Wilmington journal., 1874-12-25

There was very agreeable i'm
promaptu dinner yesterday at the |
Purcell House, at which we had the
pleasure of meeting MIR. Edward
Mathews of New York City. The
time was short, very short, for Mr..
Mathews arrived in the city only the
terday morning after bereakfast that
he consented to anything like pnblic
compliment being paid him. Indeed
when notified of the purpose before
arriving here he peremptorly declined
by telegram.
Notwithstanding all this, however,
mine host of the Purcell rose fully to
the height of the occasion and pro-
vided an elegant dinner. The wines
too, were capital. Some of our most
prominent citizens were present,
among them Messrs. Hugh Waddell.
DR.. A. J. DeRosset. Henry Mutt, E.
Kidder, Col. s. l.. Fremont, Robert
Strange, G. r. French, F. W. Kerch-
ner, S. n. Martin, W. B. Binford, I.
B. Granger, o. G.. Parsley ,Jr., and c.
Fl. Roberts.
DIR. DeKosset presided with Mr..
MATHEWS ON his right and DR.. Roberts
on his left. After the vianas were dis
posed of and the champagne began to
circulate, Dr. DeRosset proposed the
health of the guest, Mr.. MATHEWS,
which vas seconded by Colonel
Strange. who set forth what Mr.
MATHEWS had done for the old North
State in general and for Wilmington in
particular.
Mr.. MATHEWS responded, ex
pressing his pleasure at the cordial
| hospitality he had received during his
visit to North Carolina; his confidence
in the success OF the road and its
speedy connection with the net work
of railways in the Mississippi Valley.
Ho expressed the opinion also that the
Carolina Central was destined to be-
come at an early day the eastern ter
minus of the Southern Pacific Railway,
and showed the advantages that would
thereby accrue to the city of Whining
ton. Mr.. MATHEWS spoke at some
length and was cheered throughout.
When Mr.. MATHEWS had conclu-
ded DIR. DeRosset, as one of the
oldest of the commercial commu-
nifty present and occupying the
seat of honor rose to express his
admiration of the wonderful en-
ergy of our honored guest in the pros
cutlon of the great work which he had
undertaken, ard of the almost 1ncred-
ibe tinancicl skill and ability which be
has displayed in pushing it on single,
handed. and without interruption,
under the peculiar difficulties which
have existed through the country fol
more than a year past. He added
that it was his firm belief that what
has already been accomplished vii
promote the growth and prosperity
of our city more than all the grea'
works which have previously beer
{ constructed, and when its transmon
; tame connections (Which must necessa
f; riIy be made) shall have been com
pleted. that our future will be such a
: none Of US can now fully realize, ever
IN imagination.
All honor then be to the man t.
: whom We already owe SO much, ant
may he long live to witness the bene
G faction which be has been SO large]
: instrumental III bestowiDg upon ou
: city and State, and to be rewarded
thousand foid tor the venture which b
: has 50 nobiy ard literally made III &C
, compiisEing i.
Letters from HOE. ". 4. Wrigl
L and Hon. Il. l.. Bridgcrs expressiD
Il their regret at their inability to b
e present were read Col. FremOr
s thereupo4 proposed the health of Nj
t Brid2ers, which, after some remark
about that gentleman and the Wi
> mington I weldon Railroad, was dul
!: drank.
:. Mr.. French then proposed the fo
:. lowing which wts dr41k with the hoy
Ii 0rE:
); Honor to the nau,e Of Mr.. Mathew
/ vino SO robly furnished means
$ achieve ard accomplish SO great
!. work - Tie connection by rail frol
l. Wilmington To Charlotte, from ii
;. Ocean to the Mountains.
The next toast was to the officers an
others connected with the Carolln
Central Railway who had done 5
e much to aia lit it's completion. NJ
g Martin tiien called up Mr.. Hem
- Mutt by a reference to the River an
: Bar improvements. Mr.. Mutt r
. spondcd briefly, giving the NO
= encouraging account Of the progre
: of the work for the improvement
. the bar, and then, the hour for his d
r parture having arrived, Mr.. MATHEW
= bid us all good bye for time, and IL
~ party broke Up, wishing linn sa
- and pleasant trip home.