The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-08-05
INDIGNANT. I' :EXCURSI0NISTS. 3 C
Reguiied into Attenaing q Bogus
t.'.s'. - Camp Meeting. -~ ~

SSn1p -Mect*nS.
VISIT OF RICHMOND EXCCRsIoNIsTs 7
4 THE MOUNT. PLEASANT 5..'lGAMP4NEE1
+ ING" GROUNDS, IN HANOVER COUNTY
?: DISAPPOINTMENT AND DIsGUsF-AN IL
/, DIGNAToS MEETTNG-HIsToRT OF TH
| WHOLE -AFFA1R-k CARD F r ON sif
BEVERIDGE. ,..,.-........, ~, .'.... ....t..
| A sew DAYS ago an advertisement wsspub
lished in the papers and the city was libe
rally flooded with "dodeers" annousciu!
that there would be a camp-meetiEg a
Mount Pleasant, near Hanover Courthouse
seventeen miles west from Richmond. on ssl
Chesapeake and Ohio railroad. on Sunday
August Sd. It was also announced that 1
order to accommodate all who desired &
attend trains would leave the Cbesapeak:
and Ohio railway depot at S \. NJ. and 10 A
M., and would return at 6 P. II. and 7:30 2,
M. There was no signature either to the
bandbills or the advertisement published in
the papers, but It was generally understood
that the trains were chartered and were not
run by the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway
Company. Indeed, the officers Of the com.
pany informed us that the trains were char
tered. -,
Ample provision. it was stated. had been
made to accommodate 1000 people with
dinner. &c.
Early Sunday morning several hundred
persons, including number OF our best citi-
zens; with ladies. proceeded 10 the depot,
tickets in hand, waiting for the train to take
them to the camp-meeting at Mount Plea
SAINT, where they expected to spend quiet,
pleasant Sabbath under the shade OF the
trees and arhor listening to elegant dis
courses from some OF our eminent divines.
1t was stated by some that Rev. John f.
Edwards, ID. D., and Rev. J. J. Latferty,
two prominent and eloquent clergymen Of
this city, would be present and otficiate
during the day, and this announcement led
many persons, who would not under other
circumstances have left their homes, to go
to Hanover TO hear them preach. Much TO
the surprise OF all who went 10 Mount
Pleasant to hear these ministers, when they
reached the point designated neither OF the
ministers were there. They found, too, but
a small number of country people, and some
Of them bad travelled ten, and even fifteen,
miles to attend. These good citizens de-
clared that they had been " completely sold
and badly humbuggcd - aS well rs them
selves. This information produced feelings
Of Indignation, and some ugly threats were
made against the party who had pcrpc-
tralcd what was believed to be IN outrage
Gus fraud upon them.
y wcl-known halter OF this city was
heard to say TO some Of his friends. keep
this in the family, for we are sold" 1t was
soon Gscertainrd that Mr.. william II. Beye-
ridge was the responsible nan-tbat he had
chartered the tram and had charge of the
excursion party, and not the Chesapeake
and Ohio Company, rs some thought. Mr..
Beveridge was sought and fo';nd under the
shade OF 4 large tree, where he had spread 4
table, from which was sold cold lunch
emonade, ice-cream, &C., to his hungry and
thirsty victims.
A crowd soon collected, when some one
in the party proposed that he should bt
taken out and ducked in the pond near by
but better counsel prevailed and he was lei
of. 4 lady was heard to remark that she
was very sorry the threat had not been car
ricd out, for she thought he ought to be pun
i>hed.
By this time the excitement began to waS
warm, but constable appeared upon TIT
scene and commanded peace in the name o.
the Commonwealth. 1t is reported tha
Mr.. Beveridge was arrested for selling TO-
W d
ed man with 4 cart Of watermeons whicl
he had for sale was hailed. The visitors
purchased some Of the fruit. and after having
eaten as much as they wished amused them
selves by throwing the rindS At the driver
One piece struck him on the back OF tht
neck; another piece struck him i'll tht
mouth. He showed fight, but the rind:
began to fall so thick and fast that he
turned, and, deemng prudence the better
part OF yalor, was soon out OF reach.
After this little episode the crowd began
to di>perse in various directions in scarcs
OF amusement-some in quest OF some
thing to cat, and others for cool, shady
place to protect them from the burning heal
OF the sun. for it was very warm: other.
took the railway track to Hanover Court
house. mile and half distant, TO ret in
the cars in order that they might secure
good seat for their homeward Journey or
the first train. y large party went to the
pond to bathc.
Mr.. William F. Knox, 4 member OF the
nriyatc detective force OF this city,, came
;ear being drowned by the capslzing of a
boat, and II il had not heen for Dir. Heath
Powell and Dan Rcddy, who were in bath.
inc at the time, and who saw the danger
and went to his assistance. he would never
have been able 20 have gotten out alive, as
he could not swim, and the water was deep.
Later in the day, after having waited seve-
raj hours for preacher in the neigEbor-
hood who was expected, Il small party as.
seubled, and services were held, IN which
ur. Morgan, OF Oregon Hill, and james A.
Wright, also OF this city, oticiatcd. After
this, the crowd began 10 gather at the stu
ton. took the cars, and arrived here ut half
past l.
At meeting Of the eXculsionistS held
before the train LETT, the following commit.
tee was appointed to Investigate the matter
Messrs. L. J. Beal (charman), c. II. Ely.
son, George ". Childs, II. n. Nightingale,
r. RaIston. w. c. Moore, L. l.. Tinsley,
and F. d. Bolton. The committee called on
Mr. Henry {. Cady, who owns Mount Plea
saut. Mr. Cady made n satisfactory state
ment, showing that he had nothing TO do
with the matter more than to prepare ctr-
tain food for the people expected 10 assemble.
Mr.. Beyeridge also WAS invited By the
committee 10 make Il statement. lie IN.
formed tile committee that he intended nc
fraud; had invited Rev. Drs. Edwards and
Lafftrty, OF Richmond, and other reverend
gentlemen, and they had al disappointed
him. The committee adopted the ioiloWln.
resolution:
Be il Resolrad, That the people assembled
at Mount Pleasant, because OF the advertise
mcnts OF Mr. W. Fl. Bererid2e, have hGer
deceived, deiudcd. and imposed on lly sale
Bcyerdge through purely pecunlaty an(
mercenary motives.
Yesterday morning representative o
this papeg called 10 see Rev. DrS. hdward
and i.anarty. but they were not found, be
ing out Of the city. At the Piedmont ant
Arl!nc cton Insurance Companyss office Mr
A.,An tlA.,k