Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1872-09-06
Our Special Correspondence.
TOu rn anlent at KittreII'S Young
Bellies and Beaux--YOuth q ldI8eautN
KITTRELL's, n. c., Aug. 80, 1877

KITTRELL's, n. c., Aug. 30, 1872.
Dear Journal Though l am little
boy, not yet in my teens, L thought you
might give cOuntenance to my poor des-
cription Of a happy day we boys have just
had at Kittrells Springs-a day long to be
remembered by us Juveniles, aid | think
by many of the seniors TOO, for everybody
laughed merrily, even the most sedate and
aged invalid, and to all of the many guests
here the occasion of the Boys Tourna-
ment was one of pleasure and mer-
riment. After only a few days prac-
tice at foot-racing, nine of US re-
called ourselves for the memorable Wednes-
day evening, August 26th at ) o'clock.
Mess1s. N. NJ. Long, Of Weldon, n. c.,
L. D. Gillespie, Charleston, S. c., and
K. TileIy, Halifax, n. c., our Judges;
and Messrs. Matt Ransom, Jr., and Joe
Ransom, No lthamptOn Co., n. g., J. Eau
seCt, Halifax, N. e., Robert Bridgers, Jr.,
Wilmington, n. c., and Edd Blacknall,
| The Knights were arranged in file accord
! ing to heie hth, running the distance of 80
yards in s seconds, catching 3 rings upon
| gum wood lance procured from the forest
| of kittrellS Hills. 1 he names of the Knights
as they ran were
LIST. ''Blue Cross" Master w. w. Long,
Weldon, n. &.
End. g Lost Cause" Master l.. Walker,
n. y.
3rd. "New Hanover" MasterJ. Walker,
n. Y.
18th. Cooked Hat" Master Ed. Alex
Oldham, Wilmington, n. c.
9TH. "Ivanhoe," Master Rob. Ransom,
| kittrells, n. e..
9th. Mud Castle" Master Tom Ran
som, Northampton, Co., n. G.
18th. "Southern Boy Master as Ban
som, Kttrells, n. Z.
eth-'Black Cross" Saddler Gillespie
Charleston, 5. G.
9th-''W ater-Melon," Dickie Neal, Nor.
folk, Va.
knight of ssRlne Cross" the most sue,
cessfu, crowned Miss Minnie Ransom
daughter of Gen. Robert Ransom, as
Queen of L owe and Beauty; Knight of the
Cooked Hat crowned LIST Maid of Honor
Miss Mamie, daughter of DR.. Blacknall, OF
Raleigh, \. i. ; ''IvalIhOe" crowned %
Maid of Honor, Miss Lizzie Blacknall
dau 5hter OF our respected Host, the Major
''Lost Cause crowned Sd Maid, Miss Es
sic, daughter Of tue Hon. Senator Ransom
and the last and least i'll size, though moi
the smallest portion Of our fun, was the
knight of the E'W alter Melon browning
4th Maid of Honor, Miss Matt, youngest
daughter Of Gen. Robert RansCm.
The Knights presented their lances Hitl
gallantry to each young lady OF then
choice, which was accepted with equa
grace and beauty. After the TOurna
ment our kind friend, Senator Ransom
presented us with d fine watermelon, which
we devoured with as much cheer as we
could have done one of his eloquent ore
tiOn<, complimentary of our success.
After supper the ballroom was throrgeC
with an eager crowd to witness the cOrO
nation, and Will. the bard played apr1tty
: march, the Knights, bearing the victOr'
, crown in their hands, marched in Wilh the
, fair partners, stationed themselves upol
the rOstIum i'll front OF the band, wlicl
ceased playing, and the gallant Knigh
of the Blue Cross briefly and appropri
. ately addressed the audience, crowned hi
Queen, which she acknowledged with &
graceful courtesy, and after much applause
the coronation set took their places Oh TIL
: floor for the dance OF their grratest pride
; and pleasure. We hope to have anolhe
Tournament snoI, but We cannot expect
happier time than the past was tO'us.
Yours, in haste,