The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-07-01
SURPRISE IS GIVEN
STEVENS on BIRTHDAY
BEEN WITH q q o. rs YEAR
Handsome silver Service Presented
Head or Railway System and
Speeches Made BY Men Associated
with Uncle George" For Quarter
Century.

President George w. stevens, or the
Chesa peake and Chio Railroad, ceie-
brated the sixty fourth anniversary of
his birth Tuesday at his country home.
twenty-fiffh anniversary of his assoc
citation with the Chesapeake and Ohio
also was observed, q number Of ofiicers
OF the company calling in body upon
him, surprising him with their visit
and with the presentation OF q hand
some silver service.
The gift, memento of the occasion
and token of the respect and af-
lection OF the men with whom Mr..
Stevens has been associated during
the last quarter century. was present.
ed by superintendent of Freight Trans
portation Goodwin, who, acting for his
fellow officials. delivered an address.
splendid tribute, written by James
p. Nelson, OF the valuation committee
of the company. Superintendent OF
Telegraph Bradley. who gave Mr..
stevens his first railroading job. twen-
ty-five years ago, also spoke.
Donors Number Thirty.
MIR. Stevens. taken entirely by sur
prise, was greatly affected at the evf.
dence Of the esteem In which he Is
held. but he recovered sufficiently TO
aptiy express his appreciation. The
silver salyer bears the names of the
donors, about thirty in number.
Superintendent Goodwin's speech
was as follows:
Mr. Stevens: Bear with US a mo-
| ment. while our hearts speak to you.
You came to US a quarter of CEN
fury, and more. ago. a stranger. To-
day, you are our chief.
But. what Ia more, you are our
! friend. In all the beauty. the length.
- ~ Al =
| of that word.
| I'VE bear In our hands an all too
meager token OF our love: our birth
| day gift II lis our love for You that
| brings us here: let tanat love speak.
THE wide world OF business knows
! you as an Officer, ever faithful to a
great trust. The world knows you as
a wise and safe guardian of large
| property. In letters of gold. your name
/ is written. In perpetual memorial. upon
the rolls Of your company
You came to Virginia stranger.
| Virgin today, with pride. calls you
her SON.
This 10 as the world sees you
but to US has been given the high
er privilege OF knowing you, the man.
1 The Loyalty Deserved.
IF we have been loyal to you In our
| services, Ii has been because you. the
| man. evoked that loyalty.
| Your patience with us when we
have failed has aroused us TO better
4 work.
| to more strenuous labor.
Your courage has cheered our
| hearts when they were faint.
| You have made our dark hours
1 1 sht=-
'.You have helped us when help was
| most needed.
I'VE speak as officers of the COM
| pany whose chief you are: but
/! wherever your name is spoken on our
1 road, there you have those who love
1 you. The lone Waterman, who safe
guards the track, even when the night
| Is cold, the way deep with snow: the
/ man whose brave skin drives the en-
| CINE: the humhlest laborer on the line,
| they know you. and honor you. be-
l cause. though their chief, you are
! their friend.
An Even Larger Gift.
/ That is why We are here today.
| For, while we leave with you This gffs
as token of our love, we. leave with
\ you q larger gift. not to be measured
| by gold. or silver, or precious stones,
| but a gift. the greatest Of all that even
4 heaven itself can give, the love OF
i every servant OF this great company.
God grant you length OF years to
4 come. and honors serene.
God grant you all prosperity and
!! JOY.
/ God grant you. most of all, that
1 which Is justly yours. the peace that
I belongs to-
THE Man, wise. generous and
Just:
.-The Man. beloved Of all VINO
II know him:
i The Citizen. an honor to his
State;
The workman. not ashamed
4 OF his work"