Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1890-06-12
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..

procession with the HOlslngtOn cOrneI
band in the lead, paraded up and
down the principal streets with ban
ners and flags floating in the breeze
and then proceeded to the grove, under
the supervision of Mr.. VIM. Niblo,
marshal. When near the grove they
were met by Elmdale, Union, Beaver
and Redwing alliances. North OF the
grove a procession was formed In
which were about 12O teams besides a
number on horseback. In addition to
these were some 40 or so teams that were
not in the procession. At the grove
seats had been prepared for the picnic
ers and the program carried out with
Henry Smith, of Cheyenne, presiding,
was as follows:
Music by Hoisington cornet band.
Invocation by Robert Baxwell.
Welcome address, l.. M. Fits.
Music by the band.
BASKET DINNER.
After dinner the band gave some
music followed by a speech by DR..
Bohrer, of Rice county. The DIR. gave
quite lengthy speech but o. account
of the high wind prevailing it was
difficult for all to hear what was being
said. One point in his speech struck
us as strikingly true; it was to the
effect that there was great misunder-
standing as to the feeling that should
be manifest toward the local merchant
men. The DR.. said that ''the very best
of feeling should prevail between local
dealers and members of the alliance;
that the evils to be remedied were
beyond the control of the local dealers.
The interests of the merchants of the
town are identical with those of the
farmer"
Music was then rendered by chorus
of vocies assisted by the organ, after
which a number of old settlers partici-
pated in general speech making
sort of an experience meeting. A
ring tournament on the picnic grounds
furnished considerable amusement.
The day was very well spent by all
present. Such gatherings promote
sociability and the more often they are
held the better for all concerned. If
nothing more than this was accomp-
lished by the alliance people their work
would not be failure by any means.
The alliance is friendly organization
and those who are of the opinion that
they are organized for the purpose of
tearing down the legitimate trades anc
occupations had better attend one of
their picnics, associate with their MEM
beers and become better acquainted
with their aims and purposes.
AT BUTTONS GROVE.
Buttons grove, eleven miles west and
a little north of Great Bend, is prob
ably Ole of the finest in the county for
picnic purposes. On Thursday it was
literally alive with happy people, all
seemingly bent on enjoying a day OF
freedom and feastlng. The alliance
people gathered from all parts of the
county, coming by township alliances
in bodies. There were also many from
Pawnee county. Numerous flags and
handsome banners waved among the
green foliage of the trees, and the ring
ing laughter of happy children mingled
the whole day long with the vocies of
earnest husbandmen and busy house
wives. Quite a number of people
drove out from Great Bend, among them
the DEMOCRAT man and his family.
A large header-box was arranged for a
speakers stand and tastefully decorated
with flags, notices and banners. In
front of this seats were placed for
many hundred people.
AT the noon hour feast of good
things eatable was INDUCED in by ''all
hands round" and it did seem that
there was enough to spare.
After dinner Mr.. John Hall. Of near
Pawnee Rock, was made chairman.
Members of Liberty alliance at No. Z.
gave stirring song, and then bevy OF
girls from Eureka alliance favored the
people with an alliance song.
The chairman then introduced DR..
Bohrer, who spoke::for an hour in his
usual forcible and clear language.
The doctor was followed by the rendi-
ton of another appropriate song, by the
Liberty alliance quartet.
Rev. GOodner, of Larned, was intro
duced, and made many a strong point
in his arguments. Mr.. Hall followed
with a short address, and then intro
duced Mr.. Mike Sweeney, of Pawnee
near Pawnee Rock. Mr..
kept the audience in a con-
tinuous roar of laughter, but at the
same time was in dead earnest on his
subject. DIR. Mccormick, of this city,
made few remarks, which closed the
speaking.
In the evening the young folks cleared
away the seats, made a platform, and
Shy the light o. the
moon," but until too dark to see each