-
trol; and were only making them dance and perform this
most unique and savage morning serenade for their own
particular amusement.

Quiet was therefore soon restored, and, after a re-
freshing morning nap, the parly was invited to par-
take of a sumptuous breakfast before again starting
westward.

THE TOWN OF COLUMBUS.

This goodly town of Columbus should, however, have
more than a passing notice.

It is situated near the confluence of the Loup Fork
River with the Platte, and is surrounded by one of the
finest agricultural countries in the world. Being near
88 WESTERN INCIDENTS.

the centre of the Territory, it bids fair soon to become the
Capital of this embryo State. The large and valuable
Pawnee reservation is situated only a few miles from
the town, in the Valley of Loup Fork.

The Credit-Foncier of America has invested largely
in town and suburban property, and promises, through
its far-seeing and enterprising managers, to add much
to its future growth and prosperity.

The tents were soon struck, and the pioneer train wag
to be seen steaming far away in the distance; after
which, our excursionists leisurely resumed their places in
the cars, ready for new surprises and adventures.

Many of them little dreamed, however, that one, most
rare and novel in its character, was so soon to be realized.

SHAM INDIAN FIGHT.

The train halted upon a high embankment, in front of
the Indian encampment, near the east end of the beauti-
ful bridge which spans the Loup Fork river.

The Indians, fully dressed and adorned in the war
costume of the Pawnees, were in council, many of them
evidently in a high state of excitement, gesticulating,
whooping and yelling, in the most frantic and unearthly
manner. Twenty or thirty horses stood near, ready to
be mounted.

Soon a band of about thirty mounted Sioux warriors
were to be seen emerging stealthily from a thicket, some
distance down the river, and making their way cautiously
in a circuit, as if to surround the Pawnee camp.

Our Pawnees were instantly mounted, and following
their stalwart chief, with shrieks and cries of vengeance,
to the attack. The shock of meeting was grand and ter-
rific. Horses reared and plunged against each other.
Indian grappled Indian, and both fell to the ground in
WESTERN INCIDENTS. 89

deadly embrace. Rifles, revolvers and arrows were dis-
charged apparently with deadly effect. Riderless horses,
and horseless riders were to be seen roaming wildly over
the plain. And all was confusion and intense excitement,
until at length the victorious Pawnees brought their van-
quished enemies into camp, amid the most tempestuous
-shouts of triumph and exultation.

All this had been but a sham Indian fight, between a
party of Pawnee warriors, dressed in the costume of the
Sioux, and an equal number of their own tribe. What
then must be the terrible reality, when these ever hostile
tribes meet, as they often do, in deadly conflict ?

After the battle had ended, Mr. Durant distributed
several hundred dollars’ worth of presents among the
Indians and their squaws. And it was most amusing to
see these greedy savages exercise all the arts and
indianuity of which the most civilized mind is capable,
for the purpose of obtaining more than their just and
proper share of the spoils. The squaws, too, were most
curious in their observation of the peculiar construction
of the hoop-skirts and elegant balmorals worn by our
lady excursionists; and also tried by every means in
their power to enlist the sympathies of these kind-hearted
ladies in behalf of the young papooses hanging upon
their backs.

Perhaps no better illustration could have been given of
the extremes of civilized and savage life, standing face to
face with each other, than the one now before us. On
the one side was the track of the Union Pacific Railroad,
upon which stood that great civilizer, the locomotive and
train, looking westward over the Loup-Fork bridge,
fifteen hundred feet in length; and in the foreground
stood the group of excursionists, composed of beauty,
intelligence and refinement; while, on the other hand,
90 WESTERN INCIDENTS.

were grouped these uncouth savages, many of them
almost in their normal state, except for the profuse dis-
play of feathers and trinkets which bedecked their per-
sons ; low and brutal in their habits, and mentally elevated
but slightly, if at all, above the level of the beasts that
inhabit this vast and beautiful country with them.

But the laws of civilization are such that it must press
forward; and it is in vain that these poor ignorant
creatures attempt to stay its progress by resisting inch
by inch, and foot by foot, its onward march over these
lovely plains, where but a few years since, they were
“monarchs of all they surveyed.”

The locomotive must go onward until it reaches the
Rocky Mountains, the Laramie Plains, the great Salt
Lake, the Sierra Nevada, and the Pacific Ocean. Lateral
roads must also be built, extending in all directions from
the main line, as veins from an artery, and penetrating
the hunting-grounds of these worse than useless Indian
tribes, until they are either driven from the face of the
earth ; or forced to look for safety in the adoption of that
very civilization and humanity, which they now so
savagely ignore and despise.

THE TRAIN AGAIN STARTS WESTWARD.

When this most interesting exhibition of savage life
and. customs was ended, the excursion train started again
on its westward course, passing successively the embryo
towns of Silver Creek, Lone Tree, Grand Island, Wood
River, Kearny, Elm Creek, Plum Creek, and Willow
Island. Soon after which, and at about eight p. m., it
arrived at the termination of the second day’s journey, a

distance of two hundred and seventy-nine miles west of
Omaha.
WESTERN INCIDENTS. 91

ARRIVAL AT CAMP No. 2.

Here, as at Columbus, on the previous evening, a large
and brilliantly illuminated encampment had been pre-
pared for the reception of the guests.

A military encampment had also been established
during the previous day by Colonel Mizner, in command
of Fort McPherson on the opposite side of the Platte, so
near the excursionists’ camp as to preclude any fear
from the roaming bands of Indians, which were said to
infest this portion of the country.

Comfortable quarters were immediately assigned to
each one of the party, and very soon thereafter an
elegant supper was announced, and partaken of with a
gusto, known only to a party whose only sustenance for
hours had been the pure bracing air of the illimitable
plains.

When the excursion party left New York, it was under-
stood that it would overtake the western end of the Union
Pacific Railroad track, at or about the one hundredth
meridian of longitude, some two hundred and forty-
seven miles west of Omaha; and that then and there the
great celebration would come off, as per invitation and
programme. But here we now were, more than thirty
miles west of the one hundredth meridian, and no end of
track yet visible. Nothing remained for the excursionists,
therefore, but to take another night’s rest, and endeavor
by an early start on the following morning, to overtake
this long-sought-for goal, which to many of the party
seemed only a myth, or most perplexing illusion.

The spacious headquarters tents, which had been hung
about with transparencies, and elegantly decorated with
flags for the occasion, were therefore soon bereft of their
occupants, who had sought the greater retiracy of the
92 WESTERN INCIDENTS,

more private quarters assigned to them; and after the
establishment of a telegraph, and printing office, by
means of which to communicate with the outer world, the
encampment soon became as still as solitude itself, except
the measured tramp of the guard or distant sentinel,
whose duty it was to see that we were not molested either
by friends within or foes from without.

MORNING EXERCISES.

On the following morning the camp showed signs of
early life. Individuals and parties were to be seen look-
jng about for the means of ablution and renovation.

The famous Elkhorn Club formed in line in front of
their quarters, with President Dunlap and Vice-Pres-
ident Smith at its head, and followed in proper order by
its professional speechists, singists, cheerists, sunists,
jokeists, eatists, drinkists, ete., etc., marched in a body
to the banks of the Platte River, where each member
underwent the pleasant operation of a wholesome outward
application of an element to which the inner man had,
from the force of circumstances, become a comparative
stranger during the few preceding days.

After a hearty breakfast, the inquiry became quite gen-
eral as to the programme of operations for the day. A
bulletin board was therefore placed in front of head-
quarters, upon which the following printed announce-
ments and orders were soon posted for general informa-
tion:—

Camp No. 2, U. P. R. R., Burrano Co., Nzs.,
Thursday, October 25, 1866. |
SPECIAL NOTICE.

“Colonel N, A. Gestner is announced as Officer-of-the-Day. Office
at headquarters tent.
Chiefs of all working and fatigue parties will immediately report to
him for orders.”
By Order.
WESTERN INCIDENTS.

CITY ORGANIZATION.

“A meeting of citizens will be held this day at the Music Stand in
the Public Square, at 9 a. m., for the purpose of locating a city, the
election of a Mayor, City Council, and the transaction of such other
business as may be presented.

“Let there be a full attendance.”

By Order.

TO THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PRESS.

“The Representatives of the Press are requested to meet at the
Press headquarters (left wing of the dining hall), at 10 o’clock this
morning.”

“ Aw Excursion Train will leave for the End of the Track, at

11 a. mM.”
THE BUFFALO HUNT.

