Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1908-10-15

Vited guests steamed in at the w. M.
station where the Creagerstown Band
and a large crowd estimated at 1000
gave rousing welcome. Almost stimuli
taneously with the arrival of the Fred
erick trains, two w. M. trains pulled in
at the station in close succession, thus
adding additional interest to the scene,
it looking for the first time in history as
if Thurmont was on a railroad map.
The reception committee, wearing white
silk badges, was on hand to extend a
cordial greeting to the officials and guests
and their beaming smile and hearty hand
grasp was guarantee that they, as the
legally appointed officers, were not only
conveying the good wishes and congrat-
ulations of the people of Thurmont, but
of each and every individual member of
the committee as we'll. The spirit was
catching and soon the entire crowd was
engaged in hand shaking and indulging
in congratulating sentiments.
Photographer Beck was on hand and
soon had the officers and crowd posed to
have their pictures "took.
The procession then formed, headed by
the Creagerstown Band and marched to
the Town Hall. where the ladies of the
town appointed by the committee had a
sumptuous repast spread-a large table
in the form of the letter T occupied the
whole length and width of the Hall. 1t
was laden with all good things to eat
imaginable, and prepared in the most
appetizing fashion. The Creagerstown
Band occupied the stage which was set
with ferns and cut flowers, which hid the
band from view of the audience and BAN
queters. After the guests were seated
they were called to order by Mr.. l.. R.
Waesche, who introduced Col. John R.
Rouzer who made the address of welcome
in his usual happy vein. Col. Rouzer was
felictous and spoke as follows:
"Mr. President, Officials, and Syndi-
cate of The Washington, Frederick and
Gettysburg Railway Company and In
vited guests. Gentlemen behalf of
the citizens of Thurmont, and a large
portion of the northern part of Frederick
County, | welcome you to the opening of
the w., F. & G. Railway from Frederick
to Thurmont.
1T gives me great pleasure, and am
proud to say to you that the farmers,
manufacturers, business and professional
men, and the wage earners Of our town
and neighberhood, one and all, join with
our town authorities in greeting and pre-
senting to you the hospitality of Thur
mont, the "Open gate to the mountain, y
which has magnificent scenery, pure at
and good pure mountain water,
all of which we wish you to enjoy. Cen
tlemen, this is happy and gala day for
the people of Thurmont and vicinity to
know that they will soon have daily
accommodation over the
w., F. & G. Railway to and from Fred
erick city, the county seat of one of the
largest, richest, and most beautiful coun-
ties in the state of Maryland
"This Railway passes through the
beautiful Monocacy Valley, which is rich
in iron ore and lime stone, and is unsur-
passed for rural beauty, fertile fields and
magnificent homes.
ut is our sincere wish that this rail.
way will soon be extended to Emmmits-
burg, town of cordiality and refine
ment. 1t is also enriched by educational
institutions of great merit and celebrity,
St. Joseph's Academy, conducted by the
Sisters of Charity, and Mt. st. Mary's
College, an institution of high endow-
ment and character. Then may this road
be pushed on to Gettysburg, where the
memorable battle between the States
was fought on the LIST, End and 3rd days
of July, 1863, by two of the greatest and
bravest armies that ever marched to war
in any country.
I'm conclusion our people want to re-
turn thanks to the CAToCTIN CLARION
for it's able and Jealous support given to
this enterprise.
After the address of welcome, Col.
Rouzer introduced DR.. E. C. Kefauver
as POSTMASTER, who made short and
witty speech, and who in turn called on
the various speakers to respond to i'm
promptu toasts.
Mr.. Kemp, president of the road, made
a few opening remarks with reference to
the building of the road.
DR.. F. B. Smith, the treasurer, and
Mr.. G. G. Waters, secretary of the COM
panp, spoke at some length and express
ed their great satisfaction and gratifca-
ton at the opening of the road.
Mr.. Emory L. Coblentz, chairman of
the syndicate which controls the road
made "A happy address and spoke of the
better things which must follow from the
building of the road.
Messrs Austin Gallagher, industrial
agent, and Thomas S. Smiley, general
freight agent of the w. M. Railroad,
spoke of the qualification they both felt
in seeing the road completed from Thur
mont to Frederick.
Mr.. Theo. j. King, manager of the
Great Falls and Old Dominion Railroad
running from Georgetown, D. C. to Great
Falls, spoke of the great desire he had
in having this road connect with them at
Great Falls and the great possibilities OF
a through road from Washington to Har.
risburg.
DR.. Llewellyn Jordan of Montgomery
county gave very pleasing address anc