The Great Railroad Arrives by “Truthful James” – 1883
The Great Railroad Arrives at Last – How it Feels to be a Terminal Town.
Correspondence New North West.
Missoula, June 25. – The week just passed has been one of excitement for Missoula. The entire talk has been railroad, and each evening citizens met, compared notes, watched for the headlight, and wagered cigars, has, etc., upon the date of its arrival with a perfect looseness.
Arrival of the Iron Horse.
But now the long agony is over and Missoula is a railroad town. At 4:50 p.m. on Saturday, engine No. 452 steamed slowly inside city limits, and was welcomed by the thunder of cannon, a lavish display of bunting, the cheers of the assembled populace, and last but not least the opening of Frank Worden’s celebrated barrel of N. P. whisky, which has been hid in Worden & Co.’s cellar for about twenty years. Those who were favored with a “snifter” say it beats the railroad. Young America camps with the cars, and the construction and work trains are daily crowded with the ubiquitous small boy who has plenty of fun and never wearies of telling about his free rides.
Pay Day in Camp.
On Saturday night, Winston Brothers paid off their men, and the boys made the town red-hot for a while. Sunday morning the cooler was full, and the city authorities were looking for cell accommodations. They (the tracklayers and employees), quieted down on Sunday afternoon, however, and on Monday morning were engaged at their work as usual. The force will probably be delayed here a few days, pending the completion of the Rattlesnake bridge – the piles for which are nearly all driven – then the hurrah will be over. It has seemed like the Fourth of July for several days past, and we are just recovering our usual equanimity.
The First Passengers.
Speaking of railroads, Messrs. G. P. Higgins, of Missoula, and E. L. Bonner, of Deer Lodge, were the first through passengers from Portland to Missoula and the last part of their journey was accomplished on a construction train.
The Collision.
We heard Saturday morning of a fatal collision which took place near Heron’s siding, or the second crossing of the Pen d’Oreille river, on Saturday evening, where eighteen Chinamen were instantly killed and a number more fatally injured, and two white men – the engineer and a stranger who was riding on the engine – killed.
Bishop Brondel.
Right Rev. Bishop Brondel, Catholic Bishop of Montana, addressed a large congregation at the Catholic church on Sunday morning and evening. The Bishop goes from Missoula to Butte and will return sometime in July.
Ladies Fair.
This week we are to have a fair and entertainment given by the Missoula ladies. Fancy pincushions will command a fancy price. ‘Tis too early for the church oyster but the lemonade and ice cream will be on draught – also the boys’ pocket-books. Music, dialogues, tableaus, etc., will form part of the exercises, and we anticipate a general gathering of the clans.
Resigned.
In my last letter I stated that D. M. Leamer had been removed by Sheriff Berry and a new Under-Sheriff appointed. I cheerfully make a correction, and state that Mr. Leamer resigned. The item was correct in other respects.
Something Crooked.
Last week a paper was circulated collecting money for the benefit of Mrs. Mary Hannon, a widow lady, keeping a lodging house on Main street. The money was undoubtedly collected. Mrs. Hannon in a card denies receiving anything, and the general impression is that there is . . . [edited]. We await further developments before making the entire matter public.
Zoological Curios.
Missoulian’s are entering into the zoological business a little, possibly with a view to competing with the “Greatest show on Earth”. Mr. James O’Grady has at his saloon a pretty little fawn, with eyes that remind a fellow of his girl. Mr. Moore who lives across the street, has a young cinnamon bear that is as savage as a city officer, and Mr. D. J. Heyfron, of Harding & Co., is the proud possessor of a crested cockatoo that can squawk just as natural as life. There are many other animals in town – tigers and such like cattle – but the above are the most notable.
Stevensville School House.
We learn from Mr. John B. Catlin, one of the trustees, that the contract for building a new school house at Stevensville has been let to some newcomers from the east. The district builds the foundation and the contractors complete the building according to specifications for the sum of $4,800. Montana bidders didn’t get within a mile of these figures.
Missoula school bonds will be sold on July 7th. The board then will have sufficient cash in the treasury to warrant the construction of new school buildings, something that Missoula sadly needs.
To Celebrate.
We thought that our natal day would pass unobserved save by extra libations of patriotic bug-juice, but thanks to the rustle and enterprise of Wm. B. Smith, the well known auctioneer, we are to have several contests of speed at the fair grounds, with foot races, sack races, base ball game, etc., the day’s festivities to wind up with a grand ball given by the A.O.U.W. at Arthur House hall. We expect lots of people at the races – and dance.
By the way, an excursion to Walla Walla over the N.P.R.R. has been talked of for the Fourth, but as only about half a dozen men in the town can raise enough money to go even to Frenchtown, it will probably not prove a success.
Judge Galbraith arrived Sunday night and opened court this morning in form. A great many from Bitter Root are in attendance, and the term promises to be lively.
Out On The Road.
On Sunday morning your correspondent joined a party of the beauty and chivalry of Missoula for a trip on No. 452 to the summit between Missoula and Jocko. For the first eight or ten miles the road is very rough and reminded one of going up the defile on a wagon. From a point about two miles east of the high trestle the road has been ballasted, and here the engineers get their work in, whizzing around curves, through cuts, and over trestles, making the timid ones of the party hold on to any and every thing solid. The whistles going constantly and everybody shouting at once made up a scene to be remembered. After monkeying around the summit an hour or so, switching off empty cars and getting loaded ones, we dropped down the other side to Finlay creek for water. Returning to the summit, our train, consisting of thirty flat cars, with iron, wood, and ties, and two engines, came down the grade on this side of the range, and with this immense load steamed slowly out upon the great trestle. Men and women in the gulch below looked like pigmies, trees like bushes; and many hearts beat freer when solid ground was again reached. From here we had a fair run down the grade to Lavallie creek, where there is a side track and working camp. From there to Missoula is a straight track and we came home in fine style, every one well pleased with the trip and the many courtesies extended by the officials in charge of the road. Hoping that we may do so some more, I am
Truthful James.
The above article appeared in the New North-West (Deer Lodge) on June 29, 1883.