The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-07-25
THE MILLS GREAT WORK
Seven Orators Speak in Praise Of the
Enterprise Of J. A. and w. w. Mills
and Of Lillington's Prospects While
New Bank is Arranged for.


1t was Mills Day at Ellington yesterday.
Harnett county and Wake joined in do
ing honor to the benefactors of that place.
The praise of Messrs. John A. Mills and
w. w Mills was heard on all sides and
seven speakers told of their splendid work
The Raleigh and Cape Fear Railroad
celebrated its approach to within short
distance of the Cape Fear River and the
gates of Ellington in a royal manner and
the people of Wake and Harnett met and
learned of each other.
The completion of this road marks an
epoch in the history of Ellington. Since
the formation of Harnett in 1856 its coun-
ty seat has been without railroad commun-
ieation with the outside world, but this
was ended yesterday when the whistle OF
the passenger train OF the Raleigh and
Cape Fear broke the stiffness of the forest
and gave the people of Ellington the glad
tidings.
Begun in 1898, reaching FuQuay Springs
twenty lone miles from Raleigh in 1899,
and now in 1903 going twelve miles fur
ther to Ellington the Raleigh and Cape
Fear has made commercial and industrial
history in less than five years that has
given new life to the section through
which it passes and its entry into Lilling-
ton has stirred that place with the impulse
of forward commercial life.
A special train, carrying hundreds OF
passengers left Raleigh yesterday morning
at O'Clock for Ellington. following the
regular train, which had carried many
more. Reaching the present stopping
point o. the road, near the aCpe Fear, the
great crowd crossed the river bridge, some
on foot, some in buggies and carriages,
some in wagons. but all happy with antic-
ipation of the days events.
Just on the outskirts of Ellington the
visitors were met by special committee
and by mounted escort of marshals, and
the splendid Dunn Brass band. The CHIEF
marshal was Mr.. A. p. Mcpherson and
his assistants were: Messrs. j. d. Barnes
r. L. Goodwin, C. L. Wilson. j. L. Hines
T. H Mcneil, j. w. Prudie, T. Corben
Young, Dunn; w. A. Smith, Spout;
Spring; w. j. johnson, Cambro; Davis
Mccormack, Paolia; Arch Mccormack
Paolia; j. C. Byrd. Linden; Robt. Davis
Linden; ]. S. Williams, Linden; Law
renee Smith, Linden; Chas. Allen, Bruins
burg; H. A. Morrison, Spout Springs; A
l.. Sorrell, burlington; l.. L. burlington
burlington: James H. Senter, Bradley'c
Store; Will Brown, Legal; Douglass Stew
art Legal; Fred McKoy, Norval; C. L.
Barley, Trayville; E. P. Harrington
Spruit Springs; ID. M. Spence, Bradley's
Store: D. Godfrey, Spout Springs; j. d
Pearson, Bradley's Store; Lamar Arnold
Chalk Level; ]. d. Champion, Chalk Lev
ell; w. H. Upchurch, Buies Creek; G. H
Long, Long; Early Smith, Bradley's
Store: C. II. Biggs, Buies Creek; w. p
Byrd, Buies Creek; F. HI. Taylor, Buies
Creek; Chas. r. Bethea, Sumnerville,
Moore Mckay, Norval ]. Walter Stew
art, Troyville; ]. c. Williams, Angler;
Harvey Stevenson, Angler.
AT THE PARK.
At the Ellington Park a great Grove
was found and these exchanged greetings
with the new arrivals. The marshals, es
corting the speakers of the day, made ;
procession .hrough the town, and afte
brief rest the great crowd, numberin,
anywhere from four to i've thousand, as
sembled about the speakers stand in tn
park
1t is place of great natural beauty
The hillside sloping down had at its bas
stand in which the speakers and man.
guests we're gathered, while also IN tn
stand was the Dunn brass band. On seat
mad here and there on the hillside abov
weer gathered the people who had come t
do honor to the railroad celebration an
the farmers dinner. 1t was a noble sight
an inspiring sight and it eyokeu from tn
speakers of the day genuine oratory.
On the stand, among other prominen