Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1899-05-26
MI. JACKSON NEWS.

Mount Jackson has been livelier than
usual this week. Politics has been the
grand theme and every outsider has been
carefully interviewed, in hopes of getting
accurate information as to the probal lie
vote of each precinct. The candidates
have also been around and they always
fad people here, who ale glad to see
them.
AS lively and interesting as the political
canvass is, il was almost shelyed for a
! few days, while our people were prepar-
ing for the Cake Walk, which was he'd
at the Town Hall, on Friday night, The
preparations were indeed ample. The
drug stores were burning cork all OF
Friday afternoon, and the demand fer
shoe backing was never greater. Even
before 8 O'Clock, the time appointed for
the grand event, the hall rapidly filled
with people, embracing large number
who had come from various points, eX-
tending from New Market to Woodstock.
There was however long delay and it
was said that they were waiting for the
Woodstock delegation. Whatever others
may think of Woodstock people, we are
sure that that audience did not consid-
er them "(ast." After an impatient
delay of one hour the walk began at
8 o'clock, and was opened by announce
ment and instructions to the judges by
Hon. r. J. Walker, who, by the way, as
an impersonator Of negro character al d
negro ways, is a decided success. Tie
stage was large and well cleared for ac-
ton. Musicians who skillfully rendered
music, suited to the occasion, occupied
the left side. In front was placed row
Of dignified looking judges consisting III
part of DR.. J. l. Triplett, DR.. j. W
KOOntz, Messrs. Alexander Carter, Henry
Wunder, John w Wisler and number
of ladies. Under the instructions they
were requested TO award the prize,
which was luge cake, TO the most
graceful couple, or to the least
graceful, or to the one having thel
fiim-fammiest walk, or the one that was
the most or the least deserving, or in
anyway which they saw proper, leaving
little room for an appeal TO higher
court.
Among the first couples that appeared
upon the stage was one composed Of a
sailor boy, as black as darkness, but
with a suppleness that indicated that he
had tried the effects ofthe late discovery
in the reiuvenation of old people, as II
is a well known fact that he was a great
beau, as far back as ante Jellum days,
and a lady who made first class cake
walker, Notwithstanding the fact that She
declared that she could not face that au-
dience without little black ON her face.
It would he impossible TO describe the
charms ofall the dusky ladies and iasci-
mating beaux, which appeared upon the
stage. The scenes wee lively, come.
graceful and ridiculous, and all seemed
to enjoy them. The singing of 81 am
gwine back to Dixie" by the entire
company was excellent.
The judges awarded the cake to Mr.
R. J. Walker and his dark companion.
They were Influenced in their decision,
by the airy gracefulness with which Mr..
VS. companion kept step with the mu-
sic and tripped the light fantastic zoe
in accordance herewith.
After the walk the Woodstock del
egation appeared, and being dressed IN
regulation style, another walk was order
ed and the cake given to Mir. Frank
Fravel and his companion, Miss Clara
Hannah.
Afterwards refreshments were served
and the crowd were well pleased with
the entertainment. The receipts we ale
informed, amounted to about seventy DO
lars.
The cake adjudged to Nh Walker ano
his companion was afterwards sold and
purchased by Mrs. T. W. Allen and
presented to President, and Mrs. Nc
Kinley, on Saturday morning at ih'
station at Mount Jackson. Some wicked
| Mt. jackson wag started the reporttha'
the President was afraid that the cake
was poisoned and had it pitched out o
the car at Hawkinstown, but, we are IN
formed. that there was not one bit o.
truth in this statement. lie and ms
friends we have no doubt, enjoyed j
very much, as it was made by some O
| Sben andoah's best cake bakers.
Bob now considers himself, in one re
,pect at least, on par with the President
| Bob "took the cake" on Friday night
| and President Mckinley "took the cake
| IN Saturday morning.
The cake presented to the Woodstocl
couple made very narrow escape Of
Sunday as three Gle tellers' calleC
at the house and told Mrs. Hannah tina
Miss Clara had said she should give then
Isome cake, and Mrs. II. carried cut th'
instructions, with layish Virginia hospi
tality.
The following Letter was received
from President Mckinley on Tuesday
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
WASHINGTON, ID. C..
May 22d, 1899. }
INV DEAR SIR