Richland beacon., 1874-07-18
BARBECUE AT ALTO.

Last Friday was the day set apart
for the grand rally and barbecue to
take place at Alto Thursday even
ing the rain commenced descending
slowly, and Friday morning the
clouds hung low, looked very watcry,
and they we're watery. Nothwith-
standing the inclenency of the wealth
er, Governor McEnery accompanied
by or 10 members Of the Monroe
Band came in on the morning train.
a crowd Of young men also came in
from Alto.and after some pre!iminar;es
we brought out orr stecd and buggy,
in company with the Gov, started
for Alto through the rain. All along
the road we met squads of gentlemen
until within four miles of Alto; there
we met large cavalcade-they halted
in front of Us and with up-lifted hats
gave "thrcc cheers for Gov. Mem
ery!" after pause, "threc cheers for
the White Mans Partv!" They then
opened ranks, we drove through, the
cavalcade closing in behind us. They
were compounded by Capts. A. Dyson
and Joseph Rushing, who acquitted
themselves with honor, as did the
whole crowd with the exception Of
9 or 3 youngsters who seemed to think
if they kept their counsel as becoming
on such occasion, they would either
lie taken for deafand-dumb or sensible,
(either Of which perhaps would have
been Reconstruction
ARRIVING AT ALTO,
we were greeted by the firing of sa-
lutes which were distinctly heard
here, a distance of twelve miles, and
despite all the rain, there must have
been at least 1000 persons in attend
ance, and we but express the senti-
meat Of all present when we state
that VIC never saw q more decorOuS
and well-hehavcd crowd. No contcn-
ton nor drunkncss. When the hour
arrived for the speaking to commence
Hon. ii. +. Yickers introduced Gov.
McEnery to the audience who re-
eeiycd him with tumu!tuous applause,
the Gov. then in his usual vivid and
Horcblo style addressed the audience
in q speech Of some two hours dura-
tion which was listened to with al
most breathless interest except now
and then they would give vent to
applause.
The barbecue, Notwithstanding the
continued rains, was complete sue
cess. We never saw meats cooked
better, a table spread more tastefully,
and upon the whole, a more perfect
success in everything that pertained
to the occasion. The ladies, who
We're present in large numbers, were
looking ns beautiful and cheerful as
"Big Sun Flowers"
II was decided that the Gov. should
speak again on Saturday at i o'clock.
The young people, as is usually the
case on such occasions, after the
speaking was over, repaired to the
new store house of Mr.. Duff and from
dark p. m. till 3 a. m. glided around
in the merry dance.
The crowd collected again on Sat
urday morning TO listen to another
address from the Gov, though not in
such large numbers rs the day previ-
Ns, at the hour of II, a. m. Gov. Nc
Emery again delivered a specch of one
and half hours length, followed by
Wade Il. Young, of Catahoula parish,
who delivered a very excellent speech
with force and ability.
We regret being unable to give n
synopsis of the speeches, but our time
and mind being taken up in other
matters prevent us from giving a
more lucid description of the affair.
Hon. II. F. Vickers also delivered
an address at the close of Mr.. Young's
speech which we did not have the
good fortune of listening to, owing to
our engagement in arranging our con-
veyance to return to Rayville in time
for the evening train.
go s-
One A. Il. Macy. protesting to be
the minister of Baptist church at
Canton. is sailing about under false