The Grenada sentinel., 1906-10-27
1T was a splendid success and will re-

verdict of those who were in a position
to give an opinion as to the "Diversiliet
Farming Special" operated over the line
OF the Illinois Central and Yazoo & Mis-
sisslppi Valley railroads from October /;
to II, inclusive. 1t was something new
for the South, and not unlike innova
tlons In general, was looked upon by
many with misgivings as to the bene
fetal result desired. The train was ope
rated throughout the States of Nlissis-
| slppl and Louisiana under disadvantages
coming as 1t did Immediately after the
| disastrous storm that had swept the
length and breadth of both States and a
| CONTINUOUS rain for the first four days of
| the schedule. When the rain did finally
stop the farmers We're exceedingly busy
IN trying to save the remnant of their
crop and had little time just then to
visit the towns and meet the train. But
thousands did come and expressed a
great interest in the work, asking ques-
lions and otherwise showing their appre-
cation Of the work attempted in their
behalf.
The special" as it rolled out of Mem
Phis early on the morning of the 2d, con-
sisted OF Il baggage car, diner, two day
coaches with platforms in the end foI
speakers and Il sixteen section sleeper
Every arrangement had been perfected
FOR the comfort of those to make the
long and arduous trip, as we'll as for the
people who came to hear the distin-
gmshci gentlemen who were to talk
upon diversifcation. Each coach was
capable of taking care of about one hun
ured persons, and it was thought that
the two would take care of the crowds
assembled at the stations. While the
coaches afforded sufficient room at
majority of the stations, at times it was
necessary to hold overflow meetings on
the outside and frequently with more
people in these meetings than were able
to get into the coaches The parties
aboard took their meals between stops
and the work was strenuous from 8
O'Clock III the morning, when the first
station was reached, until 10 at night, |
when the evening meeting adjourned and
she tired workers repaired to their |
sleeper for rest until 6 the next morn
ing, when the stentorian voice of Capt. |
Merry could be heard throughout the |
car ordering all hands up and to get
ready for breakfast. With very few ex-
ceptlons the train was on time at each
stop scheduled and the meetings were
without a hitch.
The itinerary covered in the trip in
GUIDED over eighty stations i'll NIissis-
slppl and fourteen in Louisiana. The
Western portion of the State of Missi.-
'lppi from end to end was pretty well
covered and more especially the great
ielta of the Yazoo and Mississippi rivers.
)ne trip was made across from Durant
o Aberdeen, which is near the Alabama
inc on the east That portion of Lou
Siana east of the Mississippi river was
lven fourteen stops. The hill, prairie
nd delta sections of Mississippi and
he delta of Louisiana were covered bv
he train and it's diversified farming spe-
lalists. a liberal response was made
y the people generally to the invitation
D come out and hear the lectures and
o one section could be claimed to have :
hown greater interest than another. !,
The train left Memphis in driving >
ain on Tuesday morning, the I'd, and !
ne hopes for turnout by the people !.
n that day were not fattering. How !
yer, at the first place, fernando, a car !,
solid farmers and business men met : :
le train, raising the spirits of those in
large several points. The attendance
creased as the day grew older, despite ?
le inclement weather and the night u
Getting at Holly Springs was largely at
nded by men in every walk of life, \
gether with number of ladies. The a
cond day began at Grenada at q
clock; thence down the main line to p
Irant and over the Aberdeen branch q
Aberdeen, where a largely attended o
Getting was held in the opera house. W
ne weather was somewhat better on X
is day and the attendance good 81
roughOut. The return trip from Aber- Ia
en- was made during the night and the b
ird day began at Durant The main
e towns were visited down as far as az
ckson and the Natchez branch as far w
Hermanville; thence back to jackson w
: a night meeting at Jackson, which tr
not materialize on account of failure ds
local committee to make arrange NJ
nts. Friday morning the party awoke 2f
Greenwood and found the rain falling or
torrents. However, a good audience m
s on hand at this point and an es- sis
tally interesting meeting was held. q
was deemed wise to abandon por- tn
n OF the regular schedule at this point IRE
IN the fact that continued rains had Vi
de the track on a branch road to be ~
veled unsafe. Yazoo City and points Hs
m there into jackson turned out good an
licences. Saturday morning opened ins
lr and cold and the prospects for what rec
we'd to be the banner day were bright ito
encouraging. Good audiences were ito
hand at every stop during the day, wo
times it being necessary to hold over del
v meetings. At Brookhaven, where the
fall carnival was in progress, the lea
in was met at the station by brass ina
d and committee and the party con- cul
ted to the opera house, where an i'm Wa
lse audience had assembled. Mag sin
a and Osyka furnished the record at Ass
dances, at both places there being did
e people in the open-air meetings siss
n were able to get in the cars. After Cor
ing Osyka the train entered Louisi- Sta
and good meetings were held at r
twood, Tangipahoe, Roseland and a den
It meeting at Amite. This wound was
the first weeks work and those in alsc
'ge were happy indeed at the sue sity
attained so far. Odi
fter spending Sunday in New Orleans eigf
train began the second week at In dres