Cherokee scout. [volume] (Murphy, N.C.) 188?-1961, 1891-08-04


MEssRs. r. L. HERBERT, F. p.
AxLEY, J. w. COOPER, r. A. AKIN
AND BEN PosEY, Committee on In
vitation.
Genttemen:-I cannot adequately
express the deep regret I feel, that
many circumstances beyond my con-
troll, win prevent accepting your in
Iy:as,tion A@ he present with the good
people u Cherokee county On the
2Srd instant, 10 celebrate the COM
pletion Of the Western North Caro-
lima Railroad; but though compelled
to be absent, i viii in spirit unite
with them in their reioicings Of this
great enterprise which for nearly
a-half century they have been ear
-nestly looking and laboring, for with
alternate hope and disappointment;
and do this, the more cordially, be-
cause it was my good fortune in the
past to make this one of the.special
objects of my legislative labora
Most hastily do / congratulate you
aud them ou,this happy occasion, aud
most sincerely do / believe it TO be
the beginning of new epoch in the
history of your County.
Blessed as your section is with so
many natural advantages, and en-
rished by such > variety oflmineral,
aud other wealth, there is every rea-
son to hope that the completion of
this Railroad, which brings your
people in closer and more intimate
commercial and social relations with
the State, and business sections OF
the country, will be the means OF
making it one OF the desirable, both
for homes and business investments
in our ral'idly growing South land.
We people, therefore, have much
cause for rejoicing over this most an
spicious event.
4 But / cannot rid myself of tho
thought-and l trust 1 may be par
doued for alluding to it-that in the
great joy of the day there will be, l
know, sincere and heartfelt regret,
that he, who was the chief protector
of this great enterprise-at the time
apparently impracticable-of build
ing a railroad through the mountains
of Western North Carolina, and who
with such persistent zeal, continued
his efforts in behalf of his section and
people in the FACE of discouragements
that would cause the stoutest hearts
to quail-that's he, though living. is
prevented by his sad affiiction from
joining with his beloved people in
celebrating the commemoration of
his life-work. I need not say that /
refer to Col. William III. Thomas
nor should proper tribute be with
held from others who were his CO.
laborer'S and successors in this great
work. The lamented Hayes, of your
own County, Bryson, of Swain and
Robinson, of Macon, and others, all
of whom 30 earnestly labor in behalf
Of this Railroad.
1t is befitting, that the celebration
of the laying of the Corner Stone of
the magnificent court. house, which
you are to erect in Murphy, should
be the crownipg act of this memora-
ble occasion. For while the one be-
tokens the administration of justice
in the courts of the County, the 9TH
er evidences the realization of that
justice to which the Western people
have been so many years entitled,
and for which they have so particu-
larlX waited.
Again assuring you and the people
of my inexpressible regret at not
being able to be present and partici-
pate with them in their rejoieings,
and renewing my warmest congratu-
lstions on the completion of the
Western North Carolina Railroad.
/ am with sentiments OF highest es-
TEEN. Very truly yours,
THos. ID. JOHNSTON.
Alliance sneakinO.