“ Gentlemen wishing to go ona buffalo or antelope hunt will please
report to Captain Hollins, at headquarters. Captain H., with an ex-
perienced hunter, will accompany the party. Buffalo are said to be
in abundance on the Republican, and. antelope nearer camp. The
party will be absent about four days. Horses and ponies will be
provided.”

DEPARTURE OF THE ELKHORNS.

Very much to the disappointment and regret of all
parties, a large number of the officers, professors, and
leading spirits of the Elkhorn Club were obliged to leave
soon after breakfast, in a special train for the east. Pro-
fessor Ayer, the goutist of the Club, remained however,
and added very much to the hilarity of the party by
riding about in an old one-horse wagon, driven by Major
Bent ; this method of locomotion being rendered neces-
sary, as he remarked, by the unmanageableness of his
stuttering feet.

The following dispatch was received from the Elkhorn
party during the day : “Kary, October 25, 1866.
“Dr. T. C. Durant—

“Our eyes are filled with unaccustomed tears; and our hearts are

bowed with grief. The Elkhorns mourn for their Fawns.
“ ELKHORNS.”
94 WESTERN INCIDENTs.

The following reply was immediately sent :—
TO THE DEPARTED ELKHORNS.

«<The better half of all our joys
Departed with the Elkhorn boys ;
To their memory we'll light the lamp,
And dance around our prairie camp.
‘« Pawns.”

LIST OF HXCURSIONISTS.

The first number of the Railway Pioneer was issued
from the press during the morning, and contained,

among a large variety of interesting and amusing matter,
the following :

LIST OF NAMES OF THE EXCURSION PARTY—GUESTS OF THE U. P. R. R.

Excursion Camp, October 25, 1866.

DIRECTORS, AND OFFICERS OF THE U. P. R. BR. COMPANY.

Thomas C. Durant, New York, Vice-President,
EH. Cook, Iowa,

Sidney Dillon, New York,

Cc. A. Lambard, Massachusetts,

John Duff, Massachusetts,

Hon. C. T. Sherman, Ohio, Government Director.
General J. H. Simpson, Washington,

General 8. R. Curtis, Iowa, Government Commissioners.
Hon. W. M. White, Connecticut.

Gen. G. M. Dodge, Iowa, Chief Engineer.

Col. Silas Seymour, New York, Consulting Engineer.

W. Snyder, Assistant Superintendent and General Freight and Ticket
Agent.

Directors.

Attachés :

H. M. Hoxie, in charge of steamboats.
B. F. Bunker, N. A. Gesner, in charge of special t train.
WESTERN INCIDENTS.

G. W. Frost, Purchasing Agent.

95

Maj. L. S. Bent, Burnetizer, General and Daniel Casement, in charge

of track.

J. Carbutt, Photographer ; Mr. Hien, Assistant Photographer.
Great Western Light Guard Band of Chicago—A. J. Vaas, Leader.
Rosenblatt’s Band of St. Joseph—H. Rosenblatt, Leader.

INVITED GUESTS.

Hon. B. F. Wade, U. 8. Senator.

Hon. J. W. Patterson, U. 8. Sen-
ator.

Hon. M. Welker.

Hon. W. Lawrence.

Hon. J. B. Alley and wife.

Miss Emma Alley.

Hon. R. B. Buckland.

Hon. I. T. Rogers.

Hon. R. B. Hays.

Hon. B. M. Boyer and wife.

Hon. §. E. Ancona.

Hon. J. H. Farquar and wife.

LeGrand Lockwood.

Henry B. Lockwood.

Earl of Arlie, England.

M. O’Dillon Barrot,
French Legation.

Marquis Chambrun.

Mr. and Mrs. J. T. MeCobb.

Miss A. M. Williams.

Horace Williams.

Wm. Leighton.

Mrs. J. H. Simpson.

Miss Minnie Simpson.

Miss Graff.

J.T. Tuttle, M.D.

J. E. Sherman.

Miss M. H. Sherman.

Rev. Dr. G. F. Wisnell and wife.

B. D. Stewart.

Miss H. R. Stewart.

J. R. Duff.

Secretary

Miss Duff.

Miss Hall,

Rev. I. H. Tuttle, D.D., and wife.

Col. E. D. Taylor.

Miss Kate Offley.

8. J. Jones, Surgeon, U. 8. N.

Gen. J. H. Bates.

Hon. Augustus Schell.

Rev. W. R. Brown.

John Crerar.

Mr. and Mrs. George Francis Train
and maid.

Mrs. George T. M. Davis.

Miss Sallie Clark.

Mrs. J. 8. Polhemus.

Miss M. 8. Dodge.

Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Bailhache.

Hon. Thomas F. Plunkett.

Hon. G. B. Senter.

G. A. Benedict.

Col. Thomas Dimmick.

Ezra H. Baker.

Miss E. H, Baker.

Miss Bugbee.

Dr. F. Plummer.

Isaac 8. Waterman.

Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Connelly.

H. M. Smith.

Col. William Osborn.

Mrs. R. A. Park.

Mrs. A. P. Clark.

Capt. St. Albe.

S. R. Wells.
96 WESTERN INCIDENTS.

H. M. Kinsley.

Dr. and Mrs. 8. L. Sprague.
J. A. Gilden.

K. T. Watkins.

Wm. Hilton.

Joseph Medill.

Col. A. W. Johnson.
John Potts.

J. H. Bowen.

R. M. McHenry.

T. W. Fabens.

Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Painter.
Cc. F. Atkinson.

Josiah Hastings.

F. H. Hall.

C.B. Hazeltine.

B. P. Hazeltine.

Perry H. Smith, Jr.

Col. B. H. Jenks.

Dr. H. B. VanDeventer.
R. D. Hicks.

E. Reily.

W. G. Mendenhall.

Mr. and Mrs. D. W. Kilbourne.

George E. Kilbourne.
Mr. and Mrs. R. Harris.
Tra P. Bowen.

F. 8. Lathrop.

A. N. Allen, M.D.

F, W. Hinsdale.

Mrs. 8. Seymour.

J. M. Seymour.
Franklin C. White.
Thomas H. Cuthell.

8. P. Holmes.

Luther Kountze.

J. W. Miller.

William L. Woods.
Major Hennings.

Mr. Winter.

Capt. John B. Turner.
W. H. Ferry.

Perry H. Smith.

George L. Dunlap.

E. B. Talcott.

Col. J. H. Howe.

John C. Gault.

Isaac B. Howe.

John V. Ayer.

George M. Pullman.

Hiram Wheeler.

Charles H. Hapgood,

Robert T. Lincoln.

Norman Williams.

John M. Rountree.

Hon. H. B. Curtis.

Henry L. Curtis.

Dr. J. M. Buckingham.
Charles T. Sherman, Jr.

Dr. R. D. Hicks.

8. Lathrop.

Miss Hattie V. Lathrop.

A. Winton.

Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Balch.
C. FH. Atkinson.

Rev. W. R. Brown.

T. R. Montgomery.

L. Ll. Harman. ~

George R. Smith, P. M., Omaha.
Gen. G. M. O’Brien and lady.
Dr. Alexander, Medical Director.
St. A. D. Balcombe and lady.
Major Bird.

George L. Miller.

E. B. Taylor.

FE. M. McDonough.

Judge C. Baldwin.

H. C. Nutt, Hsq., and lady.
Mrs. Gen. Dodge and daughter.
Miss Dodge.

Mrs. H. M. Hoxie.

Mrs. G. W. Frost.

Miss C. M. Frost. *
Miss A. J. Shaw.

Mrs. D. T. Casement.

John Jones.
WESTERN INCIDENTS. 97

Hon. A. Saunders, Governor of Nebraska,

Hon. J. M. Thayer and lady, and Hon. T. W. Tipton, U. S. Senators
elect.

Hon. William Kellogg, Chief Justice of Nebraska.

Major-General Phillip St. George Cooke (commanding Department of
the Platte) and Staff.

Hon. A. 8. Paddock, and lady, Secretary of Nebraska.

Major Cushing, Chief Commissary of the Platte.

Col. J. K. Mizner, (Fort McPherson), lady and sister.

Lieut. Yates, Second Cavalry, United States Army.

Lieut. A. S. Adams, Second Cavalry, U. S. A.

C. L. Jenkins, in charge Railway Pioneer Printing Establishment.

J. Shepherd, Superintendent United States Express Company.

“ Gjles,” Editor Bugle, Council Bluffs, Iowa.

W. F. Burke, Editor Nonpareil, Council Bluffs, Iowa.

The following account of a public meeting held in the
hollow square, in the centre of the encampment, is also
taken from the Railway Pioneer :— ~

PUBLIC MEETING.

