Vandenburgh was supt of Telegraph. Run U. P. Wire down and made fast with spike in tie. Run the C. P. wire down and connected with hammer that Gov. Stanford had. Lewis Jacobs was the telegraph operator at end of the track and sent message out over the world. Didn't tap the gold spike. It was there sitting upright on the tie in an auger hole.
Some "Shark" from S.F. signed up people to send them gold spikes. Now suppose thousands in world as pieces of the original. "I bit, too".
General Merritt whom I soldiered with with the Army of the Potomac for four years and seven months. Horace Greeley advised us all to "go west" when we were mustered out. (First U.S. Cavalry from Ohio)
A. G. Brackett, Lieut. Col and Major – gave letter to R. P. Hammond supt of little railroad from Valencia St. to San Jose. Arrived in San Francisco on Govt. transport in January, 1866. Went to work for Hammond as Telegraph repairer on the San Jose Road. Then when C. P. took over this road I was transferred to Sacramento Div. as telegraph lineman.
End of track was at Colfax when I was transferred. Then when got to Wadsworth old man Parks could not keep up with them so I took over the work and stayed right in the front until reached promontory.
Great many cowboys and about 500 people at driving of gold spike.
When the message had been flashed I cut the wire and made the through connection.
After ceremony the crowd separated. Trains went East and West, leaving us there with our Chinamen.
When lines were leased in 1882 I eased [?] to Western Union. I Married (last monday) was 54 years.
Later made gen. foreman of construction was all over system.
(Note: typed just as found. —LDF)
