The Richmond climax. (Richmond, Ky.) 1897-1914, 1897-11-24
BARBEcuES OF THE PAST.
Versailles SUM-
DANIEL WEBSTER IN KENTUCKY.

bC ldSI Mtth re-
minded Mr.. Thos M. Field that two Of
the most noted barbecues ever given in
Kentucky took place within mile of
Versailles.
1.-THE first barbecue ever attended,
and it was about the first big barbecue
held in Kentucky" said Mr.. Field, twas
in September, 1886, when the Wings
gave a tremendous demonstration in
honor of Henry Clay upon his return
to his home from the United States Sen
ate The barbecue was given on Lafay-
cite green, now the Brown place, in the
outskirts of Versailles Mr.. Clay brough,
with him, on this occasion, Daniel Web
ster and man almost equally prOmi-
nent at that period, Gov. Poindexter, Of
Mississippi. General Jackson was then
men were his lifelong haters. Poindex-
ter had previously been Democrat and
friend OF Jackson, but had become his
most active enemy. Webster, Clay
and Poindexter all made speeches that
day. and such speeches | have never
heard the like of since. They dealt al
most entirely with Jackson's admins
tration and were filed with biting sar-
casm and bitter invective. An immense
throng of people was present. Other
speakers there that day were Hon
Richard Hail, member of Congress from
the Seventh district; GOV. James Il.
MOrehead, Chas T. Morehead, John j.
Crittenden and Thcs. F. Marshall. A
custom then in vogue, and long since
extinct, was the appointment of COM
mittee on all such gatherings to draft
and read appropriate toasts. After each
toast was read the master of ceremonies
would call for cheers, tie number o.
cheers being regulated by the sentiment
of the toast"
In glancing over newspapers OF 1886
and History of Kentucky, We see no no
tice of Webster being here in Septem-
Der of that year, &dt he is recorded as in
Kentucky in May, 1857, and had recep-
ton in Lexington, etc. Judge r A.
Buckner said TO us: Yes, Webster
was in Lexington, but after came here
in 81. l remember our people we've dis
appointed in his style of speaking, as he
made no attempt at eloquent oratory
but spoke in dignified quiet manner"
His visit must have been a social one
more than political, as it Was just after
Presidential election and his wife and
daughter accompanied him. Collins
History of Kentucky, under date O
May, '37, SAYS:
daniel Webster, with his family
has a perfect ovation in Kentucky
Public dinners given him at Maysvile
May IS; at Lexington, May "a; at Yer
sailles, May 20; at Louisville, May 30
and the people along the route are Ell
thusiastic in attentions to him."
A public dinner at Phoenix Hotel, wa
attended by 150 select persons, anC
John shelby remembers hearing hi
grandfather dined him at his count !
home. VIM Goddard, of Mercer county
says: 81 was a college boy at Bacol
College, Georgetown, 81 years ago, ant
p of us walked the twelve miles iron
Georgetown to Lexington to hear DAME
Webster speak, who was a school boy
idea of great man and orator. after
wards heard him speak in Cooper Insti
tute, New York, when lie appeared &
if intoxicated, his white vest bein
drawn up one-sided." Col. Breckin
ridge added: Webster jestingly sal
once: Il can't see why the South don
support NE. L have all the Southern
mans Notwithstanding, gamble
borrow and don't pay back, etc.
MIR. Field also tells of great barbecu
in Woodiord to Gov. Crittenden in S6t
at Willis Jones place, but Harry Ware
who spoke there. says 1t was in IS6
aud at Barnes place, GOV. Crittenden'
native home, which was opposite Jone:
place Col. Breckenridge says ther
was a peace barbecue the same year 4
the Jones place, John &. Breckinridg
and Others speaking. Jones was kille
as Confederate.