“A public meeting was held in the square this 4. M., pur-
suant to notice. Hon. Alvin Saunders, of Nebraska, was called
to the chair, and appointed secretary.

‘Brief and appropriate addresses were made by Senators
Wade of Ohio, Patterson of New Hampshire, Tipton of Ne-
braska, Hon. Mr. Lawrence of Ohio, Hon. John B. Alley of
Mass., Dr. Wisewell, and others.

Mr. Lawrence of Ohio, offered the following resolutions
which were unanimously adopted :

““ Whereas, An excursion party of ladies and gentlemen
from various places in-both hemispheres, started from New
York city on the evening of October 15th, 1866, to visit the
Union Pacific Railroad so far as finished, to a point west of
the hundreth meridian of west longitude ; and }

“ Whereas, Said excursionists, with many others who have

joined them on. the route, have this day reached said destina-
5
98 WESTERN INCIDENTS.

tion, at a point on said railroad two hundred and seventy -
nine miles west of Omaha; and

‘“‘ Whereas, Said excursionists have passed over all or
parts of the following railways, and lines of travel, to-wit -—
the New Jersey Central Railroad; the Allentown Railroad ;
the Pennsylvania Central Railroad; the Pittsburg, Fort
Wayne and Chicago Railroad ; the Chicago, Burlington and
Quincy Railroad ; the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad ; the
Des Moines Valley Railroad; the Hannibal and St. Joseph
Railroad ; the steamers Denver and Colorado from St. Joseph
to Omaha; and the Union Pacific Railroad.

‘“‘ And Whereas, This excursion was designed to celebrate the
formal opening of the Union Pacific Railroad—so far as fin-
ished—for travel and the transportation of commerce to and
from the great interior of, and across, the North American
continent, with its vast agricultural and mineral resources.

“ Resolved, That this excursion party here assembled in
the centre of this vast continent, now offer up our heartfelt
gratitude and thanks to Almighty God for His manifold bless-
ings, among which we enumerate that country subject to
the jurisdiction of the United States of America, republican
institutions, civil and religious liberty, the freedom of speech
and the press, a Union unbroken and indestructible, with all
the material resources necessary for the comfort of mankind
in a high and rapidly advancing state of development; and
with a vast net-work of railroads and telegraphs essential
not only to our national prosperity and the interests of all our
people; but also to the civilization and commerce of the world,
including among the most important of them all, that vast
work—Tue Unton Pactric Ratmroap.

“ Resolved, That it is the deliberate opinion of this excur-
sion party that our nation and the world have abundant
reason to rejoice that the Union Pacific Railroad was pro-
jected, and is in successful progress to completion, and we

¢
WESTERN INCIDENTS. 99

congratulate mankind at the success of this magnificent enter-
prise.

“ Resolved, That our thanks are due and are hereby ten-
dered to the Union Pacific Railroad Company for their energy
and enterprise in the rapid construction of their railroad, as
well as for their excursion, celebrating thus far the opening
of their railroad.

“« Resolved, That Thomas C. Durant, the Vice-President and
General Manager of the Union Pacific Railroad Company, and
his subordinates in its direction, deserve and have our sincere
thanks for this excursion and for the energy and enterprise
they have displayed in organizing and conducting it ; and for
the splendid and unsurpassed accommodations provided for
the convenience and comfort of the excursionists.

“ Resolved, That our thanks are due and hereby tendered
to the Central Transportation Company for the splendid ‘ Pal-
ace Sleeping Cars,’ so generously furnished by them for this
Excursion.

“ Resolved, That our thanks are due and are hereby ten-
dered to George M. Pullman, Esq., of Chicago, for his liberal
hospitality and generosity in furnishing the magnificent train
of ‘Palace Sleeping Cars,’ for our party over the Chicago and
Quincy Railroad, and for the sumptuous entertainment pro-
vided at his instance by the prince of caterers, ‘ Kinsley,’ of
Chicago.

“ Resolved, That our thanks are due and are hereby ten-
dered to Governor Alvin Saunders of Nebraska, for the cor-
dial welcome to this Territory which he extended to our party
at Omaha; and to the Mayor and Council of Omaha, and to
the people of that city for the hospitalities and the splendid
entertainment given us during our stay at that flourishing -
capital.

“ Resolved, That our thanks are in like manner extended to
the several Railroad Companies of the lines of road over
100 WESTERN INCIDENTS.

which we have passed, and to the officers and crews of the
steamers ‘Denver,’ and ‘Colorado,’ on the Missouri River, for
the excellent accommodations and safe and speedy transpor-
tation furnished by them each and all for our large party.

Hon, Wa. Lawrence, of Ohio.
“« H. H. Baxzr, Mass.
“ A.C. Scnzti, New York.
“ Joun H. Farquar, Indiana.
Col. R. H. Jenxs, Penn.
JosepH Meprt1, Illinois.
Gen. J. M. Taaver, Nebraska.”

END OF THE TRACK FOUND AT LAST.

At eleven o’clock the party started, as per announce-
ment, in the train for the end of the track, which was
finally found some eight or ten miles still farther west.

On the way to the end of the track, we met one of Mr.
Durant’s foraging parties, on horseback, laden with ante-
lope and other game for the table. This party reported
that the party which had previously been sent out to
hunt for buffalo, had been quite successful, but unfortu-
nately, as they were returning to camp, they met witha
strong partylof Indians, who took their buffaloes from
them, and spared their lives only on condition that they
should never be found again upon their hunting-grounds.

Some hours were spent by the party in the vicinity of
the end of the track, in observing the process adopted
by those great trackists, General and Daniel Casement, in *
laying the track, subsisting their men, distributing materi-
als, ete. Photographic pictures were also taken by the
celebrated viewist, Professor Carbutt of Chicago, of the
construction train ; and also various groupings of the offi-
cers of the road and excursionists. The shootists of the
WESTERN INCIDENTS. 101

party amused themselves by firing at marks, or other
objects on the distant bluffs and river. Senator Wade
of Ohio, distinguished himself by making several fine
shots with the little Ballard rifle, which had recently done
such excellent execution among the elk and antelope of
the Rocky Mountains ; and he finally became so much
attached to the rifle, that he would not allow his photo-
graph to be taken without holding it in his hand. A
general abandon seemed to pervade the entire party; and
every one appeared inclined to yield to the influence of the
quiet and majestic repose, which reigned supreme over
all the vast plains.
DINNER IN CAMP.

A sumptuous game dinner awaited the hungry excur- |
sionists on their return to the camp during the latter
part of the day, as will be seen by referring to the fol-
lowing bill of fare, a printed copy of which was found
beside the plate of each guest :—

UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD EXCURSION.

BILL OF FARE.

Puarre OCrry, NEBRASKA. \
Hoxm Hovssz, October 25, 1866.
ROAST.
Beef. Mution. Lamb, with Green Peas. Brazen Ox.
Tongue. Maccaroni a la Italian.
BOILED.
Mutton. Tongue. Ham. Corned Beef.
GAME. .
Antelope, Roasted. Sardine Salid. Roman Goose.

Chinese Duck.
102 WESTERN INCIDENTS.

VEGETABLES.
Peas. Tomatoes. Asparagus. Mashed Potatoes.
RELISHES.
London Club Sauce. Worcestershire Sauce. Horrey Sauce.
Pickles. Pineapple Cheese. Swiss Cheese.
PASTRY.
Pies. Strawberries. Damson. Peach. Cherry.
| FRUITS,
Apples. Pineapples.

To which should be added, as representing the princi-
pal feature of the unpublished wine list:

THE UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD,
“VERZENAY.
Ve MAX SUTAINE ET CIE.

rw. & G DD. BA YTAUD,

Sole Agents for United States and Canada.

The following special notices appeared in the evening
edition of the Railway Pioneer :

SPECIAL NOTICE.

A concert will be given this evening at Bunker Hall, by the celebrated
Northwestern Band of Chicago. Tickets for sale at all principal hotels,
and at the door.

Doors open at 7} o’clock; performance to commence at 8 o’clock
precisely.
Seven locomotives were at the depot in this city, this morning.

Eastern papers desiring an exchange with the Pioneer, will be placed
upon our exchange list by publishing our prospectus three times in their
daily and one month in their weekly issues.

A photograph gallery and a first-class barber-shop are among the
recent additions to our embryo city.
WESTERN INCIDENTS. 103

The excursion train for the end of the track left promptly at 11 4. m.
The excursionists witnessed the laying of about 800 feet of track during
their brief stay of half an hour. Casement’s men are putting down the
iron at the unprecedented rate of a mile and a half per day. So Wwe go,
on our march to the Pacific!

