The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1890-03-20
Capt. S. A. Ashe, in News and Observe

Capt. S. A. Ashe, in News and Observer
Wednesday was lovely day and the
people of Henderson were agOg because
of the formal opening of the mammoth
tobacco factory of W. H. S. Burgwyn &
Co-an enterprise in which all the citizens
appear to evince greatinterest. AS the
train pulled up quite a bevy OF gentlemen
were in attendance to greet those who
were expected to arrive from the South,
among them the Commissioner OF Agri-
culture, the Auditor Of State, represen-
tatives of the Mechanical and Agricul
tural College, and members of the edi
torial fraternity, one of them Mr.. Haydn
coming from Charlotte to show his warm
sympathy with the occasion. After
friendly salutations the party repairedto
Massenburgs Hotel where an air of cosy
comfort pervaded the premises and in
vited a pleasant rest. After a dinner,
elegant in it's appointments, the Mayor
of the city led the guests, in carriages, to
the factory building whose site upon a
| commanding eminence makes it stand
out in bold relief as the visitor APP
prOaches.
Entering and ascending to the second
floor we found there assembled some
| thing like two thousand persons, the bet
Ter Hall DIS JULIET IdtlN I'd ulC hpC W
| be, of the fairer sex.
| Most of those who had been invited
from a distance had been admonshed by
a printed programme that they were ex-
pected to make "shOrt and interesting
addresses" and we have heard several of
them confess that when they glanced
over the audience, SO much larger than
was ANTICIPATED and realized how thor
oughly Henderson had made the opening
! of this manufacturing enterprise a town
affair, their hearts failed them at their
unfortunate want of preparation. They
were ready to repent in sackcloth and
ashes not having burnt the midnight oil
and moulded their ''short and interest
ing remarks into polished sentences OF
we'll prepared eloquence. And we entirely
sympathized with them in the difficulties
OF their situation. But kindly faces exert
a happy influence and are potent to reas-
sure those who trust to the occasion Tor
inspiration.
1t was quite impossible for any one who
enjoys sense of the beautiful, or APP
preciates the delightful sensations that
loneliness awakens, to have been an in
different spectator, when casting his eve
over the ladies who added SO much to the
audience and who so handsomely
adorned the occasion.
The speeches, we believe, were all voted
interesting, if not always strictly ac-
cording to schedule iii the other respects
!: Some were notably sprightly and witty
Particularly must we mention the ad.
dress OF Mr. Simmons, who was called
out on the occasion instead of Mr.. Peele
who was absent) And the singing, Of
: which the programme published Tuesday
made mention, was very merltorious.
f In particular were the audience enthu
siastic over a bass voice which indeed
seemed to an uncultivated ear to be &
sort of treasure trove, worth a fortune
, to it's sable owner if tutored somewhat
by skilled master.
, The occasion at all points was highly
entertaining, and we are not alone il
our Judgment when saying that thu
: opening ceremonies were a success thai
, should be no less gratifying to Col. Bur
, gwyn than they were interesting to hi
, guests.
The factory building itself is a hand
. some and massive brick structure, fiv
stories high and 1876 feet by 45. 1t il
constructed with the most approved con
veniences. and it's arrangements are a
d. perfect as experience and skill can max
. them.
h Its capacity is to manufacture abou
!. 10000 pounds of tobacco a year, AM