Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-08-25

Grand barbecue ana Picnic Yes.cr


day
The barbecue and picnic given by the
venerable society Of Old Folks yester
day, at the Fair Grounds, was attended
by two thousand citizens, both old and
young. At twelve 0 clock all assembled
beneath the grand stand. which, like the
hawthorn tree in Goldsmth's Deserted
Village" seemed to be
For Whispering ago and talking lovers
Col. c. ID. Mclean, the venerable Pres
ident of the Old Folks, introduced the
orator Of the day, Major George W. Win
chesterin speech replete with good
feeling and most elevated sentiments
His advice to the young who contem-
plated marriage was characteristic and
good, yet we fear it viii not be consid-
cred in keeping with the dictates and
demands of fashionable life. He said:
And, young gentlemen, l win venture
a few words Of advice to you. In old
times the marriage portion of our young
women was horse, saddle and bride, q
feather bed and furniture, and COW and
calf, with which the young couple ven
tured forth in the world with deter
mined will to make an honest living;
and from my own personal knowledge
many Of our families have sprung, and
by some Of them the very grounds we
now occupy were redeemed from q state
of nature and made to blossom as the
rosel Therefore, young men, look around
you and select helpmate; forego bridal
trips, costly jewelry and other parapher-
MALTA, and take your position in society
while young, and by industry, economy
and a religious and sober life you will
become what God intended-useful and
honorable citizens.
Major Winchester, the orator of the
day, delivered fine Grafton. He re-
viewed the ancient landmarks--the rel
les of the past--the old homes on the
BlufPs-the infant life of the Bluff City
the Father Of Waters, and the first
steamboat the New Orleans-a single
deck stern-wheel craft, that came in view
around the bend of the river one bleak
wintry day in 1912. The Cumberland,
another boat, landed at Memphis half
century ago, and bore TO the Bluffs a
party ofguests from Cairo,
on the Cumberland river. The new Gov
ernor of Florida, then the coming
man General Andrew Jackson, his
wife and suite; Andrew j. Donelson,
and Andrew jackson, jr., the adopted
son of the old warrior; Colonel Stockley |
Hays, and his accomplished daughter,
Miss Narcissa; Colonel Robt j. Chester,
and others whose names have become |
erased from the blurred pages of time.
The first Shelby County Court was held
in May, 1920. Murfreesboro' was then
the capital of the State. The officers of
the court were: Thos. d. Carr, A. B.
Carr, Benjamin Willis, and M. B. Win
who presided in turn, and
elected William Lawrence, Clerk,
Samuel Brown, Sheriff, and Thomas
Taylor, Register. The first case on the
docket was The State VS.. Patrick Mea-
CHAN "a jolly son of the Emerald Isle), |
who was found guilty of tipping, and
fined the sum of one dollar. The
speaker reviewed the history of the decd |
since the celebration last year. Judge
E. NJ. Yerger, the orator, lawyer and
genial gentleman; Esquire James P.
Rose, Col j. j, Worsham, DR.. David
Coleman and Aquilla Reddit, Esq. Ma
Ior Winchester closed his interesting |
address in an eloquent and beautiful
peroration, which was received with a
perfect outburst Of applause The pleas
lres of the day closed with fine barbe-
cue and, a dance, which were partici-
pated in by old and young.