FIRE-WORKS ON THE PLAINS.

The principal attraction of the evening was the mag-
nificent display of fire-works from the stand in the centre
of the camp, under the immediate supervision of those
distinguished pyrotechnists, Professors Snyder and
Seymour.

Rockets, falling stars, golden rain, serpents, magazines,
Roman candles, together with all sorts of eccentric
wheels, and other ingenious contrivances, were to be seen
and heard, shooting and whizzing through the air for
more than an hour, much to the amazement, no doubt, of
the distant savages and wild beasts, who might happen
to be the witnesses of this first exhibition of the kind in
the great Platte Valley.

Later in the evening, the grand concert at Bunker
Hall came off, as per special notice. This was followed
by an interesting lecture upon phrenology, delivered by
that great bumpist, Professor Wells, which was most
amusingly illustrated by a reference to the head of Mr.
George Francis Train, the hwmorist of the party.

The party finally retired to rest in the best possible
humor with themselves, and their hospitable entertainers.

HOMEWARD BOUND.

On the following morning all was commotion at an
early hour in the encampment, in consequence of the
following bulletin, which had been issued by Mr.
Durant :—
104 WESTERN INCIDENTS.

Union Pacrric Rarnroap, Heapquarrers, Camp No. 2,
Friday, Oct. 26, 1866. {

Special Train No. 1 will leave with the Government Commissioners
at 74g a.m. to examine thirty miles of the road.

Special Train No. 2 will leave at 8 a. m., and will unite with Train
No. 1, thirty-five miles east of this camp, arriving in Omaha at 7p. x.

Ample provisions have been made for those of the guests desiring
to take the stage from Council Bluffs to the western terminus of the
Chicago and Northwestern Railroad. The Iowa stage ride will oc

cupy but ten hours’ time, and the trip by rail thence to Chicago will
be in Pullman’s magnificent sleeping-cars.

Guests desiring to remain can use their excursion tickets during
the two weeks next ensuing.

Parties preferring to return via St. Joseph will please take the
steamer Denver at Omaha. The tickets issued for this excursion are
good for the return trip on the Hannibal and St. Joseph, the Chicago,
Burlington and Quincy, and Pittsburg Fort Wayne and Chicago, and
Pennsylvania Railroads by making application to Mr. Creighton at
Pittsburg. Those desiring to return via Michigan Southern, Lake

Shore and New York Central Railroads can do so by giving notice of
their intention at Omaha.

T. C. DURANT.

Professor Carbutt was now in great demand. LEvery-
body wanted to be taken just as they appeared at the
breaking up of the camp. The Professor finally suc-
ceeded in obtaining some excellent groupings, as well
as camp and landscape views before the train started
eastward.

At about ten a. M., the whistle of the engine gave the
signal for the start homeward. Although every one
seemed delighted with the trip, and satisfied to return,
yet many longing eyes could be observed looking back-
- wards, as if, other duties permitting, they would prefer,

having started the other way, not to return until they had
obtained a view of the Rocky Mountains, and the fabu-
lous mines of treasure which are hidden in their embrace#
WESTERN INCIDENTS. 105

ONE HUNDREDTH MERIDIAN.

The train was halted for nearly an hour directly oppo-
site the monument designating the point where the line
of the road crosses the one hundreth meridian of longi-
tude, for the purpose of enabling Professor Carbutt to
photograph some views representing the excursion train,
with groupings of Government officers, members of
Congress, Directors of the road, and excursionists, com-
ing to this point from the west.

This being accomplished, and the train which had been
placed at the disposal of the Government Commissioners
having been attached, the excursion train sped onward
again at the rate of thirty miles an hour, stopping only
for wood and water, until it reached a point about four
miles below Kearny.

PRAIRIE-DOG CITY.

Here the train halted for nearly two hours, for the pur-
pose of enabling the excursionists to pay their respects
to the inhabitants of by far the largest town through
which they had passed since leaving Chicago. This
pleasing duty had been in contemplation as the train
passed westward two days previously, and was prevented
only by the lateness of the hour.

This town occupies an area of about twenty-five square
miles, and the railroad track passes through its centre.
The visit was evidently a surprise to the vast number of
its quiet and peaceful inhabitants, and no preparations
had therefore been made, as at Omaha, for the reception
of their distinguished guests.

Their native politeness and curiosity, however, induced
many of them, soon after the arrival of the train, to peep

5*
106 WESTERN INCIDENTS.

out of their doors and chatter an incoherent welcome;
but the salutation which awaited them was not of a kind
calculated to encourage a protracted acquaintance of even
this unsatisfactory nature, and all civilities were therefore
soon at an end.

The huntists of the party soon spread themselves over
several acres of the town, in the hope of securing a few
specimens as mere matter of curiosity. Several hundred
shots were fired; and, if the accounts of our brave hunt-
ists may be credited, at least one half that number had
been killed; but by some strange fatality or illusion, on
arriving at the spot where the ball was seen to strike
them, they were not there. Only one was brought to the
train, and he, after being subjected to the critical exami-
nation of all the excursionists, was turned over to the
cook ; and the last that was seen of him, he was rapidly
_ disappearing before the steady gaze of Professor Ayer,
who protested meantime that, “it had come to a pretty
pass, if this grand excursion was reduced to such a strait
that its guests were obliged to subsist on prairie-dog.”

These prairie-dog cities are a great curiosity in their
way. They generally occupy the most dry and elevated
table lands of the Plains. The Union Pacific Railroad
passes through or near many of them.

The harmless little animals are somewhat the nature,
and about one-half the size of the common ground hog
or woodchuck. They burrow in the ground, and evi-
dently subsist, without water, upon grass and roots in
the near vicinity of their town, as they are never seen
far away from it.

Tradition, as well as more modern authority, insists
that their apartments are occupied conjointly with owls
and rattlesnakes ; but of the truth of this, deponent pre-
fers remaining silent, remarking only, that he has seen,
WESTERN INCIDENTS. 107

and killed prairie-dogs, owls and rattlesnakes, in the im-
mediate vicinity of the same town.

FIRE ON THE PRAIRIES.

Reaching the lower end of the Platte Valley a little
after dark, the excursionists were electrified by what, to
most of them, was their first view of a night-fire on the
prairies.

The train was immediately halted, and time given for
all to drink their fill of the sublime spectacle. The
flames extended in an unbroken line a distance of from
fifteen to twenty miles ; and one end of the belt of fire
was so near, that we could feel the heat, and distinctly
hear the roaring and crackling of the devouring element,
as it swept over the plains with almost railroad velocity,
and shot up its forked flames into the sombre smoky sky.

“What surprise awaits us next?” “When, and where
will these wonders end?” “We did not know that this
was in the programme!” exclaimed the excursionists,
little dreaming that Mr. Durant had given private in-
structions upon this very subject, as the train passed up
the valley two days before.

RETURN TO OMAHA.

The train arrived at Omaha at about ten in the even-
ing. Carriages were in waiting to convey the excursion-
ists either to the Hernden House, or the steamer “ Den-
ver,’ where an excellent supper, and good quarters
awaited them. And all retired to rest, “perchance to
dream” of the “loved ones at home,” whose happy faces
would soon be seen again; and whose ears would soon
be tingling with the most romantic and improbable tales,
108 WESTERN INCIDENTS.

of Indian fights and war-dances; adventures with the
Elkhorns; camping-out on the great plains almost in
sight of the Rocky Mountains; living on buffalo and
antelope meat; prairie-dog towns; fire on the prairies
in the night time, etc., etc.

DEPARTURE OF EXCURSIONISTS EASTWARD.

On the following morning the continuity of the party
was broken, after many hearty hand-shakings, and
affectionate adieus, by the departure of a large number
via the overland route, by stage and rail, for Chicago and
the East, under the charge of Mr. C. A. Lambard, one of
the managing Directors of the Union Pacific Railroad.
These were met at the western end of the railroad track
by the officers of the Chicago and Northwestern Rail-
road Company, and a delegation from the Elkhorn Club,
who accompanied them to Chicago, and entertained
them on the way in the most princely style.

The balance of the party remained at Omaha till Sun-
day morning, and then left by the steamer Denver for St.
Joseph, in charge of Mr. Hoxie and Mr. Simmonds.

