Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1896-05-07
A GALA DAY FOR NAPOLEON.
RECEPTION OF THE LIMA
NORTHERN OFFICIALS,
And Prominent Citizens Along
the Line.

Truly Napoleon wore a holiday ap-
pearance on Sunday afternoon last.
The day was most perfect one, and
while everybody seemed to be out
doors, the stream of pedestrians and
vehicles were wended one way-to-
ward the depot of the new railroad,
the Lima Northern.
1t had been noised about that q
special train, bearing prominent Of
ficials and those interested in the
road, together with citizens gathered
up along the line between Lima and
Napoleon, would arrive in this city
at 2 o'clock p. IN. Although no pub
lie notice was given of the occasion,
a large crowd congregated at the new
depot awaiting the arrival of the
train. The 10th Regiment Band
was on hand to assist in welcoming
the railroad officials, and their music
did much to lend life and happiness
to the occasion.
Judge Donnelly, who has taken an
active interest in the new railroad
from the start, had been notified the
night before of the intended visit,
and he set about to give the visitors
a royal welcome. Just how he sue
ceeded the events of the day speak for
themselves. The reception was a
success in every particular, and had
there been time given to have per-
mitted a general notice of the intend
ed visit to have been made, the well
coming crowd would have been sew
eral times larger. AS it was, nearly
1000 people greeted the train as it
pulled into the depot at Napoleon.
1t was 2:30 when the train arrived,
amid the cheers of the people and
music by the band. Judge Donnelly
was the first to board the train, and
appearing on the platform, in a few
we'll chosen words he welcomed the
visitors and accepted the new road
on behalf of the citizens of Napoleon.
On the train were fonnd Hon. Chas.
N. Haskell, of New York, one of the
promoters of the new line of railroad;
j. P. Magrue, President OF the road;
d. Fl. Roser, general manager; G. w.
Risely, superintendent; F. Grant,
road master; L. G. Schnell, chief en-
gineer; Hon. J. B. Townsend, pro-
moter and associate of Mr.. Haskell;
Hon. Judges Moore and Sheets, n.
E. Mathews, Editor George Kinder,
and A. V. Watts, of Ottowa; and
Hon. A. M. Smalley.
These gentlemen were called upon
for responses, and most of them ap-
peared and addressed the people in
a happy and congratulatory manner.
Ex-Prosecuting Attorney Ragan also
spoke in words welcoming the dis
tinguished visitors and the new road.
The visitors expressed themselves
as well pleased with their reception
at the hands of the citizens of Napo-
leon, and left with the warmest feel
ings toward our little city and it's in
terests. From the very beginning of
the building of the Lima Northern,
its projectors and the citizens of Ma
poleon have been on the most friend
ly terms, and if there are any advan-
tages to be derived from this mutual
feeling, Napoleon will not be forgot
ten.
After inspecting the roadbed north
of the city and examining the side
tracks and depot, by the officials of
road, the train left on its return trip
at 4 o'clock.
In speaking of the new road a staff
correspondent of the BLADE says
The Lima Northern is really an extension
af the Ohio Southern. The latter road was
projected by the famous Henry S. Ives wher
he lost his grip on the @. H. & D. His idea
was to parallel the latter road, whose pros
perity shows that another north and soutl
line through western Ohio will be prof table
The Ohio Southern runs from Wellston, il
the center of tho jackson coal field, north tc
Lima. The Lima Northern will complete
the line, and give it two outlets to the Grea
Lakes-at Toledo and Detroit.
| Traffic arrangements have been made witt
the Wabash company, by which the Limi
tracks from Napoleon.