Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1870-09-13
SHENANDOAH VALLEY R. R.
Broken =
WORK COMMENCED.

LhO Obh AAoh't "oo q 10Y VI NSSP
interest to the people of the Shenandoah and
Luray Valleys, and will long be remem bered
BY them. 1t commemorated the Inauguration
of one of the most important railways in the
United States regarded as link between
the North and South, and was the beginning
of development of the magnificent and in
exhaustible resources of our dear Old Com
monwealth. The day was most auspieious
one>-clear and bright and typical as we hope
and believe of the fortunes o. the work so in
timately associated with it.
At an early hour, masses of people we're
seen moving il every direction towards the
great centre of attraction-Front Royal-the
place selected for the interesting ceremony of
breaking ground. At Winchester and Stras-
burg, Owe having travelled by rail,) we met
large delegations of visitors with their faces
set towards the East, (the place from which
the rising sun always emerges.) AT the latter
point, a band of music joined us and con-
tributed much to enliven the trip to the place
of our destination. At Front Royal Station,
vehicles of every description we're in attend
ance to conduct the guests to the town, which
lies about mile distant from Manassas Gap
Road. When we entered the town crowds of
people were pouring into and through its
streets, towards the Court House, where seats
had been prepared in the ample grounds for
the accommodation of the spectators, and
where the hospitable board of the citizens of
Warren had been spread and loaded with the
wherewithal for the internal improvement of
the thousands Of strangers whom they ex-
pected, and who had actually arrived among
them.
OF the vast throng here gathered it was
noticeable that there were hundreds of the
fairest daughters of Valley, encouraging
by their presence and enlivening by their
smiles an occasion in which not only they are
interested, but in which their children's chill
dren are concerned.
The time appointed for the ceremony was
delayed to await the arrival of large number
of excursionists from New York and Phila-
delphia, who had been de famed unexpectedly
on the route from Washington to Front
Royal. This party, comprising large capital
lists from these cities, and who are interested
in the construction of our road, at length
q o'clock, p NJ arrived. Meantime, how
ever, several interesting addresses had been
delivered to the eager multitude by Presi-
dent Borst, (who gave exceedingly inter-
esting and satisfactory account of the origin,
progress and prospects of the work over which
he presides,) Judge John 7. Harris, of Rock
ingham Judge Parker, of Winchester; J.
E. Snodgrass, Esq, of the Potomac Fruit
Growers Association, of Washington, and
d. B. Strauss, Esq, of Roanoke county
Letters of encouragement and congratulate
ton were read, with appropriate predatory re-
marks. by Col. Jas. E. Stewart, the late able
editor of the Page Courier, from Gov. Geary,
of Pennsylvania, Ex>Gov. Wise, Hons A Fl.
H. Stewart and John B. Baldwin, Ex-Gov.
Wyndham Robertson, and others.
After the delivery of these addresses and
the reading of the letters. dinner was an
nounced and in due time despatched APP
petites of all being abundantly satisfied by
the prOfuse supplies provided for the occa-
sion.
After the inner man lad been refreshed
by flood meet for him." and by suitable
quantity of Bucks best vintages, (Which to-
day extend the great reputation which they
already enjoy,) the crowd repaired to a spot
some hundred yards from the courthouse,
to witness the ceremony which. constituted
the most interesting feature of the exercises
the breaking of ground for THE SHENAN-
DoAH VALLEY RAILROAD.
Around the selected place were long rows
of carts;. stacks of picks, Shovels, &C., to be
used by the energetic OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
Messrs. Collins g. Coin the speedy con-
struction of the road
Here with uncovered heads and in breath
less silence the assembled thousands listened
to an earnest and fervent prayer from Rev.
geuteman-whose name were unable to
learn-at tho conclusion of which Lieut.. Gov.
Mayre, of Virginia, Gov. Walker being un-
avoidably absent in an able and very eloquent
address, welcomed to the State the visitors
from abroad who had travelled hundreds of
miles to be present, and who we're investing,
in confidence of profitable return, their CAPT
toll in the great work then about to be COM
menced. The Lieut.. Gov was most happy in
his illusions to the strong bond which this
road would form between the sections Of our
country but recently in terrible conflict with
each other. In no other way, he said, could
lasting reconstruction be more effectually ae-
complished, than by an increase and multi
plication of the means of intercommunication
49, A. Mt - .Lo Co,tL A. tba