The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1891-06-16
BLAIR IN THE EAST.

SLAIN IN lHE /.
Mr.. EDIToR:-On May 9Th I sailed in
an open boat ffty-six miles, from
Manteo to Engelhard, in the eastern
part of Hyde county. Called on Bro.
Watson, President of the local Alliance
and ex-member of the legislature; took
tea with Mr.. w. H. Lucas, Chief of
the Oyster Commission. He knows
about oysters and human nature.
Bro. @. w. Davis, County Lecturer,
took me in his buggy twenty-five miles
along the South Shore of Mattamuskeet
Lake, through the very Egypt of North
Carolina for farming, especially for
ORR farming. All these people lack
of having the very garden spot of the
State-a long way ahead of any other
section-ismore grass and better cattle,
which they could have easier than any
other section of North Carolina. The
land produces so much the people do,
not feel the need of push and industry
as much as would be we'll.
Swan Quarter, where swans we're
once numerous, is the county seat.
The people gathered in the court house.
All were cold, for the weather was so
cold, and had been for some days, that
corn and cotton had been bitten by the
frost and the leaves of trees killed.
After my twenty-five miles ride,
through that fine country, over the
best road [ ever travelled, I was shiver-
ing with cold and spoke for more than
an hour with my O~vercoat on and but
toned up to my throat. I warmed up
on my subject and down on my body,
to my feet, which continued cold all
the way through. The busy season
and court coming next week caused a
meagre attendance. I was received
very cordially and treated with due
consideration.
was much pleased with the Hyde
people. They insist on my coming
again that they may give themselves a
fair showing. The private meeting, as
usual, was one Of decided interest.
A sail of thirty miles with an ALI
ance Disciple minister and the boatman,
in the course of which we heard the
believing Of an alligator, saw herons,
wild ducks, looms and fish, brought us
to this county at Goose Greek Island,
landing where an Oysterman was trans
ferring oysters from his boat to his
carts. Our clerical passenger debarked
and turned himself loose about three
o'clock and helped unload the boat by
Smelling out the oysters as rapidly as
one could peanuts, and emptying the
contents alive into his stomach instead
of into the cart. He kept up this rapid
performance as long as there was a pea
in the dish andlanded about two quarts
of these bivalves into a profuse secre-
ton of gastric fluid. Your humble
servant swallowed n Of the things
whole, which is sufficient for year.
That night a hastily gathered COM
pany heard Alliance gospel in the
church of the Disciples.
Next day, the 9th, twenty-five miles
of buggy riding brought me to Bayboro,
at ten minutes before eight o'clock, to
meet the biggest crowd of the whole
campaign, where I was to speak in a
church which would hold about half
the ladies. We moved out and spoke
from a farm cart in the grove to a vast
multitude of attentive, enthusiastic
listeners. Brother J.. F. Brinson, Presi-
dent of the County Alliance and mem
Der of the legislature, introduced me
in a manner showing intelligent devo-
ton to the cause Of the laboring mil
lions.
Ny speech finished, all classes of peo-
pie, of all ages, from crying babes to
grooming age, in holiday attire, par
took of a sumptuous, satisfying repast
prepared by everybody for everybody
equal rights to all, and special privi-
leges to non
Soon after, the private meeting as
sembled in the Masonic Hall. A very
large proportion of sisters were in aid
and manifested a decided interest In
the occasion. There has been no other