Smyrna times., 1924-07-09
PRESENTATION Of Sl,0OO,OOO
CONCRETE HIGHWAY TO STATE
SILVER MAP AND MEMORIALS
PRESENTED TO T. C. Dupont s
Big Crowd At Dover and Notable Ad-
dresses Show Appreciation of
State For Magnificent Gift

impressive ceremonies formally pre-
sented to the State his gift of the
dupont Highway that cost him close
to four million dollars.
A wonderful ovation was given to
the man whose vision, determina-
tion and generosity made possible the
one hundred miles of concrete ribbon
extending from Wilmington to Selby-
vile, part of which was constructed
in the face of opposition that would
have caused one less stout-hearted to
abandon his pet project of giving the
State a highway it was unable finan-
cially to construct.
Originally estimated to cost ST.
100000, the DUPONT Highway has cost
General DUPONT nearly $4,000,000,
mainly due to delays caused by op-
ponents of his project in its earlier
days. But he persisted, despite the
mounting financial burden, to see in
reality the splendid boulevard he
visualized in more or less different
form thirteen years ago.
Chief Justice James Pennewil of
Dover, presided over the afternoons
memorable exercises on historic Do
yer Green, following the greatest
parade the capital ever has had,
which attracted thousands of persons
and thousands of autos to Dover.
The Chief Justice, in some beft-
ting words, introduced General du-
Pont, who after being accorded a
rousing reception that surely must
have warmed further his heart, made
formal speech presenting the high
way to the State.
General dupont gave some inter
esting sidelights of his road build
ing activities, particularly in his
young manhood, when he used coal to
fill in road holes near Kentucky mines
voicing his love for Delaware, and re-
calling his boyhood days along the
banks of the Brandywine, Delaware
was just as much my home as was
Kentucky" General dupont asserted,
amid applause. Feeling that l would
like to do something of real value to
Delaware" he added, after explaining
he had taken up his home in Della
ware nearly 25 years ago, 81 con-
ceived the road from Wilmington to
| the Maryland line near Selbyville.'
He referred to the law suits and local
opposition the DUPONT Boulevard Cor
poration encountered and of his offer
finally to the newly-created State
Highway Commission to have it builc
the road from a point near Ellendale
in Sussex county to Wilmington, Ovel
such route, of such material and OF
such width as the Commission SHOULD
determine.
81 only asked to be allowed to pay
the bills, putting limit on the cos
per single mile" General duPOn-
said.
81 am glad to present to you, Gov
ernor and the citizens Of Delaware
the best road in the United States
completed by the Highway Commits
sion," General DUPONT added. H
praised then Governor John G. Town
send and Governor William d. Den
ney for their high-class appointment
to the Highway Commission, an
lauded F. NJ Williams, Charles N
Upham and c. Douglas Buck, tn
, chief engineers who in succession sU
! pervised the dupont Highway pre-
!. ject.
Governor Denney formally accepte
{ the highway gift on behalf of tn
: State and its citizens. General dU
! Pont gave not money alone to tht
! road" said the Governor. He CAV
to it a creative genius which is a
attribute only of a firm mind, i
Illuminated by rare imagination an
! intelligence and inspired by a pr
found and unselfsh purpose to pc
|. form a great public service; he gay
to it his own labor.
"a man of less faith and coural
long ago would have become veal
= in well-doing and would have bee
made sick at heart by ignOble su
piciOn and apparent ingratitude," Il
r Governor added. "But General d
h. POnt was never discouraged, new
wavered, never surrendered his
termination to perform a public Sc
vice.
"The only return Mr.. dupont ev,
2 hoped to receive was the appreciate,
of a grateful people, and this '
bring him today, in measure full al
Overhowing."
Former Judge George Gray pr
sented to General dupont, in beha
of grateful residents of Delaware,
elaborate silver plaque, representa-
a map of Delaware, in which b
route of the DUPONT Highway
traced in gold.
Z Surmounting the inscription is Il
coat of arms Of Delaware.
1t is true, sir, that your gre
work is in itself monumental" sa
Judge Gray to General dupont, "b
, your real monument will always
4 the one you have builded in the hear
: and affections Of the people Of yol