The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1876-01-26
EXCITEMENT AT FAIRMONT.
Arrival of n Steamboat nj That
ToWn-GreatE Excitement among
the People. q
FAIRMoNT, w. VA, January 25.

FAIRMoNT, VIVA, January %.
Editors Of the Iutelligcnccr:
Fairmont is all alive to-day. A side.
wheel steamboat is lying anchored in
the harborl Hundreds OF people have
come from the country, and thousands
throng the banks Of the river. The sus-
pension bridge is groaning under the
weight OF human beings struggling to see
the steamer Elector.
| Alarm. yesterday message was re.
ceived from Morgantown that 4 boat had
left that place for the head OF navigation,
Fairmont. The news was spread far and
near, and by nightfall the streets we're
thronged with people. 1t had been an
nounced that she would arrive by dark,
but having such swift water to contend
with, she did not make her appearance
until SP.M. Then the jollifcatiOn did
commence in earnest. The different
places where strong drink is to be had
we're crowded TO their utmost capacity,
and the bar -tenders had all they could do
in handing out drink: By II. p. II. affairs
commenced getting hot. Slackwater nav
igation was the all-absorbing topic. The
prominent men in town and the steam
boatmcn gathered at the Continental Ho.
tel and offered toasts, memorialized Con-
.gress, "cussed" and discussed the adyan-
tages OF having a navigablc river. Brooks
Fleming, Esq, was the orator Of the even
ing, showing the necessity OF having
slackwater navigation as a means OF
shipping coal from the inexhaustible
beds OF Marion county. Ex-Governor
Picrpoint was also in attendance, and
gave us speech on the subject.
At the same time speeches were being
made at the Continental. The boys were
having fun among themselves, knocking
one another down for change, throw
ing pokers and swapping revolvers, while
"lke Davenport Of the Hugh House was
jumping out OF the back window. Ike
said II there was any shootin'to be done he
wanted to be counted out. When the
boat hove in sight last night Ike was the
first to see her, and he gave the cry. The
centennial" is comm. He says thous-
and people came on the boat, but allow.
ance must he made for Ike.
The jOllifcation continued until re-
action set in which was about 3 o'clock
this morning. The whisky died out aud SO
did the boys.
At Z o'clock they all recovered suifi-
ciently to assemble on the boat amid the
deafening cheers from those on the banks.
The Captain took them all ride up the
river about mile. The
brass band accompanied the
excursion, also persons from different
points along the river.
The officers Of the boat were paid one
hundred dollars by the Morgantown ex-
and purse OF fifty dollars was
given them by Fairmout.
At9 o'clock this morning the banks OF
the river were black with people. The
bell rang and the whistle blew, the band
played an enlivening air. The monster
tide wheel "Elector," backed out in the
channel, and amid the tremendous noise
passed from our view around the bend Of
he river.
The "Elector," is the Pittsburgh and
Geneva packet, fine side wheel steamer,
,uilt from the same model as the Jas.
ReGs was. Congress may now look for
praycrssand entreaties for an
appropriation to "dam" our little river.
"MoNoNGAHELA."