1907 - L. E. Johnson as Orator

[NW Mailing List]

Roanoke Times - September 26, 1907

L. E. JOHNSON AS ORATOR

Head of N. & W. to Speak at Jamestown on Southwest Virginia Day

   Yesterday's Norfolk Virginian-Pilot has the following:

   "Through the solicitation of Governor Swanson, President L. E. 
Johnson of the Norfolk & Western has agreed to interest himself in a 
Southwest Virginia Day at the great Tercentennial, which has been set 
for October 22. At that time it is expected that thousands of people 
will pour into Jamestown from this great section of the State. Mr. 
Johnson will be the orator of the day. A special program will be 
arranged for the entertainment of the visitors.
   "Mr. Johnson is well known to the people of the southwest and it 
is largely through his connection with the Norfolk & Western that the 
untold development of this section of the state traversed by this 
road is due within the past half decade. Roanoke has grown from a 
town of 25,000 to 36,000 in that time, and there is not a single town 
or city from Norfolk to Columbus or from Roanoke to Bristol which has 
not profited by the wisdom of his management. It is understood that 
the railway will afford ample accommodations to handle the great 
multitudes who will come here on October 22 to celebrate the day and 
to hear Mr. Johnson's address.
   "Perhaps the most extensive mineral and timber exhibit ever shown 
to the world is that which is exploited by the Virginia Mineral and 
Timber Exhibit Association at the Jamestown Exposition. This 
association represents the wealth of Southwest Virginia and cost more 
than $100,000. It is a great credit to those who have had the 
expenditure of this fund. Governor Swanson is president of the 
association and Gen. Rufus C. Banks of Bland county is secretary and 
is in charge of the building. He is assisted by Dave Blair of 
Wytheville and B. W. Dunn of Bland Courthouse.
   "The Norfolk & Western Railway has the most extensive exhibits 
shown in the building. The Norfolk & Western blue banners are 
beautiful and indicate where the exhibits shown under their auspices 
are to be found. Dr. E. A. Schubert, of Roanoke, has charge of the 
Norfolk & Western's space and he is kept busy at all times.
   "There are extensive exhibits of copper, zinc, asbestos, residum 
clays and kaolins, and in fact of every commercial mineral or 
building stone to be found in the entire State.
   "This is the exhibit which Vice President Rufus A. Ayres wants the 
State of Virginia to perpetuate. The Souther Railway and the 
Chesapeake & Ohio fields are well represented in the exhibit. The 
beautiful palace cost the State of Virginia $30,000."

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- Ron Davis, Roger Link