Before starting, however, the crowd was called to the
land side of the boat by Mr. John V. Ayer of Chicago, and
invited to unite in three rousing Elkhorn cheers for Mr.
Durant, who was just retiring from the boat, after having
bid adieu to the excursionists. These were given with
a hearty good will, in loudly suppressed silence, thus:
H—sh ! H—sh!! H—sh!!! Tiger, H—sh!!!! and then the
steamer rounded to, and moved majestically down the
river.

Mr. Durant remained at Omaha, and on the line of the
road, several days after the departure of the excur-
sionists; during which time he received frequent dis-
WESTERN INCIDENTS. 109

patches, informing him of their uniterrupted progress
eastward, and safe arrival home.

Thus ended the most important and successful cele-
bration of the kind, that has ever been attempted in the
world; and itis believed, that its favorable effect upon
the progress of the greatest work of the age, will be felt
for many years to come.
110 WESTERN INCIDENTS.

IX.

PUBLIC RECEPTION OF THE EXCURSIONISTS AT CHICAGO—-SPEECHES OF
MAYOR RICE, C. A. LAMBARD, AND UNITED STATES SENATOR B. F.
WADE—-GENERAL J, H. SIMPSON’S LETTER FROM NORTH PLATTE
STATION——DEATH OF GENERAL CURTIS—-CONCLUSION.

New Yorr, Feb. 1, 1867.

The following extract from the Chicago Tribune,
giving an account of the public reception given to the
excursionists on their return through that city, together
with the speech of Senator Wade and others, on the
occasion, affords most satisfactory evidence that the
anticipations of the railroad company, with reference
to the favorable effects of the excursion upon the
public mind, will be more than realized :—

UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD.
RETURN OF THE EXCURSIONISTS TO CHICAGO.

Formal Reception—Meeting at the Opera House—Address of Welcome
by Mayor Rice—Replies by Director Lambard and Senator
Wade.

The returned excursionists from the Far West, over the route
of the Union Pacific Railroad, were formally welcomed yesterday
back to our city. The Committee of Reception, whose names
were published in our issue of yesterday, met the excursionists at
the Tremont House at nine o’clock in the morning, and escorted
them around the city. A tug was chartered in which the party
visited the crib at the other end of the Jake tunnel, then sailed up
the river, inspecting those portions of the city which lie along its
variegated banks. Flint & Thompson’s elevator, and one or two
WESTERN INCIDENTS. 111

other objects of special interest, were halted at, and the party en-
tertained with a description of the modes of doing business which
obtain in our young giant city. The tug having performed its
duty, the party proceeded to the Board of Trade rooms, and
tarried a few moments; there were, however, no speeches made,
those being reserved for the formal reception of the afternoon
which was given at the Opera House.

At two o’clock the doors of the Opera House were thrown
open, and the few who were waiting in anticipation of that act
walked in. A little later came Vaas’ Light Guard Band, pre-
ceding a delegation from the Board of Trade. They entered the
hall, and took their places in the orchestra, and while playing the
overture—a selection from Massaniello—the citizens came. .The
attendance was not large, but eminently respectable. Many of
our oldest citizens were there, but the great mass of the business
world was too much occupied to be able to spare an afternoon on
so short a notice. The lower part of the house was nearly filled,
and a few ladies and gentlemen occupied the balcony circle.

The platform was occupied by the excursionists, the Commit-
_tee of Reception, and a few other prominent citizens. The
scenes were thrown open to the extreme rear, exposing the full
depth of the magnificent stage.

INTRODUCTORY.

Hon. J. B. Ricz, Mayor of Chicago, called the assembly to
order, and delivered the following address :

“ TADIES AND GENTLEMEN:

‘¢T was very much gratified this morning when I was informed
by one of our citizens that I should be permitted here this day to
speak a word of welcome to the ladies and gentlemen who have
just returned, and who have been on an excursion to the Far West,
and are back now in the city. It is very gratifying to me, as the
Mayor of the city, to find this demonstration made here to receive
with welcome and heartfelt kindness these gentlemen who are so
112 WESTERN INCIDENTS.

earnestly enlisted in improving our country, in opening our great
thoroughfares by which cultivation, commerce, civilization, and
Christianization shall pervade all parts of our common country.
[ Applause. ]

“* But little more than one week has elapsed since the ladies and
gentlemen, that are here, as your guests, left Chicago for the Far
West by railway. Since that time they have been in the midst
of the lodges of the Pawnee Indians who are scattered on the
boundless and fertile, but uncultivated prairies of our country.
This party is called a party of excursionists, but they are really
a party of men of energy and ability, with minds to conceive
and genius and talent to execute this great national work which
is to connect this city of Chicago with the Pacific Ocean. [Ap-
plause.] Where could they expect or where will they receive a
more heartfelt welcome than they will in Chicago? [Great ap-
plause.] Not for the pecuniary gain alone to commerce and to
agriculture, but for those higher qualities by which our whole
race is to be benefited in mind as well as in body, and which only
wait the completion of the work which they have undertaken and
are carrying on so successfully. It is no part of mine, being en-
tirely ignorant of what has been done, to explain to you the oc-
currences and the results of this excursion, this formal opening of
so large a portion of the eastern end of the great railway line now
completed, I believe, two hundred and seventy-five miles beyond
Omaha. Not many of us know even what Omahais. . We will
hear. In the first place I will announce to you some resolutions
that have been passed, after due consideration, by many of our
most eminent citizens, some of whom were in the company.
These will be read to you. After these have been read, I will in-
troduce to you some of the men who have been there to see, and
who will tell you what has been done and what is going to be
done, and when it will be done. I call on Mr. Rountree to read
the resolutions.”
WESTERN INCIDENTS. 113

THE RESOLUTIONS.

‘¢J. M. Rountree, Esq., then read the following as the resolu-
tions which had been adopted, and were submitted to the meet-
ing for its action. They were unanimously adopted on motion of
the Mayor :

- “Tn view of the appreciation the citizens of Chicago have always
entertained for enterprises which tend to the development of the
resources of the country, and to our power, wealth, and unity as
a people, rendering us consolidated at home and the special objects
of admiration abroad, we recognize in the construction and open-
ing of the Union Pacific Railroad another great achievement, re-
flecting vast credit upon the American people, binding together
by, we trust, indissoluble bonds, the hitherto widely separated
districts and peoples, outlets for central wealth, avenues for new
enterprise, and another great artery through which shall flow
boundless wealth and prosperity to our city. Therefore, be it

“Resolved, That the city of Chicago does hereby tender to the
Managers of the Union Pacific Railroad, and the excursionists
who have celebrated the formal opening of that road, its most
cordial and hearty welcome.

‘“‘Resolved, That we esteem the projection and prospective com-
pletion of the Union Pacific Railroad, a matter of vital interest
to our city, securing to us the most direct, cheapest and conven-
ient mode of transit from one section to another across our vast
continent, rendering Chicago the most prominent point on their
great line of communication from seaboard to seaboard, and the
principal entrépét of ever increasing and multiform products of the
vast region which this national highway traverses.

“Resolved, That, in the name and in behalf of the citizens of
Chicago, we cordially endorse and heartily support the action of
the National Legislature, which has loaned the public credit to
aid private capital and enterprise in building the gigantic work of
national utility and necessity; and we hope and trust the same
public spirit which has actuated Congress in behalf of the Union
114 WESTERN INCIDENTS.

Pacific Railway will be exhibited to aid the proposed improve-
ment of the inter-State water way-from the Mississippi to the At-
lantic seaboard, believing that such pecuniary assistance will be
repaid to the Government one hundred fold in the development
of material naval and military resources of our country.

‘¢ Resolved, That our thanks are due and are hereby tendered to
the proprietors and managers of this signal enterprise, assuring
them of our highest appreciation of its magnitude, and for the
skill, boldness, and ability which projected, and the marvellous
rapidity with which it is being carried forward to completion.”

REPLY OF HON. C. A. LAMBARD.

