The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1893-10-26
OPENING OF THE NEW r. r. Y. M.
O.. A. BUILDING.

mud and rain to participate in the dedl
catory services of this magnificent build
ing which was principally given to them
by the king of railway systems, namely
the Chesapeake g. Ohio.
The building was brilliantly illuminat
ed by electricity The great auditorium
was packed, and standing room was at a
The leading railroad officials with rep
resentatives from fourteen stations on
this and the Norfolk & Western lines
were present, and entered the building
at :45 p. IN.
Mr.. Hicks, one of the prime movers in
the Y. NJ. G. A. work, as temporary
Chairman called the meeting to order
and requested that all would stand and
sing that grand song: "All Hail the
Power of Jesus Name, - after which Rev.
Mr.. Wheeler read 16 verses of the 10th
Psalm, and then Rev. Mr.. Brett of the
Baptist church, made an appropriate
prayer. Then the congregation listened
to solo sung by Miss Blanche Pierce,
of the Allegheny Female Institute,
with Miss. Grice at the organ. 1t was
well sung and at the conclusion the
young lady was warmly cheered. At the
conclusion of this solo Mr.. Hicks intro
duced President Ingalls,, of the G. " o.,
in short but spicy address, in which he
said This building was one of the best
Of ha bind ix,t hn xunrII nd that M y
ingalls, originated the idea of buildin g
houses of this kind for the men on this
road" He said that the understanding
was that until the citizens paid their
pledges the building was not to be
opened. They had not all been paid, but
Mr.. Ingalls, said, go on and open it. He
then introduced to the audience the
honorable and highly esteemed Presi-
dent of the road, who was to be the chief
orator of the occasion.
Mr.. ingalls, tegan by saying: 1.-The
world is full of lost opportunities, and
that he had lost the opportunity of pre-
pairing a first class speech, in that he had
been afraid to give it the time, thinking
he with the rest, might have their sala>
ries cut. Uaughter.) But, he said, if
man could ever make q speech, he could
do it at this time, when he had such a
large and appreciative audience to hear
him. He continued This is no new
work to me. Our first work of this kind
was at Hinton, w. Va, and watching
the progress of this work | noted one
thing, that the boys who had been in
the habit of frequenting saloons while
there on their runs, having nowhere
else to go, the saloons offering comforta-
BILE fires, words of cheer, amusements, etc
now come to the Y. NJ. C. A. building
where they could get warm fires, read
good papers and books, get cup of cof-
fee in place of beer, get "a bath, a sleep
and be ready to return when called,
much refreshed. And heretofore, when
man was wanted the all-boy seldom
knew where to find him-the barrooms,
streets, stores, anywhere they might be;
but now they are found at the Y. M. G.
A. Building. We have tried this kind Of
work at Hinton, Handley, Gladstone,
and are now trying it here. Here it has
filled want. AS a proof, the people
have co>operated. What we want is
something practical. This building is
not simply for Sunday, but for all the
time, a home for the boys. This Assocl-
alton is not sectarian, but all who pro-
fess the name of Christ can unite upon
common ground here in this work.
What does this society promise? Books,
papers, innocent amusements, cheer, fire,
lights, baths, gymnasium, and beds.
The Company saves in having ipstitu>
lions of this kind. The men get sleep,
give up drink, are more attentive to bu-
siness, and as a result fewer, accidents.
They leave off drink and this forces the
saloons to go. Saloons are not good for
railroad men. Why do they visit them?
Because they have nothing better. Give
them better places to go and the saloons
will be deserted. (The speaker said sa-
looms were probably good in their place.
Their place is in hell-Reporter.) We
hope to establish hospital at this place
in connection with this work. Let Us see
what we have done within the last five
years. Five years ago took this road.
What was Clifton Forge then? Town
mostly on the other side of the river.
The first time | went through here. sa-
looms on one side and a string of coal
cars on the other. But after spending
$500, 900 in improvements what have we?
have never seen anything improve like
this road. Since 1883 the freight traffic,
with passenger traffic, in fact in every
way, the improvement has been wonder
full. Then we had an accident every day,
now we seldom have one Trains were
always late. but now you can set your
watch by the G. & 0. trains, if it is a bad
watch. Then &c or 5000 men were
employed, now many more. Then the
pay roll amounted to $4,000, now it is
100000 Railroad men who then gave
Is cents for three cigars and two glasses
of beer daily, have by leaving off cigars
and beer and depositing same amount
daily for five years will have $4,000.
"a library for the new building has
been secured costing $1,000 also an cleo
trio clock to go in the tower of the build
ing costing 5000. And we expect great
things to come from this work"
The speaker was oftentimes cheered
and his speech was very entertaining.
Mr.. Geo. K. Anderson of oor town, as
he always does, made fine speech. He
said; 'Mr. ingalls, YVES the only man he
had heard who could make speech with
figures as basis. He spoke compliment
tary of the railroad men. Said ne had
never seen any of them drunk. They
are gentlemen. He also spoke in high
terms of the railway system. His speech
was humorous, interesting and really the
people seemed sorry to see him stop.
Mr.. Stevens was the next speaker OF
the occasion. His thoughts were to the
point and we'll received.
Mr.. Frazier was called, hut said he
could build the house but could not
build a speech. Some one said 'if he
could have but one, he wauld take the