The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1900-05-31
FIRST THROUGH TRAINS.
GREATER SEABOARD AIR LINE RAILWAY.

Completion of this Great System from
Richmond, Va. TO Tampa, Fla
1900 Miles of Trackage Embraced
in the Consolidated Properties and
Newly Constructed Lines Two
Magnificent Special Trains Pass Over
The Route This Week-Completion
of the System to be Celebrated
in Richmond Saturday-Resoiutio
Adopted by Board OF Town COM
missioners and Henderson Chamber
OF CommerCe-Mr. St. Johns Crate
full Acknowledgements.
The Seaboard Air Line Railway
Company is now operating through
trains from Richmond. Va, to Tampa,
Fla, over its own consolidated and
completed tracks.
The first through trains went over
the line Wednesday. They consisted
OF two magnificent special trains of
six coaches each, Pullman sleeping,
drawing room and dining cars, bear
ing party of distinguished gentle
men, officials OF the road, stockhold-
ers, capitalists, newspaper represen-
tativcs and others. The first train
reached Henderson about 9 O'Clock.
large crowd was at the station to
see it.
Attached to this was the private
car of Mr.. f. st. John, Nice-President
and General Manager, who was
aboard. The second train came about
10 minutes later. On it was Mr.. John
Shelton Williams, President, to whose
splendid tinanciering and admirable
executive ability the financing and
consolidation of the properties COM
posing the Greater Seaboard System
is mainly due.
Beyond here they were joined by
others, and the run of both trains
was made through to Tampa via Raj
eigh, Hamlet, Columbia, Savannah,
jacksonville. They will return Sat
urday, the first train being due at
Richmond at 1870 p. m. Immediately
before the arrival of the train, the last
spike, completing the system of 1900
miles of road, will he driven. This
spike will be golden one and Master
John Shelton Williams, Jr., son of
the president, will drive it to its
place. using silver hammer, APP
propriately inscribed for the purpose.
When the train arrives, the officers
and directors of the system, together
with their guests arriving with them
from the South, and others who may
be assembled to welcome the train,
will proceed up Broad street to the
Capitol Square, where appropriate
ceremonies will take place under the
Commerce.
Addresses by the Governor and
others will be delivered from the East
portico of the State capitol, and after
these ceremonies, carriages will be
found in waiting to take the invited
guests for drive about the city.
At night a banquet will be rendered
the officers and their guests at Hotel
jefferson.
The following resolutions, adopted
by the Board of Commissioners of the
Town Of Henderson, and the Chamber
OF Commerce, copy each of which
was handed to Mr.. Williams and Mr..
st. John as they passed through here
are self-explanatory:
RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED BY BOARD OF COM
MISsIONERs.
N 2sS5r 5 GaS q Town Of Henderson,
meeting of the Board of Commission
ers of the Town OF Henderson, North Car
olina, was held on the 2Sth day of May,
1900, at which the following resolutions
were unanimously adopted
WHEREAS. The people of the Town of
Henderson have learned with great pleas
ure, pride, and qualification of the compile
ton of the Seaboard Air Line Railway
from Richmond. Virginia, to Tampa, in
the State of Florida, and of its connec-
lions, whereby direct communication, and
quick and rapid transit by means Of mag
nifcent through trains. palatial in their
equipment, from New York to the extreme
South has been furnished; and
WHEREAS, We recognize in this splendid
railway system, differed as it is, by the
ablest fnanciers and most skillful rail
road men, whose broad guaged policy,
and liberal spirit have won for them the
confidence and esteem Of their patrons. in
the past, and are but earnestS of the future,
not only the great benefit to Our town,
county and state, but an important factor
in the upbuilding and development of the
South, and the entire territory traveis ed by
its :, 900 miles of trackage; and
WHEREAS, We desire to express and re-
cord our appreciation of this great work;
therefore be it
ResoLved, BY the Board Of Commissioners
of the Town of Henderson, in session as
Sembled, that we for ourselves and the
people we represent. tender to the Presi
dent, Vice-President, and other officials of
the said Railway, our congratulations
upon the accomplishment of so great an
undertaking, and do pledge them our
hearty cooperation in every way to add
to the continued and future success of the
enterprise.
Resolced, That having in the past been
intimately connected with the systems now
composing in part.the ''Greater Seaboard";
benefits therefrom, through its polite,
courteous faithful and efficient officers,
general and local, and by its prompt at
tention in the dispatch of business we take
pleasure in bearing our testimony thereto.
Res0Lced, That copies Of these resolutions
liamS. President and Mr.. +. st. John,
Vice President and General Manager,
upon their arrival in Henderson, n. C.,
May 3Oth. 1900, it being the occasion of the
running of their first through train over
the line.
ResoLced, That copies Of these resolu-
tons be engrossed upon the records of the
Board of Commissioners of the Town of
Henderson, and that copies thereof be also
furnished the Press of the Town of Hen
derson for publication.
By order of the Board.
r. J. SWITZERLAND,
Mayor.
P. JONES,
Town Clerk,