Friday, August 17, 2012

Miniature gold spike

From: "Mark Howe" markhowe@cox.net

I have a miniature spike inscribed on 4 sides:

"D. Hewes to
I. B. Howe
The last Spike
Driven May 10th 1869."

Where can I find out more info?

—Mark W. Howe, San Juan Capistrano, CA


Miniature gold Spike.
Miniature gold Spike, Courtesy of Mark W. Howe.

Miniature gold Spike, Courtesy of Mark W. Howe.

Miniature gold Spike, Courtesy of Mark W. Howe.

Miniature gold Spike, Courtesy of Mark W. Howe.

Miniature gold Spike, Courtesy of Mark W. Howe.

Courtesy of Mark W. Howe.

4 Comments:

Blogger CPRR Discussion Group said...

From: Bob_Spude@nps.gov

Pansylea Willburn did a good article on these collectibles in Silver Magazine, March/April 2010 issue. You might find a copy of the article in the bigger libraries.

—Robert L. Spude, Ph D – Regional Historian – Cultural Resources Management – National Park Service – Intermountain Region – 505.988.6770 Voice – 505.988.6876 Fax

The National Park Service cares for special places saved by the American people so that all may experience our heritage.

8/18/2012 6:13 PM  
Blogger CPRR Discussion Group said...

The gold nugget that was attached to the bottom end of the golden spike used in the May 10, 1869 ceremony at Promontory Summit, Utah, was broken off after the ceremony and made into finger rings inscribed: "The Mountain Wedding, May 10, 1869" for Governor Stanford, President Grant, Oakes Ames, Secretary of State Seward, and the minister who delivered the invocation at the ceremony, Reverend Dr. John Todd from Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and miniature one inch long gold spike watch fobs.

See more information about the miniature gold spikes.


Also see,
Miniature gold spike.

Miniature gold spike.

Miniature gold spike.

8/26/2012 12:53 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

From: "Mark Howe" markhowe@cox.net

[My miniature gold spike] is more like the Cox spike except for the wording and upper/lower case. My great-grandfather was Isaac Bridgeman Howe, Superintendent of the Iowa Division of the Chicago North Western Railroad connecting Clinton with Honey Creek at what appears to be an Omaha crossing of the Missouri [River]. Not sure of the specifics here, but they felt they were crucial to supplying iron and supplies to Durant, et. al., as evidenced in the letters.

[Isaac Bridgeman Howe] and his [Chicago and Northwestern Railroad] colleages were on board the "journey to the end of the rail" [100th meridian] although there is no mention of that trip in the letters. They are listed on the manifests for the event.

I am attaching voluminous letters transcribed. Some of the railroading letters are incredible. Many familiar names; politics involved; still a work in progress.

Isaac Bridgeman Howe was my great-grandfather, Superintendent of the Iowa Division.

—Mark W. Howe, San Juan Capistrano, CA

8/27/2012 2:15 AM  
Blogger CPRR Discussion Group said...

See related discussion.

8/29/2012 1:33 PM  

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