The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-04-24
.FINCASTLE'S FIRST RAILROAD.
a Red Letter Day for Botetourt's
County Seat.
The First Sod Thrown For the Railroad
Which Will Connect That Town with
the Outer World-An Important Event
Duly Celebrated-SeveraI Interesting
Addresses by Roanokers aud Others.

FINcAsTLE, April 23.-[Special This
was rcd letter day for Fincastle, and
people gathered in masses to do honor
to an occasion that marks a new and
distinctive era in the history OF the
town. This occasion was the breaking
Of dirt on the Fincastle railroad.
1t means that Fincastle is to soon en-
JOY the benefits Of railroad facilities.
and that her extensive marble interests,
Of inestimable value, are to be de-
veloped, and that she is in the future to
hgu as one of the progressive towns of
Southwest Virginia.
After the large crowd had assembled
upon the ground prayer was offered by
Rev. w. Is. Dorsey, after which Judge
Simmons, the president of the railroad,
made few appropriate remarks, saying
that the present demonstration was an
earnest ono of the completion of our
railroad. He then introduced Mr.. Kee-
nan, the general manager of tho con-
struction work, who dug the first dirt,
which was shoyeled by c. Ii. Vines, who
said:
Il greatly appreciate the honor con-
ferrcd upon mo to-day in throwing tho
first shovel Of earth in tho construc-
ton of u railroad to our beautiful little
city. Precious as the pcarly gems of
old ocean should this bit of sod be to
those who live to promote the interest
of this the fairest spot on earth, truly
an heritage to be handed down to pos
terity. To the Jealous care of our fair
ana beautiful sponsor, whose sublime
confidence through even the darkest
days of adversely was never shaken,
signallcd her as specially fitted to tho
surctyship of this great enterprise. So
to you, fair lady, consign this beauti-
full sod as token of our sincerity and a
part OF the superstructure upon which
we pledge our faith to build this road
ere the beautiful October flowers shall
have bowed their heads to November's
chilling blast"
Miss Mary Goodwin. as sponsor, broke
bottle Of champagne, and made tho
following remarks:
"FAITHFUL WoRKMEN: receive this
first Offering to our railroad from beau
tiful Santillane, and pour out this hba-
ton of the vintage of Fincastle, dedi-
eating and consecretaing it to the Fin
castle and Southern Botetourt Develop
ment Company.
ITO you, Mr.. President. now offer it
with the hope that this auspicious hour
may be foretase OF your Joy when you
crown your laudable efforts and may
health and safety be with every ono
who engages in it's further construc-
| ton"
A number of prominent gentlemen
present addressed tho crowd. NJ. Gray
bill, OF Amsterdam. made few re-
marks, i'll which ho compared the old
order Of things and tho new, and adj
monished tho people, as to the necessity
Of railroad facilities and keeping up
with the times.
Earnest speeches were made by
Messrs. a. A. Wood son and l.. Hous-
man. Mr.. llousman was introduced as
one OF the prime movers of tho enter
prise giving substantial and moral sup
port when it was most in need, and was
greatly instrumental in bringing about
the result now accomplished
Brief speeches were made by Colonel
Houston, Of Roanoke, president Of tho
Roanoke and Botetourt Construction
Company, who was introduced as ono of
the ruling spirits OF the company, and
Captain Hathaway and Joseph Frank,
OF that city.