Letters to the Editor: Wondering about the ‘Silver Spike’

The following article was taken word for word from the July 28, 1956, copy of the Gallatin Democrat under the topic of The History of Daviess County. If you know any information about the silver spike, I wish you’d report it to the Gallatin North Missourian:

“The Chicago and Southern Western Railroad, which was completed through Daviess County in 1871, was built from both ends of the line from Leavenworth northeast to Cameron until they met the working force coming from the northeast and working to the southwest.

These forces met in Colfax township, a few miles southwest of Winston. Quite a celebration was held and the last spike, a silver one, was driven in the presence of a large delegation of officers and friends of the railroad and surrounding farmers.

One of the incidents of the occasion transpired at the close of the main speech. The speaker was rather slow and pompous, and at last finished, and with a grandiloquent gesture said: “And now let the last spike be driven that unites the destinies of two cities,” and an old farmer yelled out, “The spike was driven an hour ago, mister.” The crowd felt inspiration, but in the mercy to the speaker we drop the curtain.

Wilbur Bush,
Gallatin