The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1877-06-12
GALA DAY At FORT SMITH,
The Arkansas Press Association.

Press Association of Arkansas, was held
at Fort Smith, commencing on Wednes.
day morning last. Most Of the mem.
oers from distance passed up on the
train, Tuesday night, and were met al
Van Buren, by a delegation of citizens OF
Fort Smith, among whom we noticed Maj
Sparks, OF the Herald, and Coils. Faux.
ner and Ashbrook, who accompanied the
party to Fort Smith
The most ample and excellent provis
ion had been made for their entertain.
ment, and on their arrival at their desti.
nation, were at once assigned TO theil
places among the families of the town
who had thrown open their doors to the
members of the Association. Words are
not adequate to convey, even in the mos,
remote degree, the excessive hospitality
of the citizens of Fort Smith on this oc
casion. Among the the pleasant sunny
memories that occasionally fit across
the dark, drear thoroughfare of editori
al existence, this occasion will be treasur
ed as one of the brightest and best oil
them all.
Choosing to ride to Fort Smith by a
private conveyance, we did not start TN
til Wednesday morning, and not then un
il late, owing to detention at the ferry
As a consequence We did not arrive in
time for the opening proceedings of the
Association. Maj Sparks, the President,
called the members to order at 9 O'Clock,
and, after some preliminary business, ad-
journed until o'clock in the afternoon.
The afternoon proce edings we're mostly
made up of the continuation of the news
paper. history of the State, the com
mcncement of which had been delivered
before a past session of the Asso citation,
by Hon. j. N. Smithee, one Of its lead
ing members. The entire address in.
cluies the history of the press Of the
State up TO the present time, and is the
result of patient and persistent study and
labor, and, besides being valuable nd
dition to the archives of the craft, is OF
vastly greater credit to the gentleman him
self.
In the evening, large number of the
citizens of the town assembled at AIDE.
laide Hall, where Hon. B. T. Duval, in a
happy and we'll timed address, extended
a hearty welcome in behalf of the city Of
Fort Smith, to the Association, bestow
in. upon the mem bers the freedom of the
town. Prof Mitchell, in behalf of the
Association, replied in one of his happi-
est efforts.
The next in Order was the Grafton by
Col j. NJ Pettegrew, of the Fayetteville
Sen incl, tie orator selected by the last
Association 1t was well prepared, ap.
proprlate address, interspersed with wit,
vein of spicy humor running through
its ontiro length IT waa we'll received by
the large audience present, but was more
particularly reished by the Association.
If possible we shall try 10 publish the
address in full, ia our next
Prof. Mitchell. editor of the Little
Rock Gazette, and his wife, were in at
tendance at the Press Association
Our old-tims friend, Hon j. n Smith
&c, historian of the Association and
wife.
Mr.. and Mrs, Cummings, of the Ozark
Banner.
Dr. Mcclure, late editor of the hide
pendent Arkansian, and wife OF Dardan.
ellie.
Our young friend. Battenfeld, and wife
of the Russellville Democrat
d. A. Burton, Esq, and wife, Of the
GAINESVILLE Forum.
We had the pleasure Of taking by the
hand our old friend, Maj W + Wood
rnH, late Of tho Little Rock Gazette The
Major came up with the Press gang"
aud returned bone Thursday morning.
He is one of Arkansas best friends, and
VIC hope he will not be forgotten by her
citizens
That old editorial veteran, Col. Gauid-
ing, and his right bower, Adam Clark,
Of the Arkadelphia Standard, put i'm an
appearance. 1t was their FIRST visit to
this part Of tue State.
We met many representatives of the
press, for the first time, among whom
were Mr.. f. NJ. Moore. of the Boone.
vile Enterprise, Gen Burke, of the Hell
cna World, Bro. Givens, Of the Wash
iugton Press, Prof Skinner, of Judsonia,
G. w Mann, of the Hot Springs Visit
or, Col Frank Denton, of the Batesville
Democrat, Bro. Matthews, Of the DeS
Arc Citizen.
We wish to make personal acknowl'
edgments to Mr.. and Mrs. John Gardner,
for the many courtesics and the splendid
entertainment, while in attendance at the
Association.
Mai. Sparks. Of the Herald is deserv-
asol;t g., b;a 81; ~