Wilmington journal., 1876-01-14
For the journal.
A Trip 80 Sampson County.
CLINTON. N. G.. Jan. 3. 1876


CLINTON, n. c., Jan. 3, 1876.
Dear JOurY1al:-On Friday evening,
3lst December, III our travels in this
section of the State we found ourselves
In Clinton, the county seat of Samp-
son. Soon after our arrival we learned
that the young men had in prospect
"Grand New Years Ball, to come off
at Faison's Hall the following night;
and through the kindness of the man
ayers, w. Z. Stevens, H. e. Royal,
DIR. W. G. Murphy and Il, T. Herring,
we had the pleasure to attend. Soon
after s o'clock we put in an appearance
and found the ball room brilliantly
illuminated and thronged with the
beautiful bellies and gallant beauy of
Sampson and adjoining counties, all
seeming anxious and fully prepared to
dance the old year out and the new
year in. And now the music from the
violins woke the bounding dance. This
mingled tide of health and social glad
ness continued III the large crowd OF
Joyous participating until after twelve
o'clock, when it was announced that 81
recess of half an hour would be taken
for rest. During the interval many
took chance for n beautiful cake
which was ratified off for charitable
purposes by the ladies. But scarcely
had the name of the winner been an
nounced before the music from the
violins again streamed out, their seats
were rellnqulshed ana the floor was
full of glancing forms where yonth and
sge, maternal dignity and maiden
charms, kept up the merry dance. The
managers, we learn, Were disappointed
IN obtaining a band of music from
Wilmington, but all expressed them
selves as being highly pleased with the
music afforded by this little inland
town. But a visiting stranger, we
thought we observed several favorites
in tile ball room, and can but compH
ment them all where the B"amans, the
Bizzell's and the Boykins, the Holmes,
sons, the Fennells and Moselys
are assembled. The dancing was KEEP
up until nearly three o'clock when the
Management announced that at the con-
ciusion of the next regular quadrilie
the bail would be closed, and the crowd
reluctantly left the scene of SO much
mirth, all saying they never enjoy
ed such an occasion more pleasantly.
During our stay in Clinton on Sat
urday, and hearing that the Sampson
County Agricultural society would
meet, and as we take lively interest
in the Agricultural success of our
country, Having formerly travelled in
the interest Of an agricultural house
we made our way to the court house,
where we found the mind, the muscle,
and the nerve of Sampson county, as
sembled to take steps for improving
their present system of farming, and
looking after the future welfare of the
society.
The meeting was called to order By
the President, DIR. Murphy, who stated
that this was the regular annual
meeting for the election of officers.
The society called upon Judge McKoy,
who offered some valuable suggestions
for the benefit of the society. He
stated that though he was necessarily
absent from the last Sampson Fair,
from what he heard it would compare
favorably with any county fair in the
State. He admitted that agricultural
fairs were becoming unpopular, from
the expense necessary in attending
them, but among a people so justly
noted for their hospitality as the peo-
pie of Sampson, their society would
live while Others would go down. He
said that agricultural societies were