The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-28
Miss Lee of Leeds Names the Bridge and Declares It Formally Open to the Public
PRESIDENT LOVELADY PRESENTS THE BRIDGE TO COUNTY CITIZENS
Nearly Every Candidate for State and County Offices Were In Attend ance-Feature Was Presence of the Conyicts Who Built the Bridge
By CLARENCE G. THOMPSON

By CLARENCE G. THOMSON
 In the presence of more than 1900 per- sons gathered around the speakers plat form yesterday morning, Miss Kate Lee of Leeds. and a member of the senior mingham, broke the bottle and sprinkled the water that christened the Leeds, Lovick, Elliott bridge The christening ceremony was most impressive one The chaperon, Miss Hattie Morton, principal of the Louie Compton Seminary was in- troduced by J. A. Rountree, secretary of Miss Lee and the maids of honor, who were presented one by one until the of ficial ladies formed circular row across the speakers platform.
 Miss Lees christening speech was very graceful and to the point Tn opening she said the occasion was indeed a great day for Leeds, Birmingham, Jefferson county and all of that part of the state. She spoke enthusia stically of the spirit and endeavor-the achievement that made the bridge possible. Human spirit is wider than the most priceless of the forces that bear it onward" she said. We are proud of the men whose spirit by sacrifice, generosity and perseverance carry out their aims, thus giving evidence of such civic responsibility as will over come every obstacle and accomplish any undertaking
 Miss Lee congratulated the members of the board of revenue, saying that much good would come from the construction of the bridge and highway.
 CHRISTENING BY PROXY
 The christening of the bridge was per- formed by proxy and at the barbecue grounds. The reason for this was that the bridge was some distance from the barbecue and speaking grounds and there was not sufficient space at the bridge to accommodate the crowd. Later in the afternoon the sponsor with her maids of honor posed on the bridge for pictures
 A second ceremony was enacted and second bottle broken.
 The opening address was made by John w. ONeill, president of the Good Roads associa ton, and introduced J. A. Roun- tree, who told of the purpose of the high way in connection with the national high way He spoke complimentary of those who had been responsible for road inn provement and building in Jefferson county
 MT Rountree then introduced the chaperOn, sponsor and maids of honor. After the christening ceremony proper, the sponsor, together with her maids and several big bass voices from Louis Saks' department store, sang specially com posed song entitled, The Great High ways to Birmingham, to the accom- paniment of Nappfs band. The singers received prolonged applause. The band played Dixie at the beginning of the christening ceremonies, bringing shouts and applause that resounded from every hillside.
 THE "DUKE OF LEEDS.
 The naming of the bridge was the se- cret feature of the day. Until the actual christening by Miss Lee, but few persons had the slightest idea of what the mag nificent concrete structure would be called. However, none were surprised when it was called after the name of J. B. Elliott. Colonel Elliott is known as the Duke of Leeds and is one of the livest wires in the county for the boost ing cf good roads Tn the present cele- bration he has taken the leading part, and is the man who suggested the bar becue--was responsible for the greater part Of the necessary finances for the oc cason. Colonel Elliott was a citizens of Leeds for many years, but was recently
 (Continucd on Page seven)