The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1867-10-10

had teen announced that social meeting of |
the former officers and EMPLOYEES ON the
Old Portage Road would be held at RiffePs /
Mansion House, and preparations had been |
made to accommodate large number of |
guests. But the assemblage, in point of |
numbers, exceeded the most sanguine ex-
pectatlons. From every point Of the com
pass the participants flowed in, and Sum- |
mitville, before the dinner hour, was alive
with the assembled multitude
The happiest feeling pervaded the assem-
blage: The old and the young-the brave
and the fair--all mingled congratulations,
and renewed long severed friendships. Ma |
ny who had been co-laborers on the road. |
but who had not met for many years, had
the pleasure of hearty shake Of the hand,
while they mutually recoCnted old incidents
of the road.
When the dinner hour arrived, the guests
sat down to table, furnished in Mr. Riff
fePs best style, groaning with all the delica-
cies of the season-the ladies, of whom there
were large number present, the wives and
daughters of the employees, occupying the
first table.
Dinner over, the younger portion of the
party repaired to the ball room and contin-
ued to trip it on the "light fantastic toe,"
while the more aged and sedate amused
themselves in friendly discourse and recount
ing anecdotes of the early history of the
road-some few, indeed, renewing their old
| acquaiutanship over convivial glass, until
night closed In.
| But darkness had no terrors for the lively
congregation assembled at the Mansion
| House." The music continued, there was
no tagging in the "mazy dance" no lull in
the enjoyment of the occasion.
| About ten O'Clock matters took a more
| formal shape, when r. L. Johnston was
called upon for speech. Before commence
| ing his remarks Mr.. j. read the following
letter from Gov. Geary:
EXECUTIVE CHAMBER,
HARRISBURG, PA, Sept 80. 1867.
w. K PIPER, JAMES SMITH, A. M'CoY,
and others, Committee, Summit, Cambria Co.
/ Gentlemen: 1t would afford me great pleas
ure to be with you tomorrow evening, 10
take by the hand so many Of the old en-
ployees On the Portage Railroad but the re-
cent death of near relative demands that l
should decline.
Please express to your companions at the
re union, my appreciation Of their kindness,
in extending the invitation. and say to them
that although unable to be with them in
= person I shall be in spirit. Wishing you,
one and all, all the enjoyment that you could
desire upon such an occasion, am
Respectfully yours, JNo. w. GEARY.
| he next, at the request of the Committee,
, read the following poem prepared for the
occasion:
SKETCHES CT THE PORTAGE RAILROAD.
Long time ago, when we were young,
We think in twenty-ninc,
Or maybe thirty was the year,
, Our project was designed.
J To build railroad across the hills
As connecting link,
+, And join canals, both East and West,
T Was the design, we think.
; The largest wisdom of the State
; Was all collected hither,
, To give their views and throw their weight
All in the scale together,
Aud start the work as best they could,
D To push with might and main,
, And build road of forty miles,
Including inclined planes.
: Canal Commissioners, we think,
Same time had beon appointed
!, James Clark. of Indiana town,
Was President annointed.
+ Sylvester Welsh, a of worth.
Possessed Of education,
! Was deputised to run the line -,
And find the best location.
S He organized noble band
: OF able engineers,
; And7seut them out to run the line
+, Along with overseers.
Commencing down at Conemaugh,
=, They climbed the highest hills,
y Then down the gap to Gaysport,
Below M'Cahan's Mills.
8 Commencing work in early Spring,
! AZ some do we'll remember,
e They pushed it through with all their might
And finished in November.
g Then soon the work was parceled out,
As some considered fair,
9 While half the nations on the globe
Were represented there. 1T the Letting.
J; The work went on with lightning speed
Z For years two, three or more,
When finally it was opened wide
In the Spring of thirty-four.
! AS transportation spread itself
!, And moved along the planes,
= Some towns and villages sprapg up
Whose traces still remain.
3 The Summit, one among the rest,
= Had fourished in its day:
a place of pleasure and resort,
A-hcre strangers loved to stay.
Designfo-, men and demagogues,
Whose hearts were set on plunder,
d Concocted plans 70 tear 1t up
e, And rend it al asunder.
e e 1t was a very pIeasa,1t place,
,. ssWhere strangers loveLtt to roam,
. And where many an honest workingman
- Had bought himself hon1c.
d But now. alas, there's little left
d OF former greatness there;
h 1t has passed away, and may be classed
IN Among the things that were.
u The road has also had its day
: And served its generation,
= And nothing now but lightning speed
- VIII suit this Yankee nation.