Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1870-09-09
Breaking Ground on the Shenandohh
Valley Railroad.
1Renortcd for the Alexandria Gazette. |

lRepOrtcd for the Alexandra UaZette.l
The special train, with the excurslonlsts to
Front Royal, to attend the celebration OF the
ground breaking" of the Shenandoah Val
ley Railroad, lett the depot Of the O., A. q NJ
r. R., at this city, yesterday morning, imme::
diately behind the regular Southern Douno
train. Before entering the cars your reporter
found that Alexandria was we'll and ably, rep
resented, whether the delegation was looked ct
from moral, physical or intellectual point OF
view-nor must their gastronom'c capacity De
reckoned among the least of their shining VIZ
tues, though doomed at later hour or the
day to be only partially tested. 49, ;.
The cities of Philadelphia and Washington
were represented by large delegation compos,,
ell of gentlemen of capital, deservedly noted
for their enterprise and the interest they take
in works OF internal Improvement Alter get,
ting under way the different delegations mingled
quite freely, and the tedlum of the ride was
relieved ty social converse, 10 which the Veter'
an Gobright, of the Associated Press, played
CONSPICUOUS part. We will not undertake to de-
scribe the country through which we passed
it has been 50 often written OF by tourist, poet
and reporter, that we need not stop to expatlate
upon its beauties and sublimity-- 1t to say
IL
thing that we have read or heard OF It, When
we reached the depot at Front Royal we found
ample provisions made by the Committee OF
Arrangements to transport the guests from
thence to the village, one mile distant. There
was every variety of vehicle, from one
horse chaise' to four horse wagon. Upon
reaching the Court House in the centre or the
neat little town, we found speaking going going
oa-the President Of the S. V. r. r., T. B.
Borst, having Just finished stirring speech: he
was followed by Col. Stewart and George Har:
riss. Then dinner was served, after which all
repaired to the spot where ground was to be
broken" The ceremonies at this point were
opened With prayer by Rev. Mr.. Clarke, OF
Front Royal. Then John L. Marye, the
Lieutenant Governor of the State, after snort
and appropriate address. tooka pick and form
ally opened this great highway, by digging the
first earth, which was thrown out by Col. NC
Clurc, of Philadelphia, who, previous to per-
forming his part of the manual labor maze q
very practical and excellent speech. lie was
followed by Hon. A. r. Boteler, OF Shepherds,
town. who made, as usual, most capital
ing was resumed, and in response to calls,
Lieutenant Governor Mayrc, Col. Stewart, Col.
G. Nj. Wa kcr, brother OF the Governor, Col.
Boteler Jas. Williams, and others, made short
but appropriate speeches.
The services were made merry by the gen
erous juice" in every shape in which it could
be put up by the nevta Bile Buck, who was
every where present, either in person, or By
proxy, ia the form Of brandy wine, and peaches.
The music on the occasion was furnished by
Keisler's foe cornet band from the neighbour
ing town OF Strasburg
We cannot close this imperfect sketch OF the
days proceedings without returning our thanks
to the citizens OF the town of Front Royal and
vicinity for the ample repast which their gen.
erous libcraty had caused to be spread for the
guests invited to participate in the opening OF
this great railway. The long tables literally
groaned under the weight OF chickens, beet
mutton ct M on1ne genus, arranged thereon BY
the fair matrons Of that iar-iamed region, whose
presence at the table and 90 the ground lent an
additional charm to tho days entertainment
*.