The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1871-07-13
The Pic Mic at Breazeale's Mill.

ever Deeu our g00Q 1Ortune u, HllllSle Wlsn as
'sembled on Saturday last at Bfeazeale's Mill,3
which is ssituated On Broadaway creek; six miles,
east of8sthis place. It is the custom of that
.reigbborhood to meet together every year at
this central point, and pass the day in social
chat. sAlbeit, the pic mic dinners and the
young folks dancing are always marked fea-
lures of these. .neighborhood re-unions. But
this season ie was determined to outvie all pre-
vious efforts, and Mr.. B. B. Breazeale generous
" yprofered to furnish an abundance of fish
from the mill-pond, so that "6sh-ffyp might
beaded to the. programme. And then others,
conceived the idea that 9 little speaking might
do no harm, and accordingly invited several
gentlemen toaddresssthe crowd .on that occa-
sion.
3; Hence, the day was more than commonly
attractive, .andenearly threcthundred people re-
sponded to the invitations. .We'left Anderson
by the early train, in company with fifteen or
twenty ,ablerbodied youths, and under the care
of Capt, Thos. .gP. Benson, the gentlemanly
Conductor of the Anderson Branch, who kind
" allowed us to disembark at Erskine's Cross
ing, about one mile from the Mill aforesaid.
Although the sum. had not risen far above the
eastern hills, the party realized that it was
hot morning and villagers are not accustomed
to any lengthy experience under old SoPs
warmest rays. Nevertheless, tile walk was far
from being unpleasant, as good-humored con-
versation made every one forget the sweltering
heat, and in due time the party reached the
Mill sAndssucha sightias greeted usl In or
der to catch. the fish necessary for the fry
aud with tie least possible trouble, Mr.. B. had
drawn off the mill-pond and just as We ar
rived the seiners had completed their laborS,
which resulted in haul of five or six bushels.
One Of them afterwards told us that they did
not get one fish out of twenty from the pond,
and that the fish were actually too thick for
seining purposes But they had enougbS and
upon inspection of the rare and beautiful Sight,
we acquiesced in that judgment. The story of
our friend about the quantity left in the stream
is rather "6shy," it IS true, yet he is man Of
Seracity, and we arc bound to believe him.
From every direction, crowds of people be
gan to assemble at ansearly hour. By ten
o'clock upwards of two hundred had arrived,
aud the cry was "still they come" The young
folks began TO think it. time to enter upon the
festivities and soon the nill-house was throng-
ed withsyoung ladies and gentlemen, who were
intent, upon dancing, Notwithstanding the ex-
treme heat Many others remained upon the
opposite bank Of the streanL where the speak
ing was to take place and the dinner was to be
spread. The Anderson Brass Band, the men,
bers of which had kindly volunteered their
services, furnished beautiful and inspiring
music, and all those not engaged in the dance,
soon congregated in the vicinity of the Band.
Meanwhile, the preparations for the feast were
progressing satisfactorily. Mr.. Breazeale made
every necessary arrangement in that regard,
even to bringing cooking-stove upon the
ground, so that the fish might be served in the
best style.
= About twelve o'clock, the dancers were sum-,
moned from their reyclry, and the scattered
groups were invited to draw near an improvised
stand, in order that the speakers might engage
their attention for short time. AT the re-
quest of several citizens, Mr.. W. ]. Ligon
acted asimaster of ceremonies, and introduced
the speakers. The editor of the Lntelfgencer
made the FIRST efoft, but We are not competent
to Judge as to the merits of his speech, and the
reader will be left1to conjecture on that point.
He spoke about twenty-five minutes and urged
the Importance and economy of the people
making theproposed subscription o,the Air
Line Railroad alluded to the benefits o-fow
in upon this region by the completion of that
great thoroughfare; and advised earnest, ener-
getic measures to insure future progress and
prosperity, through the means Of internal i'm
provements, manufactures, diversified indus
try, and greater development in general of the
boundless resources. Of this favored section.7a. .
Capt. w fD.eEvins was the eStspeaker, and
made BRIEF impromptu speech. He was not
appriscd until a few hours before that it would
be expected of him, and yetwe thin K, it was
one of his happicst efforts. His remarks were
pointed and pertinent, and the audience eyi-
dently relished the SPICY entertainment Of ff-
teen minutessthat our friend youchsafea to
them. %e:e. o. -
When Capt Eviaab concluded, the gentlemen
were requested to prepare table and the ladies
invited to superintend further preparations for
the.dinner. The cooking-stove was already in
operation, and by the time the baskets were
emptied and their ample supplies distributed
along the table, the fish had been prepared in
such abundance as to satisfy the longing glances
of the hungricst individuals present. Here,
Mr.. Ligon made the solemn and important an
louncement that dinner was ready, and that all
were invited to participate without further
ceremony and the multitude were fed. tits
unnecessary to dwell upon this part of the pro-