The Columbus weekly dispatch., 1908-05-07
RAIL WAY Al0GULS
ENJOY BANQUET
MR. c. r. SHERROD ENTER
TAINED MONDAY IN HONOR OF
TOMBIGBEE VALLEY RAIL
ROAD OFFICIALS.
Many Prominent Local Citizens Were
Present. and Several Short
Addresses Were
Delivered.
Just in time to banqet

The Hlustrious company assembled
there.
The above lines by COIeridge were
brought forcibly to mind in the ban
quet which Mr. Charles F. Sherrod
gave at the Stone Hotel il honor Of
+ the executive officers Of the Aberdeen
and Tombigbee Valley Railroad last
Monday. President Reynolds and
several officials of the company ar
rived in the city over the Mobile and
Ohio Railroad at 1890 p. m. and
were driven Immediately TO the pop
ular Market street hosiery, where
they found the local directors and a
number of the city's most prominent
citizens waiting to greet them.
After greetings had been ex-
changed the company repaired to the
dining room, and seated themselves
at tables which had been reserved for
them. The dining room was attrae-
lively decorated in honor of the Occa-
sion, and in addition to the mural or
lamentations there were exquisite
floral centerpieces on each one of the
long line Of tables reserved for the
banqueters. An elaborate menu was
faultlessly served, and after the inner
man had been satisfied there was a
feast of reason and a flow OF wit,
addresses congratulating both the
city Of Columbus and the officials of
the company on the bright prospects
for the early completion of the road
having been delivered by several dis
tinguished gentlemen who are past
masters in the art of after dinner
speech making.
The first speaker called on was
Gen. Stephen D. Lee, who devoted
his remarks largely to the rich agri-
cultural possibilities of the country
penetrated by the projected line and
to the increased valuation of lands
which the building of the road would
bring. Gen. Lee was followed by
Capt. C. A. Johnston, who took occa-
sion to acknowledge with thanks the
hospitality of Mr.. Sherrod and TO pay
tribute to his energy and zeal in ev-
cry enterprise undertaken that has
as its end and aim the prosperity and
advancement of Columbus. Judge
Newman Cayce and Col. Walter
Weaver also delivered speeches, both
having assured the railway officials
that the people of Columbus fully re-
allied the benefits which would ac-
crue from the building and stood
ready and willing to do all in their
power to aid in the work.
Speeches on behalf of the railroad
company were delivered by Presi-
dent H. E. Reynolds and Vice-Presi-
dent H. J. Jennings. President
Reynolds stated that the contract for
the building, of the road had been
awarded and declared that trains
would be running into Columbus by
the first Of January. Mr.. Jennings
which he related in a succinct man
ner the difficulties which the com
pany encountered in financing the
scheme. He said that after capital
lists in New York and Chicago had
turned down what he believed to be
propositions he went TO
st. Louis, and in the Missouri me-
tropolis, which he said might prop .
erly be termed a Southern city, the
much desired backing was at last
found, and a deal providing for the
construction of the road closed. Mr.. /
Jennings said that he related this bit
of history not only to show the diff
culties which the directors were I
to overcome, but to i'm
press upon his hearers the fact that .
the South is no longer dependent I
upon the North and East for finan-
ciaI backing in her Industrial enter
prises.
Mr.. Jennings was the last speaker .
On the program, his address having
brought to a close a very delightful
gathering. The visiting officials took 4
4 short drive over the city, and re-
turned to Aberdeen on an early after
noon train.
Two Cent Rate Remains