The Van Buren press., 1878-07-02
P. C. & N. W. A. R. R.
The First Dirt Broken-0pening Ceremo
MES.
From the pieroe City Empire. .Ia.h,l

from the Picrce City Empire .lathl
One OF the most interesting occasions
connected with the history Of tho above
projected railroad, was that of Tuesday
last, when the opening or first breaking
Of dirt ceremony was witnessed by sew
eral hundred people. The notice given
was very short and limited and the at.
tendance was much smaller in number
than it would have been otherwise.
AT II o'clock the SeXtette Band called
the people together at the Deeator
House, and when they had finished play
ing the first piece, Capt. Perkins an
nounced that all hands would march to
the shade near the creek in the west
part of the town, where the opening
ceremonies would be conducted. Upon
arrival at that point, rostrum was con
structcd by putting door-shutter upon
somo drilt-wood. Capt. Perkins called
the assemblage to order. and after tune
from the band, blessing was invoked
by Rev. j. =. Northcutt upon the enter
prise, and those who have it in charge,
and hoped in its management that it
might be said that at least one railroad
was conducted by honest mon. After Il
tune from the band, Mayor Newman
was introduced, and made a short ad-
dress, for which he is highly eomplimen-
ted
Capt. Perkins then addressed the peo-
pie with that usual enthusiasm he is pos
sessed OF, when speaking of this enter
prise.
Col. A. NJ. Wilson, of Fayetteville,
Ark, then proceeded to make some cx-
tended remarks concerning the history
of obtaining the charter, and u subsidy
in this State, and tho great advantages to
accrue to the people of this section Of
country, as we'll AS those Of Northwest
Arkansas, by the completion OF this line
of railway. He said that by the buiid,
| ing of this line, the commerc of these
sections would be quadrupled. This was
his first visit to this city. and he COM
plimented us, not only for our appear
ances of good, tasty residences and good
business houses, but the enterprising
character of our business men, and he
believed it would be but short time
when the iron-horse would make us
neighbors with his people. Col. Will
sons remarks were wel-received and
appreciated.
DR.. S. A. Saunders made another of
his Arkansaw speeches. These are al
ways enjoyed upon any occasion. lie
was followed by a few remarks from r.
J. Alexander, Il. Carlin. and DR.. d. G.
Gore. The first two, as a matter Of
course, told OF their hard labor and per-
sistent efforts to obtain this prize for our
people, while the Doctor directed his
best efforts to the qualification Of the
ladies present.
Gen Meyer took the rostrum, and an
nounced that the most interesting exer.
cises of the day would at once be per-
formed--that of breaking the first dirt
| upon the line, which honor was accorded
to Col. Wilson, who dexterously han
died new bronzed spade in this duty.
lie was followed by Mayor Newman,
Gen. Meyer, Maj. Mccarthy and many
others. This closed the ceremonies, and
the crowd dispersed.
While these exercises weresinteresting
in their formality, it was closely follow
ed with matter OF more interest in q
business view-that of the laborers with
plows, scrapers aud shovels, who were
at hand at o'clock, and begun the gra-
ding in earnest.
All honor is due Gen. Meyer for his
earnest and persistent efforts in this mat
ter, for while many obstacles have been
| found in the way, he has surmounted
them all, and has more than fulfilled the
most sanguine hopes of the most crcdu-
lous, and if there be no unforeseen bar,
rer, he will have the road completed to
Bentonvile and Fayetteville by the
dates named in the contrac heretofore
published.
Major Mccarthy, the contractor, and
Major Morrell, the chief-engineer, are
men who understand ralroad-building
and will push tho work rapidly for
ward.
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