The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-05-14

III tuc celebfe ton fe0ft thtS epochdi event in the industrial history of the state, many thousands of people par ticipated. The Black Warrior fleet, in. command of Commodore A. H. Wood ward in the flagship Rickw ood, dropped anchors tonight in Tuscaloosa and the hundreds of citizens of Birmingham, Mobile Cordova and other cities who had followed the stream from it's Walk CT county source, were greeted by the entire population of the community. In the public square Congressman w. B. Oliver gave the visitors welcome, and w. B. Bankhead, son of Senator Bank head, responded. Later a gigantic bar becue was enjoyed and after hours of rejoicing everyone agreed that the event had been fittingly celebrated.
 Senator Banknead. Senator Under wood, Governor Henderson, Lieutenant Governor Kilby, Congressmen Gray and Oliver, State Treasurer Lancaster many members of the legislature and several of the industrial captains of the Bir- mingham district were among the prom tnent citizens of the state who testified by their presence to the importance of the occasion.
 Greeted at Cordova
 Birmingham's official delegation,
 
 at Cordova by hundreds of enthusiastic citizc.Is. Words of welcome were spoken by Npe M. Long and responded to by Colonel Beach of the federal govern ment and Senator Banlehead. Later on the Nugent, M Carney, swan and Rick woood, the celebrants began the jour hey to the lock. Sn route they were joined by the Birmingham Chamber. Of Commerce delegation, 500 strong and together. at o'clock, they reached the lock The Mobile and Tuscaloosa dele gations awaited them in the John Quill, McCalia, Myrtle, GoIdbug and other launches and barges. It was estimated that the crowd numbered nearly 5000 people.
 At this point Governor Henderson as- sumed charge of the ceremonies After he was presented by Judge W. w. Bran con he introduced Senator Underwood and later Senator Bankhead; then followed the christening ceremonies. The sponsor Miss Madeline Blair of Tuscaloosa and her maids, Miss Mabel Hartwell of Mobile, Miss Mabel Maxwell of Cordova and Miss Marie ATS of Demopolis, were escorted to the platform. Miss Blair, sma shing bot tie containing water drawn from the well in Moscow. Lamar county, out of which when barefoot boy Senator Bankhead was wont to quench his thirst, exclaimed: T dedicate to public use this Lock No. IT." Then she Smashed the bottle of wine with these words, And christen the poo, above Lake Banl<head."
 Wings Swing Open
 By the time of completion of the cere- monies of christeneing the giant wings of the lock had swung wide, and the fleet driven through Then began the second leg of tho journey. the boats with the flagship of Commodore..W oodward to the fore. plying their course in battle forma- ton.
 ut~ reached at the Lock 12 landing, the re- ception committee, accompanied by a large delegation of enthusiastic citizens welcomed the visitors. In automobiles and street cars the journey to the heart of the city was made. There a blaze of light greeted the corners in public square, in the center of which was ex- tended the table of the feast.
 Practically all the residents of Tusca- loosa were on the ground in holiday mood and holiday attire. Beauty and Chivalrv with the spirit of the yesterday had Joined with modern industry to celebrate