The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-09-11
A GREAT DAY In HANOVER.
LARGE GATHERING OF FARMERS
ALLIANCES.


on the Chesapeake and Ohio railroad, in the
county OF Hanover, eight mics from the
city Of Richmond, yesterday memorable
meeting was held. II was composed Of the
tillcrs OF the soil, the owners Of Virginia
land sacred soil sometimes callcd-tbcir
wives and daughters. The numbers
amounted closely TO thousand, and the
gathering was one only to be seen in this
Old Dominion.
II was a gathering OF the shady Grove
Farmers Alliance and the Chickahominy
Alliance, who had rendered day Of pleas
ure TO Clay Alliance, from the upper part
of Hanover; in return for similar courtesy
extended 10y the last-namcd Alliance some
time ago.
A tongue Of wel.wooded timbercd land
shoots over the railroad at the point re-
ferrcd TO. Ii Is pretty grove, composed OF
old-timc forest trees. The hickOry-nut
hulls lie on the brown leaves that carpet
the grove. The dog wood, white-Oak, tur-
kcy.oak, and red-oak trees stand there 10
remind one Of the primeyal time, and on
each side OF the forest fields that were
cleared by the wOodman's axe before some
ot the readers of these lines were born bore
evidence Of the farmers touch in the grow
ing products Of the soil. A pavilion,
weather-b0arded for a height Of four
feet around its sides, and cover
cd by sound roof, spoke of the
progress of latter-day eyents--and stood on
one side of the railroad. Back of this was
"a dense forest. Around the pavilion the
trees stood out boldly, the underground
HAVING been completely swept away. ON
no IL gf ~ raj "a
frame building, glinting in a coat Of white
paint, and ornamented with green window
blinds. A modest belfry, a size or two
larger than a turkeys nest, tipped gable
end, and up there. under its unpretentiOus
protection being a small bell. that is used 10
call worshippers 20 devotion. over the
door I'm big black letters was the inscrip-
ton, "Cool Spring Baptist Church"
In the rear was an annex used as a
schoOl-room, and above and around The
Hanover foresters. with leaf-tipped arms,
swayed their outrageous protection.
PARTY FROM RICHMOND.
The train from Richmond brought num-
Der Of Visitors-liOn. George ID. Wise, the
Democratic candidate for Congress. and
others. Mr.. Wise had been rendered a
special invitation by the Alliance men, with
whom he is exceedingly popular. Before
the arrival of this contingent the "Shady
Grove grounds, the property Of MIR. John
Timberlake, had been filled by members Of
the Alliances, their families. and their
guests. IL was an old-iashioned gather
ing. Turn-Outs Of the latest style were
iiling the space under the oaks. The
vehicles were notable for the absence OF
old-time affairs The jumper, the phaetOn.
the two-at-tbe-bit family carriage and Han
over cart, were there. The Old-time lumber
ing carriage, with semi-circular springs
and staircase steps, to be pulled down and
let fall by the graceful manipulatiOns oft
deXtrous hand of the Virginia beauX, will
never be known again-save IN memory
and its absence yesterday at the gathering
of gentlefolk, in a county so celebrated as
Hanover, is proof positive of the fact.
TUNING Up.
In the pavilion, about noon. three must
clans took their seats. One had what j.
known as a hOrse-fGdle. the other two
small fiddles. The performer on the horse
fiddle rested the end of it on the floor, strad-
died il with one leg, looked busness-like
but sad. and commenced 10 saw on the four
big strings in mastery way. giving the
other gentlemen chord for setting their in
siruments in tune with his. This work was
the signal for the gathering of the crowd in
the pavilion. and the evident satisfaction
with which the preparatory movements for
a dance was watched, must have made the
earnest musicians proud. After twisting
the screws Of the iiddles and throwing the
feeling Of their hearts into certain facial
conditions, inseparable with perfect tuning
on the part of some fiddlers, everything
was reduced to harmony OF cOmpletest
character, and the time had come for move
ment.
COME IND DANCE.
just at this time a gentleman with good
voice came forward and sang out: "All
who want 10 dance please walk this way"
Then the band commenced to play to polka
time. "Good-By Liza Jane" Bless the
boys, they felt the inspiration. and in turn,
just for their own amusement, here and
there, several Of them fetched fantastic
steps, much to their own delight. Even
Jim Flournoy. Of Richmond, could not hold
his Democratic feet, and he was seen 10
jump in among his friends and cut caper
or two in a demure way, while the fiddler,
played and patted the floor with their feet
in perfect time 10 the music.
VIRGINIA REEL.
The polka having ended, young man,
who appeared 10 be master of ceremonies
for the time, again called partners to
their places, this time for an Old-fashiOned
Virginia reel. "TOO many over there;
don't YOU see YOU have four couples and
this side three" said he. and then the fun
commenced. The girls were graceful and
stepped lively TO the sounds Of the music.
The BOYS were gallant, and one, vher he
picked sp a tan let fall by a lady, seized il
between his teeth willie gracefully comply
Ing with the order of the prOmpter 10 "turn
your partners" Hello. Carol, come
here" said one of the dancers, addressing
a bashful but mighty handsome young man.
''Be back in a minute-hOwdyc- am
going TO give my horse some oats" and
away he went.
PROFESSOR PURNEAR.
The dancing was enjoyed greatly, but
after awhile the announcement was made
that Professor Puryear. Of the Richmond
College, a member of the TuckahOe Farmers
Club, and greatly interested in industrial
and agricultural matters as well as cduca-
tional ones, would make an address. He
spoke from the pavilion and after pleasant
allusiOn 10 the occasion said that he knew
how much the farmer had TO contend with.
His plans might he ever so well maturcd
when at night he lay in his bed thinking of
he morrow, but the seasons and many
,ther matters would perhaps swOOp
hem out of existence the very next day.
The cultivation OF the soil brought 20 bear
he greatest Kind of mental strain, because
# its dependence upon circumstances.
There was nothing rhetorical IN il, but |
when the crisis came, no class of men |
we're so reliable as the farmers, and they |
we're always found at the front. The in
'tinct OF selfpreseryatiOn caused the peO- |
lie 10 call CiDclnnatus from the plOw to the |
lcad of governmental matters, and the |
anne reasons made the people send George |
" ashingtOn TO the front, as cOmmander-in-
'hief of the Armies of independence. AT
he conclusion of the speakers remarks |
Inner was announced, and nothing can
eat Hanover county in hearty hospitality. |
There was entirely too much for the seven |
n eight hundred people present, and il was |
'ood enough to have pleased the Oldest Viz |
,inian that ever ate one of these traditional |
meals.
GEORGE ID. WISE.
che Alliance men were delighted TO see |
seorge -. Wise, the mar who will 90 90 the /
'ify-second Congress with an endOrsatiOn |
rom the Democrats of the Third district that /
0ne VIII dare deny. lie has been four
ines the representative from this district, |
nj the unjust manner by which he was de-
rived Of his seat in the Fifty-flrst Con-
ress BY Reed and his Republican allies, to-
ether with his popularity I'm the district |
rowing out Of long service, was enough /
nj nniV ~ securl his cordial invitation IA