Middletown transcript., 1868-02-08
= - = \. q
Opening Of the Queen Anne's and
+ Kent Rail Road.
Interesting Ceremony OF breaking the
Ground--Large ConcOurse of People Pres
ent--lA Greas Day ina NAillingtOn.
Raorteator he Mddleto,gn Transcript.


ent--A G;reas Day Ina AilIington.
RsportsaJor the ATddletovn Transcript.
Thursday the 9th of February, viii
long be. remembered by the citizens Of
Kent and Queen Anne's counties, as the
day on which the earth was first broken
| for the construction of the Queen. Anne's
and Kent Rail Road. This interesting
ceremony took place at Millington, Kent
county, Md. under the supervision of the
President and Directors of the Company,
and under the immediate auspices of Eu-
reka Lodge, No. 6S, A. F. A. NJ of Mil
lington.
The day was auspicious, overhead, though
| the ground was covered with, snow, and
every avenue leading to the town was
thronged with sleighs and other vehicles,
which had conveyed an immense multitude
Of spectators to the town to witness the
ceremonies. rs 4,e. lqt
Not less than two thousand people were
present on the occasion, among whom were
many Delawareans, encouraging the citi-
zens of Kent and Queen Annes in their
praiseworthy enterprise. The Masonic Fra
ternity were present in force, having freley
responded to the invitation of Eureka
Lodge, at whose instance they were as
sembled. Besides the Eureka Lodge, large
populations were present from Corsica
Lodge, of Ceutreville; Chester Lodge,
of Chestertown and Union Lodge, of Mid
dletown, Del. The ancient and honorable
Order made q very fine display as they
marched and countermarched through the
town. a,4a,E ~
The procession was formed at high
noon" and moved in regular order, to the
sound of music from the Smyrna Brass
Band, and was joined by large number
of citizens, and also by the Methodist Epis-
copal Sabbath School of the town, with
banners and other devices and in the in
tervals of the music by the Band, they
sang their sweetest carols and contributed
T much by their presence to enliven the
scene. e{l 4
A large stand had been erected to ac-
: commodate the Officers of the Rail Road
Company, the Marshal and Officers of the
Order, the Orators of the day, and the
Reporters. The spot selected for break
ing the ground, immediately in front. Of
the stand, was surmounted by a beautiful
arch, and handsomely festooned with ever
greens. To Past Master Colonel LEMUEL
RoDBRTs, of Queen Anne's county, was
assigned the honor of breaking the ground,
, which, duty he performed at fifteen minutes
of two o'clock, P. M. ie sla..tt.l .sJ
The following is the Order of the Pro-
cession, and of the interesting ceremonies
0 ihaugrrated by Eureka Lodge, in honor Of
4 the occasion: liG i. .aiar4 -a .
!, ttFl Marshal of the Day AB
1 Tyler, with drawn sword
: Stewards, with, white rods
ets Entered Apprentices.
( ~ Fellow Crafts.
Master Mas0ns.
a Junior Warden, carrying the Vessel o
l. Corn. hi
! Senior Warden, carrying. the Vessel o
Wine.
e Past Master, carrying the Vessel of Oil
u 15e Secretary and Treasurer.
$ tf Past Master, with Holy Bible.
DfI s. Deacon-W. Master--iJ. Deacon.
re aes'I sabbath School.n g Z
!, seq @'i.t,gf Citizens. nii eiff.
e The procession having arrived at tn
= arch, opened to the right and left, an
= uncovered, the Worshipful Master and hi
III Officers assembled to the platform, and tn
rest Of the brethren surrounded it. TIL
w. NJ commanded silence in the usua
u Masonic form, when, Masonic Ode wa
of sung in fine style Prayer was then offer
ed by Rev. L. Stubbs, Chaplain of Cheste
es Lodge. +
he The w. NJ and the Officers then dc
q. scended from the platform when the j. w
presented the w. M. with the Vessel {
:, Corn, saying:
d. "W, NJ. / present you with the Corn
ry Nourishment." S
st The W. NJ. poured it on the earth.
!; The S. w presented the Vessel of Wine
= saying:
~W. NJ. 1 present you with the Win
a. of Refreshment."
,r- The w. NJ poured it on the earth
The p. NJ. presented the Vessel of Oi
he saying:
i - Nv. NJ. I present you with the Oil
III Joy."f n hstls
's- The W. NJ. poured it on the earth an
said:
May the all-bounteous Author Of N;
w. ture bless the inhabitants of this place al
country with all the hecessaries, conven
iei enoies ana comforts of life, assist in Il
ate construction and completion of this Ri
me Road, protect the workmen from acciden
nal long preserve this road from decay, ar
grant to US all supply of the Corn
Nourishment, the Wine of Refreshmer
cod and the Oil of JOY" Z
Of To which the brethren responded q!
mote it be-"
tri- Past Master Roberts then opened I
for earth, when the Lodge gave the pub
grand honors.
The w. NJ! James NJ Lees, reascend
the platform and delivered the Spade
~ the Contractor, George Stearns, Esq.
OF Wilmington, saying:
ore stWorthy sir. having thus, as w.