The Robesonian. [volume] (Lumberton, N.C.) 1870-current, 1910-08-08
OLD SOLDIERS REUNION.


Annual Gathering of Confeder-
ate Veterans of the County
Parkton Entertains a Great
Crowd Nobly-State Auditor
Dixon Orator of the Day
Other Speeches and Happen
ings of a Great Occasion.
In many respects Thursday
was a rord-breaker for the
town of Parkton. Never before
in the history of this growing
town has such crowd assem-
bled to participate in the pleas
ures of day. The occasion was
the annual county reunion of the
Confederate veterans, and they
were there. The old soldiers,
though many OF them feeble and
tottering, numbered about 200
and they seemed to find grea t
pleasure in.the joys Of the day.
The people af this hustling town
were wide awake to their respon-
sibilities as entertainers and 80
we'll did they discharge their du-
ties in this respect that all whose
pleasure it was to be present
were made glad. The crowd be-
gan to assemble early in the
morning and every incoming
train was loaded with passengers
many of them having to ride in
the baggage cars-for Parkton.
Quite a number of wagons was
sent to McMillan's station, about
three miles away on the Virginia
& Carolina Southern, to meet
the people coming in from that
way, and from every direction
they continued to roll in until
about IL o'clock, when the crowd
lined up at the depot for a march
to the school building, which is
some four or five blocks from the
depot. This procession was
headed by the Parkton band play
ing a march for the veterans,
who followed marching two and
two; then the speakers of the
day and the great crowd. Maj.
Geo. H. Hall, of Red Springs,
Messrs. J. B. Mccormick, John
Malloy and several others were
on horseback, keeping the crowo
lined up, and the marching was
fine.
Parkton has an excellent schooI
building, with an auditorium
that will hold about 500 people
but it was no show for the crowd
which was variously estimated
at from 5000 to 5000. The vet
ersns were first seated and ther
as many Others as there wa
room for, and the balance had t.
stay in the grove. Many from
the outside were clamoring 20
the speeches to be made in tn
grove, but no arrangements ha'
been made for this and severa
did not think it wise to NOV
the veterans to the grove, wher
many of them would have ha
to stand up, so the speaking wa
inside.
The house was filled, and. ther
beng no room for more, Col. s
}. Cobb called for silence an
then there was music by tn
band, Rev. T. J. Baker offere
prayer, then was a song Mary
land-rendered by several youn
ladies' and gentlemen with pal
OF the band and piano harmoniz
ing, which was fine. Col. Cob
made a short address of welcom
which was responded to by MI
M. q. Mckenzie, of Lumbertol
Col. Cobb assured all that the
were welcome and that tn
people of Parkton felt great
honored by their presence. M
Mckenzie said that he knew th'
ne voiced the sentiment Of q
the veterans and visitors whe
ne said that they were gil d
De there on account f t
hospitality Of the good Pc pie
Parkton, which was in e. ide n
on every hand. Music c-Neaf'
My God to Tnee-by the ban
then Maj. Geo. Hall introduce
Or. B. F. Dixon, of Raleig
State Auditor, who made a po,
erful speech, and it is to be r
gretted that time and space w
not permit a full account Of VIII
ne had to say.
DR.. Dixon said that he made
VOW some time ago that he wou
not speak during the month
August, but could not resist t
TO - 1. L. L L L.