Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1879-09-06
I,aa,s Grove Picnic.

The picnic at Lees grove last Saturday
was q success. The grove is situated imme
distely in front Of Lon. Lees new residence,
about five miles southeast of wellington.
The roads were in anything but q good cou-
dition, being full of ''chuck holes" and the
dust being, In some places, at least four
inches deep. When within q quarter of a
mile OF the grounds, a drive of about two
miles was found to be necessary to reach
them, and 1t was over q very rough, crook
sd and narrow road. Before arriving at
the place we met parties who had been on
the grounds, and were leaving, who told us
there were scarcely two dozen persons there.
But the parties must have gone TO the wrong
rounds, as we found about 200 persons
present, mi others coming In every few
minutes. The disagreeable condition OF the
roads doubtless kept many persons away.
but 1t was estimated that $50 or 400 persons
were present at about two o'clock.
A dancing floor of about fourteen by six
teen feet, had been prepared, which was the
principal attraction of the OCCASION. the
Odessa string band furnishing the music.
We don't know whether 1t was the inspiring
music OF the band, or the springy condition
of the floor which put 80 much life into the
heels OF the dancers, but certain it is that
some very vigorous dancing was done, and
the participants seemed to enjoy themselves
Just as thoroughly as they would have done
had there been 0 better shade, with the
thermometer twenty degrees lower. A cir
cular swing, run by horse power, was one Of
A.. ~a,oltGaa and yuoa voru Uoll nafrnnized .
while q wheel OF fortune, or misfortune,
was to DO seen In the distance. 1t doubtless
proved to be q fortunate wheel for Its own
or, but q wheel of misfortune for the young
meu who bet against the concern /; and as 1t
was going continually, we judge the num-
Der SO betting was not small.
Abou one O'Clock dinner was announced,
and those who had baskets opened them out
and invited the less fortunate to come up
and help themselves. We acknowledge the
compliment OF half q dozen Kind invitations,
ner with Mrs. Richard Lee, and . fine one
1t was for such an occasion. She sent out
her messengers among the crowd, who
gathered in all who were hungry. and
brought them to her to be fed, and all were
more than satisfied. II there was any one
on the ground who failed to be invited to
dinner, we did not hear Of 1t.
Dinner being over, the announcement was
made that some gentlemen present would
address the audience. The dancing was
stopped, and a large portion OF the crowd
gathered around the speakers stand. Mr..
Charlie Ragland introduced MIR. J. d.
Shewalter, Who made q very pretty speech
| of half an hour, but as the crowd seemed
more Interested In talking and swinging
than In the speaking, no other addresses
were made.
At about three O'Clock those who lived al
q distance began making preparations to
start for home. But as they left, others
came In, and when we left the grounds there
were about as many present as had been
there at any time during the day. Lonnle
Lee and Mr.. Volnsy Fulton deserve specia
mention for their efforts to make the affair 6
success, as they did about all the work ir
getting the grounds ready. Taking the no
day and the dusty roads into consideration
the crowd wss larger than was expected
and. SO far as we. could learn, all enjoyed
themselves to the fullest extent.