The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1858-07-16
Tho Barbecue a. Mcoaslan,s.

! "e "ao Tic PiehSare, Oh o8turuay last, o!
attending very interesting, social gathering,
at the Spring of Capt. p. c. McCaslan, in the
neighborhool of Bradley's Old Field and the
Lower Long Cane Church. This was one of O
number Of public gatherings held ont the same
day in various portions of the District, ut
which the various candidates now before the
people. enjoyed the opportun ity ofmaking the
acquaintance and Rartaking fthe hospitality
oftheir fellow citizens. And coming on rs they
did on the same day. they no doubt perplexed
even the old Stagers in electioneering with
their opposing claims There was the Artille.
ry Dinner at Calhoun's Mills, and another din
ner at Swansey's Ferry on the Saluda the mus.
| ter at Warrenton, the muster at IIogskin /; sew
| ernl horse races de-, &c. AS might be imagin
ed, there was quite a scattering of the forces,
North South, East and West reminding us o
some of Millions descriptions, whom we are al
most tempted to quote, but shall spare our
renders the infliction at present.
The effect ofthese forays, was to deprive our
Stables, Of almost every available conveyance;
and we being somewhat late in making our nr
rangements. had to content ourselves, with
saddle horse. but must congratulate our good
fortune in gctting!a fine "dapple grey; which
escaped one O. the candidates. by being at the
time, at the Blacksmith shop, and his fine gen.
tie pace and quick elastic step, made SOME
amends for our lack OF equestrian skill. BE.
sides, we were checred every moment of our
ride, with the prospect of getting scat in that
buggy, which gentleman in formed us would
soon be in sight. '1Iope told fnttcring tale"
The day was quite pleasant, and the route
one of the finest Summer roads in the District.
1t is true there is not much variety in the
scenery not many beautiful villas "dazzlinc,
Offering in the sun" but instead, with few
exceptions,) "boundless contiguty of shade
which in hot summer day is rather more c.
fresing to the weary traveller. About mile
from the village, we pass the beautiful rural
retl eat of Mr.. w. J. Lomax which gives evil
dence Of many recent improvements There
is here nn incipisnt vineyard, and a patch of
the finest corn that We have seen lately. Be
yond at some distance, stands the commodious
mansion which Mr.. Absalom L. Gray, is now
erecting at the "White Lick" and then with
occasional exceptions, the road extends for
manv mile through the primeval forest. A
fine rain had fallen the day before, and which
seemed to have been heavier the farther we
went and this contributed much to the pleas
ure of the ride
Upon our arrival, we found assembled n
large company of both sexes, numbering we
suppose, at least 400 persons. The scene Of
the;day's entertainment, was delightful grove
near Capt. p c. McCaslan's Spring one of the
clearest, coldcst purcst. and boldest in the Dis
trict; one of those gclidae .tontes, which AVA
ken dreams Of Pindus" de-, DC. The compa-
ny were variously disposed ; some seated upon
the conveniently arranged benches, others
standing in socinble groups, and all exhibiting
that mrth and hlarity, which these festivals
do 80 much to promote. There were the ma
tron and the fair maiden vigorous manhood
and blooming yonth, all enjoying together the
good gifts of Providence. and exhibiting that
joyful gratitude for genial seasons. and abun-
dant harvests, which best sanctiies them A
number Of the candidates for the Legislature
had been invited to make speeches on the oc-
casion, but other engagements prevented their
attendance, and there were none present ex-
cept Mr.. Jordan, who being among his friends
andAneighbors, regarded such thing as
didates were present to wit, Messrs. Cobb,
Moore, Hawthorne, McCord, and Neal, but as
they were aspirants for an office to which the
speaking talent, vas not essential, they did
not feel called upon to respond so they all
amused themselves in private way until the
dinner hour.
Upon the announcement of dinner, Mr.. J. II.
Cobb on behalf of the managers indicated the
following as the programmed the ladies were
to be first served, then the old men. and lastly
the young. The tables were arranged in the
the Stewards from the inside, where there were
separate tables for the viands. They were
we'll supplied with choice variety of the best
that the country could afford, very nicely pre-
pared, and were well served. After the ladies
had retired, we felt very much inclined 10 don
apair Of sPectacles. and play the part of an
old gentleman "for the nonce," but on second
thoughts deemed 1t best not to assume the char.
acter, yet awhile. And we lost nothing by the de-
lay, but fared like prince, as did all the rest.
After dinner We had some excellent music,
from the Messrs. Crawford df G iberts Mills, and
Others, which whilst it grati6ed all, awakened
some "rerpsachorean" feelings on the part of
some of the young people-and we believe
proposition for a dance was made, but to no
purpose. The spirit of the Covenanter was
too much for the gay muse ofthe "many twink
ling feet"
The dny passed off very pleasantly and has
only ~hetted our appetites, for others yet in
anticipation.
Charleston Jail.
The number of prisoners in jail up to yester-
terday was fifty eight. or these. six are fe-
males and fourteen negroes. Two white males