Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1891-05-30
THE PICNIC AT MELRosE.

The fish fry and picnic given under
the auspices of the Knights and Ladies
of America in Cy Lamey's grove near
Melrose last Saturday was one of the
most enjoyable events of the kind II
has ever been our pleasure to attend.
The weather was all that could be
wished for and the magnificent maple
grove Certainly one of the prettiest
IN the state) was fitted up in elegant
style for the occasion with speakers
stand, seats, and long "rustic" table
where the dinner was spread.
When the Baxter Springs and
Springvalley township delegation,
numbering fully 200 people and ac-
conpanied by the Baxter cornet band,
arrived on the scene near ii o'clock
they found that hundreds of happy
faces had preceded them and they
were given most cordial welcome.
Geo. Richardson's kid drum corps and
the Columbus glee club had also ar
rived with Il large delegation from
Columbus and vicinity, while the peo-
pie Of the surrounding country seemed
to b. there ell masse.
Hon. j. 5. Gillespie acted as master
OF ceremonies and announced music
by the Baxter band as the first thing
on the program. Two selections were
given, and Rev. +. w. Oto of this
city followed with prayer.
Mr.. George Burton of lIalowcll,
Kan, one of The prime movers in the
founding of The order of Knights and
Ladies OF America, was then intro
duccd and delivered brief but in
teresting address explaining The
objects and workings of the new or
der, together with report Of the
rapid progress and increase in MEM
beers which it has made since lis in
ccption only a few months ago.
The aroma OF frying fish began TO
perncate the atmosphere about this
time, and while Dill's string band
amused the music lovers and Richard
sons famous sheepskin bursters dis
patched u few lively airs the crowd
went into committee Of the whole on
the question OF dinner.
Fifteen hundred pounds OF excellent
fish was ready for frying pans, and
with an abundance of dry wood at
hand and a large number of pans it
was soon ready for serving. 1t was
evident, however, that the committee
of arrangements-J. NJ. Wylder, ID. c.
Marvin and w. d. Jarrett-had up-
der estimated the attendance, and they
were sorely grieved lest the ''loaves and
fishes" should not hold out, whereupon
two fat porkers were slaughtered. A
dozen or more fellows who were each
thoughtfully and earnestly caressing
an aching void-the writer among the
number-feared as much also. But
the fears were groundless. When the
baskets were brought out it was found
that the long table would not hold
One.half their contents, and before an
hour had passed all had eaten to fin
ish and there was "grub" to spare. 1t
was the most thoroughly social picnic
feast we have ever seen INDUCED in by
people from so large scope OF country.
After dinner the Baxter band took
q chase up and down the grove and
gathered the throng around the speak
ers' stand, whereupon Rev. Otto was
introduced and gave brief i'm
promptu address full of patriotism
and interest.
The Columbus glee club rendered
in good style very beautiful selection
entitled "Springtime."
An hour or more was taken up with
short speeches by Mr.. Thompson OF
Columbus, L. NJ. Woods of Baxter,
Rev. Mulvaney of Chetopa and G. W.
Daniels and r. P. McGregor of Bax-
ter, interspersed with music by the
band and drum corps.
The afternoon exercises reminded
us of a soldiers reunion, but in view
of the fact that the principal speakers
announced failed TO arrive the day
was well spent and we believe all re-
turned home satisfied with the en-
tertainment.