The Huntington argus. [volume] (Huntington, W. Va.) 1872-1905, 1872-06-29
John y. Critfenden, and Old Ken-
tuckv Customs.

"Ts' foreman, OF Baltimore, has writ
ten charming book about her father
the late John j. Crittenden, one OF the
great and good men OF Kentucky. This
Is a sketch Of home and home life
Il recollect row of tall Lombardy pop.
lars all along the front OF the house: thew
were grand old trees, growing ever upward.
having neither fruit nor flowers, and Civ
ms no shade, they were considered cum.
berers of the ground ani were cut down
aud replaced by locusts. remember them
with regret The tree has grown ont of
fashion, but wheDever / see one il brings
back misty recollections of the past and OF
the old homelife Mr.. Crittenden has a
real affection FOR his trees; his locusts were
topped from time To time, and watched
over with great care. lie bad n habit of
talking 10 himself with animation. lie
came down generally before breakfast and
walked In front OF the house. lfalone. he
talked and gestlculaied earnestly, to the
amusement of the children, who were
Peeping nj him through the window Stran
gers, guests IN the house would sometimes
catch glimpse OF him, aud SAY, why
who Is Mr. Crittenden talking TOP They
would be highly amused when the thing
was explained, and join the children al
their post OF observation The old corner
tree, which was twisted and guarded and
unsightly TO every other eve, was his e.
pecial iavorite; he would stand bv il
every morning, tapping it with his cane,
ana holding with 1t, seemingly an anima-
ted conversation. These seem trivial thin,s
% recall, but the old Frankfort people will
be gladly reminded of them, aud these
simple facts will bring back with them
other memories of Mr. Crittendem hi.
cheerful good morning, his ready synpa
tly, unostentatious hospitality, and MI
the nameless charms OF manner. which
not even his political opponets could resist
MIR Crlttendeh was indeed, hospitable in :,
grand old way, not as many men are with
their supertluity, for in his whole life. lac
never knew that thing 1t was his Gus.
tom to entertain the Senators and menu
hers OF the Kentucky Legislature every
winter, giving about three dinners a week
and thus entertaining before the session
closed, every member more than once -
These dinners were Of the Simplest char
acter. In early days old Bourbon figured
largely at the least, but later, when times
grew hard aud money scarce. it was dis
pensed with. a big fish anI a salne Of
venson were the principal dishes, and ye,-
etables ofold Kentucky growth the only
addition. In those DAYS am confident
that French peas and asparagus would
have been looked upon with suspicion. aud
avoided. believe that merrier, and a
witier set OF fellows were never assembled
around any table than those ke.tucky law
yers and politicians.
And this OF Daniel " ebster at a Ken
lucky barbecue is delicious
"ln 1886 Mr.. Webster visited the West
and came from Lexington In Frankior; 10
see Mr.. Crittendeu. He was his guest for
some days al tina, time. aud received from
the yeomanry OF Franklin county the n.n-
al compliment paid to distinguished yi.i-
tors IN that locality. "a barbecue, or. a. il
was called at that time, "A Der 90 This
was regarded a. an unusually great
occasion, and extensive preparations were
made to do honor to Mr.. Webster. The
men were rallied from far and wide and ,
mighty gathering was the result The place
honored 10y custom for this Kentucky l,.-
tyitv was about seven miles from Frank
fort, on the farm of Mrs INNS. themo,j,o,
OF Mrs Criltendtn. \ romantic little stream
called Benson wound about through the
woods near the house, and in the d.,,.e
forest along IL borders the Kentucky lost
assembled. ] cannot explain the ORIGIN n,
the word 'bersoo the feast differed from,
barbecue, in that il was more urimitiye
Immense iron pots were kept on harI in
some secluded spot, ready tor such n.c,
-'1ns, aud each man WIS expected Ia bri,.,
his own lineup and pewter spoon ,Brr
COOS were always the order of the d,,.
when summer vegetables abouded o,l,
one dish N4- UwYut~a,i Lac q.