Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1908-07-10

Probably the greatest occasion ever
seen in the Northern Neck outside of
our usual successful camp meeting
ton. More than three thousand peo-
pie attended, coming from the four
counties of the Northern Neck. from
Essex, Middlesex, Mathews, Gloucester
and Y FORK in large numbers, and scatter
ing squads from as many other points
throughout the State. The waters of
the Bay, Rappahannock river and Car
ters Creek were dotted with big steam
ers, big and little sail boats and saucy
little launches, and the roads (made
dustless by the preceding days rain)
were alive with equipages. In it all
not an accident occurred nor was there
hitch in the extensive program pub
lished last week and scattered about by
hand bills), save temporary Interrupt
tion of the ball game by intermittent
showers. Delay in getting the launches
started in the three races of the morning
threw the hours for the program some
before ''play ball'' was called at p.
m. sharp. Not a number on the
schedule was skipped and not single
distinguished visitor failed to show up.
Governor Swanson was at first ex-
pected to make an address, having
promised as early as last Christmas,
but being a delegate TO the Denver
convention he was compelled toleave on
the End with the party for the west.
This was known in time to secure Hon.
William Hodges Mann in his place, the
Judge giving up Chesterfield appoint
ment for that day and also expediting
an important case in his court, he hav-
ing to leave home the night of the
third and coming the next morning via
West Point and Nelson's. reaching here
at noon. He'was accompanied by his
son, young man.
lrvingtenians were modestly gratifed,
making no boast of their SUCCESS of the
day, but were overwhelmed with plau-
dts and praise for the handsome man
ner in which so large a crowd and so
voluminous program We're handled.
THE LAUNCH RACES.
At a. m. water craft of all descrip-
tions were onthe Rappahannock 'sripples
with thousands aboard to view the
motor boat races. The first to start
was the smaller class of work boats 10
horsepower and under. Entries: r.
w. Winstead, of Reedville, Lacy Kirk
meyer. of Irvington. This was won in
the order named. The second was for
work boats of 20 horse power and under
Entries: Lee Simmons. DIR. Rob.
Hoskins and Mr.. Smith This was
the most interesting and exciting
of the races, being for the $50 silver
cup which is offered yearly by the
Village Improvement Association of
lrvington. They came in in the order
named. The course was a aleg-o'-mutton
triangle, beginning at the mouth of
Carriers Creek, thence to Towles Point
buoy. thence to lay boat near Grays
Point and thence to the beginning. To
Towles Point the three boats were close
together. DIR. Hoskins' rounding the
buoy first. On the second leg, Mr..
Simmons took the lead, DR.. Hoskins
n.istaking another boat for the lay boat
and losing a little by his mistake.
Simmons came in a couple of hundred
yards the winner. DIR. Hoskins pro-
tested that he ought to be allowed an
other chance because of his mistake,
and Mr.. Simmons. after the committee
could do nothing but declare him the
winner, in sportsmanlike style offered
the Doctor a race for the cup upon
thirty days notice, and this was ac-
cepted.
The third race. made up that day,
was of the speed-boat class. Entries:
Palmer & Moore's independence, with
l6 horsepower Regal, the ''Commo-
dore Maury's" 10 horsepower Ferro
launch and the liking Carter" of Fred
ericksburg, the largest of the three.
1t was soon seen that the Indepen-
dence was in class by herself. proba-
bly, an l8-mile boat, as she played with
the others. Interest was then conferred
in the big King Carter and the little
Ferro, making about IL miles an hour.
The little Ferro forged ahead and
when the starting point was reached in
returning was several hundred yards
ahead. The Independence is beauti-
ful mahogany boat of the high-speed
racing class and was built by Hastings,
of Reedvilie, from New York designs.
GONFEDERATE MUSIC AND
SPEAKING.
By noon all had gotten in and were
clamoring for dinner. Tables in the
Academy and Shirt factory supplied a
thousand in short order. Atip. m.
that portion of Lancaster Ladies'
Confederate Choir present, clad in gray
coats and hats, sang Dixie from the
Academy portico and thousand quickly
gathered around under the shade of the
trees. Judge Sam'l w. Williams, of
the great Southwest, was introduced
by Mr.. F. G. Newbill, and for forty-f five
minutes ''Sam" Williams, as he is
familiarly known among the old Vets
and NOR, in no rfu councilo throuo,ko 49, =