Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1867-08-06
PICNIC AT CONVICTION.

| Through the courtesy of the committee OF ar
rangements we received an invitation to attend
the picnic at Covington, on last Wednesday, the
31st ult, given by the citizens of Allegheny coun-
ty in honor of the completion of the Va. Central
Railroad to its Western terminus special
train for the occasion arrived here about clock,
with large number ofinvited guests aboard from
Richmond and other important points on the road,
and after remaining here about an hour, left for
Its destination with large number of our citizens.
| We arrived at Covngton about 121 O. clock amid
the shouts and cheers of thousands of Allegheny
brave sons and fair daughters. The committee
OF arrangements, assisted by Capt. John Carpen-
ter, (of Carpenters famous battery of artillery,
and his police corps, formed the column headed
by the Stonewall Band, of this place, and the or
der to march being given, proceeded to the Court
House green, where an arbor and seats were
erected for the comfort and accommodation of
the immense throng.
VIM. Skeen, Esq, then took the stand and ex-
tended most hearty welcome to all present, and
pledged the support of Allegheny county to the
construction of the Covington and Ohio Railroad
the motto of Allegheny being ''W estward and
Onward"
After music by the band Col E. Fontaine was
jocing at the completion of the road, and stated
that thirty years ago the road could scarcely be
said to have existed, and concluded by urging
the people of Allegheny to put their shoulders to
the wheel and assist in pushing forward the Gov
ington and Ohio road
Dinner was then announced and the crowd re-
paired to the Presbyterian Church, where the
festive board groaned beneath its load of eatables
both of substantial and delicate character. We
have never on any similar occasion, witnessed
such a profusion of good things. The ladies of
Covington deserve the highest credit for the sat
isfactory and tasteful manner in which the dinner
was served. After dinner, the party returned to
the Court House, and speaking was resumed.
Messrs. w. P. Parish and B. III. McGruder, of
Albemarle, Gen. Echols, Of this place, and May
or Mayo, of Richmond. all made speeches in IA
vor of cooperation in the building of the Coving-
ton and Ohio Railroad, and urged the people to
subscribe literally to this great work of internal
improvement, as the surest means of enrching
our noble old State and placing her among the
first States in the Union.
The meeting closed with three cheers for G. r.
Mason, of Stanton, who struck the first and last
lick on the Va. Central Railroad. -~-
Gen. Lee was expected to be present, but being
unable to attend sent the following letter.
s WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, I
July 30, 1867.
Gentlemen Il regret that it is not in my
power to attend the celebration at Covington in
honor of the completion of the Virginia Central
Railroad to its Western terminus but heartily
congratulate the company upon an event so cred
liable to themselves and so suspicious to the citi
zens of Allegheny and to the country.
Earnestly hoping that the road may soon be
extended TO the Ohio river. | am with great re-
spect, Your ob't serv.t,
r. y LEE,