The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1909-08-20
GALA DAY IN RIVES.
Little City Fairly Eclipses All
Former Occasions.

for Rives last Tuesday Out OF del
uge of hot summer weather he lifted the
pressure on this extraordinary occasion
and the sun shone gently and kindly
on one of the most popular gatherings
ever assembled in the county. People
were there from all the neighboring
cities and sections of our own county
throng of as well dressed, cultured and
refined citizens as can be found any
where on earth. 1t was indeed some
what remarkable to see as many good
people together. Though Rives is noted
for its hospitality and generosity Tues
days event was by far the most extern
sive and complete of all her gala days
and affairs. No more suspicious
event could be credited to the manage
Inent Of Dir. Anderson and his assistants
for the Modern Woodmen of America.
On Tuesday morning, in accordance
with the program, the procession formed
at the union station, marching south
ward toward the business section Of
town, thence westward to the grove with
its spreading beeches and inviting shade
where ample provisions were made for
the pleasure and entertainment of the
inhabitants of the little city and its
guests. In the line were detachments
from lodges at Woodland, Bethel, Polk,
Terrell, Martin, Water Valley, Bard
we'll, Obion, Kenton, Troy, Hornbeak,
Greenfield and others That grandly
magnificent gentleman, stalwart citizen
and gallant Confederate veteran, DR.. F.
M. McRee, was the marshal of the day,
and right honorable was he in this ex-
allied station.
The parade was formed in the follow
ing order. First the Dyersburg Concert
Band with its tuneful, swinging marches;
the Confederate veterans in uniform and
arms seventy-one strong, the fragment
of glorious age and an illustrious
army; a carriage deity TRANSPORTED by
Mrs. Anderson into floating palace
of floral beauty occupied by the
orator of the day, Congressman Finis
J. Garrett, of Dresden, District Deputy
Consul ]. W. Carpenter, of Greenfield,
JAS NJ. Brice, editor OF the Troy News
Banner, and Dir. ]. B. Anderson, con-
sui, of Rives; the Modern Woodmen Of
America representing the various lodges
mentioned above, hundreds of them
keeping steps in twos; the baseball
teams engaged for the day from Cayce
and Rives seated in a float, and the citi-
zens in line and hearty sympathy with
the occasion and its good fellowship.
The grove was reached and the can
vas with an ample seating capacity was
soon filled. A prelude on the piano
10y Miss Aletha Bonner and the lodge
and visiting members joined in singing
the opening ode Invocation was offered
by Rev. E. P. Lindsey. Editor JAS NJ.
Brice was introduced and delivered an
address on 'Fraternal Insurance Mr.
Brice traversed the grounds so familiar
to those who have enjoyed its memoir
able influences and revived an interest
in the obligations of fraternal fellow
ship Avocal solo by little Miss Brownie
Dickson, Dear Old Dixie" and THE
Boy and the Girl, was delightfully."- and
highly appreciated. The talent of this
little lady has become famous with the
Confederate veterans and the legion
of friends.
Hon. FINS ]. Garrett was then intro
duced, prefacing his remarks with an
apology that somebody had stolen his
speech, very suspicious statement.
His subject was the Tariff, and he
supplemented that by taking the audi
ence through the Tennessee hall of
fame. Numbers were there who said
it was the finest speech ever made by
the gentleman in Obion County Surely
Mr.. Garrett captivated the audience as
usual with his oratory and his pure
English and classics. The speaker is
recognized as young statesman, a.
student and a scholar. The band rem
dered a concert number, followed by
DIR. McRee in a speech on behalf of
the Confederate veterans. Then came
the closing ode and that event which is
always famous in Rives-the dinner.
There never was and never will be a
community more generous with its cup
board and larder and cuisine and more
skilled in the preparation of these things
than the good people of Rives. The
greatest of all similar events was the
feast of the Modern Woodmen on this
occasion.
At 9 O'Clock Dana Mcbride gave