Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1879-05-24
Waverly Temperance Picnic.

Inc annual temperance plcnto was held near
Waverly Thursday. the 22d inst. The grove
a very pleasant one. being well shaded, |
having q good sod Of blue grass, and was high
enough to get the benefit Of the breeze. There
had been no particular arrangement made for
the picnic, except in the erection OF a stand for
the speakers. Last year the temperance organi-
zation contributed money to erect tables, stands.
seats, &c. This year the lodge spent all its
funds in sending the gospel Of temperance to re-
gions where there were no lodges. 1t was an
on the part of the lodge that Mr..
Hickman was not secured to deliver an address
on the occasion. He is said to be the finest
speaker who ever visited this section of the
country. The lodge at Waverly was at the time
paying MI. Hickman's expenses whIle lecturing
at other points.
About half past nine O'Clock the members of
"Alpha Lodge" preceded by the Malta Bend
brass band, started from town, and marched to
the grounds, about a quarter of a mile. As
there were no seats. the crowd was considerably
scattered, many occupying the various buggles
and wagons in the vicinity of the speakers
stand, while those who were interested in the
speeches took seats on the grass carpet. After
several very pretty pieces from the band, Rev.
8. b. Whiting, of Dover, toof the stand, and
Tor half an hour held the crowd with his usual
eloquence. He is a fine speaker, a strong tent
perance advocate, and thoroughly in earnest in
all he attempts. We cannot give even a syn
opsis of any Of the speeches. 1t the close Mr..
Whiting made a strong appeal for the cause, and
urged all fathers and mothers to give their en-
couragement by becoming members Of the
order.
At the conclusion Of Mr.. Writings address 1t
was announced that the next thing in order
would be dinner" and the owners of baskets
sought nice places in which to spread the cloth.
There were nearly a thousand persons present,
and those from a distance had to depend on the
politensss and bounty of those who owned
baskets, and If any one went away hungry, it
must have been his own fault. A committee
had been appointed to see that all strangers
were fed; another looked alter the
members of the pressi and everybody felt him
self or herself q committee of one to see that
everybody else got dinner. We Acknowledge
the receipt OF over a dozen invitations. and
finally found ourselves taking dinner with Mrs.
Greenabaum and the Misses James and RYAN
A nicer spread for such an accession could
not be imagined. 1t tran through all the courses.
bread, butter. ham. chicken, pickle. pies,
conee. cakes, Ice cream and u dozen ct ceteras.
An hour and a half was spent in feeding the
crowd, after which the band az ain called the
multitude III front of the stand, and Mr.. j. B.
Fletcher, the W. C.. I. OF Alpha lodge, intro
duced Capt. Richard A. Collins, who, for over
half an hour made one OF his characteristic
speeches, which was, of course, very acceptable
to the audience. He stated that the senator
and representatives from this county had voted
for every temperance measure brought before
the two houses of the legislature.
AT the conclusion of the address Senator e.
NJ. Edwards was called for. and, though not a
member of the temperance organization, is II
temperance man. and made a fine temperance
speech. He stated that he had never missed II
prayer or roll call, had ne yer shirked a vote, and
was willing to stand by his record. He had
done all he could fer all the Temperance meas
ures introduced, but WIS in 4 hopeless minority.
The speeches were all good. and were well re-
ceived. The music was hrst-rate, the weather
cool and pleasant, and every one felt we'll
pleased. The organization ut Waverly has
already done a noble work, and intends to in
crease Its members and influence an hundred
fold during the present year. There ere a,
present 240 members, including most of the bust.
ness men of the place. There was not a drunken
person to be seen anywhere, not a disturbance
of any kind. and no swearing tc be heard. whal
a grand Improvement this is VT leave our read.
ers to imagine.
The lntelligencer reporter NIT Mr.. Murphy, %
the Saline county Democrat, aud Mr.. Peterson
OF the Sentinel. No other newspapers wer,
represented. The farmers were all feeling goot
over the late rain. and anxious for more. TIL,
rain OF last Monday was not SO heavy at Dove
OF Waverly Us at Lexington. The corn on tn,
road is looking very well; the wheat is headin,
out quite low. but We think it will grow consid
erabiy yet, and If We have n good rain In III
next few days 1t will make Il pretty good crops