The gold leaf., 1910-09-01

Surprising expectation in every
way was the picnic given atthe Dunn
place near town last Friday cOmpli-
mentary to the old soldiers-mem-
bers of Henry l.. Wyatt Camp, Con-
federate veterans.
An ideal place for a picnic, the cool
sequestered grove, the giant oaks
overspreading where the tables
were arranged, a goodly crowd and
an abundance to eat, all things were
propitious. The dinner was given
under the auspices of Vance county
Chapter, Daughters of the Con-
federacy, and quite a number OF
these good women and Others were
present.
Nearly everybody carried baskets
enough for their own number and
others-and when the contents Of
these were put together there was
such a layout of good things to eat
as one seldom sees-barbecued pig,
lamb, ham, fried chicken, breads,
pickles, cakes, pies, etc. Tubs of ice
water, lemonade and iced tea flavor
ed to taste like punch admitted ofno
excuse to suffer from unquenched
thirst during the day. And then af-
ter dinner two or three wagon loads
of fine watermelons were cut and
those who could accommodate any
thing more had further opportunity
to provide for the "inner man."
Commander J. T.B. Hoover of Hen
ry L. Wyatt Camp, was master OF
ceremonies. First thing on the pro-
gram was an invocation and thanks
to Almighty God for His goodness
and preservation by the chaplain,
Rev. G. D. Langston. Then solo,
america" by Mrs. O. R. Browne,
followed by another solo, "Mv Old
Kentucky Home" by Miss Mildred
Young Soldier" by Mrs. J. H. Bird
gers, and an address of welcome by
Mavor Fl. T. Powell. Following the
address of the Mayor Miss Marie
Manning sang a solo, "Suwanee
River" and a solo by Mrs. Bessie
Strause, "Annie Laurie" closed the
musical part of the program. Mrs.
G. A. Lewis was organist.
Commander Hoover read a letter
from Gen. Julian S. Carr expressing
regret that he could not be present
in response to invitation. He had
to be in Norfolk on that day ar
ranging for the reunion next week.
But for this he said it would afford
him pleasure to meet with the Con-
federate Veterans of Henry L. Wyatt
Camp and the good people of Vance
county, pleasure which he hoped to
have opportunity to avail himself of
at some future time
Mr.. T. T. