Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-03-14
Opening Of the Manassas Gap Railroad to
ut. Jackson.

mt. Jackson.
We enjoyed the pleasure, "n Friday last,
of being present at the formal opening OF
the Manassas Crap Railroad to Mt. Jackson,
in our neighboring county Of Shenandoah
The day was not very favorable. yet large
number of persons had been attracted t"
Mt. Jackson to witness the arrival Of the
passenger train and the regular opening Of
the road. About half past > o'clock tine
whistle of the engine announced the coming
OF the train. and the cXprctamt multitude
hailed its arrival with shouts. tn" cars
were crowded with passengers gathered be-
tween Alexandria and Mr.. jackson. the
Woodstock Band of Music lending their pres
encr and their services 10 swell and helghten
the JOY of the occasion.
1t was u matter Of regrc; that the people
of Mt. Jackson and vicinity had not made
preparations TO receive with hospitality those
by whose active efforts this harbInger ot 4
brighter dav for our Valley has been brought
| thus far on its way Amends. however.
were made for the lack Of hospItablc spirit
on the part of citizens of tn" MI. Jackson and
vicinity, hy one Of the most liberal hearted
proprietors of Mt. Airy. the Stcemberg"n e.
tate, widely known all over tn" country.
| Gen. Gilbert ). Mrem. the gentleman u
whom we refer. had prepared 4 dinner ION
his own hook to which he had invited the
/ President. Directors. and Engineers q; the
road. together with any friends they might
choose TO bring with them. The Gems vrh-
! clcS were waiting for the arrival OF the ears
to carry the guests referred to. 10 Il place as
celebrated for its hospitality and good cheer
as it is for its beautiful situation and trrtili-
ty Of soil
We had the pleasure of forming one Of
the company inv ted 10 dine at Mount AIRY:
and our visit with its attendant incidents.
will long be remembered with qualification.
! The company was an exceedingly pleasant
one. and most certainly enjoyed themselves
tn their hearts content. Their tim" was
pleasantly occupied with the alternating
pleasures of social conversation, the enjoy
ment of the good things under which the
Generals tables groancd, tuast-drlnklng
speech-making, and last. but not least
with some. the mazes of the dance. This
last feature of the programme was carried
forward under the influence of I'll" inspiring
strains Of music rendered by one Of the
servants belonging 10 the estate. whose
violin fair Y talked, rs the gue,ts trlPpcI 1t
on the light fantastic toe
Speeches, III response to calls. were made
bv Cen Mccm. Mr.. Gold-hor"ugh, chief en-
ginccr and Mr.. Marshall president Of the
Manassas Gap Railroad. Thc sp"c"hc, We're
made upon the piazza, which occupies po-
sition overlooking not only the magnjti-
cent Stccnbergcn farm but the surrounding
country for miles. And here We tax" ocra-
sion to say, by way Of parcnthe-iN, that a
more beautiful prolific and desirable region
Of country than that which surrounds vi.
Jackson, the present temporary terminus ut
the Manassas Gap railroad, l. not t. be found
any where in Virginia or out of il. II Is
the very heart Of the gardrn-Spot OF Nirgi-
MIA. And in this connection and also parcn-
thctically, we wish to say, that the >mb-crlp-
tons to the railroad by no means correspond
with the wealth of the rich proprietorS of
the valuable lands brought almost within
gunshot of market. Exceptions. honorable
exceptions. there are to this rule: but a. n
general thing. the owners Of the landed
estates near Mt jackson have not dome their
duty to the graf enterprise which ha> done
80 much for them.)
After listening 10 eloquent speeches inter
spersed with exhilerating airs and strains
from the Woodstock Band, our cheerful
and happy company took the waiting train
at Mt. Jackson and were rapidly tran-p"r-
ted to Woodstock where another ho>ptable
and generous reception awaited thcm at
Wclch's hotel. that gentleman. i'll 4 spirit
of enlarged iih"ralIy throwing open hi
house for the entertainment # those by
whose active agency Manassas, has come
thus far on Ecr great mission.
Taking it altogether. we hav" never known
more cheerful and anmatinS time than that
which marked the opening" Of Manassas t"
Mt. jackson. 1t will long he remembered.
we doubt not. by all who mingled i'll it, in
cidcnts as Il green spot III the waste Of life.
-Rochi~yham Register.