The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1895-03-02
A GREAT MASS MEETING
AT the Opera House Was At
tended by Rich and Poor,
High and Low, Black
and White.
ENTHUSIASM RAN VERY NIGH
Eloquent Takers Held the Boards
Vigorous Resolutions Passed.
1t rained, last Thursday night.

Nature did her best, II seemed, to cur
tail the attendance at the bridge meeting,
but IL there was any one who even
dreamed that falling weather or muddy
streets could keep the people of Lexington
from holding q bridge rally, the dreamer
was badly fooled.
At an early hour the opera house was
full to OVERLOOKING. An audience more
representative OF LexiRgton's citizenship
has never assembled in this city. The
boy Of tender years, the young man full
of vim, the ~middle-aged business man,
was there along by the side OF the veteran
who has spent years in toll for Lexing-
toms enterprise. The women were there,
too; not many of them, but those that
were, were welcome. All classes and clans
were represented. The bridge drew . full
house. aud WOE the jackpot.
And the oratoryl Great Scott! Volley
after yolley WAS Ared at that Immense
throng. and every time bridge was men
toned bedlam reigued.
When w. G. McCauslsnd, that veteran,
who has lone as much for Lexington as
any man alive, appeared upon the stage to
call the house to order. he was greeted by
a storm Of enthusiastic aud respectful
applause.
The secretsry's report was called for,
and when VIM. H. Stevenson announced
that SlO0,S5O had been subscribed. one
could not have heard . volcanic explosion
q hundred yards distant.
IL - ---f- .t--al Eluufn NJ
Taubman, a "silvsr tongue" took the
RESTRAIN and began his speech. Ed. was
born in Lexington, and he loves the town.
His speech was % appropriate % sunlight
IL In June. He related the advantages
that would accrue from the bridge. aud
did 60 In q mastery and an eloquent
manner.
Judge Richard Field followed ~ loon
as the crowd ceased cheering. The en-
thusiasm, which was already at fever
heat, was expanded and excited by his
speech. The judge spoke earnestly and
to the point. He said he knew this peo-
pie, aud be kne they would build the
bridge.
Rev. @. N. bishop followed Judge Field,
In a brilliant speech, In which humor
was we'll mixed With wisdom. He thought
1t was time to shout. He spoke from
several different sta pdpoints. He thought
the bridge should be built from the
church standpoint. He wanted to see
Lexington an enterprising town because
an entsrprising town was the place for an
enterprising church.
He was followed by Rev. q. n. Goede,
who Is one OF the most enthusiastic
bridge men in town. At the conclusion
of an excellent speech he read this
poetry;
One hundred thopsandl what Q sunni
II makes ''Rig Muddy" sigh and groan;
For we'll she knows that enterprise
Can bridge q stream Of any size.
Wen build II then, think a. you may,
And old Lafayette will say to Ray.
In gentle tones, soft, sweet and good:
Lets form a blessed sisterhood."
Too long we've lived apart 80 far,
Aud yet, in truth, we've lived SO near;
Let not our hearts be troubled more:
Well stretch the bridge from shore to
shore.
Midway the stream, with pride. we'll
When onoe the bridge 10 on its feet
Look Town into the restless tide,
We from this, they from the other aide.
J.. c. McGrew, L~exington's Little
Giant" then came forward. When he
first appeared, round after round OF
applause greeted him. Several times
throughout his speech he was stopped by
applause that wat as loud as humans
can make. lie wanted the bridge built
with Lafayette county money, aud he
believed it could he done.
Mr.. J. q. Worth!ngton made an enthp.
siastic speech. He wanted Lexington TO
own the bridge, and invite the world
across 1t. He, too, was cheered loud aud
long.
MIR. George Wilson was next. His
speech was we'll taken and to the point.
Rev. W. l. Cole then went on record for
the bridge. which he thought was mainly
needed by the young men. After his
speech the following resolutions were
unanimously adopted;
Whereas, the building Of a bridge scroaa
the Missouri river, at or near the city Of
Lexington, 10 a movement OF the most
vital impoftsRce to that city and her in
Whereas, the "committes of thirty" bag
bsen greatly encouraged by the very
liberal subscriptions of our citizens, very
many of whom have strained a point to
do az we'll as they have done, although
some nave not subscribed as literally as
they ought to have subscribed, and a few