The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1879-07-24
Laying of the COrner-StOn
[Says the st. Mary's Gazette.l

[Says the ST. Mary's Gazette
The interesting ceremonies incident
to the laying of the cornerstone of the
court house now in course of erection,
took place in Ridgway yesterday. The
weather was fine in the forepart of the
day, but in the afternoon the clouds
slightly marred the enjoyment of the
occasion, many of the country peo-
pie being induced to go home by the
threatening aspect of the weather. 1t
did not rain to do any hurt and the
festivities were not marred in the
least through this cause. The parade
which was to come off, was like on all
former occasions, both here and in
Ridgway, a failure in point of num-
bers. All the parade amounted to was
the marshal, tSheriff' ID. G. Oyster)
his aids, the st. Mary's Band and
Company I'll, Captain Fred. Schnnin,g
commanding. They marched over
the route in fine style, and received
many compliments for their fine
marching. After the parade q rest
was taken until one o'clock p. NJ,
when the crowd gathered i'm the court
house yard to witness the ceremony of
laying the cornerstone.
The meeting was called to order by
ID. 9. Oyster, Esq. Hon. John G.
Hall was announced as president, with
list of vice presidents consisting of
old and respected residents from each
township and borough in the county.
The meeting was called to order by
the president; Hon. John G.. Hall.
Prayer by Rev. j. M. Gillette.
Address by Lieut.. Gov. G. w. Stone
Address by Hon. l.. ID. Wetmore,
president judge of this judicial dis
MI to ,..l1 l..
to the necessity of a new court house,
court in approving the recommends
tion of the grand jury in condemning
the old court house.
=. Geo. A. Rathbun, Esq, then de-
livered a short address and deposited
the Records in the cornerstone.
For remarks and list of articles see
another column of THE ADVOCATED
The cornerstone was then formally
laid. Hon. Geo. Dickinson, Hon.
Jesse Kyler Erasmus Morey, esq,
performing the interesting ceremony,
with Edward Derby, Esq, acting for
J. p. Marston, architect lwho was de-
tanned at home with sickness), and
Anthony Auman, foreman.
An original poem was then read with
fine effect by Geo. r. Dixon, Esq,
county superintendent.
Erasmus Morey, Esq, who partici-
pated in the laying of the cornerstone
had the president read the following
as expressive of his feelings upon the
occasion. Mr.. NJ. has been in the
county since 1913, and has witnessed
the growth of the county from the
time it was wilderness until the pres
ent day. He is SO years old and can
not give expression to his feelings in
words:
GENTLEMEN CoMM1ssToNERs--I return my
sincere thanks for your invitation to be pres
at the laying of the cornerstone of the court
house. and to take so prominent a part in the
proceedings. tits one of the days of my life
long to be remembered, and my wish is that
you may get us up q good substantial build
Ing, that will last for many generations to
come; that we may have Impartial justice
administered to all parties that may have liti-
cations within its walls. L. MoREY.
Hon. VIM. p. jerks, of Jefferson
county then delivered a practical ad-
dress to the audience, which was re-
ceived with unbounded applause.
Hon. John Brooks, of Cameron Co.,
who was citizen of Elk at its organi-
zation, gave the audience an address
which was mixture Of humor, his
torical facts and plain common sense.
The exercises were closed by an ad-
dress in German by Hon. Chas. Luhr,
of this borough, which, judging from
the applause manifested, he made some
happy hits.
Capt. Fred. Schnning was called
for and he made bow to the audience
and retired.
The st. Mary's band enlivened the
occasion with excellent music between
the addresses.
The laying of the cornerstone by
the gray haired veterans, was an i'm
pressive sight, and will long be re-
membered by all who witnessed it.
The day passed off without single
incident happening to mar the enjoy
ments of the participants. All were
in good humor.
In the evening a grand display of
fireworks was made, which was con-
Quoted by E. B. Westfall, Supt. mid
die division P. & E. R. r., with COM
petent assistants.