The Columbus journal., 1881-06-22
OUR NEW BIRTH.
The Day we Celebrated, and
How it was Done.

/
il would, perhaps, have been more
or less a failure because of the
weather, unless, indeed, the native
gait of Nebraskans, proved in q
thousand ways before, had proved
superior to the weather again.
Thursday opened with just enough
of clouds to make a good parasol
and just enough of gently-fslling
ain-drops to lay the dust, and lend
freshness and dewy flavor to
the air.
All morning, towns people were
busily engaged in preparing for the
day, by putting their houses in order,
stretching streamers across the
streets, mailing the national ensign,
in all sizes, to every convenient post
and pillar and where it might float
unObstructed TO the breeze. Vehicles
of all kinds were coming from every
direction bringing country folks to
take part in the social pleasures of
the day,-while, at regular intervals,
ID. n. Miner played the Anvil
Chorus. sending its echoes far and
wide.
1t seemed but a short hour until
the Albion train Of cars arrived
under the conduct of Owens assisted
by Huber, with eight hundred and
fifty souls on board, engineer Wells
and fireman Baker filling the air
with shrill long blasts from their
locomotive-a sort of reveille for the
opening exercises of the day.
In short time the Norfolk train
crowded with about fifteen hundred
people pulled up at the station, all
safe and sound under the watchful
care of conductor Overton and his
assistant Godfrey, and the engine
drivers, Justice and Campbell.
These trains were accompanied"
by the cornet bands of Albion and
Madison respectively, our own band
discoursing excellent music all day
except brief interval for dinner.
Shortly after the passage of the
eastward bound express with the
open-eyed wonder of its passengers
at such a large gathering, the ap-
pointed exercises Of the day began,
the Albion band leading off nicely
with the music at the speakers stand
north of the U. p. depot.
The meeting was called to order
and presided over by Judge j. G.
Higgins, who delivered the address
of welcome, and on behalf of the
city Of Columbus. shook hands with
Boone, Nance and Madison counties,
congratuIating all parties interested
in the rapid settlement and develop
ment of the country, the spirit Of
progress that is abroad in this land,
and bidding God speed to that great
evangelist of civilization, the rail-
road, which is binding communities
together in the interests of COM
merce. He excused himself from
further speaking in the presence of
the eloquent gentlemen from abroad,
and introduced
JUDGE ]. VI. THURSTON
of Omaha, who said that he thought
those before him had come here TO
have a good time, and rejoice over
the fact that their communities had
been Joined together, welded to-
gether commercially by strong iron
bands; that the farms of all this
northern and western country had
been brought nearer to the city of
Columbus.
The Judge said he had great diff
fidence in following Judge Higgins
who had spoken 80 elOquently, for
he was hard man to follow. He
had followed him two years ago,
although the Judge didn't know
anything about it at the time. He
was electioneering and he stopped
at house where there was a very
sweet little girl about fifteen years
old, bright, loving young creature
to whom he gave stick of candy
and asked il Judge Higgins had
been there. "Oh, yes" she said, "he
was here a good while and he gave
me a pound of candy" Taking
dime out of his pocket, he gave 1t to
the sweet little girl, saying, "Judge
Higgins didn't give you dime, did
he?" "Oh, yes" she replied, che
gave me new, bright haf-doAdr."
Not to be outdene, he stole kiss
from the artless, innocent child, and
said, "Judge Higgins didn't kiss
you, did he?" "Oh yes,n she said
"he kissed me and he kissed ma,
too" [Of course the audience was
in an uproar, and the chairman of
the meeting with the completest
gag of the season in his mouth, very
dignifiedly walked to the rear of the
stand and stayed there until Thurs
ton was through.
Mr.. Thurston then delivered
very effective short address, pictur-
ing the magnificent future of this
section of the State and prophesying
that when the present babes grow to