The Van Buren press., 1870-09-06
The Agricultural Barbecue.
The Monster Demonstration of Crawfor
ORATORY-MUSIC-
Ar &c Gc
&c. &C., &c.

4
Tho first day Of September, 1870. is destin-
cd to be forever memorable in the annals of
Crawford County, by reason of the magnid-
cient demonstration made by the people in
favor Of an improved system OF Agriculture.
Six weeks since the Agricultural and Me-
chanical Society OF this County determined
to give Barbecue for the purpose of Great.
ing more general interest in the object of
the Association, and to that end appropriate
Committees of some of our most energetic ci-
tizens were appointed. In the meantime an
Address was issued explaining to the public
the object in view, and this document pu-
blished In the Press. together with the in
defatigable exertons Of the members soon
attracted general attention to the proposed
enterprise; and for the past month the Bar
becue has been the universal topic of conver-
sation. The last meeting Of the Committee
OF Arrangements exhibited the satisfactory
that five beeves. twenty sheep TWEEN ty hogs
and two hundred chickens, apart from such
inconsiderable tribes as twenty four jars of
pickles, five hundred pounds of bread and
"sich like had been collected; whilst the
financial report showed q sum of money am
ply sufficient to defray the expenses of cook
Ing the meats, and other incidentals, and last
but not least securing the services of the Fort
Smith Cornct Band
THE DAY
made Its appearance in all the glory OF an un-
c'ondcd sky and almost Immediately after the
rise OF the sun, citizens commenced leaving
for the scene of the proposed festivitr. Nine
o'clock found Van Buren, we'll nigh deserted.
as every one who could procure conveyance
had gone to the Barbecue. Not only was
every horse and mule in this city engaged
but all the stock and equipages to be hired
In Fort Smith were employed. The steam
ferry was continuously busy in crossing over
our neighbors from Sebastian County intent
upon assisting In the success of the cause as
essential to them as to our own citizens.
From every direction the people poured on to
the Barbecue grounds In private carriages,
hacks, stage coaches buggies, wagons, etc.
until l0la o'clock, when there were not less
than 1000 persons In attendance.
THE GROUNDS
whcreon the Barbecue was held are at the
Shriner Place on Mays Branch, some six
miles nom the city. The brush and under
growth had been removed, leaving space for
the vast crowd--a space that was ample in
area and remarkable In Its cleanliness, reflect
Ing the most decided credit upon the energy
OF the Committee, Messrs. Michael, West and
shaber, for their excellent discharge of duty.
Upon one side were the tables in great extent
upon the other neatly covered sward for
the dancers, and In front benches capable of
seating six hundred persons facing the speak
ers stand. This structure was of proper di-
mensions and had draped over It the Nation
al Standard whose brilliant folds tastcfplly
arranged was happy relief to the sombre-
hued trees.
TnK MEETING
was opened at II o'clock by the Rev IIrN-
ri SnIDLEY, who in an appropriate prayer
invoked the Divine blessing upon the object
OF the occasion; and then DR.. II. TmRusroN,
the President OF the Society delivered am ad-
dress Of welcome TO the vast concourse that
was at once interesting and felicitous.
The first orator OF the day, Colonel NJ. +.
LOCKE, was then introduced and IN u speech
exceeding an hours duration, that gentleman
invited the attention of his audience to most
logical and convincing array Of facts. The
effort of Col. Locke was not only replete with
common sense, but contained eloquent passa-
ges that received deserved applause-appro-
baton indeed that was given to all OF the ad-
drcss-not only because Of the gentleman's
oratorlcal power but for the reason that he
knew whereof he spoke, being himself one
Of the most successful of our practical Agri-
culturists.
The Hon. JESSE TURNER, was then present.
ed. and In most forcible and elegant speech
elaborated the Importance Of the impro, ed
system Of Farming. The effort of Judge Tur-
ner was distinguished By all that research
which was expected Of one 80 well versed In
science and had the closest attention and
general applause given it.
The President then brought forward Col.
W. NJ. FIsHsAcK, Of Sebastian county, who
made most entertaining and instructive ad-
dress The power with which this gentleman
dwelt upon the necessity of deep blowing
caused the more observance to BE- paid to the
rhetorical flowers which garnishcd his very
happy effort.
THE piSNrR
was then announced and the multitud. was
formed In line by the Marshal Of the Day, DR.
}. A. Dibrell. who aided by efficient Aids sue
"eedeti In starting the long process ion to the
Tables. MAN. said Sir Charles Goltlstream
us the philosopher Of an hour, and by my
faitl-that hour Is the dinner hour; and the
spectator Of the hearty enjoyment with
which the large number Of people disposed
OF the viands and vegetables provided for
their entertainment might well have agreed
with Sir Charles witticism. But much of
this enjoyment was due to the capital ar
rangcments that had been made by the Com
n,ittee having the Tables and guests in
charge: these gentlemen were, Messrs. j. NJ.
Baxter. DR.. Smith. n. w. Miles, j. w. Rogers,
Nat Couch. T.. G. Whitesides and d. Walker
Moore, and not only were they vigiant In |
aliing the Marshal OF the Day to preserve or
der but incessant IN their efforts to see that |
all werc properly served. One thousand
eigl,t isnnsirrd uiid ninety -four persons ate q.
tI,s l,.hllc Tables and all OF them spoke en-
Enthusiastically Of the manner the meats ETC..
had bsen cooked, aud they themselves had
Eeep sttsndssi t.. xfost of those present had
brought pastry and other delicacics with !