Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1871-07-01
BALTIMORE SHAKES HANDS
WITH PITTSBURGH.
GRAND EXCURSION OVER THE
PITTSBURGH AND CONNELLS-
VILE RAILROAD.

The completion OF that important section OF
railroad between Connellsvilleand Cumberland,
which had been so long delayed, and which
cave Pittsburg new route to the tidewater,
and Baltimore a new avenue to the great in
land cites Of the West and South, was announc-
ed several weeks ago. II was fitting that an
event so important should be formally celebrated
and accordingly, the City Of Pittssurg through,
It's Councils extended cordial invitation to
the citizens Of Baltimore to visit that place and
partake Of its hospitality. The steps thus
taken were seconded by President Garrett Of
the b. & o. r. R. and President Hu ,ert Ct the
Pittsburgh, W & Baltimore Road who placed
an needed facilities at the disposal Of the
Committees appointed to carry oRt their wish
es.
1T an early hogr Monday morning there
were busy and bastling scenes at both ends
Of the great railroad line, the opening of which
we now formally celebrate. At the Washing
ton Depot, Camden street, Baltimore, the in
yited gUcsts began to assemble as early as Ave
o'clock, the hour Of departure having been
fixed at six. Two special trains were in wait
ing, each consisting Of FIVE elegant passenger
coaches and baggage car, and each drawn by
powerful passenger locomotive beautifully
Gccked with flowers, eycrgreens and flags,
which softeneG the brillancy of their burnish-
cd mountings. The car Of Pretident Garrett,
Of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company,
was attached to the second train.
All along the Baltimore and Ohio road, the
citizens turned out and attested their interest
and qualification by cheers, and waving of
hats and handkerchieis. At Frederick juno
ton, Harper's Ferry aud Martinsburg, stops
were ordered and accessions made to the excur-
sion. Lunch was served on the way under
the direction Of William Wagner, of the Green
House Baltimore, and the guests suffered
nothing for lack Of creature comforts.
The entrance Of the trains into Cumberland
was greeted by general outpouring OF citizens,
and the Fifth Regiment Band Of Baltimore,
and the Great Western Band, Of Pittsburg,
gave life to the demonstration by performing
spirited airs.
The train from Baltimore arrived in Cum
berland few minutes before the Pittsburgh
train, and the Pittsburghers speedily disem-
barked, and under the direction Of the Chief
Marshal and his assistants were formed into
line and marched through the main street, and
returning halted in front Of the Revere House
where an address Of welcome was delivered by
Hon. H. w Hoffman.
Mr. Hoffman was followed by Hill Burgwiu,
Esq, Of Pittsburgh, solicitor of the Pittsburgh
and Couuellsyillo railroad, in the nature Of a
response, but disclaiming formality, and ex-
pressing heartfelt sentiments. President Gar
rett followed in one Of his Enthusiastically
able and interesting speeches.
w. o. Hushart, president Of the Connells-
vile road, closed the speaking with few con-
grltulatory remarks.
The excursiouists were then escorted to the
dining Saloons of tue Revere House, where
they were entertained in handsome style, aud
in the course of au hour and a half resumed
their Journey.
The two trains left Cumberland, preceded by
two extra trains from Pittsburgh, amidst the
cheers Of the people and music. Thence pro-
cocding through the Wills Creek valley, ex-
tending from Cumberland to the base Of the
Allegany mountains, at southampton station,
twenty-five miles west of Cumberland, there
was a beautiful arch Of eyergreens aud flowers
over the track, with the words, on white
shield, " Hail to Baltimore and Pittsburg, unit
cd at Cumberland There was a representa-
ton Of clasped hands below The trains pro-
ceeded up the slope Of Alegany, through
Sand Patch tunnel, scyen-eighths of a mile in
length, then commenced the descent of the
western slope into the coal fields at Myerss
Mills. At the base Of the mountain there was
another elegant arch of evergreens aud flow
crs over the track, with the inscription, q" Wei
come Il. L. c., sisnifying Hughayt, Latrobo
and Garrett
At this point there was a large assemJlage
Of citizens, including many ladies. The Great
Western Band got down, and after playing
stirring air, President Hughart made a speech
ofcougratulation President Garrett followed
referring to the gigantic opposition the road
had met, and expressing qualification that the
people Of the section had at length found a
way to reach to their great natural market
Baltimore.
The train proceeded on to another spur of
the Allesauies, passing through Pinkerton tun-
mel, one thousand feet in length, and then on
to another spur, passing by a temporary track
over the Brooke tunnel, not yet completed, the
road mp one side and down the othort being on
a grade of about two hundred feet to tue mile.
We continued down through Confluence, Pa.
where there was also an arch of flowers and
popular demonstration, on through the coun-
ties Of Somerset and Fayettc, Pa. 70 Councils
villc the terminus of the old road, and the
centre ofthe coal mining interested the YOU
gbj1shcuy
We arrived at CouuelIsyille about ten
o'clock f.. NJ, and as We approached We had
fan view Of the numerous coke furnaces.