Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1902-06-06
Excursion Over the C. W. Nv.

Excursion Over the C. W. Ry.
On Friday of last week the C. W.
Ry. rendered train from Harrison
burg to StOkesville, to the Board of
Trade of Harrisonburg, which was
accepted and party of about 400 per-
sons were invited to accompany them.
The company was made up of the most
prominent men of Harrisonburg and
vicinity, with their wives and daugh-
ters. The brass band from Dayton
along with prominent persons from
that town joined the party when the
train arrived there, Others were added
at Bridgewater and Mt Scion.
The train consisted of four coaches
and was gaily decorated with flags and
flowers. The engine was fresh from
the shops and the whole presented a
beautiful sight as it sped swiftly over
the splendid road bed which is one of
the finest in the country. The road is
now fully ballasted, and is laid with so
pound steel rails, the bridges being of
the standard adopted by the Pennsyl-
vania Ry. A speed of about 80 miles
an hour was maintained and every
one was struck with the smoothness
of the track, and the easy movement
of the traiu.
When Mt. Scion was reached short
stop was made for persons who were
to join the party there, and during the
wait the band rendered few excellent
numbers. The excursion was under
the immediate care and control of the
Chief Engineer of the road. Mr.. E. w.
jackson, who has received courtesies
from the Board of Trade. There were
with the party other officials, however,
among them were Mr.. Weisiger and
Mr.. Mardis.
On reaching StOkesville large crowd
from the neighborhood was found as
sembled. The party disembarked and
began to make themselves comfortable.
At the REQ uest of Mr.. Jackson, who no
doubt is, but who declines to be called
an orator, Rev. J. E. Holt, of DAYTON,
welcomed the guests to Stokesville, in
some very felicitous remarks, which were
responded to by Rev. A. NJ. Horne, of
Dorcas. Mr.. J. L. Avis, president of
we'll chosen address thanked the G..
W. Ry. for it's interest in Harrison
burg, It's success in this venture, and
predicted great future for it. He
told the people of West Augusta of
the welcome they would receive on
coming to Harrisonburg, and of the
advantages in doing so, and gave them
a general invitation to visit there and
become better acquainted.
His speech was followed by Mr..
Wilton. member of the Board of
Trade, who made one of the best. most
interesting and logical speeches of the
day. For man who does not make
pretensiOns to being a talker, Mr..
Wilton comes nearer being good one
than most men we have heard in a
long time. Capt. Lurty was then call
ed on and responded IN his usual
felicitous manner. This closed the
speech making and at the close large
bouquets OF choice flowers were pre-
sented to Mr.. jackson and Mr.. Mardls.
general manager, by the ladies of the
neighborhood.
Tables had been prepared and re-
freshments provided, and in a short
time the visitors were crowded around
the tables and were being served by
the young ladies of the community.
This being over the visitors inspected
the neighbOrhOOd, some went fishing,
others gathered flowers which were to
be found in great abundance, lovers
found shady and secluded hooks, and
''all went merry as marriage bell. y
At $50 the sound of the whistle
called the excursionists to their train
and they started for Harrisonburg,
where in 81 minutes exactly, including
stops, they arrived, having enjoyed a
most pleatant outing.
No more beautiful country is to be
found any where than from Harrison
burg to Stokesville, which latter point
is the entrance to North River Gap
and just at the base of the mountain.
The splendid farming lands along the
whole route, the comfortable dwellings,
capaciOus barns, prosperous villages
and happy people, presented a scene
seldom. met, and one which none but
nature can paint in it's real beauty.
The old town of Mt. Scion which
has SO long slept il quiet but digniGed
seclusion among it's hills and by the
beautiful stream of Messy Creek, is
taking on new life and looked differ
ent village from the train.
The water power along Messy Greek
which at various places has been aban-
doned, suggests what might be accom-
plished should the power again be har-
messed and put to work. Certainly
this is q land
where every prospect pleases,
And only man is vile."