The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1927-10-06
$500 In ATTENDANCE AS OAKLAND THOMAS ROAD
is OFFICIALLY OPENED; MANY CARS ARE In PARADE
Celebration At Intersection Of
State Line Attracts Euthusi-
astic Thousands.

With approximately $500 en-
thusiastic Marylanders and
West Virginians in attendance,
the opening of the Oakland
Thomas improved highway was
celebrated on Tuesday at the in
tersection of the two States at
Gnegy Church, which is located
at the State line nine miles south
of Oakland.
1t has been estimated that there
were five hundred cars parked near
the church during the affair, which
lasted from about three o'clock until
some time after four o'clock.
A parade was formed at Davis, w.
Va, and moved toward Oakland at
1:3O o'clock, arriving here an hour
afterward. The many West Virginia
cars from Thomas and Davis were
greatly augmented by those from Par
sons, and~a at Oakland the parade was
further heightened by the addition Of
perhaps hundred cars bearing Oak
land and Garrett county residents, the
local people joining in with the visit
ing delegation at a point far out on
Oak street, headed by the Crellin
Boys Band.
With this formation the procession
moved down Alder street to Third and
thence out Third street to Crook
street; to Second street; to Alder and
thence back over the route traversed
as the parade came into town.
The procession through Oakland
was led by Mayor Fraley and conn
mittee composed of Rotarians and
with this formation still intact the
continuous flow of cars retraced its
route to the State line and the scene
of the celebration which marked the
opening of the only outlet the people
of that portion of West Virginia have
to reach improved highways leading
north, east and west. By actual count
there were 235 cars in the procession
as it passed over the outskirts of Oak
land.
The occasion was enlivened by the
presence of the Thomas, Parsons and
Crellin bands, all of which organiza-
tions rendered very delightful music.
Three Addresses Made.
At the junction of the Maryland and
West Virginia road at the State line
addresses were made by A. 7. Mat
thews, of Oakland; DR.. L. N. Robin
son, warden of the West Virginia PEN
itentiary at Moundsville, who spoke as
the representative of Governor How
ard NJ. Gore of West Virginia, and A.
A. Pickering, of Rowlesburg, West
Va, who is president of the Preston
county West Va.) County Court. The
fact that the completion and dedica-
ton of the road to public uses brought
people closer together was emphasized
in the addresses made by all of the
speakers.
Sandwiches and coffee were served
free of charge, 5000 of the CHAINS" and
Cheese" having been ordered by the
West Virginia committee, and people
connected with the Gnegy and other
churches in the community also serv-
ed coffee and lunches. A picnic din
ner was served after the speeches.
Governors Did Not Attend.
Neither Governor Albert C. Richie
of Maryland, nor Governor Howard M.
Gore of West Virginia, were able to
be present at the celebration due to
previous engagements, but representa-
tives present brought their regrets.
This, however, caused no Stacking up
of the enthusiasm for the vast throng
who were there to show their delight
in the fact that there was now con-
Meeting link between the two sister
communities.
The committee planning the cele-
bration was composed of William E.
Weimer, mayor of Davis; Senator A.
L. Helmick and w. G. Meyer, of Thorn
as; R. P. Maloney, of Thomas and
Oakland; Raymond D. Houck, C. N.
McIntire, Mayor L. M. Fraley and
w. R. Browning, of Oakland. That
the committee functioned we'll was ev-
denced by the success If Tuesdays
affair.