Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1879-01-18

per pre- arranged programme, requested
Jno. II. little, Esq, to preside Mr.. z.
assembled the platform and in brief but
pertinent and happy manner assumed
the duties of the Chair. lie announced
Hon. Geo. NJ. Beltzhoover as the gen
tleman chosen to deliver the address
of Welcome" and admirably did he per
form the pleasing service. He pretaced
his remarks by words somewhat in Da-
ture OF an apology for the exuberance
of the feeling manifested by the citizens
that the people before him, who had
all their lives long known the blessings
and advantages OF railroads and tele-
graphs, could hardly be expected TO en-
ter into the feelings Of those who had
been without them. Shepherdstown was
one hundred and fortv-nine years old
was the scene of the first successful ex
pertinent IN steamboating-Qhe latter
a theme upon which he would not enter
in the presence of Hon. A. K. Boteler,
the able advocate OF Justice to James
Rumsey-) founded in 1870, now for
the first time with railroad. This day
had been long and anxiously looked for
| and the people were excusable for their
enthusiasm-as much so as boy with
his first pair ofboots. He referred grace
fully to Shepherdstown-to the beauty
and fertility of liz surroundings, to lis
historic memories and its proverbial hos
pitality (and he might have said much
! of its reputation for beautiful and &C
complished women.) He spoke hope
fully of the future Shepherdstown, and
concluded by extending the hospitalties
of the town to the invited guests before
him, and would have them remember
! that in the future, as now, the latch
strings of tie homes of Shepherdstown
would always be ont, and hearty well
come within. Col U. l.. Boyce, Vice
President of tbs S. v r. r., in the alb
sence of President hilues responded on
the part of the Company to the address
of welcome lie began by saying that
he felt like fish out Of water, but his
audience was not slow in observing that
he was in his elcment-the fact is he
wasn't troubled about being ''out OF
! water" He managed to get on swim
mingly and TO the delight Of everybody.
His speech was characteristic one
very witty, bristing with coed points.
Any attempt at a synopsis would be
failure. He regretted the absence Of
President VIM Milnos-paid very
handsome tribute to his worlh-referred
10 him as a Christian man, Philanthropy
list and energetic working man, the
! lalchet of whose shoes he was un-
worthy TO loose. lie then alluded to
some of the obstacles that had been put
in the way of the construction Of the
road, but considering the tribulations TO
which he had been Subjected along with
his co-laborers in the enterprise, he
spoke humorousIy and effectively and
eucouragingly. lie said no corporate
body had ever been so beset by para
sites-they were as numerous as bar
nacles upon an old I'm seaworthy hulk.
lie complained Of no one individual,
but threw the mantle of charity over
these who impeded the progress OF the
enterpriSc-they knew not what they
! did, they were not wise in the science
Of building railroads. He took espc-
cial pleasure and we honor him Tor It,
in tcstitying to the fidelity Of Hon. y.
! X. Botelcr 10 the interests Of the road
and especially to the interests Of Shep-
herdstown; to his unfaltcring faith in
the achievement Of the great work, and
he, as well as others, looked upon this
celebration Of an accomplished fact as a
proud day for, and peculiarly grateful to
; the h,artof, Col Boteler. Col. Boyce gave
some encouraging statements concern
ING the expectations of the Company
and the prospect other realization. He
was enthusiastically applaGded.
Upon the conclusion OF Coz. Boyce's
speech, Hon. VIM. II. Travers was
loudly called for lie assembled the plat
form and made an exceedingly happy
! speech, the peroration of which was
sublimcly eloquent-,a gen in setting OF
fine gold-an inspiration. He was fol
lowed by Col. H. Kyd Douglass, OF lla
gerslown. The Col. spoke with marked
feeling, as might have been expected of
him-a native Of Shepherdstown and
the place and people endearcd to him.
Long years ago he lhought Oliver Gold
smiths deserted Village" applicable to
! it
"-lovelest village of the plain,
Where health ana plenty cheered the Ia
boring swain,
I Where smiling spring its earliest visit
paid,
And parting summers lingering blooms
delayed,
/ Dear lovely bowers of Innocence and ease
/ Seats ofmy youth, when every sport could
please,
How often have loitered DER thy green,
/ Where humble happiness endeared each
scene!
( How often have paused on every charm
/ The sheltered cot, the cultivated farm,
! The ncver-failing brook, the busy mill,
I The decent church that topped the neigh
boring HILL
/ The hawthorn bush, with seats beneath the
shade,
For talking age and whispering lovers
! madeur
Col. Douglass became quite eloquent
as he pictured the bright future which
the completion Of this road will most as
suredly open out to his native town,
dwelling in glowing terms OH the pros
perity before it. AT the conclusion of
his speech Hon. A. r. Boteler, being
called for, remarked that he had SO
much to say 10 these people on the sub
iect of this road, that be did not expect
, to be called upon on this occasion 10