The age-herald., 1898-08-04
A PATRIOTIC GIRL
Sends Flag to the Mobile & Ohio to Be
 Used on First Train.

Miss Gertrude wooley of Maplesville is
 a young woman of whom all Alabama can
 well feel proud. She is not the heroine of
 the daring type, nor has she revolutionized
 the world with some wonderful theory, but l her thoughtfulness, which has recently l been brought to light, marks her as
 shining light among the women of Alabama
 who are destined to play an important part In the development of the state. l A few days ago President E. l.. Russell
 of the Mobile and Ohio Railroad company
 was sitting in his office, when an express l man handed him a package containing
 blue and gold flag, trimmed in gold bullion l fringe and ornamented with blue and gold
 ribbon. On the field was embroidered in | graceful letters: I'M. & o. R. R." At first
 the genial official was at a loss to under l stand the meaning of the beautiful emblem,
 which, however, was explained by the ar
 rival of the following letter on the after
 noon mail:
 "Maplesville, Ala, July 25, 1898. | MT. E. L. Russell, Mobile, Ala
 Dear Sir: Wishing to extend to you and
 the railroad which you represent my best | wishes, I send you a flag. l have been
 much interested in the new road which has been built through the little town of Ma
 plesvile-my home.
 l Since 1t was first contemplated I looked
 forward with much pleasure to its conn pletion, and now as I watch the great mon- | sters of speed fit along, 1 am glad to know
 the efforts of the faithful officials have
 been crowned with success.
 "Should it meet with your approval, l
 would be glad if you would have this flag
 worn on the first passenger train and as it 1 sails through the towns of Mississippi and Alabama, I wish it to represent the success
 and eminence which has crowned you as president.
 "Please receive it from one who wishes
 you prosperity in all your future efforts. | "GERTRUDE WOOLLEY" Colonel Russell was much impressed with
 the beautiful flag and the sentiment that | inspired the fair donor. He immediately
 dictated the following reply, which was
 forwarded to Maplesville by the return | mail:
 July 2s, 1898. | Miss Gertrude Wooley. Maplesvie, Ala. | Miss Gertrude: The express messenger | surprised me this morning with a pack l age, and when it was unrolled and its | beautiful golden and blue colors were dis | played, and all of the artistic work that | your delft fingers had put upon it, 1 was | moro surprised than ever. l gaZed upon | its beauty with admiration, and when the | mail was brought in, I learned for the | first time by whom the flag was sent l | read your letter not only with pleasure, | but with intense delight The fact that ! you thought enough of this enterprise, l and of it's chief officer, to impose upon | yourself so much skilful labor, is evidence l that within you there burns heart and 1 soul that are in sympathy with the pro- | gress and development of our town coun- l ty and state. Such action as yours is rare l among the young women of this country. | and, although I have never seen you, l | know that the waves of patriotism roll | ceaselessly over and through your young l heart, and that your country and coun- | trymen can depend upon you as an Ala | bama girl to be found not only at the post of duty. but performing 1t with concen- , trated purpose, and with an intelligence | that will secure the highest and best re- | suits and the approval of all.
 1 Enclosed herewith, please find copy or | A letter have to-day written MT. Carroll,
 our vice-president and general manager | from which you will see that I have given l instructions that the flag is to De placed | on the first passenger train that passes l through your town. and also have request l ed MT Carroll to instruct MT. Fonde, the l superintendent, to notify you by wire 1 about what hour the first passenger train 1 will pass through your lovely city, so that l vou may te present and with your own | eyes sec the beautiful flag. the product l of your own toll. Yours very truly, E. L. RUSSELL. l President.
 The flag was promptly forwarded to Su- perintendent Forde at Montgomery and on Sunday last when the first passenger tram | nrIled out over the new branch. Miss | Woolev's flag futtered to the breeze from
 A flag staff on the engine as it moved rap | idly over the roadbed.
 Miss Wooley was duly notified Of the
 time of the arrival of the train at Naples.
 vile and was on hand with numper oI
 her friends when the train pulled into the l little depot A
 MT. Russell ordered the flag returned to
 his office and will have it neatly framed | and hung up as a relic and memento or the | occasion.
 l .zxo r1r urIc u IIIINTSNII I E