The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1879-09-23
PAIRMONT,
Masonic Reception in their New Hall
Emancipation Celebration.

Masonic Reception In their New Hall
Emancipation Celebration.
FArRMoST, September %.
Correspondence Of the Intelllgspeer.
On last Friday evening the Masonic
fraternity of this place, gave reception in
their new hall, which was doubtless one
ofthe most brilliant affairs OF the kind
ever held in Fairmont. The lodge here
has recently fitted up the entire third
story Of Lofts building, on Main street, in
a most tasty manner, and the members,
willing that their friends might see their
quarters, invited the public to a pleasant
evening of social entertainment. The
rooms were open all day, and visitors
were coming and going all the while. 1t
Is estimated that about 1000 persons
visited the hall during the day and even.
ing.
In addition to the regular lodge.room
furniture, which is Of tine style and finish,
the walls arc adorned with portraits and
pictures and the floors covered with nice
carpets. The Brussels In the main hall
which has just been purchased, cost about
two hundred dollars. Among the pictures
we noticed excellent portrait OF two prom
inent citizens Of Wheeling, DR.. Thos. II.
Logan and 0. S. Long Esq, both NIasons
Of high standing.
The exercises OF the evening consisted
OF an address Of welcome by 9. N. Dayi.
son, Esq, which was neat and appropri.
ate, and various recitations, solos, quar-.
tettes, ETC., inteBpersed with charming
music by the Mountain City Orchestra.
We have not time nor space TO speak as
we would like TO OF this very pleasant re-
ception. Rev. ]. 81. Flanagan and wife
and Mr.. F. NJ. Durbin and wife, OF Graf.
ton, were among the visitors present from
a distance.
The cOlored people OF this and adjoining
towns testified their appreciation Of the
Fifteenth amendment in a very successful
celebration here to-day, the fifteenth ami.
versary Of their freedom. Quite number
were present from Grafton, Clarksburg,
Morgantown and other points, and ali
seemed 10 enter heartily into the spirit
OF the occasion. About II o'clock the pro-
cession formed on Main street, headed by
the Fairmont Cornet Band, and proceed
ed to the Fair Grounds where the day was
spent in general festivity. A great many
white folks were present during the after.
noon and seemed 10 enjoy the occasion as
much as their more sable brethren.
Speeches were made by ex-G Gov. Pierpoint,
one OF the original Abolitionists, Alfred
Mead (Coloredl, Thos. Il. Staggers, and
Rev. W. 81. Wiley, Of this place, and a Mr..
Sprigg, a very intelligent colored man
from Grafton.
As u general thing the colored people Of
this community are very respectable and
we'll to do citizens. Several OF them have
houses Of their own, varying in value from
$500 to $1,000, al OF which property has
been accumulated since the war. In what
strange contrast is all this with some Of
our boyhood experiences and observations
when, in going to and from school, we saw
the slaye.trader, with his (so called) prop.
erty Of flesh and blood, hand.cufed, bear
ing 1t away TO some Southern market,
sometimes separating husband and wife,
or parents and childrenl All this has been
witnessed right here in our streets.