Mayor Ricze—I will call now upon one of these men who are
engaged in this noble national work, and in doing so I again offer
them the hearty welcome of the people of Chicago. I call upon
the Hon. Charles A. Lambard, of Boston, one of the Directors of
the Pacific Railroad. Mr. Lamparp spoke as follows:

‘“¢ As a Director of the Union Pacific Railroad Company, I feel
bound to say one word to you in response to this cordial welcome,
for Mr. Durant, our Vice-President, who is kept away from us
by sickness. In his behalf, then, and in behalf of the Union
Pacific Railroad Company, let me thank you for this kind recep-
tion. Let me return thanks here in a public manner for the many
kindnesses we have received in the West. Wherever we have
been we have received the greatest kindness and the most lavish
hospitality from all your citizens. Indeed, sir, the devices and
ingenuity with which they have insured our comfort, safety, and
happiness over these long lines of railroad, have excited the ad-
miration and wonder of our friends. No men educated in a
country less magnificent in resources or less expansive and liberal
in influence, could conceive or do more for stranger friends; no
men less learned in nature’s learning could have devised the
mise en scene we have so thankfully beheld, and so successfully
earried out a plan to develop it. In regard to this subject,
WESTERN INCIDENTS. 115

and in relation to the great enterprise which we have been more
than seven hundred miles west of your city to celebrate its partial
completion, I will say, it is an enterprise more grand in its con-
ception than any which has yet been completed or conjectured.
I do not propose to make any very serious remarks in behalf of
the excursionists, but let me say they never will forget your city of
Chicago, and the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad Company,
and its gentlemanly officers; we will never forget the Chicago,
Burlington and Quincy Railroad. They will never forget you,
Pullman, and you, Kinsley. (Great applause.) These excur-
sionists, Mr. Mayor, consisting, as they do, of gentlemen from
almost every State of the Union, men of all professions, men hold-
ing high positions in the gift of the Government, men and women
of judgment, will carry back to their homes new ideas of the
greatness and the magnificence of this section of our country.
Such excursions cannot but be beneficial in their influence upon
us all. Let me again, sir, thank you for these pleasant hospital-
ities, and give way to other speakers.”

SPEECH OF HON. B. F. WADE.

The Chairman then introduced Honorable B. F. Wade of Ohio,
as a gentleman who had seen the country over which the party
had travelled and would tell them what he thought about it.

Mr. Wangs, on being introduced to the audience was received
with loud and long continued applause, and upon its subsidence
spoke as follows :

“Mr. Mayor, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN :-—

“‘T feel entirely inadequate to express to this assemblage the
feelings which I entertain upon the subject under consideration.
I have looked over the map of the whole country for a good many
years, andat an early period of my study of the geography of
our country and its history I was impressed deeply with the
importance of this location, Chicago—and about thirty-two years
ago I visited this city, or the site where the city now stands, for
116 _ WESTERN INCIDENTS.

at that period there was no city here—there were a few rude
buildings, and some gentlemen, attracted by the location and
prospective importance of the place, interested in its future
building up, and, like myself, believing it might grow into a great
city. I attended, I recollect, a court here at that time, but there
were hardly any inhabitants and very little to do in the court. I
cannot describe the condition of this place at that time. I have
been over the city to-day, and endeavored to recollect the sites
where the important transactions were, even where the Court
House stood ; but I am entirely unable now to form any definite
opinion where the place was, and so of all the rest of the city.
We have all heard of the wonderful and amazing growth of this
city ; of the great, bold enterprise of its inhabitants-—the whole
country is deeply impressed with these sentiments, but, sir, it
takes the presentation of the reality before us to enable us to
understand the full power of your operations here. [Applause. ]
I have been amazed to-day, as I passed through your thorough-
fares and viewed the wonderful progress that has been made in
that short period. I believe that to-day you constitute a city,
third in point of population, and first, I may say, in point of
enterprise, upon this continent—[applause|—and I doubt whether
you yourselves understand the full importance of the position on
this continent which you occupy. I am sure, sir, until I passed
through this excursion, I had really no conception of the
importance of this point, Chicago, and, what is still more
important, of the vastness and richness of the great country that
lies west of you, and which is bound to contribute in the future,
so much to build up the second, if not the first city upon this
continent. [Applause.] I have always been a strenuous advo-~
cate for a railway communication between the Atlantic and
Pacific Oceans. I have never doubted that it was a political as
well as a commercial necessity, without which I do not believe
that our great and glorious republic could be amplified and
grow to its full dimensions. I have always been willing, as a
member of the National Legislature, to do almost anything that
WESTERN INCIDENTS. 117

would encourage our enterprising men to engage in this great
enterprise—so great, sir, that the mindsof our most courageous
capitalists were almost appalled at its magnitude; and its
importance was still greater than its magnitude. But, I have
been over the ground, and as I passed over it, sir, looking out of
the car windows and endeavoring to view every acre of the ground
we passed, of the most fertile character I have ever seen, I have
realized that there was nothing in the East that at all compares
with it. Its capabilities exceed the imagination of any man, and
we can hardly arrive by our imaginations to the importance of
this great and fertile country, when it shall be covered witha
dense and enterprising population, and all those fertile acres culti-
vated, even as the land is now cultivated in the Eastern States,
and the whole of its agricultural wealth is to find its outlet
through this great city. [Applause.] And that, sir, is only the
commencement of it. Its agricultural wealth and productions
are nothing compared to the mineral wealth lying hidden now in
the mountains of that region. Why, sir, to speak of the political
necessity, some men have talked about the disunion of these
States. I never was one who believed in that, because I have
never seen where the Almighty had erected a barrier sufficient to
divide our nation into parts. [Applause.] You may look to the
Gulf of Mexico, and to all our extreme southern boundary; you
may traverse that line up to Canada, and even there you will find
no adequate boundary. [Great applause.] You may go west
from the Atlantic Ocean, traversing these vast fertile plains over
which we travelled, and you will find no place for an international
boundary line. No secessionist nor disunionist can go over the
ground and designate the line where disunion could possibly take
place. [Applause.] I never believed the thing possible, and
with a genial people, homogeneous in all their sentiments, their
habits, their education, all, as it were, one family, for any man to
suppose that there is anything that can finally rend them asunder,
is utterly preposterous. I mean to the crest of the Rocky
Mountains, for there, in my judgment, is the only place where
118 WESTERN INCIDENTS.

any separation could by any possibility take place. And when I
contemplate that and see that vast region beyond, rich as the
other in agricultural capabilities, and infinitely richer in the
material wealth, and peopled too by the same class of people,
still, sir, I might fear that ambition might conceive the idea that
beyond the Rocky Mountaius, on the Pacific coast, a great and
prosperous nation, separate from us, might be built up, and when
I contemplate that, sir, I think I see the necessity of intimate
connections with that people by commerce, by social relations,
and all those ties that bind nations, together. [Applause.] Not
believing that there is any danger of such a thing, for, for the
honor of that great people over there be it said, they have given us
no intimation that there is any design to separate themselves from
the rising and prospective glories of this great republic. [Applause.]
But, sir, it is a dictate of prudence politically to cultivate the
most intimate relations with that people, and use every facility
for connecting ourselves most closely with them. How, sir,
should this be done? Man’s ingenuity has invented no other way
except the all-efficient instrumentality of the railway, And that
is sufficient to bind nations together this day infinitely stronger
than the people of the old time were capable of. Therefore, sir,
I do honor to all those who, either through patriotism or the far-
reaching knowledge of their own interests, are taking in hand to
expend their capital, their thought, and their labor on this great
enterprise. And as we proceeded west over those vast plains,
and found what the energy of those men had done, it filled our
minds with the greatest degree of admiration. As the gentleman
who preceded me has said, there was no man among us whose
heart did not warm toward the men who engaged their fortunes
in this great enterprise. They have prosecuted it with an energy
that astonished me, whether it did others or not. I had no idea
that this road was creeping along with such facility toward its
western termination; and when I saw it I felt glad that all the
votes I have ever given in Congress, having any connection with
this great enterprise, have been to aid it. [Applause.] I labored
WESTERN INCIDENTS. 119

to have it done, long before it was. There was a time pre-
ceding the war—for this great work has been in contemplation
for a good many years—that we fought this thing persistently,
but without success; we could not get it through Congress. We
sent out surveyors to prospect and estimate the cost of the differ-
ent roads through the Rocky Mountains and on to the Pacific
coast, and they reported that it would cost a hundred millions of
dollars to establish this road there, and men thought this sum so
great that no nation could afford to engage in the enterprise. You
all know the arguments used in Congress against it. It was extrava-
gant, it was enormous, it would bankrupt the nation to under-
take it, yet a private company of individuals, aided a little by the
Government, have gone on and rendered it not only possible, but
have, in a great measure, accomplished the work. [Applause.]
As the gentleman who preceded me stated, we traversed the road
seven hundred miles west of this place, into the very heart and
centre of the continent, and there we found them going on almost
as fast as man could walk. Indeed I did not know at one time
if we should be able to get to the end of it, for I will say that
they are prosecuting it with an unabated energy, and with a unity
of purpose that is perfectly amazing. Every workman knows
his place—every one is as busy as he can be—the work goes per-
ceptibly on while you stand there viewing it; and, sir, this is
most honorable to those gentlemen who have this great work in
charge. I tell you that five years will not elapse before you may
take the cars here and go to San Francisco in four days. [Ap-
plause.] And then think of the developments of that great coun-
try which will be disclosed. How is it now, sir, in your Rocky
Mountain region, a region so remote and so little known, that
ten years ago, I recollect, in Congress, when we undertook to
divide it up into Territories, we were puzzled most ofall to fix the
boundaries, because we did not know where they would run, and,
if you look in our work you will find that we have bounded them
on the west ‘‘by the crest of the Rocky Mountains, wherever that
might be.” We knew not if there was any gold or other minerals
120 WESTERN INCIDENTS.

