The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1870-06-18
ELKTON, JUNE is, 1870.
Opening Of the Wilmington and Reading
Railroad.

RAILROAD
A formal opening Of that great enter
prise, the Wilmington and Reading Rail
road, was celebrated on Thursday last by
an excursion over the road, and grand
dinner to the guests at the ancient city of
Reading. The celebration was under the
direction and management of the Whining
ton Board of Trade, the guests comprising
the City Council and most prominent citi-
zens of Wilmington, the City Council Of
Reading, with the sterling men of Chester
and Berks counties, Pa, who have taken an
active part in the construction of the road,
with invited guests from other quarters
The opening ceremonies were inaugurated
by a visit, on Wednesday, to the principal
points of interest in the city of Whining
ton. The large Carriage Mandatory Of
McLear & Kendall, was first visited, where
the party had the satisfaction of witnessing
the greatest establishment of the kind in
thecountry. About 100 hands are employed
in these shops, and the average work turn
ed out is 7 carriages a day. Their princi-
pal market is in the Southern States.
The next point of interest was Grace
Church, the pride of Wilmington, and the
idol of the Methodist congregation, who
are justly proud of this magnificent house
of worship. The building cost 5000, 900,
or upwards of that sum, and is one of the
handsemest churches in the country. We
believe it is the finest Methodist Church
in the world
The greatest manufacturing establish
ment visited by the excursionists, and the
greatest, we believe, in Wilmington, was
the Ship Yard and Car Shops Of the Har-
Ian s. Hollingsworth Co. There are 900 men
at present employed by the Company, who
have two large iron steamers on the stocks ;
one of them will be the largest iron vessel,
when completed, ever built in Wilmington.
The Company are constantly enlarging and
extending their facilities for the business
of iron ship building. Among the i'm
provements now being added to their i'm
mense establishment, is a dry dock 300 feet
in length. Wilmington has the enviable
reputation of building more iron vessels
than are constructed in all other parts Of
the country together.
The Car Works of jackson and Sharp
is another extensive mandatory, employ
ing upwards of three hundred hands. Here
the Celebrated Pullman Palace Cars, for
the Pacific Railroad, are constructed.
The excursionists, after visiting some Of
the most prominent points of interest, were
conducted on board the steamboat Ariel,
and enjoyed delightful trip on the Della
ware, going below New Castle, and return
ing again to the city.
At o'clock the excursionists assembled
at Institute Hall, where complementary
supper was served, and good deal Of
speaking took place, after the good cheer
had been discussed. Hon. Hester Clymer,
from Reading, was called upon to respond
to a toast, and in the course of his speech
told the Blue Hens Chickens that their
ancestors were the original secessionists Of
this country; the three counties forming
the State of Delaware originally being
provinces Of Pennsylvania; but, unlike our
modern seceders, they first obtained the
consent of the Parent State.
One remarkable feature of the banquet,
was the absence of all spirituous liquors or
wine. No fluid stronger than cold water
and coffee was seen around the board
This is an Innovation on the old custem
worthy of the enterprising men who are
grasping the wealth of the interior of Penn
sylvania with hooks of steel.
We were unable to accompany the ex-
cursionists over the road on Thursday, and
enjoy the good cheer and cordial greeting
which was extended to their guests by the
solid men of Reading. And we regretted
this all the more, after having enjoyed the
open-handed hospitality of our numerous
friends and the large-hearted people of Will
mington.