On 9 February 1880, ex-Governor George T. Anthony of New Mexico telegraphed to President Nickerson at Boston: “Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe are united by an unbroken band of iron, and a continuous path of commerce.” The New Mexican trumpeted “NEW MEXICO’S TRIUMPH,” and added, “the Old Santa Fe Trail passes into oblivion.” The last spike was driven by General Edward Hatch,
