Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-04-19
OXFORD'S GALA-DAY.
A GREAT DEMONSTRATION IN A PRO-
GREssIvE TOWN.
Large Gathering Of People, Big Procession,
Excellent Speeches, General Jubila'
tion, and Fine Weather.
Especial telegram to the plspa,ch.l

Culhtcu 10 give III luttIchJ huu uttioNu'S
ness. The town was full OF people lest
night. This morning it overfowed with
visitors Granville county was here
literally in body, and Henderson, which
il Oxford's rival tobacco market, has
remarkable representation. Governor
Scales and other State officers spent the
night on their car, and this morning
were taken to the Oxford anu Clarks-
vile depot, where they awaited the ar
rival of the special train from Richmond.
1t was high noon when the latter ar
rIved, and there were cheers from three
thousand people as it pulled into
the station. The weather was perfect,
and procession was quickly marshalled
and began its march through the town.
1t was made up as follows: Richmond
Band. battalion composed Of the Gov
ernor's Guard of Raleigh, Granville
Grays of Oxford, and Warren Guard of
Warrenton, Cadets of Horner's School,
Oxford, and detachment of Richmond
Howitzers, all under command Of Lieu
tenant-Colonel II. q. Cooper, of the
Third regiment, and Captain Bennehan
Cameron.
Governor Scales and the State officers,
Judge Fowle, Colonel A. b. Andrews,
General Peyton Wise, ID. Christian,
and Charles Watkins followed the mill
tary in carriages, and in their rear were
members of the Richmond Exchanges
also in carriages.
The procession was closed by a dis
play illustrative of Oxford's industries,
ana it was very handsome and effective.
The entire procession was a little over a
mile in length and its route was over
about two miles of streets. Nearly
every foot of all this distance was lined
with people from near and far,
all full of pleasure and pride at
the entire success Of the celebration.
1t was very nearly 2 o'clock when the
procession reached the spacious grounds
Of the Orphan Asylum, only to find
vast crowd already assembled there.
Governor Scales and his party received
salute by the troops, and then the
Governor went on the stand and re-
viewed tine entire parade. There were
some quaint features IN the latter, nota-
bly, illustrative of the method of haul
ing Granville tobacco to Richmond
half a century ago in hogsheads attached
to shafts and drawn by mules. The to-
bacco industry was very prominently
and efectually illustrated. As Governor
Scales entered the grounds an appro-
pirate salute was fired by section OF the
Richmond Howitzers.
At quarter past 2 o'clock the speak
ing began. Fully five thousand people
ranged themselves around the stand and
gave close attention to the speeches, the
excellence Of which was notable.
Major y. A. Gregory, who was presi-
dent of the company which built the
road, was the first speaker. He declared
the visitors heartily welcome to Oxford
and to Granville county, and gave an in
teresting sketch of the inception of the
enterprise and its success despite a
very remarkable series Of advance
movements. lie was particularly
earnest in expressing the indebt-
edness of this section to Rich
mond men and Richmond enter
prise in the business of the road.
This link which thus binds Richmond
and the centre of the bright-tobacco
trade together gives the latter the de-
clared cheaper rates Of freight than
rivals can enjoy. He spoke OF the roads
extension to Durham as certainty in
the near future, Oxford becoming the
centre OF a system OF roads which will
radiate to Henderson, Raleigh, Durham,
Danyille and Clarksyille.
Robert W. Winston introduced Hon.
Daniel G. Fowle, of Raleigh, the orator
of the day, and alluded to him as North
Carolina next Governor. Judge Fowle
was given a very hearty reception, and
spoke for half an hour in his best man
ner. He paid singularly graceful
tribute to Governor Scales as a typical
North Carolinian, and always true one.
He expressed the deep regret OF the
people here assembled at the family afiic-
ton which prevented Governor Lee
from being present and receiving a
hearty welcome from North Carolina,
where the love and admiration for him
was so great. His eulogy Of Governor
Lee was remarkably fine. and there was
a hearty applause as he concluded It. He
spoke OF the construction OF this i'm
portant road, Of O1ford's pluck and
ability in securing il, OF the
public spirit of men like Currin,
Minor, Gregory, Badly, Williams, Pace,
Christian, Watkins, and A. Is. Andrews,
to whose personal efforts its success is so
largely due. Captain Badly Williams
expressed his deep regret and that Of all
present at the absence Of Governor Lee.
He read a telegram from him, as follows
"RIcmoND, Va, April is, 1888.
" Il. J. Minor, Chicf Marshal, oxford,
". g..
"Your dispatch stating it was the wish
OF the people that l should appear on
horseback in the jubilee parade was re-
ceived. The death Of my brother and
his burial yesterday prevents my being
at Oxford to-day. Express to Governor
Scales and your citizens my great regret
at not being able to participate in the
binding in a still closer en-
brace the commercial interests of the two
States, whele friendship and mutual re-
spect have been steadfast. unbroken, and
true for 100 years [Signed]
"FITZHUGH LEE"
After reading this telegram Captain
Williams introduced General. Peyton
Wise as the representative Of Governor
Lee. General Wise's speech was one OF
the most forcible and elegant of the day,
and he really charmed every one. No
thing could be more eloquent than his
to the ties of blood and in
terest which bind together SO firmly Vir-
GINA and North Carolina, and also his
eulogy Of Scales and Ransom, Hoke and
d. h. Hill. "Our people" he con-
cluded, care one by every fact OF nature
and living law of God.
No speaker was more heartily applaud
ed. Colonel j. S. Amiss introduced
Governor Scales, taking occasion to well
come him and to pay him high compli-
ments. Governor Scales spoke twenty
minutes and to the point, expressing his
deep regret at the absence of Governor
Lee, saying he had looked forward with
particular pleasure at meeting here so
noble soldier and citizen, whose courage
he had seen tested on many battle
field, and whom al North Carolinians
loved and admired. The Governor de-
clared that the interests Of Virginia and
North Carolina are identical. He COM
Il