The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-11-12
THE G. c. & N. RAILWAY.
ITS COMPLETION TO ABBEv1LLE.
Demonstration Of Satisfaction by the
People Of the Town.


Last week will long be remembered in the
town and county OF Abbeville. Thursday,
9Th November, 1880, will be noted as red-let-
ter day in our annals.
and Northern Railway from Monroe, N. G.,
TO Abbeville, Is an event Of so much 1Inpor-
tance and promise to our people, that II is not
surprising that our whole town, old and
young, male and female, Of all classes and
conditions, Joined with one accord in their
determination to celebrate the arrival Of the
first train.
To do so In q fitting manner, they invited
boring towns and villages to come and rejoice
with them and take part in the grand cele-
bration.
Thursday morning the railways and high
ways leading to Abbeville were filled with
glad parties of men, women and children all
Fastening to join in the general Joy.
By eleven o'clock the public square and the
streets were thronged with people. who view
ed the gay and gaudy decorations. and listen.
ed to the enliyening strains Of the Due West
While waiting impatiently for the arrival
of the G., c. & N, train, many rambled
through the town. others went to see the pre-
parations for the barbecue at the Fair
around the New Depot and viewed the track
and trestles Of the new railroad.
At about one o'clock the carriages contain
ing the speakers, and other prominent men
the New Hotel to the New Depot The band
"1Soa AZ the % Depot of the G., c. N. an immense
crowd had assembled and taken rem their place ace
track and on the surrounding hills.
The Intendant Of the town, Col. A. Smith,
led the way to the stand which had been
erected at the eastern gable Of the depot
building, and which presented gay appear
ance with. streaming flags and festoons OF
bunting.
presslve prayer by Rev. A. G. Wardlaw. OF
the Presbyterian church at Laurens, after
which Judge Cothran delivered an address OF
welcome. concluding by introducing as the
irts speak er, Senator Butler.
The Senator, had been speaking to the as.
sembled mutitudes for thirty or forty min
utes when his address was brought TO close
by the cry, "The train Is coming"
After the stir, which had been occasloned
ty the arrival Of the cars, Mr.: L. W. Perrin
introduced Hon. ]. j. Hemphill, whose talk
concluded the speaking for the day.
The day was as lovely as an October day
and all that heart or soul could wish.
THE DECORATIONS.
The public square had been most beautiful
ly dressed for the occasion.
Our merchants and others had made their
places OF business more inviting than they
Besides the outside or front display
Of ornamental flags. banners, and
streamers, the show windows, counters and
shelves presented a newer and brighter ap.
pearance than on ordinary days. The Court
House was notably decorated with flags, and
the New Hotel front wall and parapet presen-
led a scene fit for fairy land.
On this occasion all of Abbeville seemed to
be of one mind. All rejoiced at the realization
OF our good fortune in the completion OF the
new railway to this point.
All hearts seemed to beat in unison, and
each and every one went into general
Inerriment Of the celebration with good will
10 all mankind, and with high hopes of their
own future prosperity.
THE SIGHT FOR WHICH OUR PEOPLE HAD
The completion Of new iron highway to
this point was a day which our people had
.or years longed to see. The promises and
rumors OF new roads for many years
pect US TO celebrate the long postponed reali-
Zation of our dream with evidence OF that
qualification which comes to those whose
hopes end in fruition.
due time will become grand trunk line
from east to west. and which will dispense its
blessings to all alike.
TIE FIREWORKS.
At half past seven o'clock the display OF
tire works took place near the depot. An n-
mense multitude of people assembled on the
adjoining hills, and u splendid view was had
u! tlIe MAJ dSlilICcllG pS loicCHiiC siO"' ~ i'fi
exceeded in variety and splendor anything
that many Of us had ever seen. For half an
hour the very heavens seemed blaze ofglory
and light, and the shouts from a thousand
throats evidenced the enjoyment which the
scene was imparting 10 lookers-On.
THE BARBECUE.
As we'll rs we can understand the amount
ofIneat prepared for the barbec !C was some
thing like three thousand pounds, with pota-
toes and bread to correspond. g. course no