Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1879-04-05
FIRST RACE.
LExENGTON's CENTENNIAL
hS70-ISS9-One Hundred Years in Blue
Grass-An Interesting Occasion
Probably Improved by
the Old Boys.

Lexington special to the Cincinnati En-
Qttirer: Everything conspired to make the
celebration to day April 2d) of the hundredth
anniversary of the settlement of Lexington a
complete success. The weather was quite
fine, the decoration of the city was elaborate
and beautiful, the procession through the
principal streets was extensive and imposing,
and the attendance was immense. The cele-
bration began with salute of one hundred
guns at daybreak in the college lawn, upon
the site Of the first hut erected in Lexington,
lust one hundred years ago. The guns were
| served by old artillerymen of the Federal
and Confederate armies, and their work
was well done. At six O'Clock the
bells OF the churches of the city rang
out joyous peals in honor Of the day. From
that time until ten o'clock all was hustle and
preparation for the grand parade. The pro-
cessIon formed at half-past ten O'Clock on
Main street, near Walnut, and followed a
devious route for two hours to Morrison col
lege, where the speaking was to take place.
1t was a striking presentation of the dltfer-
ence between 1873 and 1879. In the line of
march were the departments of the city
service, city officials, aged citizens in car
riages, Governor M'Creary, bon. }. Stoddard
Johnston and other officers of State in car
riages. Knights Templar, Knights of Pyth-
las, knights of Maccabees, the IRISH and
other societies, in all the paraphernalia of
their orders; exhibitions designed to show
the progress which has taken place in the
mechanic arts in the century past; and COM
panies of young men representing the SOL
dIegs Of the revolutionary war, and the trap
pers and hunters who redeemed the Blue
Grass country from the rule of the savage.
Frequent halts were made at
points of historic interest; at the
corner of Main and Mil streets, the
site of the first blockhouse erected in Lexing-
ton on the banks of what was then an i'm
cEr no forI- aF I'll
and now occupied by stately business block;
at the site of Wildcat M'Kinney's school
house on the public square, now occupied by
the Gazette printing office; and a final halt
was called at the college campus and Nor
rison college. Here salvos of artillery an
nounced the conclusion of the parade. The
exercises within the chapel were very inter-
esting. The following is the programme:
Music.
Introductory remarks. Hon. 3. A. BuckneI
Chairman. Hon. N. C. Johnson
Prayer. Rev. 7. p. Dudley
Address. General Leslie Combs
Historical address George W. RaRck, Esq
Music.
CONCLUDING remarks. 49,. Col W. G p Breckenridge
Music.
The Introductory remarks by Judge r. A.
Buckner were brief and to the point. The
venerable jurist was loudly cheered during
anu GIlb CSncAuSiOH Vi HIS SpSGSus Lie
troduced Hon. M. Q. Jobnscn as chairman of
the meeting.
Rev. Thomas p. Dudley, perhaps the Oldest
preacher of his church in the State, offered
up the prayer. Considering that he is more
tlran eighty years Of age, his voice was quite
strong and his step firm. He was succeeded
by General Leslie Combs, the 'boy captain, "
who was in his happiest mood, and caused
roars Of laughter IN his droll remarks. He
could not stand well without the support of
his stick, a six-foot weapon, but he boasted
that he still ate his dinner with his own
teeth, had three appetites that morning, in
dulged in no limerick food, never mixed
beefsteak and sauer-kraut, and never ate so
much that he could not eat little more. He
hoped still to live for a few years, but when
he was called he was ready to GO,
with the expectation that he would
receive justice tempered with mercy.
All his hfe he endeavored to act
justly toward his fellow man. and while !, ne
did nos expect so much the reward OF the
good, he did not lear the punishment of the
bad. He concluded with an account of the
prolific Combs family, and an Invitation to
his hearers to meet him at the next Centen.
NAL celebration
Mr.. George w. Ranck followed with his
torical address, and Colonel W. G. 2. Brock
inridge IN one OF his characteristic, elegant
and eloquent speeches, which never fail to
enthuse his hearers, and the exercises closed
with another salute from the guns.
The poem by Major Stanton was not de-
livered, the poet being unable to attend.
During the speech of Colonel Breckenridge
news came of the death OK Hon. F. K. Hunt,
one of LexiDgton's most honored citizens
The orator stopped to pronounce a glowing
eulogy upon the dead. and was so overcome
by his feelings that he was unable to pro-
coed with his discourse.
At night there was a magnificent pyro-
tncbnI09I dIsplaV on the cOllpua lawn and all
the business houses In the city were elabor-
ately illuminated. AT the Carly block, on
the site of the first blockhouse, there was a
beautiful transparency in imitation of that
pioneer fort, above which was another of
Daniel Boone.
The festivities of the day closed with
grand banquet at the Phoenix hotel, which
began at ten o'clock and lasted until near
morning. Altogether, the celebration was
com nlete SUCCESS.