Historical Details

Grand Celebration Indulged In By Citizens of Lusk On Arrival of Railroad

Courtesy of The Lusk Herald, 06/25/1886

A Solid Silver Spike Will Be Driven By a Copper Hammer, Both Products of Home Mines

With the arrival of the railroad in Lusk, the citizenry made elaborate preparations for the celebration, according to a news item in The Herald of June 25, 1886, which announced that a “silver spike will be driven by a copper hammer, both the products of our home mines - eloquent speeches, swift races, close shooting, and a great ball in the evening.”

The Herald editor made a canvas of the business men, who were “all in” for a grand celebration, to take place on the arrival of the railroad in Lusk. Mr. McPherson, manager of the Great Western Mining & Milling Co.’s silver mines here, has promised to manufacture a silver spike, and Mike Wright brought up a large chunk of rich copper ore from the Walter mine, from which a hammer will be made.

“The track layers will be here within a few days of our national holiday, and it is proposed to unite the railroad celebration with the regulation plucking of the American-bald-headed star-spangled banner.

“A meeting of our citizens will be held soon, at which the proper committees will appointed.

“The program will probably consist of driving the silver spike with the copper hammer, speeches of congratulation, horse and foot races, shooting tournament and a grand dance in the evening.

“Now, let everybody put their shoulder to the wheel, and let us have a grand blow-out which will be remembered as long as Buck Fanshaw’s funeral.”

LOOK OUT FOR THE LOCOMOTIVE

WHEN THE BELL RINGS IN THREE DAYS LUSK WILL BE AN IMPORTANT CITY ON THE GREAT TRANSCONTINENTAL LINE OF THE GREATEST RAILROAD ON EARTH

Millions of dollars in Undeveloped Resources, touched By the Magic Wand, Will Spring up to Enrich the Hardy Pioneer

From the Lusk Herald, July 9, 1886

The smoke of the construction train may be seen at this writing, about five miles down the valley, and by Tuesday at the latest, the iron will be laid to Lusk. Then look out for the boom!

Lumber, brick and lime are ready at the new town, and capital lies in the bank, impatiently waiting to secure lots on which to erect fine buildings and fill them with all kinds of merchandise. The cattle shipments from this point will reach into the thousands. The fertile lands which surround the town are being taken with a rapidity which is swiftly piloting Commissioner Sparks’ iron gray locks in sorrow to the grave.

The rich mines of silver, copper and mica in Rawhide Buttes and Muskrat and Whalen canyons will be worked. The Fairbanks smelter will soon be red hot, and others built to wrest form the adamantine rocks their primeval stores of mineral wealth. Lusk is the center – the nucleus, as it were, around which clusters this galaxy of natural riches.

She will boom! Why not?

Images & Attachments

There are no attachments for this record.

Related/Linked Records

Record Type Name
Historical Quilt Squares - North Western Train and Water Tower View Record