The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1909-08-26

Entertalns en- | housand Peo-
pie at Big Picnic and Barbe-
cue--Friday, August 10th,
Red Letter Day for Capital
of fVance Military, Automo-
bile and Business Parade
an Imposing Spectacle-Suc-
cessful and Creditable Affair
Throughout-Some Personal
! Observations.
Mr.. .Josephus Daniels, editor of the
Raleigh News and Observer, was one
of the honOred guests at the big pic
mic and barbecue, about which and
Henderson in general he had this to
say in his paper Saturday:
Henderson, n. C., Aug. 20. - Ten
thousand people gathered here to-
day at a monster barbecue, public
speaking, and general holiday as the
guests of the Henderson business
men. The speeches were short, the
dinner was long and the hospitality
OF the best North Carolina brand.
Everything moved like clock work
and everybody was happy and salts
fled. 1t was stupendous undertake
ing to feed and entertain 10000
people. Henderson was IL perfect
host. The day was not marred by
any untOward incident and the peO-
pie returned to their homes rejoicing
in having a town peopled by such
hospltable and progressive folks.
Progress and hospitality do not al
ways go hand in hand. But-they do
here. Below are few notable Obser-
vatiOns upon this notable day and
upon Henderson that | feel inclined
to make:
l. With 10000 people here not
a drunken person has been seen.
Henderson has only four policemen.
Not a single extra policeman was
added and half the force went out of
town to the picnic, and at night the
report is that the lookup is wide
open and has been all day. One of
the leading citizens speaking of this
matter, said: 81 think this situation
proves effectually the good of prohi-
bition and is an object lesson that
must convince any heretofore in
clined to doubt that it is the best
thing" [ remember, before the sa-
looms were closed, that an immense
gathering like this was always at
tended by much social drinking, not
a little drunkenness, it took many
extra policemen to preserve order
and not infrequently the occasion
was marred by fighting and rowdy-
ism, sometimes eliminating in trag-
edy. Henderson people are happy
tonight that the big occasion has
been marked by perfect order and no
sign of intoxication.
2. The most beautiful thing about
this big gathering here is the evidence
it afforded of the kindly feeling be-
tween the people of the town and
country. In some counties there has
unfortunately grown up a lack OF
oneness and some divisions between
the people of the town and country.
All North Carolina should be one
great family. All the town folks
| Z,
or their fathers enjoyed that advan-
tage of birth and rearing. Some
times a man comes to town, makes
little more money than his country
cousins, and affects airs that bring
about cOOlness And sometimes
people in the country Judge the solid
men of the town by the exception OF
the "stuck up fellow" The truth is
that we are all one and no chasm
; should be allowed to come socially
. or religiOusly or commercially be-
; tween the man who makes the crop
and the man who keeps the store. In
! England the farmer ranks higher
than the merchant. In North Caro-
; lima they are of the same flesh and
blood and walk in life, with no dis
tinctiOn. However, in the rush and
hurry of life, there is not as much
visiting as formerly, and the ties are
not everywhere as strong as they
should be. The people in Henderson
and the people who live in the coun
try are resolved that cordial rela
! tions shall continue and they vii
! continue by mixing. Town folks &c
|. into the country Oftener than tht
!. country folks are entertained il
I town. This big picnic was a desir,
+ on the part of the business men. tt
= extend the hospitality to their farm
er friends, their wives and children
they have so often enjoyed in th'
country. 1t is beautiful to see how
country and town people minglt
together and know no differences
The spirit seen here is one that ough
! to exist everywhere.
3. The business men of Hender
son pull together in harmony. Thi
] does not not mean that there i
not sharp competition in bust
ness or lack of differences O
opinion among them. They ar
thoughtful men with strong con
victions and therefore they are no
always agreed, but they are sensibl
: men, and therefore they agree to dis
= agree when any matter of town prid
: or progress is concerned. The secre
OF Henderson's steady development
4 is the concord and spirit of harmO
r NOUS cooperation that prevails
This big barbecue and day fete is bu
one evidence that when anything
undertaken for the good of Hendel
son there is the same sort of team
- work" that is seen in baseball q
football and the sort that is nece.
sary for success in sports, in bus
I ness, in pleasure, in town develop
| ment. In this Henderson sets a goo
example for every town in the Stat
Han6arSoD c~ouS steadily an