Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-09-05
From our Own Correspondent ]

From our OWE Oorrespondent-l
EDITORS LEADER The reception of Mr..
James McHenry at Meadville, on Friday
last, was one of the pleasantest events that
has occurred in long time in thst whilom
terra ineoonita. The completion of the At
Iantic and Great Western Railroad brings
this delightful town into close communion
with both the East and the West, and its
citizens would be indeed wanting IN graft
tude if they did not stand ready TO receive,
with proper demonstrations of respect, the
man of all others to whom they are most
indebted for their present prosperity. Inc
preparations were complete, and the whole
celebration passed off with eclat, and no ac-
cident happened to mar the occasion. The
decorations of tho Emo dApnt were elaborate
but in excellent taste. Inside and out 1t
was hung with English, Spanish and Amer
ican flags. The west portico was profusely
festooned with evergreens, and over the
center was large placard, also wreathed
with evergreens, "Welcome, McHenry." F"
Over the entrance to the hotel was picture
of McHenry, decked with wreaths and
draped with flags. In the Office were pic
lures of Sir Morton Peto, Don Salamanca
and Mr.. Kennard, surrounded by wreaths
and adorned with the three national colors.
On the arrival of the train at three o'clock,
salute was fred by the Cleveland secesh
gun, manned by John Bennett, Dan. Gard
ner, John Schmidt and Dave Price. The
distinguished guest was received by VIM.
Reynolds, ESQ.,, President of the Central
Board, and escorted to the western portico
of the McHenry House, where he was vel
coined by a. L. Richmond, Burgess, and
Council. Mr.. McHenry spoke but mo-
ment, and called upon General schenck to
reply for him, which he did happily. Then
followed a procession of clerks in offices
civil engineers, masons, carpenters, car and
engine builders, machinists, trackmen, Ia
borers and teams, with scores of banners
passing the porch, all admirably arranged
At four o'clock the party had lunch. Al
eight O'Clock salute was fired, and hand
some display of fireworks set off, and al
nine the company sat down to a comPli-
mentary dinner given by the Central Board
to Mr.. McHenry. The dining hall was
finely decorated with flags and other appro-
pirate Embellishments.
A very brief speech was made by Mr..
McHenry, followed by James Robb, the
eminent New Orleans Banker, and more
lately of the Terre Haute and Alton Rail
Road. 1t was eloquent as well as patriotic,
going in for putting down the rebellion.
Gen. schenck referred to the probability OF
the american Central Road - tapping the
A. & G. W. R. at Gallon, and extending
straight to the Mississippi, and thence by
the Pacific road to the Western ocean. Mr..
Kennard said the main thing had not been
the energy ofthe engineer, but tothe prompt
ness with which his drafts had been cashed
by the great fnancier, they were indebted
for the marvellous rapidity with which the
great broad gauge road had been built.
Gov. Tod humorously referred to the swal-
lowing up of the Mahoning branch by the
A. & G. R. President Reynolds referred
in complimentary terms to the guest of the
evening, and Judge Church very appro-
priately toasted the host Taylor. President
Kent presided at one of the tables, and
President Reynolds at the other. A dance
wound up the pleasures of the evening, and
the company separated little after twelve
o'clock.
Among the various devices and notices,
it struck your correspondent that it would
not have been inopportune to have made
some reference to the man whe projected
the road which was the means of bringing
the honored guest and his eminent engi-
neer into notoriety. Marvin Kent, Esq,
conceived the project of this great work
years ago, and amidst discouragemepts
which would have made almost any other
man give up in despair, he labOred persist
emily till he had the satisfaction of driving
the last spike, and passing over an un-
broken gauge of railroad from New York
to st. Louis. His should form at least one
of the trio of names which the citizens of
Meadville should be proud to honor.
B.