The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1874-01-01
For the EAGLE.
Patrons Festival.

You will remember that a notice ap.
peared in your last issue concerning
an intented supper and social gather.
ing of Patrons of Husbandry and their
frieE DIS ut Prairie-Gem schoolhouse, on
Christmas night, and that you were
not likely to be able to attend. From
actual knowledge Inow affirm that you
missed quite treat. As evidence in
support of my opinion allow me to
''risc and explain"
Being one of the invited guests, and
having the opportunity Of riding out
there in excellent company, l was
pleasantly carried over the broad and
beautiful prairie that lies between the
city and the Prairie Gem schoolhouse,
which, though now drcsry in its win
ter garb Of scar and withered grass,
and disfgured by occasional ponds and
alkali flats, is tract Of land, rich in
quality, and ready, with virgin energy
TO gratefully repay the labor of the
toilers, who shall subdue its native pc
culiarities aud perhaps, after time,
TO become part of the suburbs of the
queen city of the prairics On entering
the school house, we found it filled
with goodly company of patrons,
their guests and tables, the latter load
ed with the good things that please
tie eye with tempting and luscious
beauty. or satisfy the plate of the
hungry.
Master York, Of Prairie Gem grange,
after usual preliminaries, introduced
Mr.. salisbury, who made sharp and
telling address, striking hard blows at
monopolists and money lenders, city
treasurer, magistrates and such who,
in his opinion. were all defrauding the
people out Of their rights and proper
ty, their money and their comfort.
Then came supper. and such a sup
per! Oysters, turkey, chicken, meat,
cakes, pies, CONNECTIONS and other good
things, ''too numerous to MENTION"
followed each other in rapid succession
till all were satisfied and retired from
the scene of their labors, leaving more
than enough to have fed as many more,
and that too of the best quality. Sure
ly there was no sign of famine or suf-
fering about those tables, or in that
assembly.
After supper the writer was called
on for speech to which he responded
in few remarks that were accepted
SO patiently and cheerfulIy as the effect
of good supper and the lateness of
the hour (after 10 p. m.) permitted;
after which Mr.. Sitton, all organizer
of oranges and pattern Patron of
llusbandry-for he is narried--spoke
at some length, concerning the intended
educational features of the farmers
movement. and the necessity of faith,
hope, charity and fidelity TO each other
and the principles of the order, in Or
der to secure the objects aimed at by
its organization. Songs were sung,
jokes pas scd, social converse enjoyed,
and the time flew on, till the patrons
Good Night" was sung and the crowd
dispersed.
ain the wee sma' hours ayant the twaI,"
feeling very well pleased with the hap
py passage of mutual courtcsies, the
widened circle of friendship, and the
interchange Of generous acts, and
words, promising themselves more and
better occasions of enjoyment in the
future. So the ball rolls oil, and we
hail ii as an attractive feature in the
farmers movement, that it seeks to
unite in bonds of peace and good will,
interests and pleasures, those who are
most in need of such, and who under
stand and appreciate them, heartily.
Al. Granger is building black
smith shop near his house, and other
are in progress on the
prairie. A Mr.. Reed lost valuable
horse, near the schoolhouse, dropping
down in his tracks and dying, while |
conveying some things for the supper
arrangements. Stock generally looks
and is doing well, and as the fire has
not run through the neighborhood,
the cattle find good picking in most
places. II. j. WALKER.