Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1890-10-02
PEOPLES DAY.
The Gathering Last Thursday, and How
it Planned Out.

Ihe Gather1ng Last Inursday, anu now
| it Planned Out.
| The great Ruler of Nature could not
have granted more perfect day than
the mild sun shown upon last Thurs
day, when tile hosts of the farmers
alliance gathered into Great Bend from
the four points of the compass to hear
the peoples" candidate for governor
and other speakers. No wantOn wind
arose to toss the dust of our busy
streets into the eyes of the sturdy yeO-
manry, and no other element of a Cap
ricious season came to mar the pleas
ures of our visitors. The town was
theirs for the time, and many mer-
chants and business men had gaily
decked their places with flags and bunt-
ing in Difference to the farmer visitors
and their families.
Early in the morning wagons began
to come into town loaded with men,
women. and bright faced children, and
the streets soon assumed holiday
appearance. About eleven o'clock the
procession formed near the college,
west of the city, and at 11:15 the head
of the cavalcade rounded the corner Of
Main and Broadway and marched
down Main street to the south, headed
by the brass band of this city. One
hundred and eighty-eight vehicles were
in line, besides many squads of horse
men; and many other vehicles were at
the same time hitched about the town
while their owners were doing their
shopping before the rush that would
occur after the parade was over. Con-
sidering that at the time hundreds of
farmers were busy seeding IN their
fields the demonstration was large
one, and indicated that, thus far, the
farmers were pretty well in earnest in
their third party movement.
At the head of the procession was
one of the prettiest sights we have
seen in many a day. Upon heavy
lumber wagon, drawn by four hand
somely accoutered horses, was built a
platform with tiers of seats OH each
side, rising one above another, covered
with bright colors and draped with
bunting On the seats were arranged
forty-three young girls, each represent
ing a state of the Union, dressed in
pure white with blue cap and red sash.
It was a handsome sight indeed, and
we defy any county in the world to
gather together handsomer or more
healthy and happy group of bright eyed
girls. In the center of this pyramid of
beauty was the Goddess of Liberty, in
costume, represented by Miss Sarah
Moore, of Buffalo township, and
nothing was needed to make the dis
play a perfectly appropriate one.
In the procession the different town
ship alliances were grouped together
each with its own field marshal, and
r carrying banners and notices.
After dinner the speaking began in
D the park. J. b. Fenno called the meet
ing to order and introduced Hon. J. F
t Willis, the alliance candidate for gov
e ernor. Mr.. Willis is very common
appearing man, and his address was
d delivered in plain language and will
: no flourish. He touched first upon tht
e money situation, making the same
e arguments that are being made by th'
speakers of the third party Throughout
this campaign. He pointed out th'
evils the people are already enduring
aud many that viii come should th
o monopolistic republican party remain
IS in power. He spoke upon the tarit
+ issue and told his hearers many of th
p same things that the democratic part
has been telling them for years. IL
pointed out the deplorahle condition o
, the farming and laboring classe
:, throughout the land, regardless o
- geographical location, but in the min
: of the writer failed to show what rem
;, edy the third party had to offer. Hi
address of one hour was well receives
and elected many bursts of applaus
=, from his audience. His was the bes
. - address delivered during the day,
! The Liberty glee club sang :'Almos
- Persuaded" an alliance song, wit
N their well known ability, and the chair
- man then introduced w. F. Rightmirt
the candidate for supreme justice. H
put in most Of his time in exposing tn
chicanery of the republican party
describing his own position, paying hi
respects to his s'old friends in Pawne
county, and reading, from that de:
picable sheet the Topeka Capital, var
Gus extracts that showed how s'ra
!. tied" were the republican bosses
Kansas. His address was not as alb
as was that of Mr.. Willis.
Mr.. Fenno closed the meeting with
few plain words to his brother allian'
be men:
" The evening meeting at the Gran
ng was attended by $50 OF 800 peopl
of mostly voters: Mr.. Willis address,
.es the meeting first and kept up his rep