The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1899-07-15
THE BLITCHTOk PICNIC
Five Hundred People Gather Beneath
the Noble Shade Trees

Probably not so many people
were present as in years past,
but there was a goodly number
in the neighborhood of 500. The
day was n lovely one; the sun ar
dent, yet beneath the beautiful
oaks in front Of DR.. S. III. Blitch's
home and office, it's searching
rays We're excluded, and the gen
tie zephyrs, as they came laden
with the ozone of the pine forest,
were cooling and refreshing.
Many regretted the change
from the old hammock picnic
ground, of SO many pleasant
gatherings in the past, to where
1t was held, yet it did not take
long for the plcnickers to appre
ciatc the fact that the change
was an absolute Improvement,
and the unneighborly interdict
placed on the old grounds by it's
owner, Mr.. Hawkins, worked no
injury Dor detrlment to the pleas
ures of the day, If it did excite
just resentment and severe criti-
clSm for the uDenviablc spirit
displayed by Mr.. Hawkins,
About II O'Clock Prof. G. j
Strozier, who served most ac-
ceptabl y as master Of ceremonies,
said that pleasant duty had de-
volved on him by command of
the ladies of the new Baptist
church, which was none other
than the presen tatlon to It's first
and present pastor, Rev. j. G..
Porter Of the Florida Ba ptist
Witness, Of a wonderful quilt,
conceived by the good and ster-
lingly active women of the con-
grcgation, by which the build
ing enterprise was greatly aided,
financially.
Professor Stroller said he op-
posed the building Of the new
church, because the community,
besides losing its magnificent or
ange groves by the big freeze of
'95, lost also the deposits Of
large sums Of money by the
failure of the two banks, and be
felt that the people, in their i'm
poverished condition, could not lay
this additional burden upon them
selves. But the womcn's lntui-
tlon was better than bis judg-
nent. They SAID the church
should be erected, and the con-
ception of the unique quilt was a
part of their plan to raise the
necessary funds. But that will
come later.
Mr. Stroller said 1T was fitting
that this quilt should be given TO
Mr.. Porter as a memento of the
struggle, in which he was an ac-
tive participant, in the creation
Of congregation and a place in
which it's members could worship.
For his zeal and devotion in min
istering to them and the ever en-
courag ging and inspiring words
he voiced them, this quilt should
be given as a testimonial, and,
with many other tlattering
words, it was handed into his pos
session.
1t is needless to say what a
pleasant surprise it was to Mr..
Porter, who, in fitting words, re-
turned than for the beautiful
gift. He said that ten years age
he aided in organizing a Sunday
school in the little white school,
house, and out of it and the pray
ers Of the consecrated women
came the Baptist congregation
and a year later the handsome
and attractive church building
The result Of the skill, effort anC
taste Of the women of Blitchtol
was this remarkable quilt. HI
took their handiwork to the an,
nual convention of the Baptist:
OF the state, held last Novcmbel
at Madison, told the story o
their heroic labors in the cause o