Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-04-24
THE EVIADUCT0PENE ED
AlARes CROWD WITNESS THE cERE-
MONIES DESPITE THE RAIN.
The Bridge Decorations--speech Of Mayor
Ellyson-salute by tho IIowItzer--
The Banquet Last Night.


duet, connecting the northern terminus Of
Fifth street with Chestnut Hill. took place
at O'Clock yesterday afternoon, and tho opPosi-
tion OF tho clements n)twi,hSt1niing the affair
was q success both as regards the number Of
persons present and tho pleasantnoss with
which tho ceremonies passed OF.
The specially inyitcd guests of tho company
left the post-offco In omnibuses and hacks about
quarter % 5 o'clock end we're Joined on Brood
ncar Eighth street by the HOWitzers and dc-
tschnent Of the stuart Horse Guards and Noclk-
ers Band, who hcted as M escort.
The bridge il 1900 feet long between abut-
ments, forty feet broad, ana the greatest height
above the ravino Is so7cuty feet.
PETTY DECORATIONS.
At each end Of the structure had been crortet
an archway Ot ynri-colOged bunting and ever
greens surmOuuted with Virginia and United
States nacs. Pendant from the southern arch-
way was the word " Progress" in gnid ictiers, nd
from ihe northern arch6ay the word "Succces
In blue letters. short distance from the north
crn end Of the yiaduct had boon bnil' speak
er.s stand, which was also ornamonted win
bunting.
Major Norman V. Randolph, president of the
N0rthside land Company, In a bTief speech,
stated the object Of the gathering. Whom the
yiaduct movement was Daugirated, he sail
some persons had spOkon OF having corucr-
stone laying, but tho company preferred 70 wait
and show results.
TIE MAYOR PRESENTED.
lie then introduced Mayor Rilyson, who said:
Ladies' and Genaemon,-l am permitted
through the c0urtcsy Of tho President 10 be here
this afternoon 20 voice the pleasure that
know you all must feel on this happy occasion.
Whenever ] stand az now do who're can oye.-
look our beautiful city, always feel proud that
am citizen Of RChmJnd am proud OF her
past, 40 TiCh in historic memories am happy In
her present 70 full OF cOntcutment and prOspcri-
~; am hopeful Of her future 90 rich with pro-
mise OF evcr increasing influence and power.
ayes, ] am upon this beautiful spring afternoon
proud Of Richmond as she sts on her scycu hills
enthrOned as the very queen Of beauty. We are
sometimes told that we are not possc7scl OF a
much Of that restless energy and bustling a.
tivity that has characterized sOmo Of our younger
and more progressive sisters, but whom We rc-
memb Der the difficulties that confronted us and
tho obstacles that had 20 be overcome our pro
gTess during tho last quarter Of n century has
been most gratifying. We found ourselves At
tho coee Of the war with credit impaired with
out banking or business capital, with the iairest
business portion OF the city destroyed by hTe-
berolt, indeed, Of almost everything save that
dauntless courage that has always inspired our
men and women in the hour of trial.
BEGAS LIFE ANEW.
ait was under such adverse circumstances -
these that In 1865 we began anew the struggle
for position and place among the cities OF the
land. In the years that have interycned our
people have been animated by an carnestncss
OF purpose and hopefulness Of spirit that have
brought them well-merited reward, the prof-
pcrtty and abundance Of which have been
grateful surprise 10 many even Of our own peO-
pie"
The Mayor quoted some figures to show how
marvellous has been the material growth Of
Richmond IN the last quarter Of century, and
continuing said:
"A city, which despite untoward surroundings
has in twenty-five yeArs doubled her population
and more than doubled her taxable valucs may,
think, without presumptiou, csaim not to have
been laggard in the march OF progress.
"A beautiful situation, with a climate as Sall-
brious as cnn be found on this continent and with
religious and educational advantage OF the
highest order, Richmond offers attractions as
place OF residence or for the prosecution OF Dusl-
ness unsurpassed by any city In the South"
Tho speaker spoke briefly Of our churches,
schools, and advantages Of location as manu-
featuring contre and continued:
"What we most need is greater faith In our own
and a more liberal advertisement 20 the world OF
the advantages we possess In such unboundod
measure
An EPOCH IN OUR HISTORY.
awe are met this afternoon TO celebrate the
completion Of the Northside viaduct. The build
ing OF this beautiful and useful structure viii be
an epOch--a marking event In Onr municipal his-
tory. IL was at once bold and sageclous uii-
dertaking. 10 required conviction ana courage.
IL necessltated the expenditure OF a large sum
OF money. and It's projectors will receive, as they
deserve, tho heartiest thanks OF an appreaatiYe
community. IL augurs well for tho tlture OF
Richmond that she has sons who have the inteui-
gence 10 conceive and the boidness 70 carry 70
successful completion such an enterprise. am
glad 20 welcome to our city men OF Drawn, BRAIN
or capital, who come 20 unite with us In promo
ting our welfare. Our gates are always open 70
those who come to cast their lot with ours. we
are especially glad to welcome such enterPIlsihs
and useful citizens as our next-doOr nelghbor,
Mr.. James H. Barton, whose beautiful Barton
Heights will be an enduring monument OF his
energy and public spirit. May he reap full re-
ward Of his work In beauthying and building up
our suburbs.
OUR OWN PEOPLES BRAINS.
URut am especially proud on this occasion
20 be able to say that the men whose brains con
ceiye and whose energy executed the bulldlhg
Of this viaduct were those OF our own Fellow
citizens. Not men of wealth-any OF them-out
rich only In hopefulness Of purpose and In their
faith In the future Of Richmond.
"All hail 10 such enterprising spirits ma
President Randolph and his worthy asso-
Ciates These gentlemen do not say that
westward the course Of empire shall not
take its way, but they believe that the timo
has come in our history when Richmond must e1-
pand and enlarge our borders, not only TOWARDS
the west, but in other directions az Well' ana
having faith In the rapid increase OF our wealth
and population they have begun system ol
home puilding on our northern Dorder, Wbefe IN
few few years we may reasonably eGpect the
territory for several miles beyond this Viaduct 70
be dotted over with happy homes, and IN the
near future Chestnut Hui and Highland Park
will become populous and prosperous SUBURBS OF
Richmond, and when tnAt tlLle SNAIL Ooilo ioh uS
bear in grateful recollection the men 10 Whom
we shall owe these things"
Al tho conclusion of Mayor Ellyson's speech
the Howitzers fred salute OF htty guns
The Banquet.
At night the company entertained their
friends at an elegant banquet at Pt8Einis In
the absence of Major Randolph, president OF the
company, who was called home by the illness OF
his mother, Mayor Ellyson presided. The reeu-
lar toasts were: The City Council, The Chamber
~ Commerce. and The Press, which were re-
sponded 10 by President Joseph c. DickeTson, oil
the Board OF Aldermen, Colonel John u. Cary'
and Colonel c. OBJ. Cowardn, of the DISPATCH.
Mr. Ware B. Gay being called upon MADE a
brief speech, and Mr.. Ashton Starke responded
10 the toaet " The Farmer"
The tables were eprcad two In tho reaF nan lor
civilians and one in the front hall Tor me howlt-
zerg A number Of impromtu speeches were
made at all the tables. ,
Captain Hutcheson, Of the llowifzers, ana
Colonel Jones, OF the First regiment, responded
for the military. Mr.. Finsgan OF the Howitzers,
sang "Down Went McGinty" and LET All
Obey and Councilman Diacont sang COMIC
song entitled "Sauer Kraut."