Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1881-06-03
toons and evergreens. In the hall itself
the decorations were Of the handsomest

ICONS and eVergreenS. In the hall ltSelI
the decorations were Of the handsomest
character the master piece being the flow.
ing bannerets which streamed from the
brilliant circle of jets in the ceiling, away
to the different points of the room.
Around the walls were shields of the
states. pictures and other ornaments.
Over series of arches in front of the
stage were miners pick and hammer in
Gilt, and back of them were specimens OF
coal, coke and iron ore surmounted with
the inscription "Let US mingle together u
The invitations that the visitors bore were
handsomely Autographed cards designed
by Mr.. Gilbert r. Firth. The design,
which was exceedingly appropriate, show
ed Science thrusting the form of Sloth
encased in the armor ofprejudice into fur
mace. The back ground was composed of
the coal and iron hills of the Virginias.
The Staunton ladies as well as the
gentlemen had turned out in great
numbers to greet our visitors and
were delighted with them. In turn, the
visitors, with their wives and daughters,
seemed to be equally pleased. The supper
which was partaken of late in the evening
was most excellent one, and the arrange
ment OF it was triumph of refined taste.
Besides the delicacies of the season which
were present in profusion, there was wine
for the cheerful and something stronger
for those whose tastes were that way. An
exhibition of fireworks closed the event
which for good taste, perfect order, an alb
sence of the scrambling that so often mars
public occasions has never been excelled in
Staunton and seldom equalled. And in
saying this we cannot omit the statement
that the main portion of its success was
due to those of the ladies' committee of
arrangements, who took an active part,
under the direction OF Mrs. Jed Hotchkiss
the chairman, who was untiring in her eff
forts to accomplish this desirable result
The gentlemen's committee, under Col. w
L. Bumgardner, did their full duty, but
there is 10 denying that on all such occa-
sions, what the ladies accomplish consti-
tutes TIE bead On the champagne.
But then even in our high appreciation
of the ladies' work we cannot omit the
credit due to Capt. A. n. breckenridge
of the Institution and his staff, about
which note from one of the lady mana.
gers says we ''cannot say half enough"
THIRD DAY.
EXCURSION OVER SHENANDOAH VALLEY
RAILROAD.
On Wednesday the Association enjoyed
an exclusion to the celebrated Luray Caves.
The Shenandoah Valley Railroad Compa-
ny furnished special train of three pas
senger coaches and car for the commits
sary department which was in charge OF
the Richmond caterer, Andrew PiZzini
Two hundred ladies and gentleman filled
the passenger coaches. Passing over the
track of the Chesapeake Il Ohio railway
from Staunton to Waynesboro. the special
train ran on over the Shenandoah
track without stopping except for water
until it reached the Iron Works of Mr.
Mines. Thirty minutes only were spent
at the forge, where the energetic proprie.
tor is rapidly turning out blooms OF a fine
quality of iron, said to be of the very best
Mr.. Mines was on hand and welcomed his
visitors very cordially. Without doubt ii
was a warm reception, but this was offset
In a short while by the GOODNESS of the re-
ception at the caves.
At Luray, temporary tables had been
hni1t arOnnH tho 6ppot Uhoro Pi1Yipi
spread his viaDds and ample justice was
quickly done the lunch. The excursionists
were then conveyed in vehicles of all sorts
and sizes, from stylish buggy to gorge
GUS circus band wagon to the caves, which
were brilliantly illuminated with 10000
candles. 1t was the general verdict of the
scientific experts that the Luray Caverns
are great and wonderful curiosity, and
some of the biologists say there are I'M
| doubted indications of the existence O
| other subterraneam chambers in the same
vicinity. Dinner for all who wanted it
was served at the expense of the Shenan-
doah Valley Railroad Company at the hote
in Luray, their own hotel not yet being
| finished. The building will have a stone
| foundation and basement, which are near.
ly done. The superstruction will be o
wood. 1t is intended to complete thu
| work before the close of the summer. Ad
dltional depot accommodation is also be
ing built. Leaving Luray at $50 P. M
the excursionists made pleasant run bacE
to Stanton, arriving at 6 O'Clock.
CLOSE OF THE INSTITUTE.
Yesterday the Engineers went up tn
G. & q. road as far as the White Sulphur
to-day they 30 further west to Coalburg
AID tomorrow after going over the Rich
mond Il Allegheny R. r. return to viii
liamsons' and adjourn.