New-York tribune., 1909-04-03
H. Fl. kOGERSOPENSRO
Helped by Mark T1cain Cclebra-
ton at Norfolk. ia.

Norfolk Va. April 2.-The formal opening OF the
Virginian Railway, extending from SeweIrs Point.
Norfolk, to Deepwater, W. Va, on the, Kanawha
River distance of 446 miles, occurred to-day with
celebra ton here made notable by the presence of
II. II. Rogers who built the virginan. at cost of
about 100000 600; Samuel Clemens ('Mark Twain'D
and several leading New York fnanciers interested
with Mr. Rogers In the undertaking.
The festivities began with the arrival, early in the
day. OF $50 persons from along the line Of the
system. a special train OF twelve coaches and
two Pullman The arrival Of the excursion
train was followed hours later by the arrival
of Mr. Rogers and his guests the New York
stea ner Jefferson large party the visitors
a hearty welcome
The programme Of entertainment for the visitors
included inspection OF the Norfolk harbor the
Nirgiuian coal piers SeweIs Point. the largest
IN the world. with dumping. capacity into ship
bottoms Of thirty-six thousand tons a day and
finally public reception to Mr.. Rogers and his
guests. Mr.. Rogers will be the guest OF honor at
a $40 plate dinner here Tomorrow night
The Virginian Railway. begun In March, 1892,
completed February II. 1909. More than one mill
ion OF coal lands in West Virginia have been
made accessible by ii. and the road has opened up
a country never before enjoying railway facili
ties. The first foreign vessel 10 take bunker coal
the Virginian Railways Sewelrs Point pier to-
day the Danish steamer NJ. {. Holm, Captain
Hageberg from Port Tngs for Lnnhaven. H. II.
Rogers and hts party, which includes Charles Ian
caster. a hnancier Of Great Britain and repre-
sentative of the Standard OIL Company in England.
will witness the loading OF the first
steamer at the Nirginians piers This will be the
steamer Everett, OF the Massachusetts Steamship
Company, of Boston, which is to take on seventy
hundred tons OF coal
At the reception and luncheon the Board OF
Trade tonight Mr. Rogers and Mark
Twain shook hands with than thousand
people. Mark Twain first In the line, and
Mr. Rogers was next. They stood In the corner OF
the large green and gold OF the Board Of
Trade as the visitors passed for their greeting
Many rnstook the humorst for the railroad builder,
and as the visitors passed Mark Twain con-
graduating him the completion of the NiTginian
Railway, he enjoyed the joke hugely. but in silence
After the procession passed the crowd massed it
self IN the OF the room crOwding out into the
hallway and in the corners There came cries OF
Speech, speech and Mr.. Clemens mounted a
chair The appearance of his silvered shaggy head
above the crowd commanded instant attention
MY friends" he said, while l have been shak-
ing YOUR hands have listened to some very hatter-
ing compliments I like compliments. especially
those which seem to come from the heart.
YOURS did They went straight 10 my heart, and
| thank YOU all. l could not help but feel fiat
tered as YOU passed me and thanked sin
cerelv for the splendid road l had built through
vour state l like compliments gentlemen. and
thank YOU" This brought forth merry round
Of laughter and for the first time those who had
mistaken Mark Twain for II. II. Rogers re-
allied their mistake When Mr.. Clemens finished
speaking there was brief pause, and then came
cries Of "Nr Rogers speech Rogers. where's
Mr. Rogers Mr.. Rogers mounted chair ana
said
Gentlemen, il is my business 10 build railroads
employ my orator here to talk about them
Uaylns his hand upon Mark Twains shoulder
He is an old friend. and | feel that can take
liberties with him"