Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-02-25
To THOMAS,
From His Old Employee OF the &. Il p,
II. II. q SpieRdid Watch Chain and
TeasaG

From His Old Employees OF the 4. a p.
n. II. q spieRdtd watch Chain and
Teaset-
1t has been known for some time back
that the employees OF the G. Il p. railroad
company were preparing a surprise for the
late Superintendent John Thomas, and last
night was finally settled upon as the time
and WeilSyille as the place. A special train
of several cars left Bellaire about : o'clock,
and by the time Wellsville was reached all
the cars were filled. Among those we no.
ticed on the train were Fred Strong, Agent,
Bellaire; Gus Greenfield, of the Bel
Bridgeport; Drs. J.. NJ. Todd
and Cook, surgeons of the company; NJ. v.
Miller. of Bellaire, and w. S. Dilnorth,
agent at Martins Ferry. Capt. George RO-
mick was the conductor and the veteran
Robert Chisholm, engineer. Ii was very
late when the party arrived at Wellsyille,
but the exercises had been delayed against
the arrival of the tram. The large school
hall was denSeiy packed with the citizens
of the town and the employees OF the road.
On the stage were John Thomas, n. II
Chapman, for many years Master Mechan-
ic; Thomas Dixon, Road Master; Z. White
Assistant Mechanicand Philip Bruncr, Mr..
Thomas successor on the e.. & I.
Mr.. White. as chairman of the commit
mittee of arrangements, acted as master OF
ceremonies and stated the object of the
meeting and introduced Mr.. Chapman, who
said i desire on the part OF the fellow
workman of Mr.. Thomas to testify in a
small way their appreciation of his kind
nesS and courtesy toward them in the years
of their association had called them
together. He had served eigh-
teen years, the half of the average
lifetime of man, with them, and all these
wears of service had been characterized by
uniform kindness and courtesy to all, al
though always with an eye single to the
interest of the company. Mr.. Chap
man then presented MIR. Thomas
with q magnificent silver tea set, num-
herring about ten pieces and u splendid
gold watch and chain, all suitably inscrib-
ed, and closing by wishing for him that
success in his new sphere that his worth
deserved,
Mr.. Thomas was so overcome by emotion
that he could scarcely murmur = few in
coherent words of gratitude, but reassur-
ing himself, he said that eighteen years OF
service with LOO men, and such men,
could not bat make him feel sad ut the
thoughto o. separation. He could not speak
a. he would like to speak, but he should
certainly cherish the friendship of u
men aS he would the highest jewels.
Mr.. 1hOlnaS then teellnglS look 4 retro
spectiye glance at the eighteen years OF
hard and active service in the employ of
the C. p. company, and the thoughts that
il awakened, alludipg personally to some
of the men who had zone over, with
whom he had been connected, and closed
by exhorting all to do their duty in the
future as in the past.
Mr.. J.. b. Golf, boss carpenter in the shops
ut Wellsyille was then introduced and
read a beautiful poem composed by him-
self for the occasion.
Mr.. Philip Bruner then read a telegram
from X. +. Smith, congratulating the
IMAM of integrity and purity of charac-
ter" and saying that the normal school
of eminent railroad officials now sends
another distinguished graduate to take II
high station among the celebrated magnates
of the country.
DIR. J. NJ. Todd then made the most elO-
qUent speech Of the evening, and in our
opinion the best of his life. and nothing
but the lateness of the hour and the lack of
space precludes the possibility OF its re-
production.
After several beautiful vocal selections
the vast audience called at the sta-d and
took leave of Mr.. Thomas. The watch is a
splendid hunting case gold affair, and cost,
with the chain, $2S5. while the tea set cost
$JT5. 10th Mr.. Thomas and Mr.. Chapman
now hold high positions in the service OF
tho " q ID cppDD9py