The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-10-02
AN IMMENSE MEETING.

Cadiz the scene OF the Greatest Political
Gathering In Eastern Indiana.
Special to the fndisnapolis Journal
KNIGHTsTowN, Oct L-Csdiz is a neat. pros
porous village of 600 or 700 inhabitants, located
seven miles northwest Of New Castle, in the
heart Of one Of Ae richest and best cultivated
agricultural communities in the State. The
nearest railway station is i've miles away, but
the roads which center in the village are as good
as the best streets in our towns A Repub-
Corporal Tanner-of Brooklyn, N. Y,
was to speak, had been advertised for
ten days or two weeks A feature
Of this meeting was to be the raising Of a num-
Der Of small poles along the various highways
leading into Cadiz, and the Republican farmers
along the convsrging lines Of travel gave out
that the poles the flags, and the streamsrs
would be ready to raise and the holes dug to re-
ceive them by the morning Of the 29th. and it
soon became evident that the meeting was going
to take on large dimensions. The notes OF
preparation came up from al sides. The farm
ers grew ambitious about the height Of the
poles and the extent of their decorations. Poles
that were to have been but fifty feet high grew
les feet in height. while the central pole
at the village grew into a mighty tree, towering
more than two hundred feet abovs its patriotic
surroundings All this necessitated change IN
the programme, and all day Friday troops OK
men were engaged raising poles along the high
ways. so that Saturday morning left but few
of the smaller poles to be erected along the var
ious roads.
Saturday came clear, but cold and dusty. But
neither cold nor dust suficed to keen the people
at home. The farmers ind citizens OF Cadiz
had slaughtered two large oxen, and had them
we'll cooked for the occasion These. with
twelve hundred loaves of bread, corresponding
amount of butter, wagon loads of potatoes, and
hundreds OF baskets of provisions donated
by private individuals and families,
they hoped would be sufficient TO
feed the multitude. But all this bountiful
provision would have fallen short had not a
large per cent. of the people brought their own
dinners. No such gathering of clans was ever
witnessed in Indiana, outside como railroad
center, or on some great occasion that bad been
given State or national Importance. The people
came in all manner cf carriages and other con-
veyances known to the country. Great wagons
laden with the youth and beauty of eastern In
diana came in from all directions. The pro-
cesson from New Castle and eastern Henry and
in length It was led by the Knights of Pythias
Band from this place, with numerous
drum corps, etc. That from Mlddletowp, Me-
chanicsburg and Daleville was said to DO three
miles in length. with large wagons, log cabins.
etc, in profusion. Some OK tho great wagons
were drawn by four and six horse teams. while
others were propelled by traction engines From
kuightstown. Spiceland, Wilkinson. LewisviIie,
Strawn's, Blountville. McCowau's. Luray. NJ
Summit, Millyille, ETC., came large delega-
tions, equally worthy OF note, with those men
toned. Such profusion OF decorations, bunt-
ING, flags, banners, devices and streamers were
never seen in country place III east
erp Indiana before. While bands. drum corps
and glee clubs were sc numerous that no one
could give the exact number. The highways
were in bloom with the emblems that tell Of lib
erty, loyalty protection to American labor, hon
est elections, sobriety, industry, educstion and
happy homes while everywhere were pictures
of gallant Ben Harrison who was evidently the
idol OF all hearts. With the lofty poles bearing
the starry banner of the Republic high over
ALL the scene was one never to be forgotten.
The wonder of il all was that it was at a coun-
try place, far away from the erea
hives of humanity. 1t was the in
try. the intelligence, the moral
IS of the country ccming together and
ing In oil res poets the great gatherings OF
A lar forces in our central cities.
When the professions had arrived in Mr.. w.
| D. Cooper's beautiful twenty-ac grove, just
| north of the village, aud the mnlttnoes had
I been fed the corret bands and the sxeellens
| elee clubs from S;rawns, New Castle, hnients-
| town. Wilkinson, Blountsville and College Cor
ner entertained the vast audience until the arri-
| val of CORPORAL Tanner when the meeting was
oreaoized by appointing Col. Milton Pc
| des of KnightstowD, to the chairman
| shin. with a number OF viee-presioents.
| Father Cecil led in eloquent prayer, and the
| chairman, in well-chosen words, introduced Ses'