The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1888-04-19

Yesterday was truly rcd-letter day in
the history of Granville eountys progress
sive and enterprising capital city, Oxford.
1t was the occasion of the big railroad
jubilee to celebrate the completion of the
Oxford Il GAINESVILLE Railroad, which puts
them in direct and close comm unication with
Richmond. An immense crowd was there,
variously estimated at from 5000 to H.
900, representing all classes and conditions
from the surrounding country and from
abroad. Distinguished men from various
sections of Virginia and North Carolina,
were there, while beautiful women from
both States graced the occasion by their
presence and lent enchantment to ,the feS-
tlvities OF the day by their gracious and APP
proving smiles. Never has Oxford wit
messed such sight as she gaZcd upon yes
terday and perhaps she will never look
upon its like again. 1t was grand affair
in every way, and our friends have cause
to be proud of the day and themselves.
We went expecting to see much-a large
crowd, a long string of vehicles, COM
pany or two of soldiers and a number OF
prominent and distinguished gentlemen
but we did not go expecting to see such an
| army Of people, such an immense process
sion, and such a creditable trades display
| as we did. But we rejoiced in our disap-
pointn.e 1t and made merry with our neigh
bors in this the browning GO y of their
life and efforts. Henderson turned out en-
naasSe and went over in body. The Board
OF Trade and citizens generally in car
riages and buggies and on horseback,
headed by the splendid brass band belong
ing to Armstrong & Fitzpatrick's Dramatic
Company, which was engaged for the oc-
casion, formed procession of upwards of
one hundred vehicles on Main street at an
early hour yesterday morning and the long
train wendell its Way to our sister town to
join with our friends and neighbors in their
celebration. And no incOnsidc cradle feature
did they add in thus doing SO. Mr.. John
D. Cooper was chief marshal, with Messrs.
E. &. Barnes. g. A. Lewis, J. P. Taylor,
Ii. NJ. Cannon and Gillian Hart, as assist
ants The band wagon bore the inscription
"Uenderson's greeting to Oxford" and on
I many ofthe other vehicles and banners and
streamers, this was conspicuously displayed.
The GOLD LEAF felt proud of the part
Henderson took in the Oxford celebration
yesterday. Two trains from this place
carried over hundreds Of persons during
the morning. and until late in the day
continuous streams of people poured into
Oxford from every direction and emptied
into the sea of living humanity that surged
and swelled throughout the town.
At12 o'clock the train from Richmond
arrived and the grand procession formed
and started, Iradclla'S Band from Rich
mond following close behind Chief Mar
shall r. Y. Minor, who led the way.
/ The troops, under command of Lieut.. Col.
Henry G. Cooper, were composed of the
following companies: Granville Grays,
and Uorner Cadets, of Oxford, Governor S
Guards, of Raleigh, Warren Guards, of
Warrenton, and detachment of the Rich
mond Howitzers, Richmond, Va, with two
cannon. Then followed citizens of the
town and county in carriages, and be-
hind them the floats OF drags comprising
the trades display. This was good
feature of the occasion and reflected credit
upon the enterprise and public spirit OF
the business men of Oxford WHO took part
in it. The most not iccable of these were
the tobacco sale of the New johnson
Warehouse, A. J. & W. r. kivett, con,
tractors and builders, A. Lands & Sons
general merchants, Webb & Boyd, furni
ture, Hart, Lawrence 81 Cochran, Davis &
Gregory, A. P. Fleming, Mangum 6
Broughton, l. Kronheimer, and others
Next came long line of covered tobacco
wagons, close in the wake Of which fol
lowed a hogshead Of tobacco drawn by a
single mule hitched between pair OF
shafts fastened to the ends SO as to make
| the package serve the purpose of wheel
representing "the old way" as tobacco
used to be carried to market. This was a
happy hit, and attracted considerable at
tention. A wagon drawn by a pair of fine
! fat mules illustrating 1.-The new Way." fol
! lowed this. Then came the Henderson
Board of Trade with Armstrong d FitZ
! patrick's band discoursing popular airs OF
| the day at intervals along the route. The!
followed carriages, buggies, wagons, and
men on horseback, almost without mum
Der, with thousands of people on foot.
The procession moved from the depo
along Broadway through Meadows street, t.
HillSboro street, thence to Main street
down Main street to Front street, thence by
Front street into Seminary street, thence b,
High street and Uarrisonburg street int,
| Williamsburg street, thence into Colleg,
street and up College street to Asylua
Grove, where addresses were made b.
a number of prominent speakers. Majo
n. A. Gregory, President of the Oxford 1
GAINESVILLE railroad: spoke first. He pait
just tribute of praise to the gentlemen
who had shown their friendship to TIL
town and section through which the roat
built, calling by name Colonel A. Il
Andrews, Vice-President of the Richmont
Il Danville road Messrs J. B. Pace
Charles Watkins and E. D. Christian, @
Richmond, and Messrs j. VI. Currin
r. V. Minor, A. Ii. 4. Williams, an,
others of Oxford. Major Gregory mad,
very handsome address and closed by
stating that Mr. R. W. Winston woul
Introduce the orator of the day, the Hon
Daniel e. Fowle. Mr.. Winston Away
speaks we'll and to the point, and I've wa
no less happy on this occasion. He sai'
that he could not perform the pleasan
duty that had been assigned him bette
than by briefly referring to the dstin
guished services of the honorable gentle
man whose name is such familiar word