The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-06-17

The great Decennial Celebration of
Roanoke is at hand. This is the first
day. For weeks it has been the theme
for every tongue, the pervading and
prevailing thought of all progressive
merchants, manufacturers, bankers,
lawyers, artisans. In fact the men of
each and every profession and avoca-
ton, forming the Poodly population of
the fair city of Roanoke, have from the
first entered upon the work of making
OF this great epoch in the city's history
tn trough and browning success with
that degree OF unanimity, enthusiasm
and faith which not only moves noun
tains, but ovcrcomes every obstacle in
the way to success-tha, pluck, energy
and persistency which has raised the
unimportant village of 400 inhabitants
to a queenly city of $4,000 in the incon-
ceivably short space of ten years.
The various committees appointed for
the purpose of perfecting every arrange
ment for the great event have done
their work with degree of thorough
ness rarely demonstrated in such bodies.
In fact little is left undone that in
telligence, labor and enthusiasm could
do. From the North and from the
South, from the East and from the West
letters have poured in, announcing that
gentlemen high in political and official
life, prominent journalists, capitalists,
merchants and manufacturers will Join
the citizens of Roanoke to-day and to-
morrow in their glorious celebration to
wreathe the laurel crown, as the guer-
don OF success, around the queenly brow
Of the Magic City.
Never was city of similar magnitude
more beautifully dressed out in the full
panoplY of holiday attire. This work
of decoration has not been confined to
the business portion of the city alone.
Many stately residences throughout the
city have donned the beautiful insignia
OF rejoicing.
The train loads of militia have gath.
cred, so to speak, from Dan to Bersheeba
to participate in this occ Aston. Bit all
OF the soldier boys have not yet arrived.
Many companies will reach here on the
evening trains. and will be escorted to
their quarters in the Sam Jones Taber-
nacle, where bountitul supplies of plain.
wholesome food have been gathered for
their use. The ranges were finished
and called into requisition yesterday
early in the day.
The guns OF some Of the batteries
have arrived and those that have not
will reach here in ample time to par tici-
pate in tho parade and the sham battle
which will be fought tomorrow even
ing on the Pleasant Valley Land Com
pany's property, begii ning at five
o'clock in the afternoon. and continu-
ing for from one to two hours. Chair
man McCahan, of the committee on Or
ders and Fraternities, was seen yester-
day evening and reported that he
had sent invitations TO about thirty.
eight organizations to participate in
the celebration and from about half
that number he had received replies.
That while many could not accept
q large number had signitied their de-
sire and intention to do so.
Mr.. McCahan said that he had re-
ceived letter in response to his invita-
tion from the colonel Of the First Vir-
ginia Regiment, Uniformed Knights of
Pythias. regretting his inability to at
tend owing to other engagements. A
letter was also received by Mr.. MEGA.
han from the Hagersto wn Bicycle Club,
in which. while it did not accept as a
whole, nevertheless stated that it was
probable that number OF its memb ers
would be here. The following letter
was also received at committee head
quarters. which will explain itself:
OFFICE BALTIMORE SUM-
BALTIMORE, Md, June IA, 1872
Mr.. DnnstOn:
My DEAR SIR-Thanks for the passes and
your other courtesies. Mr.. Crunble and mvself
expect to reach Roanoke Friday morning at 9:lO
clock via the Shenandoah Valley road and will
report at the Hotel Roanoke. am sure our visit
will he pleasant one and hope it NAV be OF
some advantage 10 your city. Very truly yours,
III. ID. BEAlI, sun Editorial Stan.
Among the many beautiful features
of the parade will DO the fraterni.ies
and orders. The Independent Order of
Odd Fellows, the Magic City Encamp.
ment, the Junior Order OF the American
Mechanics, the Uniformed Rank
Knights of Pythias, and others. mum
bering between three and four hundred
men in full uniform will. participate.
The route of the procession will be as
follows:
The procession will form on Jefferson
and lateral streets. and will 90 west
mp Campbell to Commerce, thence to