The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1853-06-24
rhe Henderson Barbecue.

The Henderson Barbecue.
The Henderson Barbecue passed off delight
fully, and truly to the satisfaction of all par
ties. Kentucky is as much celebrated for
barbecues as any thing else. 1t is one of
her peculiar institutions" in which she &C..
knowledges no compeer.
The Henderson Railroad Barbecue was
given to celebrate the breaking of ground on
the Henderson and Nashville Railroad
Everybody was invited, and nearly everybody
seemed to havs accepted the invitation. AT
an early hour we arrived at Henderson, and
even then the people were thronging in
from the surrounding country, and the streets
were enveloped In clouds of dust. (By the
way, the dust was the only drawback on
the happiness of the occasion.) Crowds of
vehicles; men, women and children on foot,
and on horseback; happy faced negroes in
the full enjoyment of the excitement Of the
occasion; all were there. But the breeze frol-
licked merrily and the clouds Of dust were
swept away fast as they arose, and the rays of
warm sun were pleasantly cooled.
The ground on which the barbecue was held,
was nearly a mile from the centre of Hen
derson. Two Evansville omnibuses, and other
vehicles, were busily employed during the
day, conveying "the people" to and fro.-
Crowded into an omnibus with about dozen
other Evansvillians, we penetrated cloud
of dust, from which in few minutes we emer-
ged, and found ourselves in beautiful grove.
q hard green sward under foot, and towering
forest trees forming thick canopy of leaves
over head. The grove was indeed admirably
adapted TO the purposes of its present use.
A platform had been erected for the speak.
ers and officers, and it was already occupied
on our arrival, while Hon. o. H. Smith was
addressing large audience, comprising an
immense number of the beauty of Kentucky,
besprinkled with Indiana flowers! Mr.. Saith
delivered very long address, which we heard
was excellent and complete in every particu-
lar, and entirely satisfactory to those who are
standing with him shoulder to shoulder in
several important enterprises.
I'VE may here remark, we went to the Bar
becue prepared to take notes of speeches
which might be delivered, with the object of
publishing abstracts for the particular graft.
fcation of our Kentucky friends, az well as
for the information Of readers generally
We received no invitation to such position
as might enable US to hear, and take notes,
and we were entirely too modest to thrust our
self in such q place. Editors or reporters
should be prepared for on such an occasion,
II their publication of proceedings, and in cor
rect form, be matter Of any Importance
Of course we know in this case, it was mere
thoughtlessness on the part of those having
direction of affairs, but it is due ourself to
explain Ohy we have not reported the speech
es.
Mr.. Smith was followed by Mr.. Campbell,
President of the Henderson and Nashville
Rsilroad; by Messrs. Carpenter and Ingle,
of Evansville; VIM. 8. Turner, ESQ.,, of
Washington, Ind; and Mr.. v.nce, of Louis
vile; in short speeches. After this, the vast
concourse adjourned to the dinner table.
Here was feature. Four tables of i'm
mense length, were spread with the best SUBJ
stantials. All that region of Kentucky must
have contributed, for never before did we see
collected such quantities of provisions. We
were informed that preparations had been
made, to feed five thousand hungry people,
and we are sure, had there been even more
present, none need have gone away hungry.
Great trenches were dug, in barbecue style,
in which was placed the fire, and over these
trenches we saw at one time about fifty sides
Of sheep roasting, to say nothing of hams,
beef, &c.,-a wholesale manner of cooking
which, as we had never seen the like before
seemed to US rather magnificent!
We shall not give our readers the state.
ment made to us by the gallant Col. Hawkins
in reference to the quantity of meat prepar.
ed for the occasion, as we really fear either
the ColonePs or our own indisputable veraci
ty might be questioned. But as our remarks
are becoming rather extended, we will say
that from the quantity of meat we saw pre-.
pairing, and prepared for the occasion, Ken.
lucky must be very productive country
about Henderson, to have been able to spare
so much food from ordinary supplies.
We need not say, that as every possible
arrangement had been made to render the
Barbecue an honor to Henderson and to the
great object of its celebration, and of eniov.
ment to those who attended, the objects wer,
most happily accomplished. EVERYBODY ap
peared delighted, as well they might. Wher
we left the grounds, crowd of lads and las