The chronicle of Eger Tobacco Factory

The factory-under construction

“I am standing upon these walls to proclaim the era of industry and progress which will forever serve the prosperity of the city of Eger. We have erected these high buildings here, and we have faith and hope that industrious, hardworking men and women will reap its benefits!” he said pointing around. He was silenced by applause and cheers, but raising his glass he took over again. He first toasted His Majesty Josef Franz I following which three cannon shots were heard. The blasts like giant iron balls bounced off the slopes of Hajdúhegy and now tamed, solemnly rolled down the wall of the new factory building. A long list ensued which was seven times broken by loud cheers. Ágoston Paulik raised his glass to the Ministry of Finance, the Royal Excise Office, Alajos Zobel, Dr Zoltán Kállay, the citizens and Mayor of Eger, Kálmán Kovách, Román Boltizár, Imre Légmann, and finally the entrepreneurs István and János Staud, and the workers and staff of the construction. Accompanied by great applause from the crowd and loud music from the band he drank his wine and with a wide gesture he thrust his glass to the ground.

Celebration then began and lasted until late in the afternoon. The goulash was soon spent, however the wine lasted quite some time. This celebration occurred on .>^u :*U«i ' 9 November 1895 at the

end of the first phase of the construction of the Eger Tobacco Factory, at the builders’ topping- out ceremony.

Mr. István Staud