The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1878-07-11
From ICONS, Tenn.
JuLY 9TH, 1873.
Messrs. Editers:

Messrs. Editors:
One of the characteristics of Toons Is,
never to make = failure in anything ii at
tempts At no time in It's history has
there been greater success attending any OF
It's efforts than that which attended the
grand Murphy barbecue and picnic yes;er-
day. Owing to the bad weather We had for
several days prior to the fourth many pre-
dicted that the affair would be failure
Perhaps it was not as grand thing as it
would have been had the weather been per
fectly favorable; however. we do not want
anything to be more complete than this was
in every respect.
The crowd began to gather at an early
hour and by ten o'clock an immense throHg
had assembled. The Rev s. B. Surratt, OF
jackson, Tenn, was introduced to the au-
dience and for an hour and half enter
tanned them only Surratt can entertain,
All could understand, all could appreciate,
and all did enjoy TO the utmost his remarks
Comments from me are useless. DR.. Surratt
Is too well known in Harde1nan county to
require such to prove TO all that We were
highly entertained mare statement that
Surratt was here and that Surratt spoke are
enough.
After his address, signcrs to the pledge
were called for. They came from all parts
of the crowd and kept the sc Cretaries busy
Tor some time enrolling names and issuing
cards and ribbon. After signing had ceased
dinner was prepared; and oh, such dinner!
A table, five hundred feet in length, had
been erected for the occasion on which was
spread all the good things for the inner
man that could be wished for. When the
word was given all came forward in good
order and partook to their full satisfaction
of the bountiful supply. The crowd was
variously estimated at from seven hundred
to thousand persons and not one went
away hungry. There was provision enough
left after all had eaten to have fed many
more. The perfect order that was observed
during the day was mainly due to the eff
forts Of our expert narshals, Messrs. Blair,
Womack and others. However no attempt
at disorder was manifested By any one.
Every one knows how difficult it is to
hold the Affection of a crowd of people
after they have partaken Of hearty din
ner. We had the man for the occasion and
we'll did he do his part Rev. D. c. Wells,
OF Grand Junction, took the stand which
he occupied for about one hour TO the edi6-
cation and enjoyment of all present At
the commencement of his remarks n little
inattenton was noticeable which soon gave
way to profound attention, the only regret
being that he did not speak two hours in
stead of one. Like our speaker OF the fore
noon he is too well known in this county to
require culogisms from your correspondent.
After his speech another call was made for
signers to the pledge and many more came
forward. In all there were ninety-fve who
Joined the Murphys here yesterday. Can
any town in the county, Bolivar not ex-
cepted, show better record for the 4lh of
July, 1873. We now have at ICONS n mem
bership among the whites of two hundred
and seventy-nine Murphys and among the
colored people twenty-five, making in all
three hundred and four.
Last night the young people of ICONS
had an ice cream supper and dance which
was an enjoyable affair Yesterday was in
deed gala-day at Toons.
Truly yours,
A MURPHY.