The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-08-09

does IN DanVllle, ILL., lie fecounted
what North Carolina had done for the
Confederacy, and told of the glorious re-
cord made by w. G. Watkins, of Arson
county, a gallant private soldier found
dead on the field of battle with his dis
charge in his pocket. His tribute to
Vance was gem of purest ray serene
Here is one of his tributes: HE bore all
our trouble on his shoulders with q smile
upon his face" The most exquisite pOr-
ton of the address was a very brief elo-
| Quent picture he drew of women of the
Confederacy, who gave more than all the
rest. Their battle was waged in the 81
| lence of womens hearts The Southern
| women had no furlough, no discharge, no
hope for honor or promotion, no roster
Their banner bore alone a sweet device,
| "our mission is to save
At the conclusion of Col Hammond's
speech he was enthusiastically applauded.
| On motion of Capt. j. M. Little, who pre-
| sided as master of ceremonies. a vote was
taken and it was unanimously requested
that the speech be furnished for pubca-
ton.
Flags waved from every window and the
streets were a scene of beauty. 1t was the
| biggest reunion that has been held in
Wadesboro during all its history. Not
| only were the soldiers present, but the
wives, children and grand children are ali
here to do them honor One of the most
beautiful features was the presence of the
most beautiful young women of the county
| as sponsors, maids of honor, and heralds.
They were in carriages which were pro-
| fusely decorated in Confederate colors.
The procession was preceded by the
| WadesborO Corner Band which gave
splendid music. The band is composed of
many OF the first young men of Wades-
boro. The leader of the band is Mr.. J.
d. Leak, who is also president of the First
| National Bank of Wadesboro. The ladies
VINO acted as maids OF honor sponsors and
heralds, are as follows:
County at large-Miss Eunice Wall
sponsor; Miss Kathleen Dunlap, maid of
honor.
Ansonville-Miss Bessie Dunlap. spon-
sor; Miss Flora McLendon, maid of honor.
Burnsville-Miss Estelle Station, spon-
sor; Miss Cassie Station. maid of honor.
Lanesboro-Miss Rosa Williams, Spon-
sor; Miss Belle Allen maid of honor.
White Store-Miss Eugenia Gulledge.
sponsor; Miss Alma Rivers, maid of
honor.
Gulledge-Miss ELLA Bowman, sponsor;
Miss Bette Jarman, maid of honor.
Morven-Miss Annie Gulledge, sponsor;
Miss Callie Nivens, maid of honor.
Lilesville-Miss Pattie Battle, sponsor;
Miss Effie McAlister, maid of honor.
Wadesboro-Mss Blanche Huntley.
sponsor; Miss Mamie Gaddy, maid of
honor.
Heralds-Misses Connie Benton Helen
McLendon. Bessie Pinkston, Polite Grow.
der, Lizzie Tillman, Hattie Hines, Mol
| lie Tarlton, Bessie Hyatt, Sallie Allen,
Winnie Redfearn, Ruth Lindsey, Emma
Rose. = VTE9'
A committee who were in charge of the
arrangements was composed of the follow
| lng:s F. j. Coke, ]. A. Lockhart, Jr., d.
A. McGregor, w. T. Rose. DR.. j. M Gov
ington, Jr., J. Leak wyatt, Earl Martin.
| FINANCE Committee. A. LOckhart, Jr.,
Sandy Gaddy, Earl Martin, julie Allen
Long tables were set in the shady street
| and an elegant dinner was served of cold
and hot good things to tempt the appe-
| tite.
Every person present regretted the en-
| forced absence of Capt Frank Bennett,
who has been quite i'll. He is the lead
ing spirit of these reunions 1t must
have gladdened his heart that many of his
| comrades and friends missed him and call
ed to honor him at his home He was
severely wounded four times and lost an
arm CALAMITY leading charge
Preceding the speaking there was a pa
rade mile long through the town The
whole town was gayly decorated in bunt-
| ing and Confederate flags
After the dlnner-(and what a dinner it
was)-the bell rung and the crowd made
their way to the court house where Crosses
| OF Honor were presented to $50 soldiers
| by the Daughters of the Confederacy of
which Mrs. R. E. Little is the leader The
Arson women are full of devotion to the
Confederate soldier and it is chiefly due
| to them that these dinners are epochs in
tie history OF the county. They keep the
! fire burning brightly on the patriotic al
tar. Brief addresses were then made by
Hon. r. N. Page, member of Congress-
| and the editor of the News and Observer
Mr.. Page grows in favor with this people
| as they know him better His happy
speech made a pleasant impression and
| added to the number of his friends.
The big Confederate dinner held here
every year is the best index of the spirit
of this town and community. There is a
county pride and county spirit of concord
| here that Is not surpassed anywhere The
people have true county pride-none of
your boastlng and Dragging sort of pride
that vaunteth itself, but a worthy pride
IN an honorable history that is beautiful
to see. 1t is an independent people,-free
from dietatlon. They think for them
selves, but do not consider themselves to be
right only when they are walking CONTRA
ry to the ways of their fathers. There are
no party bosses here no dictatorship, no
machine rule in politics. The leaders are
men of patriotism, breadth, who speak out
in meeting. Gum shoe politics could not
exist here. If there is a better Demo
cratic county in the State, do not know
it. Not once since the war has it failed