The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-06-21

can deny. From the time that the idea
was originated before tho meeting on
the 23d of May, until the last rocket
ended it's skYward flight on Saturday
night, every one worked with untiring
energy to make of it an affair that
should reflect credit upon Roanoke. But
even tho most sanguine were agreeably
surprised when they beheld the parade
and trades display, which, for elegance,
magniiicence and resource, eclipsed any
thing eyer seen in this part of the coun.
try, II, indeed, not in any city OF Roa-
noke's size.
AS before said, the fine pyrotechnic
display on st. Andrews Hill Saturday
night closed the regular programme of
the celebration. But the thousands of
visitors who thronged the streets dem
onstrated no desire or disposition to
leave on early trains. During the FORE
noon Sunday the visitors amused them
selves in driving over the city, and
when the hour for divine services ar
rived the various churches throughout
the city were we'll filled. In the after
noon hundreds repaired to the summit
of Mill Mountain, which overlooks Roa-
nokc and surrounding country even as
the bald summit of old Psgah over
looked the promised land. and there
their eyes surveyed a scene more beauti-
fui and imposing than that which burst
upon the vision of the grey haired sage
as he gazed beyond the rolling floods of
the Iordon, to the farms and ilocks, the
vineyards and villages Of Canaan.
All during the afternoon carriages
were busy i'll carrying strangers up to
this eminencc and Rockledge Hotel and
the observatory were flied. Many
others. however, sought amusement and
sightseeing in other direc tions. At the
Water Works Park the Machine Works
Band gave concert of sacred music,
which was in itself treat. Many
gathered TO listen to it and until the
last remained absorbed in tho soul
touching strains with an attention
which plainly bespoke their apprecia.
lion.
At G:3O o'clock in the evening out at
Camp Roanoke the Second Regiment
had dress parade, which was Witnessed
by large number OF people. The man
uas of arms and evolutions which the
soldiers reformed we're executed with
degree OF accuracy, precision and beauty
very rarely found in volunteer compa-
MES
large number Of visitors left for
their homes on the evening trains and
Others OF the early trains the following
morning, but so great was the con.
course that the streets were thronged
u late hour last evening. During
the forenoon only two companies of the
Sc cond RegimenC left, but late in the
afternoon the remainder OF the regi
ment broke camp and left for their
hJmes.
All day yesterday floats were being
unmasked, decorations removed and the
town gradually settling back into it's
neat, trim business attire, and assuming
the .wonted C om mercial activity. Never
has Roanoks entertained such throng
of visitors as she did on Friday ana Sat
nrday. OF course it is well nigh i'm
possible TO ascertain the number of
strangers who were in the city during
the occasion, for on this subject mems
Judgement varies widely. OF owe:
twenty men of sound business Judge
ment, many of whom are old soldiers
and we'll trained in past years in guess
ing Dy the eye pretty nearly the mum Der
of men in Il body, by far the larger
majority estimated the crowd at from
twelve TO fifteen thousand, and perhaps
this is not far worng. On Saturday the
Ponce de Leon Hotel alone furnished
dinner for four hundred. The Hotel
Roanoke and the other hotels OF the
city we're crowded to tn cir utmost capac-
ity.
One restaurant served OIL dinners on
Saturday. and it was by no means ca
pable of accommodating as many as
several other restaurants in the CITY,
and yet they we're all taxed 10 their ut
most capacity. Yesterday a TIMEs re-
porter interviewed a number of Rob
noke's leading business men to as
certain the concensus of opinion as to
the celebration and its probable eff
fects. Their opinions are as follows:
Hon. Il. 5. Trout: s'Reyono cues
tion the celebration was a success. 1t
was far better than anyone had antici-
pated. / have heard MANY persons.
living out of the city, say that it was
one of the best things they ever saw
and that they did not expect, when they
came here, to witness any such scenes
rs they did in the trades display. One
gentleman whom did not know spoke
10 me on the street saying that never
before had he beheld such crowd. l
asked him at what numb he estimated
it. He replied, i do not want to ex
aggerate, therefore | will put it at
75,0U0. l overheard two other gentle.
man. neither of whom knew, one OF
thep said: 1t is much larger
than bad expected the otner
replied Il knew where Roanoke
took ho.d of it it would be grand
affair for when her people undertake TO
do tninE they do it il il were TO hank.
rupt them 'Ye. sir Mr.. Trout con-
tinued Il will be beneficial. People
who have never been TO Roanoke before
nave Deem able to see what she is made