The Van Buren press., 1877-05-29
A GRAND DAY !
The GAINESVILLE Excursion to Van
Buren,.
Ozark, Mulberry and Alma join the Party.

Forum that pic mic excursion would
leave that place, Wednesday morning,
and spend two or three hours in Van Blu.
ren, meeting Of several gentlemen was
held, and the Mayor requested to extend
to the visitors the freedom Of the town,
anda committee appointed TO receive the
cNcursionists, as we'll rs to make all the
necessary arrangements for their com
| fort and convenience while here.
A committee, composed Of Is. J.
Brown, DR.. II. Pernot, G. Wilcox, and
J. $. Durham was selected to go down
the road to meet the train, and and ac-
company the party to Van Buren,. They
did so, making the connection at Ozark.
The committee-Capt. Winfrey, T. W.
Davis, and Gordon Stamps-who were
appointed to prepare the Court House
ground for the reception and comfort Of
the excursionists, did their duty well,
and made the place very cheerful and
attractive,
AT an early hour, Wednesday morn
ing our citizens were stirring about, ma
king the necessary arrangements for the
coming guests. Between eleven and
twelve o'clock, the dim, uncertain rum
bling in the distance, then the nearer
boistorous roaring, and finally the wild,
piercing, scream Of the whistle, told Of
the approaching train, with its load Of
precious freight. Between seven and
eight hundred persons stepped from the
cars, and walked out into our city, hear
tily welcomed by everyone. The cars
were filled to sutiocation, and all along
the line numbers were left because of
lack of accommodation. A large num-
Der of our people were in waiting upon
the platform at the depot. Hon. Jesse
Turner, in few wcll-timcd remarks,
welcomed the excursionists to our town,
and invited them to fall into line, and
proceed to tho Court House yard, where
Seats ice-water, &C., were provided in
abundance for their accommodation. At
ter the arrival at the Court House yard,
Mayor Ogden, in ono of his happy eff
forts, turned over the keys of the city
to them, and wished them to make them
selves perfectly at home.
Wagons were at the depot to carry to
the grounds the well-flled baskets, and
it was not long before n sumptuous and
inviting feast was spread to the hunger
cnshrouded crowd. Not less than one
thousand persons, partook OF this re-
past, and no one went away, necessarily,
hungry.
The time for their stay having been
limited to about three hours, and the
train having been late half an hour,
Conductor Buckner telegraphed the sold
man" to Uet ANta.-':-----~f' sf"ie, ''""
was given an hour. SO that the party,
on their way home, left about o'clock,
amid the cheers and adieus of hundreds
gathered on tho platform to sec them
off.
The train was under the charge of
Conductor Bucliner-by the way, an OK
ceedingly pleasant gentleman, and one
who knows his duty-and to his watch
full care, we owe it, that we have no ae-
cidcnt of any kind to record
Our citizens were all glad TO sec our
visitors, and, with one accord, express
the hope that this is but the forerunner
of other excursions, of similar nature.
to our town.
The stay was SO short that it was al
most impossible to see and get the names
of the prominent parties on the cxclr-
sion but from the immense number we
are able to gather few:
That old-timer, Judge W. w. Floyd,
headed the list. In fact, without him the
excursion would have been incomplete.
Our old friend Judge Rose, was one
of the visitors. His daughter, Mrs. Sar-
Der, and little boys, We're along with
! him.
Mr.. ID. A. Burton, editor of the Clarks-
vile Forum, we were pleased to see
among the eXcursonists. The crowd
was SO great, we only got Il chance to
shake with Bro. Burton.
DR.. Mitchell, wife and children.
Hon. ]. +. Cravens, wife and little
ones.
James B. Brown, wife and children,
and in his care, Col. j. +. Hills wife, aud
Miss ------. Glad to see Jim"
looking so we'll:
Maj. Hill and family.
Mai. Mcconnell and wife
Col May, wife and children.
Hon. ---- Mckennon, wife and baby
Mrs John N. Brown, and her sister,
and carloads of as handsome, intelligent
looking young people aswe havo seen in
II long time.
And last, but not least, Col. John VI.
Huston, wife and accomplished daugh-
ter.
Ozark added one hundred and fifty to
the train. many remaining behind for the
lack or suitable accommodations
Among our Ozark friends we noticed
Mr.. and Mrs. Cummings, of the Ozark
| Banner Mrs Dr. Carter Mrs. Wallace.