Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1885-12-19
A BIRTHDAY DINNER.

EDITOR INTELLIGENCER:-On last satur-
dsv. In Aullyille, Il grand dinner was given
by Mr.. Charley Graham to his aged 1atner'
General James Ii. Graham, of Lexington,
Mo-, it being that gentleman's Sllh birthday.
The purpose was once more to bring zen.
Graham's children and grandchildren, his
old friends and the pioneers of the neighbor-
hood, together.
The day was clear and beautiful. 1t SEEM
ed as il all nature smiled and babe the old
mans friends a welcome. We found the
general looking well for his age.
The rooms were soon filled and the con-
yersatlon turned upon various subjects -nrst
to religion, then politics, then to the two
great railroads that are without doubt to come
to Lexington. Upon all these subjects the
aged general was appe iled to and responded
with alacrity and with wonderful vigor and
intelligence for q man OF his years. de stated
that he had been a Baptist for over forty
wears, and that be put his trust In tae Savior;
that he had lived over his allotted time; that
ne was ut the rivers edge waiting for the Ole
ship of Zion to come and take him home;
that he was ready to leave the world and be
with his Lord and Savior. HIS words were
very impressive anu solemn TO ali who hearu
him.
Dinner was announced and the long table
was quickly surrounded by guests. The ban
quet was a sumptuous one, with suostantlaIs
Of all kinds, fruits and cakes. In the mid
die of the table WAS q huge white cake upon
which was beautifully arranged the name OF
Gen. j. II. Graham, Lexington, Mo-, bis
age, &c. This elegant dinner was prepared
by Mrs. Charles Graham and ner three
daughters. They not only gained distinguish
ed credit for their repast, but for the graceful
manner in which they entertained those who
] uoro nrQSpnt making nf II one of fhG m0S1
pleasant days IN their lives.
After dinner the subject of politics came
IN, and it so happened that all the old mer
and women present were Henry CLAW wings
now democrats. to save the country from
radical rule and destruction, but with al
abiding affection for the party of their firs
love.
Gen. Graham being an old citizen of Lex.
ington was asked as to the future prospects
of Lexington for getting the bridge and rail
the beautiful, healthy, kindly city of Lexing.
ton tifty-eight years ago. Its present sltt
was then heavily timbered. was one of tn.
first trustee, and am now the only living ONT
of that body. l helped to lay out the present
town into lots. We :hen began to build the
substantially it has been dOne-as to it.
houses, streets and other improvements. W.
soon started a little newspaper called the Elk
press, a wing paper, edited by Charley Pat
tersOn. That paper did an able part for tina
young town. In a few years that noble little
paper fell into the hands of William Mus
grove, a true WING and a very able editor ant
writer. He improved the paper; his editorial.
were read and sought after, and he did goot
work for Lexington and the county Thi
conscientious editor and genial gentleman
has been dead for manv years, but he has
son in the Lexington In%telligencer, which il
the lineal descendant of the old Express
The I~ntelligencer Is its worthy successor. 1
is not surpassed as a count paper in Mis-
souri,. 1t Is ably edited and q true and de
voted worker for Lafayette county and thu
noble old town of Lexington. Gentlemen,
tell you Lexington Is looming up stronger
and stronger. With her great resources sht
cannot be kept back by her jealous rivals.
tell you that grand railroad bridge will com
to Lexington. 1t is the best crossing, ant
there is something for a railroad to com
there for. No road can afford to pass by it
/ inexhaustible coal beds, where the quality O
the coal is constantly increasing the demand
my are also strong inducements, furnishin!
q great deal of travel"
And so say we all. Lexington has been i'm
proving for the past two years more rapidl'
than any town In the county. Its schools ar
unsurpassed anywhere, and seldom equalIed
Its coal is the best and easiest mined. 1t
population Is the choicest of the human FAM
ly-big hearted, charitable, cultured and pc
lite; in sickness and adversely brothers an,
sisters; free from shOddyism and nonsense.
wish I could say more, but 1 have sent you
long report and must not trsspass OF YOU
time, even with my panegyrics of your tow
which has many friends in AullvilIe.
AGUEsT.