Wilmington journal., 1875-05-21
The S.vassa Company and the
Press AssOcinlion

One Of the most plea incidents OF
the week was the visit yesterday OF
the Press Association to the works of
the Navassa Guuuo Company, four
miles from the city. The Association
with number of other gentlemen
were taken out to the works in d special
train, through the courtesy OF Col
Fremont
Whan the train arrived, the party
assembled on the shady lawn near the
main building and found an unexpec. e2
preparation Tor this comfort of the in
ner man, in the shape OF long table
loaded with iced champagne, &c, -e
Mr.. kerchner meeting the party
stated that IL the absence OF the Pres
ident of the Company, he had just
been requested by some of its officers
to welcome the Press Association TO
the grounds, aud invite them to an
inspection Ot the WORKS. He spoke at
some length of the manufacturing in
terest ami pointed 1t oIt as the great
impetus to the future prosperity of
the State. Although mis- own interests
were conferred almost exclusively IN
trade and commerce, be was com
PEELED 70 acknowledge that to manu-
facturrs rather than commerce should
North Carolina look for her great f,,-
tnre wealth He gave an instance Of
the benefits arising from cO-opera-
ton III the statment OF Gov. Spragus,
of Rhode Island who point d out to
distinguished English manufacturer,
the extensive factories of the State
and declared that to thecombined pit
tances of the factory girls was due the
erection and successful operation of
many of them.
Capt. Fulghum, Secretary of the
n. G. Press Association, was introduce
ed by Maj. Eugelhard and responded
in behalf of the Association, returning
their thanks for the compliments of the
occasion.
Twelve months ago the editors OF
North Carolina assembled in the city
of Raleigh, as the guests of the citl-
zens of that beautiful lefty. The l cal
Press took them to the Insane Asylum,
the Penitentiary end places of such
character, but no quarters could any
where be found for them. Whether
the editors were thought fit to be in
mates of these institutions was mat
ter of Inference. In Wilmington no
such ill-omened abodes had beea ex-
hlbited to them, bat a generous hos
pitality had everywhere been exhibi-
ted to them at every turn.
IN conclusion he expressed the SEN
timent that the Navassa Guano Com
pany, in the future as in the past, re-
main one Of the permanent institutions
l.
factor, friend to the planter, en-
blematical of the growth of the great |
city of Wilmington, the only future |
seaport of North Carolina.
Alter lively popping of champagne |
corks the Press Association, through |
its PRESIDENT Capt Cameron, called out |
mentary toast to the Carolina Central |
The Col. responded by relating Incl
dents III the early history of railroad |
building in the State.
The Wilmington & Weldon, the first |
undertaken, chartered as the |
Wilmington & Raleigh Railroad, in
tending to connect Raieigh aud VIII |
mineton. The citizens of the former |
place, however, having no faith IN the
the ability of the sand hill fellows to
accomplish the work, refused to aid |
them and the latter then turned their
line to the north and struck out bold
ly for the Roanoke river.
The meetings OF the Com 6missioners
for the organization of the Company
was held at the residence of the lat
2. K. ID ckInsOn, one Of the oldest ana
frmest friends of this valuable line
that it ever had. Mr. Dickinson re-
lated to Col. Fremont, he said, his
tory of some of the difficulties that its
prosecutors encountered from first to
lat in it's building. The gentlemen
named in the Act of Incorporation
met at Mr.. Dickinsous residence one
night. A subscription list was pre-
psred-a basket of champagne was
apened-a few glasses were drank
Gov. Dudley led off by sub
$4,000. Mr.. Lazarus
slO,OOO Mr.. Cowan, Mr. Meares,
Gen. Owens, Gen. McRae, Mr.. Sam1 ;
). Green, Mr.. Wm. A. Wright ana
others made liberal subscriptions ,
The amount was added up and was :
ound not enough to secure the char t
er, which they. had resolved to do be- I
ore going before the public at large :
or aid.
More champagne was used and more