The state chronicle. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1883-1893, 1888-04-27
OXFORD ALL A-BLAZF.
THE RAILROAD CELEBRATION 4
GREAT 81 CCESS.
Oxford Prosperous and PrOgres>ive--A 4
Prediction ffaZardrd as to Its Future--
It Will Double Its Population.

Oxford Prosperous and Progressive-- 4
Prediction Iiazardrd :,s to Its Future.
1t Will Double Its Population.
lStaff Cor STATE CHRoNICLE.1
OXFORD, N. c.. April 1s 1883. This Is
the biggest day in the history of oxford -
red letter day" a. r. W. Winston calls
it, 1t is such a day as is Natures best
bright, pleasant and beautiful The as
sembled crowd is chiefly from the sterling
old Granville stock, although thousands
are here from other counties. 1t is not
only a large crowd that has gathered to
help Oxford celebrate this great day of the
completion of its railroad and it's reiuve-
nation, but is a notable gathering. There
are more farmers here who have a little
money in the Bank put aside for a rainy
DAY than l have seen IN any crowd in
many days. The farmers are well dressed
and prosperous looking They are of the
States best population its chief glory
and strength. Virginia is also represent
ed, both on the platform and among the
the auditors, helping Oxford celebrate this
great and glorious occasion. Two weeks
ago the CHRONICLE published the full ex-
ercises If the Railroad celebratiOn-and
the programme was carried out to the
letter.
on the new road from Clarksville, Va a
procession was found near the new depot,
headed by mounted marshals looking AS
handsome as Jeb Stuarts cavalry and twice
as important. and VardeIlS famous Rich
mOnd band dlscOurslng eet music. Then
came the military companies, looking re
splendent in their beautiful uniforms. in
the following order: Granville Grays,
Governors Guard, Warren county Guards,
Horner's School Cadets, and the Rich
mond, (Na.,l Artillery What glorious
sight it was to look upon these soldier
boys as they received the admiring glances
of the assembled maidens. Carriages CON
tanning Governor Scales, who looked hap
py and pleased, and number of distin-
guished visitors from North Carolina and
Virginia. Next in order came what was
known as ''IiendersOn's Greeting
ty vehicles, each team bearing an apprO-
pirate banner, the whole preceded by the
Swiss Bell Ringers band which made excel
lent and entrancing music 1t is pleasant
to see brethren dwell together in unity,
and when Henderson spread ITSELF to
help make its neighbor- rivals celebration
great event, it seemed that these two
towns We're determined to allow no rival
ries or envyings to estrange them. Hen
derson's Greeting was followed by the
industrial Parade, numbering twenty
floats, gaily and handsomely decked and
decorated. These floats were illustrative
of the Industries and business of growing
and progressive Oxford The most illus
trative and suggestive were the floats
upon which auctloneers We're selling to-
bacco and buyers bidding and buying.
The Old Time and the New were fifty rep
resented by an old hogshead full of tobac-
II l. Il i
the old way of carrying tobacco to market
The new was represented by hOgshead
of tobacco on wagon drawn by fine
horses.
The procession was two miles in length
and paraded the principal streets of the
town, and finally came to a halt in the
large and beautiful grove at the Orphan
Asylum.
The Speaking on The Occasion.
Mai. N A Gregory delivered the ad-
dress of wclcome-it was full of welcome
and true Granville cordiallty, and it was
given as elegantly as the hospitality of
Oxford Is elegant.
r. W. Winston, Esq, then, with the
grace characteristic of the Winston family,
introduced Hon. Daniel &. Fowle as the
orator of the occasion. Judge FOwle spoke
forty minutes in his best vein. ] wish it
were possible to give the readers of the
CHRONICLE the speech in full-a synopsis
would do him injustice.
Capt. A H. A. Williams read letter
from Gov. Lee regretting that the sickness 5
of his brother prevented his attendance
Capt. Williams introduced, as represent
ing Virginia, Gen. Peyton Wise, who
made Il ten minute speech Of such beauty
and appropriateness as to leave a lasting
impression upon all who heard him.
Mr.. J S. Cunningham, of Person, fol
lowed in an excellent ten minute speech.
Col. J. S. Amis then introduced His
Excellency, Governor Scales, who did
what he always does: made a splendid
speech well fitted for the occasion.
W. B. Glenn, Esq of Winston, one of
the most eloquent and attractive takers
in the State, was next introduced. He ex-
pressed his congratulations in well chosen
words, and made good impression.
The last speaker vas the strong, vigor-
Gus, and original, Hon. VIM. H. Kitchen,
of Scotland Neck, who spoke in his accus.
toned thrilling style. The speaking was
all good, and was heard with many marks
of approval. Next came THE event of the
day,
The Great Dinner.
There were 5000 people to partake of
lJ-duO tucy pdIlOOh ltctly duu
A special table was prepared for the chill
dren of the Orphan Asylum. 1t was a
pretty sight to see these orphan children
marching in row to the table-and il
spoke we'll for North Carolina. The Asy
lum was open all day to visitors.
At Night.
There was fine display of fire works
Recently w. S. kinball & Co., Of Roches
ter, N. Y, purchased $4,000 worth Of
property in Oxford for the purpose of es
tablishing a stemmery here. They will
employ 200 hands, and as an introductior
to the people of oxford, and as their con
tribution to the Railroad Celebration, the,
gave the fire work display.
| Later on, there was german at th'
| large new warehouse, and seventy three
couples enjoyed the dance. 1t was a.
beautiful an assemblage as has been seer
in one hall in North Carolina in my day.
The celebration is over and the crOw(
has dispersed. oxford did nobly and ad
ded new laurels to its brow. 1t is one o
THE greatest and most progressive town
in the State. Mark this prediction: /
will double its population in eight years
II. B. II.