The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-08-12

Capt. w. c. Shaw.
LowNDEsvILLE. S. c., Aug. 8, 1871. 3.
AS announced In the columns Of the Press
and Banner, yesterday was the day set apart
by the Ridge Alliance for pic MIC.
The Ridge section embraces territory west
extending to the Savannah river. There, per-
haps. has never been large a gathering OF
people within its borders as the one assem-.
bled there yesterday TO hear number OF dls-
tinguished speakers who had been invited to
enlighten the people upon the demands OF
the Alliance. AS this section was in former
years rather thlnly settled they had no pub-
lie meetings Of this kind, but Joined In with
their nelghbors OF the Fork and surrounding
country, and had some Of the largest public
gatherings ever seen In the county. With the
exception Of few or her citizens very little
interest was taken in public affairs In those
days. but those who did manifest an in terest
In the welfare of their country were men well
known all over the county. Such state OF
affairs no longer exists, and the people OF the
Ridge section do not only take an interest In
public affairs, but are making progress on all
the different avenues of life-are keeping
pace with the times. and can now muster Z
With Governor TIlIman as a drawing card.
quite large crowd gathered at the Ridge
yesterday, in spite OF the fact that the ther.
mometer from seven in the morning began TO Z
rise until 1t reached above ninety. Special ar
raugements had been made TO escort the Cow
ernor from the depot TO the place Tor the
meeting, but for some reason (not known at
this writing) he failed to come, ahd those who,
expected him were very much disappointed.
The stand was built, It seems. for 9 special
decorated with both flowers. fruits and pro-
ducts from the field. The music was furnish
ed by the Due West band, and as they played
sssdyy sod TO eas All about
mands At eleven o'clock the president Of
the Alliance requested the meeting opened
with prayer by Dr. A. J. speer. amer which !
first speaker. He spoke about thirty minutes
connning his remarks TO the demands Of the
Alliance and then outlining Its policy.
Mr.. ]. Bolton Watson, Of Anderson, was
going into the details Of the demands OF the
Alliance he advised unity Of action, and
closed by asking them to stand together, and
10 attend the meetings OF the order regularly.
ant Governor e. 8. Gary, and being in dne
trim he made the speech OF the day. HIS
speech was In defence Of the administration
OF Gov. Tillman. and his position on the do
After Gov. Gary's speech one hour and q
half was given for dinner, and everybody
After dinner Col. ]. W. McCalla, OF Heard
mont Ca, was called for, and he made short
speech encouraging the farmers to stand to-
gether, and in the end they would be victo-
rious. 20
MI. I. H. McCala was called for, and upon
entering the stand he introduced himself as
Farmer I. q. McCalla.' After few prelim-i
mary remarks he made Q short speech that
was well received by the audience.
A game of ball was witnessed in the after
noon by large portion OF the crowd between
the Rock Fence nine Of Georgia and the
Ridge nine. The game was won by the Rock
Fence nine. as
A social gathering of the young people was
held ut night at the home Of Mr.. J. M. Young,
and the evening was spent to the enjoyment
Of all present. ~. ~
1t might be well to state that the Ridge
boasts Of at least half dozen farmers who
run their own sub-treasury-buy neither bac
con or corn. and are independent Of some OF
the demands OF the Alliance. What pity
our country did not have more such far
mers Xxx q,