Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1870-09-17

I rOdl-CtTeHOhieS UHeHUtHy Hc SuMc-A'-
mense OutpOuing Of the People-2jOO Per-
sons Present-Lieutenan Goo. Mayye The First
10 Break the Earth.
Agreeable to aunouucementin our last weeks
issue that there would be a grand Shenandoah
Valley Railroad Barbecue in Front Royal on
| Thursday, the Sth day Of September, 1870, the
Court House green for several days has been
the scene of great activity, and the noise Of
the hand-saw and hammer could be heard from
every side, directed by the skillful operative IN
preparation for tue day Large and commo-
dious sheds were erected on either side of the
! Court House, extending the entire length,
which had been provided with comfortabeseats
for the ladies, who, in great numbers, graced
the occasion with their presence.
In front and near the window, stand was
erected with a beautiful oval roof for the
/ Brass Band from Strasburg, which interSperSed
fine mGSc on The interesting occasion.
From early morn till after the arrival Of the
special train at II o'clock with the delegates
from Philadelphia, Washington and Richmond,
/ the crowd continued to increase.
?. B. Borst, Esq, President OF The S. '.
Railroad, addressed the audience in happy
and appropriate manner, referring to the com
mencement, progress aud expectations OF ms
company, and was followed by Hon. John l.
/ Harris, DR.. L. Snodgrass, of Washington:
/ Judge Parker, of Winchester, j. Is. Scouts, OF
/ Roanoke Letters were read from his Honor
John W. Geary, Governor OF PENNSYLVANIA
Hon. Henry \. Wise, Hon A. IL. Stewart
Hon John b. Baldwin and Windham Robin
/ son. ESQ. of Virginia and Jacob Russell, Esq,
/ Of New York, explaining their reasons for non
attendance, but giving their hearty good VIII
/ for the success Of the road.
| Dinner was announced, and after partakIng
/ of the sumptuouS repaSt prepared for the occa-
| sion. embracing in abundance meats, vegeta-
/ bles, fruits, peaches and grapes green corn,
/ bread. cakes, mot emitting that whchenllvcns
| the mind and gives zest TO the speakers, the
crowd proceeded to the field to witness the
- breaking of the ground" a hollow square
was then formed. in the center of which had
been placed pick, shovel and spade. The
ceremony was opened by prayer by Elder John
/ Clark. who prefsced the services by stating
that his profession, for the last thirty years, had
/ been 10 encourage his fellcw-ctizcuS to walk
| in a road which led from thiS world TO celes-
| tial Kingdom, and which was a narroW and
| STRAIT ,cey-an air liue-but it was becoming
| 10 US to ask the blessing Of God upon any en-
| terprisc that was lawful for us to engage in.
| Lieut. Governor Marye was then introduced
and made a spirited speech, after which he
/ took pick in hand and 10Th great dcrtcriy broke
/ the earth. Col Mcclure, Of Philadelphia, was
next introduced, and was particularly happy
| in his remarks, it being the first opportunity
/ he ever had of addressing a southern audience
/ The gst of his remarks, after referring to the
/ great importance the 5. Y. r. L. would be to
/ the Valley, was TO heal any dissensions in the
minds of the people, and to pour oil upon the
troubled waters 1t remained for him to use
! the spade and to remove the earth which had
been loosened by Gov Marye. The Hon. A.
! f.. Boteler. so popular and well known as 4
gentleman to the people of the Valley, and
whose gifts in addressing his fellow-citizenS
have rendered him one of the most popular
speakers in Virginia, was next introduced, and
closed the ceremony in the field in his usual
happy manner. The crowd then returned to
the Court-IIouse yard shere they were again
entertained by Col Boteler. Next in turn fol-
. lowed our friend j. II. Williams ESQ., from
Winchester. who is ever ready and willing 70
respond 20 the call of his friends. of the
effect of his speech, the eclat from the crowd
will best attest. Our young friend and towns
man, Richard B. Bayley, was called upon and
closed the ceremonies. We had not the plea
sure of hearing Mr. Bayley, but learn his effort
was highly creditable to himself and gratifying
to his numerous friends who were present.
1t is supposed, by persons accustomed to wit
Messing large gatherings that there was some
/ $500 persons present Good order prevailed,
and the ceremonies of the day passed Oft much
10 the satisfaction OF all who attended, aud 10y
the setting of the sun but few persons, save
/ those who remained with their friends could
be seen upon the streets. All again was peace
| and quiet 1t now remains for the contractors
to 90 to work and put into execution one Of
the most important works for our people aud
country that has ever been iuaugurated in this
/ beautiful and fertile Valley.