The Van Buren press., 1902-05-03
Anniversary.


Mother was born in Hamilton county,
Tenn. April 30, 1927, where she lived
and grew up to womanhood and married
our father Benjamin Webb. She was
the mother of II children, three OF
whom died In infancy. She moved
from Tennessee to Crawford county,
Ark. in 1871 and onto the old home
stead in 1875. There our father died on
Jnly 90, 1881. She still lives at the old
home place where we FIVE boys and
three girls lived to be grown. All mar
ried and had families, and all but one
still live-our oldest brother, j. l..
Webb, who died Oct. 8, 1898.
II was our mother s request that we
have family reunion on the old home.
stead on Cedar creek, five miles west OF
here, 80, the morning being hne ana
the little one having gone on the DAY De-
fore, | took a stroll over the hill to
meet with them all and take dinner
with the dearest friend boy ever had
his mother. The road was lonely as
walked along, but my mind was busy
thinking of the days that were gone.
So came to the old log school house l
used to love 80 we'll.
II was all torn down and the benches
were all gone, yet 1t seemed only a short
time since we sat within those old walls.
But | reflected a moment and said TO
myself, 1t is 90 years since we bare
footed boys and girls stood up TO me
board and worked our sums on the last
Friday in September in 81. Then l
thought of the dear ones that were gone,
and wished then / only knew how many
of my old school mates could say ~ II
take dinner with mother today, - and
the next thing l knew my eyes were
wet with dew; but wiped 1t away and
stroled on toward the old home. And
now | was just half way and my Ola
road to school invited me to travel that
way. Then my thoughts came so fast
| wondered If they were true and had
all past. So on down the trail went
until came to our old resting.place on
the big rock and called it just half way
to the top. Everything seemed as ma
tural as ever-but Gods work never
changes. So ! was soon to the loot OF
the hill, and here was another place
where | once loved to live. ! viewed
the pretty yard of flowers all IN bloom
and saw the doors we're closed and l
Thought of our dear brother in Heaven
and of his dear ones who would be ut
mothers. | then found my eyes once
more wet with tears and then thought
It was only half mile further until l
would see my dear old mother.
So Twas soon up to the lot, and there
found part Of the crowd. After pass
ing few words we went on to the
house. There they kept coming until
about 10 80, and then WAS said all were
present that could come.
The next thing was dinner, and in
order that all might eat at once the
back porch, which was 8x28, WAS used
as table Make the table on the
edge, - said mother, my boys can i
stand on the ground, and my girls sit
up on the porch by the side. - SO the
cloth WAS soon spread and then covered
with as sumptuous dinner as boys and
girls ever had. =,
AT II 80 1t was announced ready and
all took their places, with mother ut the
head. Then, after thanks by Rev. X.
V. Thomson, she said, Now all help
yourselves, and we did, too. The
mother said:
Joe, my boy, you used to beat them
all at the table. How are you nowt
II have not lost my appetite yet,
mother. | still wear the belt, - re-
piled. ., .,
So then controversy arose. had
forgotten about all those grown sons,
but still I think did ample justice and
at least | did my best, But Billy
Campbell was champion eater and wore
away the belt.
Dinner over, mother asked Rev,
Thompson TO make some remarks. so
he read q psalm and sang N song and
then prayed and made very nice talk.
And then came mother s request that
while we sang u song we all give her
our hands as 4 token that we would try
to meet her In Heaven. And then after
we had all clasped her hand. the sweet
est prayer that ever was said was my
mothers. MAY God bless my chill
dren, one and all, and help them to
carry out their pledge and meet me In
Heaven when am dead. That Is my
prayer, she said.
SO we had another prayer by Rev,
Thompson and then mother said
"det your pencil and see how many
there are here today
The pencil was brought and the fig
ures made and here they are;
Children present, seven-all that are
living; grandchildren, 26 present and
II absent; great grand children, ten ,
sons.in.law and daughters-in.law, eight
present and two ABSENT nephew and
family four u sister.in-law on father 3
side an old school-mate neighbors In.
vited five, making, with mother, u total
Of SO. II all the absent ones could have
been present there would have been one
there for every year Of mother 8 age
Is. None Of us had ever figured to see
Just how many there would be.
II seemed to fiji mothers heart with
delight to see us all around her, and she
said
"Oh, II they could all have been pre-.
sent II would have been my whole
heart s delight, but am ~ proud &c
see so many and fear II never can hap
pen again but hope II may
II seemed only a few moments until
the evening was gone for even IN plea
sure time flies swiftly and the time
comes when we oil have to 20 home.
So 1t was with us today, We had oul
earthly chores to do and We all bade