The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1909-06-29
ST. JOHNS DAY.
CELEBRATED
WESTVILLE CARED FOR LARGE
CROWD OF VISITORS ON 24TH-
BARBECUE AND SPEAKING FEA-
TURES OF DAY.
Special to The Journal

WeStVIlI6, June 26.-ThurSday, the
oath inst, was red letter day in the
chronicles Of Westville. The local
camp of Confederate veterans, Camp
Findlay, together with the local Ma
sonic fraternity and the w. o. W..
united IN giving a regular Old-fash-
toned barbecue and big dinner. The
big feast ano public speaking was
duly ADVERTISED III the Advertiser sew
eTal weeks in advance with a cordial
invitation to The public to a';eEG ana
all who could bring well filled baskets
The veterans met in camp Oh Wcu-
nesday, at 3 o'clock p. m, for the
transaction of necessary business
Those residing at a distance were en-
tertained free of charge by certain
citizens who gave their names to
Commander Hawkins for that pur-
pose, inviting the old soldiers to their
homes during their stay.
Thursday morning, at an early
hour, to avoid the heat, those citizens
who resided at a distance from town
began to arrive. In two mule wagons,
one horse wagons. wagons, buggies,
carts and carriages, horseback and
foot back, the happy, prosperous
farmers of good old Holmes kept
coming until by 10 o'clock our streets
presented an animated scene of all
ages of humanity.
The very best of order prevailed
during the day, with two or three ex-
ceptions of Unfortunates who had evil
IDENTIFY loaded up on cheap bad whis-
key or wild cat" rum, and who prob
ably thought IL was in order to carry
out the old-time program and paint
the town red. But the very first In
dications that met the eyes of our
Vigilant police appointed by the man
aging committee they were quietly
gathered in and escorted to free lodg-
ings in the old brick bastile.
At 1880 a. m. the veterans assem-
bled in front of the academy, under
the classic oaks, and at the ringing
command Fall in attention" etc,
oh. what a pathetic, yea, pitiful sight,
to see those old gray-headed, decrepit
and infirm soldiers as they strove In
vain to assume the martial mten Of
yore. Staggering and stumbling they
fell into line, and under escort Of the
Masonic and W. o. w. fraternities as
guard of honor, they paraded one or
tive streets, accompanied by Prof.
Hawkins's brass band, discoursing
sweet and martial music as they
marched. The heat was intense, and
very trying to the old veterans. who
returned to the grand stand by way
of railroad street.
Public speaking was next on pro-
gram. Senator John Neel presiding as
chairman and introduced the speakers.
Hon. D. A. Simmons, Of Tallahassee,
was the first speaker and orator of
the day, and those who heard him on
former and like occasions were eX
pecting a big speech" and were not
disappointed. Sorry we could not
take notes, so as to give some of the
able effort of this most eloquent ora
tor. Suffice to say it was interesting,
instructive and eloquent beyond de-
gree. We forgot to state that Mr..
Simmons was formerly West
villain"
Next Hon. H. S. Laird. of Milton.
also a former "Westvillain," was in
troduced, who did not attempt to
make a speech. but delivered pleas
ant talk" which was most agreeable
to the assembly.
Prof. Robt Pitman, late principal
of the Calhoun county high school at
Blountstown, closed the oratorical pro-
gram with a thoughtful and well timed
effort. Prof. Pitman, while quite
youthful in appearance and fact, is
one of the rising young men of his
native state, and bids fair to .4cclgim climb
the apex of honor and fame
After the speaking the dinner was
announced and Notwithstanding the
immense crowd of hungry people in
attendance, probably between 1900
and 1000, there were ample supplies
of good eating" for all and then a
great deal left-far more than the
scripturaI twelve baskets Of frag-
ments."
Those who had this affair in hand
are entitled to much credit for its
successful accomplishment. After
dinner various sports, sack racing and
climbing the greasy pole, afforded
great sport for old and young. Space
fails me in an attempt to do justice
to this truly great occasion in West
Vile history. Suffice TO say, it. was a
grand success.
Since the rains set in crops are
improving wonderfully. A magnifi-
cent corn crop will be made in this
section, also cane, potatoes, etc.