eleven, passed near Sedgwick, and touched at Jules-
burg, on the southern branch of the Platte River.

It was here that the Union Pacific Railroad was inau-
gurated on the 23rd of October, 1867, by the chief
engineer, General Dodge. Two powerful locomo-
tives, carrying nine cars of invited guests, amongst
whom was Thomas C. Durant, vice-president of the
road, stopped at this point; cheers were given, the
Sioux and Pawnees performed an imitation Indian
battle, fireworks were let off, and the first number
of the Railway Pioneer was printed by a press brought
on the train. Thus was celebrated the inauguration of
this great railroad, a mighty instrument of progress
and civilization, thrown across the desert, and destined
to link together cities and towns which do not yet
exist. The whistle of the locomotive, more powerful
than Amphion's lyre, was about to bid them rise from
American soil.

Fort McPherson was left behind at eight in the
morning, and three hundred and fifty-seven miles had
yet to be traversed before reaching Omaha. The road
followed the capricious windings of the southern
branch of the Platte River, on its left bank. At nine
the train stopped at the important town of North
Platte, built between the two arms of the river, which
rejoin each other around it and form a single artery,--
a large tributary whose waters empty into the Missouri
a little above Omaha.

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