Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1872-08-06
For the Spectator.
BUTLER COUNTY, KANSAS
.Inlu 00th 1870


Mr. EDITOR AS it may be interesting to
some of your readers to hear from this locality
we will try and give an account OF our trip to
Augusta on the 4th day Of July, what We saw
and heard of the celebration in general.
We arose earlier than usual and commenced
arrangements for our departure to Augusta, s
miles distant. All being ready we entered our
| vehicle, went by neighbor' s, took In two pas
sengers, then on to another house, took IN two
more, making eight in number.
We had laid aside the labors and cares OF the
day and intended to enjoy ourselves, if not in
hearing, by seeing the new and beautiful see
merry which would be presented to our view.
| We travelled on pleasantly and were soon
| Joined by another party OF persons, vending
their way to the city. This enhanced the pleas
ure of the trip. On we went, and ere long we
overlook one whose character and sentiments
are not appreciatedlby us-a Virginian who for
sock his country in the times which tried
mems souls.'' The gentlemen Of our party,
knowing his character, one OF them said ''Hur-
reh for Greeley" He said, Greeley is played
out. .sud you will not vote for him" Our gen.
tlemen ,then had amusements about when and
where thew could cheer for Mr.. Greeley.
We travelled over beautiful portion of Wal
mt valley. dotted here and there with houses
and cultivated spots, some vegetation growing
luxuriantiy, showing thai "Droughty Kansas
is having fruitful season 70 1872, and that
God remembers us here, in loercy ana ioye, I'VE
and that His loving kindness extcends to all his
creatures, but particularly to His people, !,
We crossed Walnut river, and nea,red the
city Of Augusta, and lo we beheld the stars
and stripes unfurled and the roar OF the mex
cannon saluted our ears. The procession was
forming and we had to halt and wait to. join
the procession. The procession formed on
tato cTr of chal
rick and assistants, headed by the Ladies Sill
yer Cornet band, marched to the grove Of DR..
Thomas Stuart on the w hit-water river.
The procession was about mile in length
The assembly has been estimated at from three
to five thousand. At the grove Judge Aiken
presided. Prayer by the Rev. Mr.. Copeland.
Declaration of independence read by Mr.. Ba-
ker; after which an Grafton by ex-Gov. Esk-
ridge. Intervals enlivened with music. Then
came the basket dinner. The provision was
opened and the people gathered around to par
prepared for the occasion.
After dinner we visited Mrs. Stuart's flower
garden and saw more cultivated flowers than
we had seen since leaving Va. Very pretty
flowers of various and variegated colors.
At two clock the crowd again assembled tc
hear speeches and music The first speaker
introduced was Mr.. Furgerson of KY, who
came from that State to this, seeking home
We did not hear his remarks; they were high
ly spoken of.
Then Mr.. Garland was called and spoke :
short time; after which ex-Gov. Eskridge mad,
made railroad speech, favorirg a trunk lin,
| from the Eastern border of the State by wa,
| of Ottawa, Emporia and Walnut Valley to tn
Southern line thereof Playing the Nationa
air concluded the ceremonies at the grove.
| Cannot say what effect Dixie would hav
had on the Southern boys Then part of tn
crowd went to the city to witness a game 0
base ball between the Frontiers of Winfield AM
the Augusta club The game commenced a
o'clock, and continued two hours and tel
minutes. The Frontiers first in the game
Saw but little of it, and that little was not in
teresting to US. Soon started home. We ha
seen goodly number of the inhabitants Q
Butler county, felt satisfied with what we ha
seen, and not troubled about VIII at we ha
heard, for they trod lightly on the rave OF tn
Rebellion"
| At night there was an exhibition OF frework
said to surpass those displayed in w ashiDgto
City at the close of the war.
| They also had two grand balls whic we sur
pose delighted the ball-loving and goin peopl,
Thus ended the celebration at August a.
| T. A B.