worth looking after there. These, however, the energy and
enterprise of our age have disclosed, and the question now is, how
shall the wealth of these regions be developed for the advantage
of the nation and the benefit of the world at large? I will say
one thing here, by way of digression, that there are those who
look upon the public debt consequent upon this work with great
apprehension, but such gentlemen have not been of these excur-
sionists. [Applause.] They have not looked to the amazing
resources of this Government, agricultural, mineral, and other-
wise. Now, just think for one moment what amounts of gold
and silver have been dug out of these mountains under all
the disadvantages of having no great mode of communication,
when men had to drag their heavy and ponderous instruments for
getting out these minerals over thousands of miles of untracked
territory, and yet, sir, they have dug out those precious metals by
hundreds of millions. Now, think of the vast chain of moun-
tains, extending from the north of Mexico to the remotest north,
running through this great Republic from end to end; and all full
of these precious metals, and think when this railway shall be
accomplished there, when these great and ponderous instruments
so necessary to develop those minerals, shall be taken there by the
speed of the railway, and that great mineral region shall be
exposed to the enterprise of the American people everywhere with
such ease and facility—-where the workmen may be fed by rail-
way communication—where all their wants can be so easily
supplied—imagine, if you can, the immense wealth that will be
developed almost instantly when the railway reaches those re-
gions, and then doubt, if you can, the ability of this na-
tion to encounter any debt whatever. [Applause.] And
another thing occurs to me that I have no doubt will take
place the moment this great thoroughfare reaches the Pacific
Ocean; the whole course of trade and commerce will be changed
by which all nations, ancient and modern, have sought the
great and rich countries of the East. China and India will
be reached in one-half, nay one-third the time we reach them
WESTERN INCIDENTS. 121

now, and they will find—for self-interest governs all these things,
whatever the pride of nations may dictate—it will not divert the
course of trade from its easiest channels, and when you have
diverted the course of trade through our republic, all that
Europe uses of the spices, teas, and silks of the East will come
through this channel, here by you, the people of Chicago.
[Applause.] I tell you, sir, and I say to this company, you have
a right to be proud of what you have done, for you are revolu-
tionizing the commerce of the world. I do not know that any
man can now form a judgment of the exceeding importance of
this great work; but I am glad, sir, that it has fallen to my lot
to support it before the nation, to give my voice and influence in
its behalf. [Applause.] I am glad, sir, that it stands recorded
there that, through good report and through evil report, I stood
by this as I stand by all those great thoroughfares that connect
the interests of this great republic with one another. The
gentleman alluded to that great international work, the water
communication between here and the East, almost as important
as the other, and worthy the enterprising people of Chicago to
bring before the public, and I trust they will have the intelligence
and the power to impress its importance on the whole people of
the United States, so that that work shall go hand in hand with
the other, and finally be accomplished. [Applause.] Therefore,
again I say to you that the importance of this location transcends
probably what most men think of it. If you are not to be the
first city of this continent, you will never have but two rivals—
San Francisco, on the Pacific, may contend the palm of greatness
with you, and New York has got to run fast to get out of your
way. [Laughter and applause.] You may deem that an extrav-
agant expression, but recollect that New York city had to
struggle for one hundred and fifty years before she had the popu-
lation and wealth that you have to-day. Look at her history, and

then at all this you have made up since I visited this, then bar-

ren spot, thirty-two years ago, and certainly neither your intel-

ligence nor your enterprise are slow to perceive the great advan-

6
122 WESTERN INCIDENTS.

tages of your location ; and what I have seen to-day convinces me
that you will not be slow to appropriate all the advantages you
possess. No people of this country have more of intelligence,
more of enterprise, more of the American Yankee go-ahead-
ativeness than the people of Chicago. [Applause.] I say again,
there are but two cities on this continent that can compete with
you and your posterity for the palm of greatness.

“ And now, as to the excursion. I have said before, and I re-
peat it here, that it was on the most comprehensive scale of mag-
nificence that I have ever seen. The Company have stopped at
nothing that would promote our happiness or bring within our
grasp all the intelligence we could possibly acquire on this subject.
They stopped at nothing, and there is not a member of that ex-
cursion party who would not admit the perfect organization that
was brought about by the managers of the excursion. It was
thoroughly organized—and, traversing this continent more than fif-
teen hundred miles, having to use different modes of conveyance,
transporting this great company from one point to another with-
out the least confusion or the least delay, was a work that re-
quired brains as well as generosity. ‘Their arrangements were all
perfect, and the enjoyment of the excursionists was as great as it
was possible that it could be made by all that human ingenuity
could give, and I believe there is not a man among them but feels
to-day, in his heart, gratitude for the opportunities it gave him to
be acquainted with our great country. Here I may also say, sir,
that we took away out there, among the Pawnees, and brought
face to face with barbarism, almost the entire instrumentalities of
our highest civilization. We had there a printing-press; a
morning paper was printed in the Platte Valley, beyond the hun-
dreth meridian, and while the Pawnees were dancing their wild
dances, the printers were working off a description of the scene.
The spectacle was a novel and a gratifying one, and I doubt if, in
the history of these times, which amaze and surprise men, there
has been anything more surprising than took place on those re-
mote plains. With the printing-press we had the telegraph, that
WESTERN INCIDENTS. 123

we might ina moment communicate with our friends at home
from that distant region among the yells of the aborigines. For
one, I enjoyed it more than I can express, and my gratitude to
the gentlemen who invited me to participate in this great occa-
sion is greater than I can express. To the people of Chicago, to
the Mayor of the city and its officials generally, I also wish to re-
turn my most sincere thanks for their abundant hospitalities.
They have done all to promote our pleasure, and make interesting
this great excursion, that men could do.

“YT am thankful that I am enabled to return my thanks thus
publicly to all who have contributed to our enjoyment, and with
this expression will detain you no longer, as there are to follow
me gentlemen who are much better able to describe the scenes
through which we have passed. They will now address you.”

GENERAL SIMPSON’S LETTER FROM NORTH PLATTE.

The following letter, copied from the Washington
Chronicle, signed ‘*‘ Westward, Ho!” was written by Gen.
J. H. Simpson, U. S. Engineers, and President of the
Board of Commissioners, appointed by the President of
the United States to examine and report, for his accept-
ance or rejection, completed portions of the Union Pacific
Railroad.

The name of General Simpson is also very honorably
identified with some of the most important surveys that
have been made across the continent, by order of the Gov-
ernment, for railroads, wagon roads, and military posts.

Tt will be found to contain much valuable information
respecting the character and progress of the work; and
it is inserted here by permission of General Simpson, for
the purpose of affording the latest reliable information
upon that subject, as well as a complete and official refu-
tation of the slanderous articles recently published in St.
Louis and other papers, which are evidently hostile to
this road, with reference to the manner in which it has
thus far been constructed :—
124 WESTERN INCIDENTS.

THE GREAT PACIFIC RAILROAD.

Norra Puarre Starton, Union Pactric pATnOAD, |
Nesraska, December 24th, 1866.

Editor of the Washington Chronicle :-—

I address you from this station on the world’s great highway, the
Union Pacific Railroad. The distance from Omaha is two hundred
and ninety-three miles, and it is short of the west end of the com-
pleted track twelve miles, making the total number of miles of track in
running condition, west from Omaha, three hundred and five miles.
When we consider that two hundred and sixty miles of this road have
been constructed during the present year in this out-of-the-way country,
to which the iron, rolling stock, pine lumber, and many other essen-
tials of the road had to he transported from St. Louis and St. Joseph
by water, on account of the railroad connection being incomplete over
Towa, with Chicago, we are struck with amazement and delight at the
boldness, enterprise, and energy with which this great undertaking
has been carried forward by the Company constructing the road.

A road constructed with such celerity naturally conveys the idea
that it has been caused by the level character of the Platte Valley,
through which it runs, and must have been accomplished at the ex-
pense of the good character of the track. But one has only to
traverse it, as the writer has done, to assure him that this has not
been the fact.

