The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-07-22
ATHENS CELEBRATES
 OPENING OF THE NEW ROAD ID NASHVILLE.
Completion of Lewisburg and Northern Celebrated in Elaborate Manner.
 Thousands Present

Athens, July 21.-(special.) )-This has been the greatest day in the history of Athens The morning broke with the ringing of bells. blowing of whistles, flags flying and the town beautifully and profusely decorated in bunting and bands playing catchy airs. All this was occa- stoned by the determination of the people of Athens to celebrate the completion of the new Lewlsburg and Northern road, which comes from Nashville to Athens, opening a passage through a very rich section, and which connects Nashville and Athens with a new ribbon of steel, which binds it more closely.
 Thousands Attend Celebration The completion of this new line in the onward march of progress Is a dis tinct feather in the cap of the men who are behind the great Louisville and Nash vile. The board Of trade and the peo- pie of Athens planned well and carried to completion the arrangements for this great gala day The people of the county were cordially invited to come and meet the officials of the Louisville and Nashville, who have done this for the county. They came in hundreds and thousands It is estimated that 5,00O vis- itors were here today. Many came from adjoining counties They came by wagon, buggy, automobile and two long trains brought in several hundred The day was perfect The crowd was orderly and everybody had a great, good time.
 When the Louisville and Nashville train from Nashville reached here at noon. thousands met it to welcome Superin- tendent Wheeler and those who accom- panied him, and with bands playing and flags flutterng, they marched to the courthouse a half block away, where a platform had been erected, and from this W. R. Walter, city attorney, welcomed the visitors and the home people in a most excellent speech.
 Following his speech, W. T. Salters, representing the Louisville and Nashville at this place. introduced William P. Bumpus, of Nashville, who, on behalf of the railroad, replied to the cordial words of welcome fin a most eloquent and timely address.
 Mr Bumpus was attentively heard, and prolonged applause greeted his reference to Major Sloss the founder of the first link in the great Louisville and Nash vile, built more than 60 years ago, who was later the practical father of Bir- mingham and whose foresight brought about many advancements in the world of progress in Alabama. This was the home of Major Sloss and his father before him, and he was the first president of the first road built from here to Nashville, and when he spoke of Underwood and other great Alabamians he was cheered to the echo
 Mr Bumpus is an eloquent and force fu speaker and though the thousands were anxious for taste of the magnifi- cent spread which awaited them at the fair grounds, where many well cooked carcasses were ready to be served, yet they heard him with pleasure and with out impatience. At the conclusion of his speech the chairman of the meeting an- nounced that there was dinner plenty for everybody in the town-visitors and home | follxs-and that 1t was free and every l one was earnestly and cordially invited to | follow the crowd and go to 1t. At the floral hall in the fair grounds tables had l been spread and the farest daughters of Athens were awaiting to serve the fn- vited guests from Nashville Birmingham. 1 Decatur. Lewisburg, Huntsville, Pula ski l and other towns
 | feast seldom witnessed the like of | was spread. The toastmaster of the oc- ca sion was W. T. Sanders. Superinten- 1 dent Wheeler was called upon and arose
 and smiled his sincerity upon those pres
 ent and took his seat Walter Harper,
 of Birmingham, responded to the toast, What Athens Expects in the Future l Nashville sent a lot of boosters. headed 1 by Rush flaws and Buford Diekerson. vice president of the Booster club.
 Gala Day in Athens
 This has been a great day, one that 1 will be remembered for a long while by l Athens and those attending the great eel ebration of the opening of the Lewis | burg and Northern. Judge w. N. Hayes, 1 of Mooresville. former senator from this
 district replied to a toast and told of 1 being the first conductor that ever ran
 a train through Athens, 60 years ago,