Richland beacon. [volume] (Rayville, La.) 1869-1890, 1889-05-25
OK RIDGE PApBFCUE. RAiLkO.4D
SPEECHES sc.

copied by the BEACON. the barbecue
and railroad meeting came of at Oak
Ridge on Tuesday tn Dist.
At an early hour great many Of
our citizens Were prepared to get off
to the barbecue. For several days
before--all the available room in our
hack was spoken for. We regret not
being able to convey more as nearly
everybody wanted to 60. Leaving
town about s a. m, accompanied by
Miss Sue Graham, Messrs. Faulk and
Morgan and last and least, little
Horace, we sta, ted out for the Ridge,
going via the White ford, which We
found rather deep-the water rum
ming in the hack-but much better
than The other crossing below.
Arriving at the Ridge about 10 e.
m. we found Urge crowd of people.
To the right, in the beautiful oak
grove Just before arriving at the
Ridge could be seen large concourse
of people, consisting of old men, old
ladies, and the gallant young men
and the beautiful and charming
young ladies that Oak Ridge is 80
noted for; all apparently gay and
pleasant.
Bastrop was well represented, and
although they had several miles
farther to travel than we did, they
were there on our arrival. These
people, living off from railroad COM
munication, know how to appreciate
the Importance of the early construc-
ton of the railroad which proposes te
take them in on the route.
A string band was engaged that
discoursed music to the assembled
crowd.
DR.. r. W. Baird and Rob't Whet-
stone, Esq, were masters of cere-
monies.
DR.. Baird introduced Judge Rolfe
of Hamburg, as the first speaker, OIL
rather talker, for it was more of {
common sense talk than oratory will
all. 1t was plain, practical talk w
all wanted to hear and not a displa,
of oratory. The people of Morehous'
mean business The speaker said
what l have seen Gen. Rice do
know him-disabuse your minds upol
the delay of building this N. O., N
& F. S. railroad" The speaker the
said "Kans; City is the great ga;
of the world; IS passenger train
and 800 freight trains leave daily
Twelve years ago there was yer.
little town, now they have 10000
people; they only desire to know
when and where to put out thei
money" He said: Il live in Arkan
sas; don't blame me for being there;
came out the war like many Others
This railroad project will be tn
building up of the country. l an
acquainted with Gen. Rice, believ
this is the only salvation of this coun
try" The speaker then referred t
the miles OF railroads constructed i
Kansas. He said it took energy an
perseverance to build railroad. Tn
great Sante Fe route stock droppe
to 40 cents on the dollar.
That the finances of the countr
for the past two years stopped every
thing and worked against Gen. Rice
now the stock is going up. mo,
is the accepted time" This railroa
project of Gen. Rice will get subs
dy of 100000. "What do 20
think of that? l visited his HON,
they said Gen. Rice never fails; I al
as certain that he will build this roa
as l stand here to-day. l do not sa,
things without reason; my interest i
yours; with the railroad built we ca
keep up with the people who are 2
years ahead of us. / need not tel
you the advantages arising from tn
building of railroad through here
A new song would be put in GU
mouths whether we wanted to sing
or not. Red fishes would be brough
from New Orleans as they come on
of the water, and white fishes fror
the lakes. All be carried to Kansa
alive. fyou want to live and liv
well 90 to q railroad centre" Th
speaker then dweIt at length upon tn
vegetable business. Said IF we &c
Strawberries in early to Kansas Cit
We can get 81 per quart, if late l
cents. believe have as much brai
as the common run of men, but / fel
very Insignificant up there. This
our accepted time. We want it, W