The Russellville Democrat., 1886-07-21
The 1xcs,rsion


 vas success in the sphere it aimed to iii, and those who planned 1t must have realized full degree of satis- faction to see their plans entirely successful. Russellville enjoyed this yisit from her sister towns on the border and over the way, and she wishes many returns of such | hap py occasion. The following report taken from the Fort Smith Times, is so faithfully and ably written, that we reproduce it entire:
 The long talked of exc..-.. Y. over tue Valley sas...sss ss iGusselIville, un- der fhs auspices of the young ladies of the M. K. church sonth, of this city, took place yesterday, MT. H. J. Hayes in charge.
 At 6 q. m. the cars, loaded with happy .sexcurters," young and old, were attached to the regular train, and started on trip which was to be the source of so much genuine pleasure to all who participated. The train was in charge Capt. R. D. Welch, than whom a more efficient conductor never punched ticket or pulled bell cord.
 Without mishap or detention they sped along through highly cultiva ted farms and dense forests, over hlll and through dale, stopping at each station where the crowd of pleasure seekers was augmented by village and rural beaux and bellies.
 In due time Russellville was reach ed, and, as the train stopped in front of the platform, the excursionists were greeted by sweet music dis coursed by the celebrated Knights of Honor band of Dardanelle. A stop of few minutes was made when the cars pulled quarter of mile eastward to the picnic ground and there left. Disembarking, the excursionisJs were soon resting in the shade of the forest, where they were soon called to order and greet ed by Hon. James w. Russell, the worthy mayor of the town, who cor dially welcomed them in few words that came from the depths of gen. erous heart and truly reflected the hospitable nature of the good people of that place. The response Tn be- half of the excursionists was made by Rev. J. L. Massey, of Fort Smith, in his usual happy style. Then fol- lowed an address on the subject of Sunday schools by E. A. Tabor, Esq.,, one of the prominent young lawyers of the Border City. Mir. Tabor han dled the topic in manner that showed his zeal in the good cause and won merited applause from his interested auditors. Dinner then followed and the merry picnicers with sharpened appetites fell to with vim and the contents of well-filled baskets soon disappeared. This necessary adjunct of all picnics and excursions having been attended to, the audience was called to order and c. J. Brrdfield, Esq, of this city was introduced as the next speakar and that he would deliver an address on temperance. Mir. Bradfie!d thanked the committee and people for the honor conferred on him, and asked to be excused on the ground that the interest of the majority seemed to be centered in the game of base ball then in progress in the lower end of town. Thus ended the exercises at the picnic ground. The programme was rendered doubly interesting by music discoursed at regular inter. vals by tho K. of H. band, than which there is no better in the southwest.
 At the base ball ground, an i'm mense crowd assembled after dinner to witness the game between the Fort Smith first nine and the Dar- danelle first nine. The last named nine IS composed of young gentle. men who are good players but no match for the Border City team.
 The pitching of Freeman and the catching of Pranter was too much for the Dardanclle boys, and the game progressed for six and one half innings when the Dardanelle boys gave up the contest, the score standing as follows: Fort Smith, 37; Dardanelle, O; Mir. Richard Cloman, of the Dover club, acted as umpire and his decisions gave the utmost satisfaction. One of the best play CTS Of the Van Buren club, MT. Rib ling played with tue Dardanelle boys, but his skillful batting did the boys no good. The best of feeling prevailed between the rival hines and their friends.
 The festivities of the day ended, the excursionists went to the depot and there boarded the cars, and at 3.30 p. m., started on the return trip, arriving home about 8 o'clock. The train was in charge of Conductor Lash, who was untlring in his solici- tude for the safety and comfort of those in his care. The excursion was success throughout Too much praise cannot be awarded the citi. zens of Russellville for their cordial reception and welcome to the visit ors from Fort Smith, Van Buren,