The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-07-04
LYON HISS.
THE GREAT BARBECUE OF Goa.
HOAA COUNTY.
One Of the Most Memorable 0cca.
siOns In the History Of the State
Dinner, Dance and Games.
CORRESPONDENCE CT THE APPEAL. /

LYON, MISS, July 2.-It would take
thu fertile Imagination OF thoroughly
equipped newspaper correspondent
aud the pea Of ready writer TO, give
in detail the lights and shadows, Incl.
dents, peculiauties, surroundings aud
effects OF the great barbecue held at
this place on the LIST OF July. FIRE.
qusntly has this community been
called upon to evidence its hospitality
but never before hiss such a hearty re-
sp1Dge been made, and now the morn
ing alter the feast not a whisper of
regret is heard for all the trouble, ex-
pense and labor that has been mag
unanimously devoted the pasttwo weeks
in preparation for the event by the
ladies of Lyon and surrounding
country.
On the evening of June S0th your
correspondent strolled towards the
beautiful grove opposite town to view
The preparations aud he was surprised
ct their extent and magnificence. As
We entered the portals OF the beautiful
sylvan retreat we noiced overhead in
emblematic design the word "Wel.
come" indicative of the sentiments of
this happy and contented people in its
reception of their visitors. Vending
our way we came across the music
sands, crequet gtounds, dancing floor,
cczy seats, all Clean and neat as the
appointments of we'll regulated
home. Ahead OF US we saw tongues
of fame and ouds of smoke reaching
even to the tops of the noble trees by
which we were surrounded, present
ing grand and weird spectacle.
There we found Viii Cammack, the
prince of bsrbscuians, and a host of
stalwsrt cooks, the ground being liter
ally strewn with well Dire sed cal c asses
of beef, mutton, pork, kid, etc., in
such proiusiou as to make us hesitate
to leave the charmed spot.
The weather hiss been so tickle of
late that the minds OF the various COM
mittees were full Of apprehension as to
the fruition Of their hopes, but on the
morning OF the let we breathed the
bracing atmosphere and gazsd upon
the biilliancy OF the rising Gun, all
hearts were filled with glad thankful.
ness, for we felt that all would be well. 1
And oil was well; for very soon sitter
sunrise happy groups Of elegantly
dressed ladies and gentlemen thronged
the town. Memphis, Hollywood, Tu-
Mica, Evansville, Austin, Lula, Helena,
Delta, Glendale, Jamestown, Friars
Point, Clarksdale, Belen, Hush
puckena, and other places contributed
their quota OF visitors. Strains OF
sweetest music filled the air. The
colors of the ladies' dresses blended in
exquisite harmony with the regalia OF
the Lyon Reds and the Friars Point
Blues, and, forgetting what we are 30
often told from afar OF the swamps, we
believed we were on fairy land, for
every heart seemed light, every step
elastic, every tongue joyous, every
countenance smiling. Verify, we were
in for day of "merry making"
But why continus. Every feature
OF the days proceedings was success
The tab Q was exquisitely neat, and
groaned under the pressure of every
Wand that the most fastidious could
desire, aud the cooking and appoint
ments could not be excelled. We can
scarcely tiust ourselves TO enumerate
the number that ate, it being com.
puted that from 800 to 1900 persons
were present, and the news goes forth,
far and wide, all had enough"
Dinner being over, the dance com.
menced, stately quadrille an fastastic
waltz followed each other in rapid sue.
cession, making joyous scene long to
BIZ rem smbered, but, like all our joys,
it was too fleeting and the eonber
shades of evening broke up the en-
chantment and group after group left
the ground, leaving the trees of the
forest and the vacant seats alone in
their glory.
During the day there were several
games of baseball which attracted
crowds of spec ators, the chief contest
being between Fiiars Point and Lyon
and the youths Of Clsrksdale and
Friars Point In the former game
Friars Point gained the victory, and in
the latter Olarksdale. The gentle
manly department Of the visiting
clubs was warmly commented upon.
About dark the bend struck up
again, serenaded the different families
in town and finally halted at the resi-
dence OF 6. P. Graham, which was
brilliantly illuminated for the occa-
sion, and where, until daylight, a
large and happy throng of people
stripped the light fantastic toe"
So ended one OF the happiest days it
was ever our good fortune to spend.
Not jar or unctuth expression, but
the whole machinery Of the proceed
ings wound i'se'f up with ease and
gracefulness. We are proud Of our
visitors, proud Of ourselves, and we
hope ere long to meet again, embrace
the right hand of fellowship and push
forward on the path Of l. fe and duty.
A CITIZEN.