Democratic Sentinel, Volume 3, Number 31, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 September 1879 — The Harrow Gauge Celebration and Barbecue at Delphi. [ARTICLE]

The Harrow Gauge Celebration and Barbecue at Delphi.

GREAT CROWDS PRESENT. Tlie Toasts and Responses. [Special to Indianapolis Journal.] Delphi, Ind. , Sept. 4th.—The first signs of celebrating the completion of the 1., D. and C. railroad to Delphi on September 4th were visible to a large and hungry crowd on Tuesday evening last, when-an ox, dedicated to the festivities, arrived on a triumphal car from the plains of Jasper county. A party of about three hundred carnivorous individuals had assembled to receive him at the depot. The animal was decorated with flowers, escorted about the streets, had his picture taken, and an attempt made to do him proud generally. It was a present from A. McCoy, president of the- road, and a few friends. The site selected for holding the celebration was the public square, a very inviting place, as Delphi is said to have one of the finest court-house yards in the state. A great crowd was present. Sixteen carloads came from Monticello and Rensselaer. A free dinner was given by tbe people of Del phi to all, regardless of race, color or previ' ous condition of aliment. Ample preparations had been made for it, numerous tables being erected in the square, together with a large vat of ice water to supply the thirsty. In the morning the procession was formed as follows: Lathrope’s silver cornet band. Members of the fire department in uniform. Mayor, council and city officers. Guests of the city. Citizens.

After following out the line of march the caravau entered the court-yard, where, after organization of the meeting, an address of welcome was delivered by Mr. E. W. Hubhard, of the Citizens’ Bank. In substance, Mr. Hubbard said: Communities Btop at times to note marked points in their progress, and the present occasion is of that character. Although the portion of the road complete is but a link, yet it is of such importance as to assure its completion. After alluding to its early difficulties, he said these trials have served to so crystalize the organization that its future progress will be more certain and prosperous. In the present state of affairs railroads are a necessity. They tend to civilize our people and fosser the moral and material resources of the country. No people can command respect or attention without them. Through the agency of railroads a now era begins to dawn upon us, tho full fruition of which we shall realize when this line connects Indianapolis and Chicago, and we shall enjoy and develop the benefits nature has bestowed upon us. With such facilities we can invite people and capital, and may look for a large increase by immigration. When a new period is dawning upon the whole country we have a highjneentive to effort. The industries of Europe are prostrate and her people flocking to this country, which is now in a position to receive and'care for the oppressed and poor of the whole earth. Mr. Hubbard said it was to be hoped that there would be but a brief pause for congratulations, and the enterprise would be pushed on to completion. The management of the road deserved the highest? recommendation for its triumph over past difficulties, and should' and Would receive the aid necessary to finish l the work. The friends from abroad were heartily welcome in our midst, and the hope was extended that these new and pleasant' relations would be but the beginning of yet ; more auspicious days to come. ColonelS. N. Yeoman; th’e general manager, responded, saying that he congratulated the people on the present? state of the enterprise, but continued effort was necessary. They should do this, because the work would prove a- solution of the cheap transportation question and develop the latent wealth of the country along the route. The management accept the kind sympathy of the people,-and in return can say that they promise the rest of the road in a shorter time than was expected. To those who had brought obstacles in the way of and doubted the narrow gauge sjstem, forgiveness is extended on condition that they abandon that broad gauge which leads to-financial purga tory, and turn to the narrow gauge' w-hieh leads to wealth and prosperity. Then came the toasts by Mr. Judson Applegate, master of ceremonies, which were responded to hy the following gentlemen of

the city: Dr. J. T. Richardson, Dr. Moor Mayor Walker, B. F Schemerhorn, L. B. Sims, Dr. E. W. H. Beck, B. B. Daily, E. Cox, A. B. Crampton, C. R. Pollard, Joe. A. Sims, T. J. Steele, Isaac Jackson, Jos. Gwinn, L. E. Mcßeynolds, John Sims and others. In the toasts citizens from Frankfort spoke in favor of continuing the road to that place. Burlington citizens responded that railroad men, like one of old, went to their own and their own received them not, and now they had turned to Gentiles whose time must be fulfilled, and .Burlington must have the road. Representatives of tbe Indianapolis Board cf Trade, Major Palmer, Wm. Scott and brother, Mr Budd, Mr. George J. Murray and W. Baker were present and made some interesting remarks. Following this came the grand free feast, lasting from 12J p. m. till 2 o’clock, at which abundance and variety attested (he generous hospitality of the people of Delphi and vicinity. The conspicuous dish, of course, was the Jasper county calf, which had been all the previous day in preparation, employing all the bake-sbops in the town At 2 o’elock a free excursion on the now road took place to Monticello, the train leaving here at 2 and reurning at 7 o’clock In the evening a select ball of the uppertendom of Delphi, Monticello and Rensselaer, was given in the city hall. The 1., D. and C. railroad now extends from Delphi to Rensselaer. On the northern end of . the road no work is at present being done. At Delphi the road will be diverted from the course originally laid out for it, and instead of reaching Indianapolis vft, Frankfort, Clinton county, will go through Burlington, further east. This branch of road is under a new company. W. F. Lytle, of this place, being president. The people along the new route are holding railroad meetings, and all seem anxious for its immediate continuance. *