Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1891-08-27
EIGHTH HARVEST HOME.
The Annual Picnic at Stewards Grove
Big Affair.
Governor Campbell Absent on Account OF
Sickness Plenty of Speeches
Big Crowd-and Rain.

Notwithstanding LIle pToulCIlOll Vi iOOa
showers which thoughtful Jerry Blacf
has continually had in store for the ben
eft of farmers since his accession to the
weather bureau, seemingly everybody
turned out to the Eighth Annual Har
vest Home Picnic, at Stewards Grove
last Thursday. Early in the morning ev
cry conceivable form of conveyance took
its place in the line of march to the
woods By o'clock the crowd on the
grounds was variOusly estimated at from
1000 to 5000 people. 1t is probable that
the former estimate is the nearer correct
but nevertheless it was big crowd. Aft
er the experience of last year people came
prepared for rain, and the light shower
which came about noon had little effect
OH the crowd. 1t was remarked by con-
noisseurs that there were more pretty
girls on the ground than ever before, and
they certainly did look bewitching, while
the whole crowd had highly intelligent
and prosperous appearance. All except
the candidates were there for pleasure,
and the greetings between old friends
were cordial and happy.
About IL O'Clock Chairman Denham,
of the committee of arrangements,
mounted the platform and called the au-
dience before the speakers stand to or
der. Rev. DIR. Williams, of Franklin
College invoked the divine blessing. Mr..
Denham made a brief address of wei
come, and then introduced Senator ]. w.
Nichols as the first speaker.
Senator Nichols opened by humorous
ly referring to the manner in which he
was placed on the program. He then
spoke of the bountiful harvest just pass
ed, and of the bright prospects of farm
ers realizing excellent prices best
for years-for their products. We ought
to be happy people, said he, in view of
the different positions we occupy in COM
parison with our fathers, and find new
causes to stimulate us to be better citi-
zens. The Senator spoke of the disposi-
ton in some places to do less agricultur-
al work and more mouth farming, and
congratulated his hearers that they were
not farmers of that class. He said the
farmers before him presented no appear
ance of starvation, but in truth the ap-
pearance of the best times we ever had.
Lieutenant Governor Marquis, who
came in Governor Campbell's stead, was
presented to the audience. Mr.. Marquis
explained at the outset that he was not
an Orator-that he was merchant, and
could talk better on hardware and kind
dred trade topics than on politics or any
other subject of that nature. He pleas
antly referred to his connection with
Belmont county, his father and grand
father having both been citizens of this
county. He spoke of the social side OF
man, as showing his only true character,
and complimented the managers on the
success of the picnic-a great social oc-
,casion.
An adjournment was taken for din
ner, and soon the white tablecloths,
closely covered with good things, thickly
dotted the ground. After dinner was
thoroughly and satisfactorily discussed,
and another shower had fallen, the
speechmaking was resumed.
Congressman elect Pearson came first.
He began with the origin of the owner
ship of land, and gave brief resume of
the farming business down to the pres
ent day, comparing the advantages of
the present with the hardships of fifty
wears ago. In the course of his remarks
he paid a glowing tribute to the mothers,
saying more credit is due to the mothers
than to all other sources combined. The
impressions given by a mother to her boy
make the future man. Women, said
he, are more truthful than men. With
some earnest advice to the boys not to
leave the farm for the temptation and
hard labor with poor pay of the city, he
closed his remarks.
Hon. J. J. Ashenhurst, the Prohibition
candidate for Governor, was introduced
as the last speaker. He also congratulated
the farmers in so happily escaping the
starvation predicted, and pleasingly re-
ferred to the long g-obseryed custom OF
celebrating the harvest home. Mr.. Ash
enhurst spoke of influences unAmerican
at work in our land, and urged attention
to them. He then touched little on
prohibition, and made plea for the
home. We must seek the truth and have
justice. We must protect our country
so that when we lie down to sleep We
will have guardian angel over us. Mr.
Ashenhurst is rather a pleasant speaker
and entertained the audience in spite OF
the dripping rain.
The UniOntown Cornet Band wa:
present and rendered number of select
ions in a manner highly creditable tt
themselves. The vocal music for which
arrangements had been made, failed tC
materialize. Although there was somt
disappointment expressed over the alb
sence of Governor Campbell, yet every
thing passed off pleasantly, and it wa
the universal opinion that there was
sutficiency OF speech making wlthou
him. The threatening weather sent peo
pie home earlier than they would other
wise have gone, but all seemed to have
good time. These picnics are becoming
more and more popular each year. The
afford an opportunity for meeting oil
friends, for hearing flights of oratory an
for genuine pleasurable social intercours
between both old and young. Especial
the young make good use of the occs
sion. The eighth annual picnic onl
sharpens the desire for the coming of al
other year, with its big crowd, its orat'
ry, the yells of the fakirs, the music {
the band, and finally the rain.
TEA-You cannot make a good Gu
unless you have good tea to start wit