The Russellville Democrat., 1883-08-16
THE IRON HORSE
Sounds His ShrilI Neigh on the Banks Of the Arkansas
 River.
The Dardanclle and KuSseIisiiie
 Railroad is Completed,
And the Formal Opening There of Duly Celebrated by the
 Dardauellians.
The Event as Witnessed by ss
 Democrat Reporter.


 were tue expression of the feelings of every citizen of Dardanelle and Yell county, yesterday. Their joy and exuberance of spirits was caused by the completion and formal open ing of the
 ROAD,
 which latter took place yesterday, in the shape of grand barbecue and picnic.
 At s o'clock q. m., the first train laden with excursionists, DEMO GRAF reporter among the number, left ,he depot atthis place, in charge of Mr. F.. BouFlaHd, conductor, and run quickly over the new track to the river at 8 point half mile below Norristow. where the depot is locat- cd. Here the cxcursionists alightcd and patiently waited for the ferry boat. which was anchored in the middle of the river some distance below, on account of slight disar rangement of the machinery, which, however, was adjusted in dae tune. when the boat made it's way to the north bank where the waiting plea sure seekers embarked and were quickly transferred to the other shore. The objective point. the pic nic grounds, was reached by means Of hacks, and there our reporter wended his way about 10 o'clock and found some three thousand people assembled from far and near, many being from Logan county. The greater part of the crowd were in terested spectators of 3 match game of baseball played bv the High Boys of Chichalah and the Red Stockings of Dardanelle, which resulted in a victory for the first-named club. On reaching the picnic grounds proper, large crowd was seen and the num- Der was augmented Dy fresh arrivals from the country and towns on both sides Of the river almost hourly, un- il it was variously estimated that there were between 400o and 5000 people in sight. The 'oldest inhab- itant'' positively averred that 2 larg- CT concourse of people was never be- fore seen in Yell county.
 About II 30 a. m., large tlelega- ton of excursionists from Morrillton and other towns on and contiguous to the Fort Smith road east of Rus seliville, were reported as coming and they were met at the landing by the reception committee and taken in hacks and buggies in procession, headed by the Dardanelle Knights of Honor ccrnet band. to the grounds At l2 o'clock, the vast assemblage was called 10 order around the speak CTS stand by Maj. W. H. Gee. mar shal of the day, who introduced Hon R. c: Bullock, mayor of DardanelIe who delivered . brief, fitly wofdej
 ADDRESS OF WELCOME,
 which was eloquenSly responded to by Hon. Sam ". Williams, of Little Rock. Both speeches were replete with thoughts pertinent 70 the occa sion, and were received by the peo- pie with every evidence of apprecia- tion. After the speaking. the mar shal of the day made the eyerwel- come announcement on such occa- sions, .Dinner is readyr' and an nounced the programme for the same. Preceded by the band play ing q stirring march, the ladies and their escorts marched in to the tables, which were arranged in hol- low square over four hundred feet in circumference, and laden with lib eraI supply of nicely bafbecaed meats, bread, etc, which was par taken of by each one with the zest usually displayed on such occasions. Like ali things earthly, the dinner had an end, when the crowd dis perseG over the extensive grounds some to tue seats around tue speak CTS stand; some 10 the danciug floor which had been erected; some to the flying iennies which were liberally patronized; some for a stroll through the grove, and few, apparently loy CTS, to seats beneath tha foliage of some distant monarch of the forest. where they no doubt whispered to each other tue "oid, old story" Each one. young and old seemed in. tent on extracting as much pleasure as could be done from the day and occasion. Among the various amHse ments after dinncr were a sack race and glass hall shooting. which were