The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-08-02
Coy1ygToy, July 81, 1887.

e EchSIs, and Mayors Mayc-Eine Dinner aha
Fine Times Generally-A Letter from denerai
A'' Cov1saroS, July 81, 1887.
To.dav has been one OF the most eventful In
the history of Covington, being the occasion
of thee Grand Picnic y given by aliegnkasniJ.
county In honor Of the completion OF me VIZ
ginia Central railroad to its western ter
habitants Of the surrounding country, ana IL a.
an early hour scores Of brave men ana IaiF
DANES might have been seen vending their
way to this point from all the contig uous sec
ton, and not q few gray-haired sires ana Ell
derby matrons honored the town with their
About l2h o clock train arrived at Coving..
ton, which train was met by the citizens OF
this and the adjoining countless the commit
tee of arrangements, assisted by Captain John
Carpenter and his police force, formed the
column, and the order to march being given,
proceeded to the courthouse green, where an
nrbor had been erected for the occasion. VII.
liam Skeen, Esq, then took the stand, and
said that in behalf of the citizens of Allegheny
he would give. 4 most hearty welcome to all
present; that the people of Allegheny were
always ready to extend cordial reception 70
| all their guests, and that on this occasion they
would endeavor to sustain their former pres
tige and renown. He then alluded to the
building of the Covington and Ohio railroad,
and said that this county did not intend tnat
the road should stop this side OF the ONO
that the intention of the people here was tnat
the Virginia Central railroad should become
a grand " Appian way from the West to the
capital of Virginia. that Alleghany's motto
was Westward and Onward he closed
with an allusion to Colonel Fontaine's great
interest in this work, and his anxiety that IL
should 60 ou
After a short interval during which the
Stonewall Band, from Staunt ton, discoursed
sweet music, Colonel Fontaine, president OF
the Virginia Central railroad, was introduced.
He first remarked that, as would be expecLeu'
he would say few words IN reply 70 VI u
Skeen that the stockholders and himself re-
ioiced as much as did the good people OF 20
yington at the completion of the road to TINS
point; that there is q mutual ana reciprocal
interest in this matter which he hoped al ap-
preciated. He lin abiding TO the history OF Inc
road) said that thirty years ago the road coulo
scarcely be said to have existed lnen IL was
only tributary to another road-hlcnmonu,
Fredericksburg and Potomac rallroadIwith
scarcely any individuality OF us own; ~ WAS
then first proposed to extend the road to Cor.
louisville afterwards, to the mountains
from which point it had steadily been pushed
forward until finally it had reached TINS
point He referred to the projected building
of the Covington and Ohio railroad, regard
ing it as almost criminal should we neglect 10
take advantage of the natural position OF the
country. He closed by urging upon the people
of the county to take immediate acton IN lne
matter.
Dinner being announced, the guests were
conducted to the Presbyterian church, where
thirteen tables literally groaned under the
weight of the good things spread upon them
all the delicacies and subs tantlals LOT Whtci
this county is famous were there; for taste1ul
arrangement of which we are indebted 10
the ladies of Covlngton. After everybody. nad
INDUCED to their satisfaction, the party tnen
returned to the courthouse, where speaking
was resumed
Mr. W. 2. Parrish of Albemarle, was then
introduced. He regretted that he should nave
been called upon after such eloquent speeches.
had been made, and particularly after sucn
" sumptuouS feast" had been partaken OF:
He alluded to the energy displayed by Colonei
Fontaine in the prosecution of the work OF
extension, and said that the one thing needlui
was cooperation; ways and means WERE
wanted and appealed to the ladles 70 IssiSt
in the good work by their influence. be al
luded to the great interest resulting TO Gov
ngton from the. extension of this road to the
Ohio predicted that the value Of lands In the
vicinity would be quadrupled
Mr.. 3. H. Magruder, of Albemarle, next
addressed the audience. He alluded to the
great interest taken by Albemarle in the eX-
tension of the railroad to the ONO; maze
mention of the value of such improvements
in themselves regarded railroads as one OF
the greatest blessings we have, as they furnish
III easy pathway from one section to another,
increase trade, and encourage industry. He
then alluded TO the difficulties which the Cen
trail road had met and overcome hoped that
before another summers sun should rise that
it would be extended to the Ohio. He closed
by urging the people to subscribe to this move
men. literally.
General Echols, of Augusta, and Mayor
Mayo, of Richmond, made addresses similar
in tone to those made by the other gentlemen
after which the meeting closed with three
cheers for Mr.. G. r. Mason, of Stanton, the
Unknown railroad con tractor, who struck
the first and last lick on the Virginia Central
railroad.
We would return thanks to the committee
of arrangements for courtesies shown, and
feel that we capnet speak too extrayagantly
in our praise of the people of Covington and
Allegheny.
General Lee was expected, but sent the fol-
lowing note:
"WHlTE SULPHUR SPRINGS, July 80, 1857.
"Gentlemen,-I regret that it isnot in my
power to attend the celebration at Covngton
in honor of the completion of the Virginia
Central railroad to its tern terminus; but
l heartily congratulate the company upon an
eveI6so creditable TO themselves and SO On
spicious to the citizens of Allegheny and to-
the country.
Z" Earnestly hoping that the road may soon
be extended to the Ohio river, am, with
great respect,
"Your obedient servant, r. Z. LEE"
- -