West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1897-09-16
The BROWN FAMILY
Hold Their Third Annual Reunion
Near Grafton, Saturday, Sept. II.

Eamily OF Preston ana surrounding
counties held their third annual
picnic and Brownie celebration last
Saturday, September II, in the
grove near the hospitable home Of
William T.. Brown, who lives about
one mile north of Grafton. The
weather was fine and the clan gath
cred in from far and near, coming
by rail, in buggIes, hacks and
wagons and on horse back and on
foot. The local Committee Of Ar
rangemeats, Of which w. II. Brown
was chairman, had mede elaborate
and complete preparations for the
event. A handsome speakers stand
had been erected, decorated with
the stars and stripes till it looked
like Fourth OF July Celebration.
and seats enough for 800 people
erected, and one long table and
some smaller ones built with seats
around them. Carriages were also
at the disposal Of the Committee all
day to convey all persons between
the place and the town and depot,
ETC., and all free gratis for nothing.
A barrel of ice water and plenty of
lemonade and watermelons were on
the grounds for everybody, and the
Browns owned the earth for that
day, anyhow. In fact, the paper
napkins at the table read:
MAY the Browns live long and prosper,
May they own the whole earth,
May they never have cause to regret
The day that gave them birth"
The exercises were opened with
the annual address Of the President,
DR.. Ashford Brown, of Webster,
and then the singing of "Amorica"
by all present.
An address Of welcome was made
by William L. Brown, OF Grafton.
aud responded to by Rev. Geo. w.
Bent, of Wadestown. All Joined
in singing cold Folks at Home"
with many thoughts of the same,
and Miss Annie Brown, Of West
Grafton, gave recitation. Rev. j.
IL. Flanagan, Of Grafton, then
delivered a very complimentary
and witty speech, which was we'll
received. The audience sang the
"Star Spangled Banner" and
Charles NJ. Brown spoke on "rhe
Brown Family at Home"
1t was then time for the main
performance of the day, and all
gathered around the festal board.
1t was sight to see before the
attack on it. Also q sight to see,
or rather not see, when we left the
table. We were lucky enough to
be seated near the middle, so that
we could reach both ways and work
with both hands, aud even if we
don't get much to eat the rest of
the year, We can stand it now, after
the supply we laid in that day. 1t
was the worse case OF consum ption
we ever saw, and lasted till after
two o'clock. We began with the
FIRST and finished up with the third
and last table. Col. Gene Lanham,
of Irondale, took an inventory of
the gang, and announced that there
were seventy eight at the first table,
forty eight at the second and about
a dozen at the third, who had oeon
waiting on the others, making in
all nearly 40 present.
After the feast of the passover
(because 1t was a feast and there
were lots of things passed over) the
program was resumed and all joined
in singing 40, What Shall the
Harvest Be ?" j. Slidell Brown,
Of Kingwood, made humorous
address on "The Brown Family at
Large" and Miss Lizzie Brown, Of
Wheeling, read paper on "Mrs.
Browns Husbands" Then came
the reading Of an original poem by
Mrs. Mary Brown Bent, Of Wades-
town. This was very good, and we
expect TO publish it soon. The
Association sang CLONE, Sweet
Home" and Miss Ruby Brown re-.
cited very we'll and was heartily
appIaude3. "Tno Future Of the
Brown Family" was The subject Of
short address by R)bt. y. Brown,
Of Kingwood The Memorial Com q
miJleo made a report and we're
continued
On motion, the officers were all
continued for another year. They
were all present except The historian,