Description

Immediate dispatch from Somerset. Nice older book in good condition. Pages in good bright condition. Some light marking due to age. No notes or highlighting. See images. Fantastic book.

About the book >.>.> After him followed a train of six passenger cars crammed to the utmost with proud and joyful guests with waving flags and handkerchiefs and whose glad voices re- echoed back the roar of greeting with which they were re- ceived. Then came another locomotive and train of five passenger cars equally crowded and decorated. This splen- did pageant came to a stop in front of the depot and the united cheers of the whole proclaimed to the world that the end was attained and the Chicago & Rock Island Railroad was opened through for travel and business.” In 1854 many Americans were alive who had been born in the lifetime of George Washington and celebrations of his birthday were still occasions of patriotic rejoicing and respect. That was why the builders of the first railroad from the East to reach the Mississippi River seized upon February 22 as the day to celebrate the “nuptial feast of the great At- lantic Ocean to the mighty Father of Waters.” The track layers worked overtime to complete the final link and the last rail was spiked to the ties only an hour before the Chi- cago & Rock Island’s Locomotive No. 10 decorated with wreaths garlands and patriotic bunting came whistling into view of the great river. (SP)