Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1910-06-25
JENNIE SMITHS PICNIC
Event 10 &c HeId at Island Park, Har-
pers Ferry on Thursday,
July 2s.
.iuly,2s.

July 2s.
The committee in charge Of the
Jennie Smith reunion Of the operating
department employees OF the Baltt
more and Ohio Railroad. which will
be held at Island Park, Harpers Ferry
Thursday. July % has ~practicallS CON-
pleted all arrangements and it is ex-
pected that the 29th annual gathering
of the railroad men viii be the largest
ever held. Several special trains will
convey the ~railroaders, their families
and friends to Harpers Ferry from all
points east of the Ohio River.
A train will leave Parkersburg early
in the morning for the accommodation
of those between that city and Cum
berland, A special viii also run from
Connellsville, stopping at points west
OF Cumberland, and another viii
make the local stops between Cumber
land and Harpers Ferry. There will
likewise De special train from Balti
more, Washington, Frederick, Win
chester and intermediate points.
In addition TO Miss Smith a number
of prominent speakers viii address
the railroad men, including J. NJ. Rice,
state secretary of the Young Mems
Christian Association in West Virgin
ia: T. E. Stacy. secretary Of River
side Branch Y. M. C. A., and Rev. S
M. Afford, pastor of Fort Avenue NJ.
E. Church. Baltimore, and w. c. Mon
.tignani, secretary of the railroad Y.
NJ. G.. A., Cumberland. Miss Minnie
Lemkuhl, a well-known church vocal
ist Of Baltimore, will render several
selections.
Zim-nerman's Band, of Baltimore,
will furnish the music and other spe-
cial features will be provided for the
days entertainment. The committee
in charge of the reunion is composed
of G. C. Spurrier, chairman; j. J..
Hawse and w. c. Alexander.
Miss Jennie Smiths reunion at Har-
pers Ferry is always a notable oc-
casion with the trainmen and opera
ting forces of the Baltimore and Ohio
and they look forward to the annual
gathering with unusual interest. Miss
Smith is known in railroad circles
throughout the United States as the
Little Mother of the Railroad Man.
and in her mission OF carrying the
GOSPEL into the roundhouses, rest
houses, telegraph towers, shops and
other places of employment, she has
made many acquaintance among the
rank and file. Her first annual gath
ering of Baltimore and Ohio men was
held in the summer OF 1881, at Har-
pers Ferry, and each succeeding year
she has brought the employees tcgetn-
er in a renewal of friendship. A TEA
tnre of the reunion this year will be
the presence OF many veteran Baltl-
more and Ohio employees who ATTENDED
the first meeting in 1881 but who are
now on the retired list.
Miss Smiths evangelistic work
the railroad men was begun on
the Baltimore and Ohio when a young
girl scarcely out of her teens, and she
stated recently that, despite her ma
tional work, whenever she sees "B.
& o." under the window Of a locomo-
tive cab she feels more at home han
at any other time. Becoming an in
valid in childhood as the result Of an
accident, Miss Smith spent several
years belfast, with no improvement
in her condition. Specialists were
consulted in various parts of the coun-
try from time to time, and while max
ing one of these journeys in q B. & o.
baggage car on a cot that the gray
haired baggagemaster suggested to
the young girl that she might find
some relief through prayer. MISS
Smith prayed with the railroad man in
the baggasecar, promising to cevote
her hfework, If restored to the use OF
her limbs, TO spiritual work among
railroad man; and for nearly forty
wears she has been fulfilling her prom
Use.