The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1906-10-25


result in great good" was the unani-
nous verdict of those who were in
a position to give an opinion as to
the Diversified Farming Special"
operated over the lines Of the I. c.
and Y. & M. v. railroads from Octo-
Der End to 18th, inclusive. 1t was
something new for the south, and not
unlike innovations in general, was
looked upon by many with misgivings
as to the beneficial result desired.
The train was operated throughout
he states of Mississippi and Louisiana
under disadvantages, coming as it did
immediately after the disastrous storm
that had swept the length and breadth
Of. both states and con sinuous rain
for the first four days of the sche-
lule. When the rain did finally stop
the farmers were exceedingly busy in
trying to save the remnant Of rnelr
crop and had little time just then to
visit the towns and meet the train.
But thousands did come and express
ed great interest in the work, ask
ing questions and otherwise showing
their appreciation of the work at
tempted in their behalf.
The especial" as it rolled out OF
Memphis early on the morning of the
Ind, consisted of a baggage car, diner,
two day coaches with platforms in the
end for speakers and sixteen Sec
ton 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 distinguished gen.
iemen who were to talk upon diversi-
fcation. Each coach was capable Of
taking care of about one hundred
persons, and it was thought that the
two would take care Of the crowds
assembled at the station. While the
coaches afforded sufficient room at a
majority of the stations, at times it
vas necessary to hold overflow meet
lngs Oh the outside and frequently
With more people in these meetings
than were able to get into the coach
IS. The parties aboard took their
meals between stops aud the work was
strenuous from s 'clock in the MORN
ing when the first station was reach
ed until 10 at night when the even
ing meeting adjourned and the tired
workers repaired to their sleeper for
rest until 6 the next morning, when
the stentorian voice Of Captain Merry
.ould be heard throughout the car
ordering all hands UP and to get ready
Tor breakfast. With very few excep-
tons the train was on time at each
stop scheduled and the meetings were
conducted without hitch.
The itinerary covered in the trip
included over 80 stations in Missis-
,ippi and fourteen in Louisiana. The
western portion OF, the state of Mis-
sissippi from end to end was pretty
we'll covered and more especially the
great delta Of bhe Yazoo and Missis-
sippi rivers. One trip was made across
from Durant to Aberdeen yhich is
near the Alabama line on the east.
That portion Of Louisiana east Of the
Mississippi river was given fourteen
stops. The hill, prairie and delta sec
lions of Mississippi and the delta Of
Louisiana we're covered by the train
and its diversified farming specialists.
A liberal response was made by the
people generally to the invitation to
come out and hear the lectures and
no one section could be claimed TO
have shown greater interest than
another.
The train left Memphis in driv-
ing rain on Tuesday morning the End
and the hopes for turn out by the
people on that day were not fatter-
ing. However, at the first place, Har-
nando, a car Of solid farmers and
business men met the train, raising
the spirits of those in charge several
points. The attendance increased as
the day grew older, despite the incle-
ment weather, and the night meeting
at Holly Springs was largely attend
ed by men In every walk Of life, to-
gether with number Of ladies. The
second day began at Grenada at S
, CLOCK, thence down the main line
to Durant and over the Aberdeen
branch to Aberdeen where largely
meeting was held in the OPP
era house. The weather was some-
what better on this day and the at
tendance good throughout. The re-
turn trip from Aberdeen was made
during the night and tie third day
began at Durant. The main line town
were visited down as far as Jackson
and the Natchez branch as far as
Hermanville, thence back to Jackson
for night meeting at Jackson, which
did not materialize on account Of fail
ure of the local committee to make