The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-07-25
ELLINGTON NOW
OPEN TO WORLD
The Raleigh and Cape Fear Railroad Gives 1t
An Open Door That All
May Enter.

John s. Cunningham Hon. John G. shaw,
Senator H. L. Goodwin, Hon. W. g. Muir
Gibson, Captain A. B. Williams, of Fay
etteville; Mr.. r. N. Sims, of Raleigh
Mr.. John Angler, of Durham; Sheriff S.
A. Salmon, of Harnett; DR.. John e. Nc
Kay, DR.. j. p Mckay, DR.. Goodwin, of
Dunn; Mr.. w. Williams, of Fayetteville;
Mr.. o. j. Spears, Mr.. G. w. Muse, and
newspaper representatives in the persons
of Messrs. R. M. Furman. r. M. Philips,
e. A. Womble, r. A. Olds and E. E.
Britton. There were also Messrs. J. A
Mills. w. w. Mills, w. ]. Bradshaw and
others connected with the building of the
road, while many ladies likewise graced the
! occasion. The speakers table was hand
somely decorated with flowers.
A BANK STARTED.
During the day, while the celebration
was in progress there was also another
step forward for Ellington bank was
organized, the leading spirit being Mr.. W.
w. Mills, heartily aided by many business
men and farmers of Harnett. The CAPT
tai is $4,000 and fifteen per cent was paid
in, though the men were ready with fifty
per cent and gave checks on the banks
at Dunn and Sanford, this act showing
that there is money ready for investment
in Harnett. 1t is an earnest of the pros
perity which is marking this day in the
county.
THE CELEBRATION BEGINS.
After nm inspiring piece of music, splen-
didly rendered by the Dunn brass band,
Senator H. L. Goodwin advanced to the
front of the platform and presented the
first speaker of the day, Hon. Dan Hugh
Mclean. In doing so he paid handsome
tribute to Mr. Mclean and said that he
needed no introduction to the people of
Harnett county, for he was one of them.
In beginning what proved to be a most
eloquent address, Mr.. Mclean spoke of the
great history of the Cape Fear section,
and of the gallant men whose deeds of
chivalry had lifted them high in the
story of fame. He said this was great
day for the people of Harnett county, who
had met here to celebrate the completion
of the Raleigh and Cape Fear Railroad as
far as Ellington. 1t was, to put it in the
speakers eloquent words, "The marriage
! of Wake and Harnett counties, brought
about by the energy and perseverance
and ability of John Mills. He next re-
deeds of the people of the Cape Fear sec
ton, without whose lives, he said.
North Carolina would have been without
some of its most brilliant spochs."
| His entire address breathed a lofty
spirit and was full OF praise for the
Messrs. Mills, and Of prophesy for great
/ future for Ellington.
ROBERT N. SIMS SPEAKS.
Mr.. w. E. Murchison most gracefully
presented Mr.. Robert N. Sims, OF Raleigh,
the next speaker. He expressed his pleas
ure at being present and said that the
great gathering was worthy of Harnett
He entered most ably into discussion
telling of the lead other States had over
North Carolina because its sons were not
trained in industrial pursuits, and said
that this was passing and that the day
was at hand when progress would be
made without outside Northern help, upon
which we had depended too much for the
development of our splendid resources
He paid a splendid tribute to the building
of the railroad by Mr.. Mills and showed
| how it would not alone benefit the builder
but all the section through which i
passed He prophesied that the road
4 WOULD go on 10 fdyetIeNtue dHQ lHeIt u
the coast, telling how these smaller lines
developed section as well as thu
trunk lines, illustrating this by the fifteer
saw mills, the three brick plants, the
creosote plant and other industries along
the Mills road, which had more thar
doubled the value of the lands through
which it passed. He urged State pride
and showed how North Carolina had
grown in ten years. His tribute to the
dream of John Mills when he had pur
posed in his heart that he would build. {
road and had built it while others waited
was eloquent. For this great work he de
clared that Mr.. Mills deserved the lov'
of the people.
THE SPLENDID DINNER.
} Then came dinner in picnic fashion
that showed that the hearts of the PEG
pie of Ellington were wide open and tina
. their larders were filled with good things
Many tables were spread on the beautiful
hill side and these were laden with feast