I know no road in the country, except it may be the great railroads
in New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Michigan, which have been
perfecting for a score or more of years, that can compare with this
read in the general good character of its embankments, cuts, ditches,
station houses, water tanks, depots, round houses, machine and car-
shops, and all the other adjuncts which are essential to the construc-
tion of a first class railroad.

To ride over the road and through the almost limitless valley of
the Platte, with a speed equal to that experienced in the great rail-
roads of the States I have mentioned, is to start within you ideas of
the greatness, power, and progress of our country, which you cannot
get in any other way in connection with the arts of peace. The power
of the Government was shown in suppressing the late rebellion
against the rightful authority of the nation, but equally is it now
shown in the peaceful, happy, and yet powerful manner in which itis
WESTERN INCIDENTS. . 125

extending its influence over this whole continent, and ultimately ex-
tending the blessings of Christianity and good government over the
whole world. Surely we are in the hands of an Infinite and Beneficent
Power, who is making this free Government a great instrument for
carrying on His gracious purposes with regard to the amelioration of
the human race ; and is not all this a blessing for which the whole
country should be thankful.

To revert to the already happy effect of this road in shortening dis-
tances in time between remote places, the writer received a letter yes-
terday, the 23d instant, postmarked Washington, December 18th, or
five days from the capital of the country; and this at the forks of the
Platte, three hundred miles out on the Plains, and at the close of the
wintry month of December. Surely this shows progress towards the
Pacific.

All along the road, where the Company has established its stations
settlements are springing up rapidly ; and here, at this point whence
I write, North Platte Station, where three weeks ago, there was nothing,
are already some twenty buildings, including a brick engine round-
house, calculated for forty engines, founded on a stone foundation, at
present nearly completed for ten engines; a water tank of beautiful
proportions, as they all are along the road, kept from freezing by being
warmed by a stove, also a fixture in every tank house ; a frame depot
of the usual beautiful design ; a large frame hotel, nearly finished, to
cost about $18,000; a long, spacious, movable building, belonging to
General Casement, and his brother, Daniel Casement, the great track-
layers of the continent, calculated for a store, eating-house, and for
storage purposes ; together with sundry other buildings.

To this point the Company think of removing their offices from
Omaha, and establishing it as a more convenient base for furthering
their operations west.

The great idea which this Company has in its aims and objects, is
to get this great highway through to California ; and it is this all-ab-
sorbing purpose which gives unity in all their operations, and has
been the main spring of their hitherto unrivalled success. Already
the route has been definitely fixed to Great Salt Lake, and the prox-
imity to an air line from Chicago, considering the difficulties of the
route through the Black Hills, Rocky Mountains proper, and the
Wasatch Range, is a source of heartfelt gratulation.

The Government Commissioners, Generals Simpson, Curtis, and Dr.
White, are now here, examining the last completed section of thirty-

‘
6 is
196 WESTERN INCIDENTS.

five miles, extending from the two hundred and seventieth to the
three hundred and fifth mile post west from Omaha; and they express
themselves highly pleased with the admirable manner in which the
road has been built throughout. They occupy the beautiful car
which was gotten up by the Quartermaster’s Department, during the
late rebellion, for President Lincoln, and which first carried him when
his mortal remains were borne through a weeping nation, from the
capital of our country to his home at Springfield, Illinois. The Goy-
ernment sold the car to this great national railroad company, and now
it is used by its officers for national purposes in connection with the
progress of this highway of the world.

This main trunk is so admirably linked with the Sioux City branch,
the Mississippi and Missouri Railroad branch, the Hannibal and St.
Joseph Railroad branch, by the way of Atchison, and the Missouri
Pacific branch, west from St. Louis, that all these roads should con-
tinue to be fostered by the General Government. These branches give
equal facilities to all parts of our common country, and every citizen,
as well as the Government, should take equal pride in encouraging
this greatest of all enterprises.

The writer had tiearly forgotten to speak of the railroad connection
with the net of railroads east of Omaha, by the near completion of
the Iowa branch of the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad. This
road the writer rode over last week, from Chicago, as far as St. Johns,
twenty-two miles east of Omaha, and certainly before spring, if not
within a month, the connection will be complete all the way from New
York to the west end of the Great Pacific Railroad.

Already an Express Company has been organised, called the West,
ern Transportation Company, which is in operation day and night,
and transports freight within five days from this, North Platte Station,
to Denver. This, again, is progress.

Westwarp, Ho!

DEATH OF GENERAL CURTIS.

Major-General Samuel R. Curtis, whose name is men-
tioned in the foregoing letter as one of the Government
Commissioners of the Union Pacific Railroad, died very
suddenly while returning from this visit to the road. He
was riding over from Omaha to Council Bluffs, in a car-
WESTERN INCIDENTS. 127

riage, in company with the other two Commissioners’
when he expired almost instantaneously, and was taken
to the house of his friend Colonel Nutt, in Council Bluffs,
a& COrpse.

Commissioners, General Simpson and Major White,
together with Col. Nutt and Major L. 8. Bent, accom-
panied his remains to his home in Keokuk, where they
were received, and escorted to their last resting-place,
with distinguished honors.

General Curtis was a civil engineer of great experience
and good reputation ; an able and distinguished officer in
the army during the late rebellion ; and an upright, honest
man, respected and beloved by all who knew him.

He was one of the earliest advocates and promoters of
the Union Pacific Railroad, both in and out of Congress ;
and lived to see more than three hundred miles of that
sreat work completed, and accepted by the Government.

CONCLUSION.

Since the occurrence of the events hereinbefore re-
corded, other events have either transpired, or may be
predicted with some degree of certainty, in connection
with the Union Pacific Railroad, to which it may not be
improper to refer, in closing this somewhat prolix and
desultory narrative.

The Directors have fixed the location of the road over
the Black Hill Range of the Rocky Mountains, upon the
route followed by our party a portion of the distance on
its return trip from the Laramie Plains.

After three years spent in making the most careful
surveys of the Rocky Mountain Passes, extending from
the sources of the South Plate, on the south, to Fort
Laramie on the north, it was found that this route would
128 WESTERN INCIDENTS.

be much more direct; and could be built in less time,
and with much lower maximum grades than any of the
other routes surveyed.

The route as located, leaves the valley of the South
Platte, at the mouth of Lodge Pole Creek, opposite
Julesburgh, and follows up the valley of that creek
about one hundred miles, when it crosses obliquely the
divide between Lodge-Pole, and Crow Creeks. And
thence across Crow Creek to the divide between that
stream and Lone-Tree Creek, which divide it follows to
the summit of the Black Hill Range at Evans’ Pass.
From the summit it follows down the southwesterly
slope of the Black Hills to the Laramie Plains.

Beyond this nothing has been decided upon with refer-
ence to the location, although several routes have been
surveyed to the eastern line of California.

This location leaves Denver city about one hundred
’ miles to the south of the main through line of the Union
Pacific Railroad; but a branch road, over a very good
route, may, and probably will be constructed from Den-
ver and the rich mineral regions of Colorado, to the main
line, within one or two years.

The route through Denver and Berthoud Pass was
found. to be comparatively impracticable—and the Com-
pany could not consistently bend the line nearer Denver,
without discriminating too much against the through
business of the road.

The staging from the end of the track to Denver is
now reduced to from thirty-six to forty hours; and a fast
freight line has been established for the transportation of
freight, from the end of the track to any point in the
western Territories.

The track laying was suspended in December, at a
point three hundred and five miles west of Omaha, on
WESTERN INCIDENTS. 129

account of cold weather, and the want of materials.
The grading is completed about fifty miles, and the ties
are provided for more than one hundred miles west of
that point. A sufficient quantity of iron rails has been
purchased to extend the track to the Laramie river, a
distance of two hundred and seventy-one miles from the
end of the present track; and if an excursion party
should start for the end of the track, just one year from
the time that the late excursion party left New York, it
will be quite sure to make its last camping ground as far
west as the Laramie Plains.

The Great connecting link has been completed from
Chicago to the Missouri River opposite Omaha; and
preparations are now being made to construct a bridge
over the Missouri during the coming season; when this
is done, and the track of the Union Pacific Railroad is
extended to the Laramie Plains, the traveller may ride in
the same car from New York city, a distance of nineteen
hundred and sixty-seven miles, on his way westward
across the Continent—and he must not be surprised if,
during the year 1869, he can continue in the same car to
Great Salt Lake City, a distance of two thousand four
hundred and twenty-eight miles from New York.

So MOTE IT BE.
 
 

 

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