Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-11-16
Merited Compliment to q Master
Machinfsf.

mdCAnhABls
The friends and suoOrdinates of Mr..
VIM. II. Russell while Master Machinist of
the Edgefield and Kentucky Railroad, de-
sirous of expressing in some substantial
manner their friendship and regard for their
LOOMS to proceed, in company with Mr..
Jno. Bean and others, to Decatur, Ala,
and present in their behalf valuable gold
watch to Mr.. Russell, who is now in the
employ of the Louisville, Nashville and
Great Southern railroad and has charge of
the shops Of the company at Decatur.
Mr.. Russell was appointed master ma
chinist of the E. & K. Railroad in 1865 and
has since been alternately connected with
the road under its different managers until
recently when he and a number of other old
employees severed their connection with
the road for reasons unknown to US. The
bond of sympathy and friendship, charsc-
teristics Of noble nature, which binds these
"hardy SONS of toll" is fOrcibly illustrated in
consideration of the fact that many of them
will be separated indefinitely and perhaps
forever, and conseq Iently could not be act
uSted by those sinister motives which too
often drag the pure foundation Of good will.
The delegation assembled with sJme in
vited guests st the Cartny-house after tea on
Wednesday last and Mr.. Russell being in
vited to the parlors, Mr.. John G. LOOMS
addressed him as follows at the same time
presenting the watch:
Mr.. Russell: Allow me, Ia behalf Of the
employees of the E. & &. and E., II. & n.
Railroads, to present you with this small
token as an humble manifestation of our
esteem and confidence, both as a gentle
man and a mechanic. In our subordinate
stations we have ever found you the same,
impartial of all within your sphere. This
opportunity of thus expressing our appre-
citation of those noble qualities which you
so eminently possess, we regard no less
pleasure than a duty. Although our BUSH
ness relationship has ceased, and we are
separated for lime, we will never forget to
remember you with feelings Of kindness,
and rejoice with you in whatever success
may attend you through life.
To which Mr.. Russell, much affected, re-
piled:
MR.. LOOMS, my friend: When you
and your companions arrived here to-day,
the pleasure Of again clasping those 'finty
hands" that have piled with me, In days
gone by, the throttle, the chisel and the
hammer, filed my soul with those pleas
urable emotions of which the poor elo-
quence of words has yet failed to give ex-
preston. felt then my cup of happiness
was filed, but now you have run it over,
and lest should fail Of expression,
from my feeble store of language, 10 do
justice to my heart upon this occasion,
l will simply say thank you.
This watch, this beautiful machine, made
to mark the hcurs and minutes of time,
will opine fail of CELEBRITY of motion to
mark the throbbings of grateful heart
my heart-When memory shall wander to
those noble spirits; its generous donors,
whom J. love and for whose prosperity and
happiness l shall ever pray.
A personal knowledge of your industry
and capacity, not only of yourself but those
hardy boys you represent, relieves me Of
that anxiety for your future that would
otherwise pain me. All have to say TO
you and those you represent is, maintain
your manhood, be as true to others as you
have been to me and my superiors and you
will at least deserve success and you viii
always find friend in Bill Russell.
The hilarity Of the evening was intensi-
fed by ''getting outside of" various bottles
Of champagne and the relation of anec-
dotes. Messrs. Loomis & Bean returned
yesterday much delighted with their trip
and the good time they had generally.