Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-28
UNIQUE TESTIMONIAL
RENDERED A B. AND o. GENERAL
MANAGER BY EMPLOYEES.
Magnificent Ovation to Thomas Fitz-
GERALD, Whose Progress is the
Pride of His Old Home.
Special Dispatch to Tie Star,

| Special Dispatch to Tie Star
| FAIRMONT, w. Va, May ga demon
stration unique in the history of railroading,
and of It's kind probably without a parallel.
| took place here this afternoon when re-
| ception was rendered General Manager
| Thomas Fitzgerald of the Baltimore and
| Ohio railroad by the railroad employees of
| the system and by the citizens of Fairmont,
the native town of the idolized official.
| 1t was here he commenced his career a
| water boy when the iron bridge being
| built over the Monongahela river.
| Gov. Warfield of Maryland struck the key
| note of the event when he referred to how
much better it was to honor men for their
good works while they are living, instead of
waiting until after they were dead.
Fairmont was in gala attire when the spe-
| cial train bearing Mr.. Fitzgerald and his
distinguished escorts arrived. There was
an immense throng at the station. The pro-
cession of carriages that conveyed the visit
ors to the court house plaza was over a
| third of a mile long. Alike rode the execu-
tives of two states the head officials of the
road and the employees.
I The band played Home. Sweet Home, y
signalling the homecoming of a favorite
son. who. Gov. Warfield said, was
reared in West Virginia, but developed in
| Maryland.
I
| when Mr. Fitzgerald appeared on the wide
| stone balcony there was great cheering
| The Fa1rmOnt court house is noble Struc-
ture costing a half million, and 1t was dec
| grated to a point of magnificence and
| formed excellent background to the in
spring scene.
| President Murray Present.
President Oscar G. Murray of the Bati-
more and Ohio, who reached here early this
| afternoon from Connellsvile on his trip of
| inspection, was at the court house to greet
| the party, and the city, as well as Mr.. Fitz-
| gerald himself, showed appreciation of the
| presence of the distinguished head of the
| road, his business administration, seconded
| by the efforts of Mr.. Fitzgerald and other
] officials having brought it to its present
high standard
! A great crayon picture of Mr.. Fitzgerald
was suspended from between the main pill
| lars of the court house.
EX-Judge w. S. Raymond, the citizens
| committeeman, opened the ceremonies, IN
| Producing Mayor G. w. kinzie, clergy
| man, who, in very happy speech, present.
| ed Mr.. Fitzgerald with a mammoth sterling
| silver key to the city. 1t is engraved with
| a brief history of the event.
| Mr.. Fitzgerald was much affected by
| these marked tributes, but he made most
| happy response, saying that what was be-
| ing shown him this day was more than
| any man could expect, but it was a supreme
| moment of his life to be so honored by his
| former townsmen and the men of the road
| with whom he had been identified so long.
Gov. Dawson's Address.
Gov. William NJ. O. Dawson of West Eir-
ginia followed Mr.. Fitzgerald, expressing
the pride of the state for so distinguished
native son--one who despite his humble be-
ginning, has done more than his share along
the line of effort.
Dennis Kearney Of Newark, Ohio, an en-
ploye contemporaneous with Mr.. Fitzger-
aid, spoke with great ZeSt and not a little
enthusiasm in behalf of his fellow-workers.
He exhibited quaint humor and caused roars
of laughter. His Irish stories, CLEANED from
experience, were told with a rich, natural
brogue.
Gov. Warfeld. who spoke next, was hap
PLY received the foremost citizen and
gentleman of Maryland. having been SO
introduced He very eulogiStic of the
career of Mr.. Fitzgerald, and he made ref
erence to the close affinity existing btween
Maryland and West Virginia.
Fourth Vice President ]. c. McNeal was
also a speaker.
Mr.. Clarence Watson after the exercises.
gave a reception to the distinguished WISH
tors at the old Watson homestead.
Nearly 500 sat at the banquet at the Fair
mont Opera House tonight. The scene was
one of splendor, made so by elaborate deco
rations representing the united efforts of a
hundred of persons who had given weeks
OF work
Ovation All Along the Road
All along the line to Fairmont Mr. Fitz-
gerald was given ovation. The plat
forms of the various stations We're crowded
At Cumberland hundreds of railroad men
were the Queen City station platform.
Here the party took luncheon and the band
played A decorated engine, almost entire
ly covered with national coors, took out
the train. The number plate of a helper
q oh of he ayla oil
ors, patterned after the Maryland flag.
AT the great ovation at Grafton 1t is
estimated there were over 1000 people
crowded on the platform. MANY ladies'
were in the happy assembly. two bands
played, and there was a deafening roar
OF locomotives and factory whistles
which lasted some moments
Mounting a baggage truck which was
drawn up beside the observation end of
Mr.. F1tZgeralcs car. Mayor Lowther
made a brief address of welcome He
said; I'VE express great pleasure and
satisfaction at your well-merited promo
wish you success, fully approaching all
that the B. and O. has done for our city
and with anxiety to perpetuate the exist
ing Friendship
Mr.. Fitzgerald responded to the feeling
sentiment and was followed by Circuit
Judge John w. Mason of the Fairmont
committee. The latter, composed of rep
resentative business, professional and
railroad men of Fairmont. went to Oak
land, where they boarded Mr. Fitzger-
aids car and began the Fairmont well
come.