Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1885-03-07

! full of appreciation. | would remember
with grateful feelings the constant kindness
with which | have always been treated, an
will ever keep this token as a memorial
of my connection with you. My railroad
life is my pride. While l have received
other honors, while l have enjoyed the
confidence of my fellow citizens in counties
! and districts in various ways in my past
career, take most pleasure and satisfac-
faction in the hours I spent ID the
business connection Hiih you. 10 which
have devoted the best years of my past. III
, these years of service l have formed asso-
cialons with the men in the service of the
company which / shall never forget. In
! mis- work and in this company | have found
my most cherished and copgenial employ
ment. As railroad official / trust l have
always done my duty first [ hope also
that in doing i; | have always had regard
to the feelings aud interests of the men as
sociated with me in the operations of the
cous any. regard the time of my connec-
ton with them as the most pleasant of my
life.
/ was recently the recipient from the
company that mad lately served of SER
vice of silver which l fully appreciated, but
on this occasion this token of regard from
you has far higher value. / accept the gift
with the deepest sensibiitv of which ] am
capable. 1t will always remind me Of the
useful aud pleasant associations with the
men of the Virginia Midland Railway.
Many of you were associated with me in
the infancy of the Virginia Midland Rail.
road, aud now when it is grown and is fully
capable of standing on its feet, can but
regard this watch as an emblem of the best
memorial of the work which has been done
in accomplishing this object. | have only
to thank you in all the sincerity OF my
nature for your respect and esteem. Look
ing on this as one of The most pleasant Incl.
dents Of my life your valued gift must ever
remind me of my past association with rail
road men Railroad men have an import
ant duty to perform. Some of'the highest
interests of the community are in their
keeping. That duty has always been so
thoroughly performed as to give them the
confidence Of the community in which they
live, and I am glad to feel that have been
SO long and pleasantly associated with 1t.
Again thank you gentlemen, and will de-
tain you no longer.
Mr.. q. NJ. Huntington said that eyely one present
would bs glad to respond to the kindly speech OF
Mr.. Barbour. Every man here had reply al
ready in his heart Mr.. Barbour knows that lie
knows how il is himself.
"Au IMPORTANT duty will devolve upon me |
have commission to show Mr. Barbour how the
thing works"
And Mr. II. proceeded in a jocose way to ex
plain to Mr.. Barbour the various peeuiarities OF
the watch which seems to be capable of giving any
kind 81 Information Whatever. if only thelroper
springs touched, many and various are
its capabilities. 1t is undoubtedly q splendid
piece of mechanism. and in so far as mater
things may be emblem of feeliags and wishes,
Mr.. .rhuur will have by him token which will
constantly repeat the good wishes OF those who eS-
TEEN him bya long acquaintance be having shown
himself worthy of the highest place in their re-
gard
The watch is magnificent gold, double
case repeater with independent seconds,
from the mandatory of Jules Jurgensep,
and is probably one of the most superb time
pieces in the country. 1t strikes the hours
and minutes On the inner case is eDgrav
ed: Presented to the Hon. ]. S. Barbour,
President from Oct. Both, 1851 to Dec 2O.h,
1851, by the employees of the Va. Midland
Railway Company" Upon the outer front
case is maSni6cently engraved monogram
j. s. B. Attached to the heavy chain is
very handsome CO meo seal.