The Van Buren press., 1870-09-06

! tHCtu, Uut UOttCCooAC w thiS WSh S~fpss~~
board were three enormous cakes that hst
been donated by Mrs, MIcHAEL-cakes larg'
enough to have satisfied the cravings Of {
regiment and that would have received tht
appreciation of the most skillful confection'
aire. But, large portion Of those on th'
grounds had brought with them their owl
provisions and every few yards were seated
Pic Mic parties.
Here was SPARES of the Fort Smith HerGld
surrounded by group with whom he altern
ately cracked jokes and bottles. There wa,
Capt. EUGENE SMITH, CT the Arkansas Marin,
and Maj. GLASS, of the Fort Smith bar. sur
rounded by bcvy OF Sebas.i JAMS beauties
further on was Capt. JEFF BALDWIN, obliYl-
Gus Of the mysteries of the successful naviga-
ton of the Arkansas and giving his whole
whist still further on were Gen. CABELI- Un-
Gle JERRY KENNABAY, Colonel FIsBBAcK, JoE
BossERT, HENRY FALKNER, and Others of Fort
Smith, ignoring every thing save the good
things before them, On wagon would be
perched a youth, who a bottle of claret in
manu- todstcb tndt ppItloii VI NidNioiuo pio-
ductons who with sparkling eyes and be-
witching curls were seated laughingly be-
meath him; and beyond him the centre Of a
group radiant with beauty and mlrth would
be found seated that venerable Tar-SME
HAYMAN-who holding a glass Of golden
hued liquid in his hand repeated those lines
of his prototype, the Ancient Mariner:
Water, water everywhere, but not drop to drink,
Jollity, eating, Irritation and drinking con-
tinued until the Band struck up the Wedding
March, and as the gladsome notes died on
the air, the President introduced to the
crowded benches Colonel II. l.. McCoNNELL
who made felicitous address that was chief
ly a burlesque description of what he and
other professional men knew about farming.
The effort was interspersed with considerable
humor and was received with much laughter
and decided applause.
Gen. W. l.. CABELI, then announced that it
was the intention Of the citizens of Sebastian
County to have am Agricultural Barbecue at
an early day, of which due notice would be
given, and he hoped that all present who
could come to 1t would be present on that
occasion.
Capt. B. J. BRowN then delivered most
entertaining address on the relation that rail
roads bore to Agriculture, and was loudly
applauded.
The conclusion of the last speech was the
signal for the Band to strike up lively dane
ing air and in a few minutes number of set.
were engaged in treading the step of Qua.
drille. The terpischorean pleasures continued
for long while and the sun was already fall
ing behind the hills, before one hal the peo-
pie commenced leaving the grounds. Foi
two hours the road to Van Buren was crowd
cd with vehicles laden with the returning
mass--the younger ofwhom endangered theil
own necks and the lives of others BY a gene
raj race. 1t is, however, plcasurable to add
that no accident occurred, either on the
grounds or on the return. to mar the enjoy.
mcnt of the OCCASION This fact is the more
gratifying and remarkable in view ofthe large
number of people who were present on the
grounds-there having been not less than
three thousand gathered together. The order
and harmony that prevailed is of course due
to the excellent sense of the masses and theil
general conduct unmarried by single unkind
word or difficulty, Is the most substantial evi-
dence of their good character As citizens, but
the lack OF confusion and perfect systcmza.
ton of all the arrangements. was the work OF
the Grand Marshal of the DaytDr. James A
Dibrell who, with his Aids and the member.
of the various committees exerted themselves
to their utmost 10 accomplish this most dcsir-
able result.
THE ATTENDANCE.
large as 1t was, might be correctly said to have
been thoroughly representative In its charac-
ter. The trades. professions, and every Other
avocation had numerous members present
who. In the aggregate, very nearly equalled
the farmers themselves. 1t was noticeable
feature Of the Barbecue, that nearly one-hal
of those attending 1t were of the fair sex ant
possessed Of such beauty as are only to bt
found in Crawford and Sebastian county la
dies.
In the evening Ball was given in this city
at the llayman Building, which was ATTENDED
among Others by large number OF ladies ant
gentlemen from Fort Smith.
Thus closed the first effort made by Craw.
ford county TO encourage the development:
Of its resources, and the splendid success
which rewarded the attempt, may well caus,
our people to have bright hopes of the futur,
usefulness of the Agricultural Society.