The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-31
Screaming Whistles Welcome First Passenger Train Over
 the Illinois Central
THREE HUNDRED CITIZENS
 GATHER AT TIE TERMINAL
Sterling A. Wood, In a Short Appro- priate Speech, Extends the Hos pitaity of the Magic City
 to the Visitors.

Steaming through miles of industry, with whistles screaming welcome on every side, the first Illinois Central pas senger train entered Birmingham yester day afternoon at 2:25 o'clock. Arriving in the Terminal station about an hour iato the officials were welcomed by crowd of some 300 Birmingham citizens.
 The Commercial club committee was in charge of the Terminal and immediately Master of Ceremonies Rufus N Rhodes introduced President John l.. Parker or the City Council, who welcomed the new road in a short appropriate speech. Sterl- ing A. Wood of the Commercial club was next introduced. He said:
 Your coming into Birmingham is attended with such unusual circumstances that you must excuse some of our citl- zens for not yet feeling that you are in our midst, that you are one of us, and are entitled to your full share of such citizenship.
 "The reason of all this is the unusual facts attending your coming. In the good olden time no railroad came into a city without most elaborate circulation of its forerunners and preparation of the pco- pie. This begun with subscription of cash oI any other kind of personal property, for which there was handed over to the citizens gorgeously ornamented common stock, or beautifully designed second mortgage bonds, which ultimately found their way into the family archives, en- wrapped by an overlying but truth-telling dishonored receivers certificate. Today the facts are changed; you come here after listening to the gentle, but sren-like voice of the real estate agent, knowing that he who listens is lost; and after having paid for your right of way and paid for your terminals and you blossom upon us as a full blown American Beauty rose, given free to all who apply for freight or passage at minimum rates
 Your welcome in our midst is, there fore, thrice hearty; first, for yourselves; next, for your manner of comlng, and last, but not least. for your good character in the commercial world. Therefore, com mercial Birmingham is proud to welcome you, and representing that interest, in part it is great pleasure to extend to you the Inequalities of commercial Bir- mingham, and to wish that your sojourn may be long, and that our friendly rela- tons may be renewed day in and day out for all times'
 The party of Illinois Central officials consisted of Vice President l. G. Rawn of Chicago, Judge J. M Dickinson, gen eral counsel; General Manager F. B. Har- riman, Superintendent of Transportation O. s. Keith, Coal Traffic Manager F. B. Harwood, General Freight Agent c. c. Cameron, Passenger Traffic Manager A. H. Hanson, General Passenger Agent s. M. Hatch, Assistants to President J. r. Titus and L. c. Frtch. Purchasing Agent C. r. Parker, Superintendent of Tee- graph G. H. Groce. Industrial Commis- sioner J. C. Blair General Superintendent H. McCourt General Freight Agent D. w. Longstreet. Division Passenger Agent U. A. Scott, Chief Clerk to President F. c. Cowgirl, Chief Engineer of Mainte- nance of Way H. R. Stafford, Assistant L. A. Downs and J. s. Baldwin, chief en- gineer.
 Among the Mobile and Ohio officials in the city yesterday were General Manager R. " Taylor, Superintendent Transpor- tation E. c. Rendell, Freight Traffic Manager Hayden Miller, Superintendent Motive Power G. S. Mickey, Superintend- ent F.. w. Moore, Master Mechanic A. B. Minton of Jackson, Trainmaster B. B. Toson Secretary to General Manager w. H. Walters
 The first train over the Illinois Central left Birmingham yesterday afternoon at 2:15. It was well filled with passengers, two sleepers being carried and tomor- row the mail car will be put on, while Monday the express car of the American Express company will begin its travel over the line.
 The Mobile and Ohio, as announced of fcially, will enter Birmingham with its passenger trains on June 15. Both roads will maintain one fast train daily each way for the present
 
 Goee fo NeM Work for Iaffe