The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1878-01-24
SILVER sERv1cE PRESENTATION.

THURSDAY afternoon the 18th inst in the
absence of Gen. Neely's family, his house
was entered by a delegation Of railroad
friends. who proceeded at once to arrange
I for the reception of company, rooms opened
+ ii es kindled and ushers appointed to re-
tceive visitors. This seemingly irregular
/ manpuvre was part OF a well organized
plan t. surprise Gen. Nicely The officers
and employees OF the Mississippi Central
Railroad, soon after the ABSORPTION of this
company by that of the Illinois Central,
determined to express to Receiver Nicely
in some suitable manner, the high estimate
entertained Of him both personally and as a
railroad manager, by those who had associa-
ted with him on this line. 1t was therefore
arranged that each employee be invited to
make a contribution towards purchasing a
suitable testimonial to be presented to the
honorable gentleman Immediately quite a
large amount was raised, amply sufficient
to buy magnificent present. john. c. Feb
iger, Jr., of the Purchasing Department, vas
authorized 10 proceed to New Orleans and
purchase a well appointed solid silver ser
VICE. The excellent judgment and fine
taste of this gentleman were maintained
in the selection made. Having made the
purchase, he returned with it to Bolivar, and
Thursday afternoon was the appointed time
to present it to Gen. Nicely.
BY Encouragement the Gen. and his
family dined that day with Mr.. r. L. Wal
ker, who, in the afternoon remarked to Gen.
Nicely that several gentlemen were at his
house, anxious to see him on business.
Whereupon they both left to meet those
gentlemen. As previously stated the Cen
erals house was in possession OF his railroad
friends In the mean time, Capt. J. q. Mann
and Col Thos. Z. Upshaw, committee,
went 10 the BULLETIN Office to invite the
senior editor, Mr.. Geo. W. Armistead, to
deliver the presentation speech. Mr..
Armistead left with the committee and
found Cd reaching the honse, that large
crowd had collected to witness the prcsen-
tation. In the meantime Dir, Febiger and
Mr. Murrell had unpacked the service
and arranged it upon the large table
in the dining room. When Gen. Nicely
arrived with Mr.. Walker, Mrs. Nicely
met him at the door, and they were
escorted through to the dining room,
which by this time was filled with
ladies and gentlemen. As they entered the
room, Mr.. Armistead said:
GENERAL NELLY: 1t is not only a pleas
ure but an honor to be associated with such
an interesting episode as this scene intro
duces Delegated by the officers and en-
poyccs OF the late Mississippi Central rail
road TO represent them, 1t is my privilege
on this occasion TO present oyou IN their be-
half this elegant silver service. The pre-
sentation of this appropriate gift embodics
a two-fold reflection. The officers and en-
poyces of the line extending from Cairo,
Illinois, to Canton, Miss, over which you
were called to preside as Receiver by APP
pointment of the Governor of Tennessee, do
most eheerfully convey TO you through this
present their recognition Of the fact that
under your direct personal supervision this
important intermediate railway link be-
tween the Lakes and the Gulf did not long
remain piece OF WORKOUT and deprecated
public property, as it was when YOU were
given chief control, but thoroughly renewed
and refurnished from road-bed TO running
equipment paying into the State Treasury
interest inst3lments to considerable /
amount this line soon became known in all /
railway circles as q paying /
investment of the largest promise Excel |
lent Judgment, rigid economy and unrcmit !
ting attention to minor details being the
factors essentially contributing to the sue
cess that distinguished your administration
of the affairs of the Mississippi Central COM
panv Moreover, this gift is an offering
which friendship would bring TO one who,
while careful OF the important public in
tercsts committed to his keeping, never
failed to respect the rights and deserve the
esteem OF those under his authority.
Allow nae, General, to congratulate you
on this happy incident in your history. We
delight to halt by the waysidc and scatter
sunshine and flowers IN thepath of deserv-
ing traveller. We are warranted in award
ing tribute to him TO whom tribute is due.
1t is human to wish to have ones labors re-
ceive either private or public appreciation.
Childhood loves to have its precocity rceog-
nized by the parents approving smile. The
grave Senator and the brave chieftain as
well ar all other heroic life-workers are
equally proud to be the recipients Of honors
in attestation of a grateful appreciation of
services rendered. On this occasion this
testimonial is bestowed as evidence that
those with whom YOU have been long and
lulluldttiN OOiiltNtt't NNNiEi lIiiS IlINStlii 10
be fitting expression of their estimate of
your work as AN official and your worth as
a friend.
Accept, then, this beautiful service and
preserve it not alone for its intrinsic value,
but for its associated memories. 1t insep- /
erably links this interesting occasion with
most successful era in your public life. Let
il be cherished as Il cOnsecratcd heirloom,
to be transmitted from generation to gcner-
alton, and as the sands in the hour glass
run low NAV the "reminiscences of this even
ing's surprise be Il bright oasis around which
the musings Of a ripe and honorable old age
will ever fondly linger.
In reply Gen. Nicely said:
Mr. ARa1IsrEAD This is, indeed, a great
me. My heart is too full of emo
ton for Ineligible utterance. Permit me, 1
however, to say to the gentlemen Won repre- /
sent that whatever of success l merit in the /
management of the Mississippi Central Rail- /
road was chiefly due to the faithful cooper
alton and cordial support given me by the !
officers and employees on the line of that
road. In receiving this token of their friend |
~ esteem, allow me 10 assure them that !
this testimonial, thus presented NAL cs thi,
occasion with me an hour OF proud satisfac-
ton. 1t shall he valued not that il repre-
SCENTS term of public service full of hard
work and mucn reSpunSlb fhtN, but chiefly
because my official duties were abetted and
sustained by men of culture and the highest
personal worth. Again l thank Won for
this beautiful present, and to secure its safe
keeping now turn it over to the care of this
Young lady Of mine Talluding to his noble
wife who was standing by his sdel.
Now followed Misunderstanding and congrat
ulaiions, while the assembled company in
spectcd the wealth OF silver exhibited upon
the extended table The service consisted
Of solid silver spoons, tea, dessert and table
spoons, with a complete outfit of heavy cake
and ica-cream l5nife4, ladies for salads, Gus