The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1906-07-12
IN OLE VIRGINNY.

IN OLE VIRGINNY.
The Glorious Fourth, With Sic Semper
Txrannis, Cherries, Chiggers and En-
thnsiasm All On Top.
Among the private out-of town picnic
parties on the Fourth of July that which
enjoyed the hospitality of Col John Nc
Etroy at his Virginia farm, Bally Me-
Elroy. in Fairfax County, was probably
the largest. Comrade McElroy and his
son. Mr.. Karl p. McElroy. had provided
special cars for the Washington party,
which left the city at 1858 a. m. re-
turning at 1880 p. m. At the station at
Ok Road Crossing, the more than q CEN
fury old name for the crossroads stop
ping place which has just been changed
to Colchester, the name OF the one-time
Colonial town at that point. wagons met
the members of the party. and those
who desired to ride over the Virginia
hills to Bally McElroy did SO. but most
or them preferred to pile the luggage
in the wagons and hike" the mile
through the woods
The Bally McElroy home stands upon
a high hill. jutting out into the land
scape which skirts the historic Deco
guam, where Col. McElroy has a mile
and q half OF river front palisaded like
ing which Washington and his troops
used In the march to Yorktown and re-
turn. and where the placid stream
spreads out into Occoquan Bay, afford.
ing flne view. On the point Of the
hill below, along whose slope Isl planted
me vineyard. rises q 100-foet Jag
stan. from which the flag floats when-
ever Comrade McElroy Is at homa."
which can be seen at Mount Vernon.
The house was almost powered in
taureI and pine, all gemmed with small
hags. The products Of the place were
uniquely displayed. and the pillars II
the veranda were set with 12-fOot stalks
stalk" pillars at the Capitol designed by
Jefferson. Other decorations were ros-
es and all the beautiful old-fashioned
towers that grow about the place.
One Of the features Of the hillside
decoration Is the fine white stone ter
raced walk, bordered with old-fash-
Toned flowers, which climbs the hill to
the house in tiers Of steps between the
overreaching branches OF pear. peach
and black-heart cherry trees. The
march from the station through the
woods was led by the Recha bite Afe and
drum corps In full uniform. and they
walked the echoes over the historic trail
with patriotic airs.
The exercises began Immediately at
ter the party gathered on the hill.
where they were met by a party almost
as large. composed OF the residents of
this section Of Virginia. Handsome
programs were distributed. tied with
red, white and blue ribbon and bearing
the picture Of. Isle Semper Tyrannis"
shaking hands with veteran, and be-
low the legend, Should auld aequaint-
ance be forgot?"
The invocation was pronounced by
Maj. II. G. Jacobs. following which the
nrst ceremony was the raising OF the
flag by Mr.. Karl p. McElroy, who was
46 guns as National salute. "A lit
tie in advance of the stars on the flag"
1t was announced. He had as assistant
chief Of ordnance Miss Happy" Lowe.
The address of welcome was given by
Comrade McElroy.
The soloist Of the day was Mrs. Will
liam Key Miller, and she led in singing
1.-THE Star Spangled Banner" and many
other songs, assisted by Miss Laura v.
French. musical director. and the as.
sembled people. MRS Miller's voice,
strong, full and clear, was q rich treat
The Declaration OF Independence was
read by Mrs. Isabel Worrell Ball. Lit
thaler then gave the flag salute, and af
ter the applause had died away recited
Nesbits your Flag and My Flag"
|areusicg tremendous enthusiasm.
A letter Of regret from Mrs. Lillian
GABRIELLE Pickett was read by Mrs. Ida
A. Oldroyd. Past National Junior Vice
President Of the w. r. c., and q rous-
ing cheer for the wife Of the Confed-
crate General was given.
Magnificent speeches were made by
Gen. John c. Black and CeL Geo. Ross.
full OF historic "reminiscences and word
imagery. and by Commander EntPikin,
OF the Department OF Potomac, and
49, x4ni~. AL, -.
In saying pleasant things OF their host,
who had given them welcome which
included "Chfggers, cherries, landscape.
boating, and anything else they saw ly-
ing round loose" He declared that 1t
gave him great pleasure as q citizen of
Virginia to welcome them back to the
sacred soil Of Old Virginny.
. At the close Of the speechmakfng Mrs.
Miller sang the old. old song. now out
of print, but resurrected for the occa-
sion and printed In music form on the
program, Garry Me Back to Old Vir-
ginny." This was particularly enjoyed
by the Virginia guests and they came In
The bugler sounded the call and din
ner was served at 1880 under great
canopy stretched between the two
houses where the table. capable OF seat
ing 100 people, was set, loaded down with
good things. Comrade McElroy served
not cOHees Sdia0s, To0Se cniCAcH anu
lemonade to all corners. The guests
who gathered about the tables and In
.little groups near It were waited upon
by Mrs. Anna M. Baden. Mrs. Ida A.
.Oldroyd, Mrs. Ida ]. Hart, Mrs. H. j.
Jacobs. Miss NJ. E. Glennan. Miss Carey.
Mrs. Curry and Mrs. Isabel Worrell
Ball. who were designated as "commis-
sarfes OF subsistence" Miss Nellie ALI
ing and Mrs. Hannah Clark, designated
as gingerbread artists" made and as
sisted In serving the great cards Of GIN
gerbread such as mother used to
make" and, such az are familiar to all
Southern tables. Miss Helen Prescott,
Miss Josephine Tiefenthaler. Miss Hap
by Lowe and Miss Annie Laurie Ailenge
served the lemonade.
Just before taking the. trail rar the