The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1868-09-01
The Tournament at CataWba Springs.

Editorial Correspondence of the Old North State.
SPARKLING CATAwBA SPRINGS, n. G. ]
August %, 1868.
In this letter We promised to give our readers
some account of the Grand Tournament which
came off at this place ON the 20th and as they
have been SO necessarily RECALLED with politics
| Tor some months past we cannot doubt that 1t
will prove an agreeable diversion. At early
hour the people of the surrounding country be-
gan to arrive in large numbers to witness the
| trial of skill between the various contending
knights, and by the time the riding commenced
there had assembled about FIVE hundred persons
of all ages, sexes and conditions.
The notice which had been given was short,
and the consequence was that preparations which
had been made were not as complete as could
have been wished. The horses which had been
provided for the occasion were not thoroughly
trained, and the number of knights was not as
large as had been anticipated. Yet nevertheless
eight Knights, as gay and gallant ever shivered
lance or championed fair lady's cause, en-
tered the lists and contended with equal ardOur
for the prize. Their names and titles were
Charles Fisher. of High Point, Knight of Gull
ford; Geo l.. Phifer of Lincolnton, Knight of
Castle Thunder; Thomas Murphy, of Salisbury,
Knight of the Lost Cause; A. IL. Boyden, Of
Salisbury, Knight of The Stars and Bars
James H. Orr, of Charlotte, Knight of Last
Night; Sumner McBee, of Liucolnton, knight
of Liacoln; NJ Deal, ofCatawba County, Knight
of Newton, and G. w Haynes of Catawba county,
Knight of the Golden Circle.
The riding commenced at one o'clock p. NJ
to the delight and excitement of all beholders
After riding the appointed number of times, it
was found that the ring had been taken by the
following Knights:
Lincoln, Guilford and Castle Thunder. The
Knight of Lincoln having taken the ring the
largest number of times was declared entitled to
crown the Queen Of Love and Beauty; the
Knight Of Guilford, the first Maid Of honor and
the Knight Of Castle Thunder the second
Maid of honor The remaining Knights, who
had not taken the ring then contended for the
honor of browning the third Maid ofhonor, when
it was won by the Knight of the Stars and Bars.
After the award had been made by the judges
and proclaimed by the Marshal, Col Wyatt an
nounced that the browning of the Queen and her
Maids Of Honor would take place in the Ball
room at 8! o'clock, when the company dispersed.
lust before the time came to enter the Ball
Room the clouds which had been SO threatening
all day, as if with one accord poured forth their
contents with a seeming intent to keep every
one within doors. Not so however. In short
time the cry went around sit has ceased raining;
hurry, Or you'll all be caught again"
Such rustling of dresses, and such picking
up of umbrellas was scarcely ever seen; every
one did hurry" and when we reached the Ball
Room the company was there awaiting the Royal
party
Soon they came, while the non participants
looked on with much interest; the coronation
took place "quiety and gracefully" The sue
cessful Knight of Lincoln, Of Lincolnton, N. c.
crowned Miss E. Nj. Walker of Richmond, Va,
ofT all
is beautiful, lovely and accomplished young
lady of our noble and gallant sister State Of Vir-
GINA, we and all others, were delighted to see
iIer thus hOnOrcd.
The next best, The Knight of Guilford, from
Guilford County N. c., placed his wreath upon
the stately head of Miss Celia Moore, of New
bern, n. G. Her town may be proud to claim
her, for her elegant bearing, and the noble poise
of her head have been generally admired here,
she made charming first Maid of Honor. I
The Knight of Castle Thunder, also Of Lin
colnton, twined his laurels about the head of
Miss Tinte Glen, Of Yadkin, county, n G.. Not
outstanding his title there was very little Of
thunder in his looks as he decked her fair brow
beneath which a pair Of bright dark eyes were
ready to fash forth their lightning. This young
lady has added much to the ga;ty and pleasure
Of society here this season, and we joyed to hail
her second Maid of honor.
The Knight of the Stars and Bars, of Sails
bury, n. c., crowned third Maid of Honor
Miss Jane McBee, of Lincolnton, n. C. One
who has once gazed upon her golden head and
dark brown eyes will certainly look again; for a
charm therein doth lie that will surely please.
Such the order Of the coronation, and
then followed the Royal Set, and the Knight Of
Lincoln proved himself not only the Knight
of the Tourney, but of the best on the floor
also.
The Ball Continued till late hour and closed
with much merriment, all seeming well pleased
with self and everybody else.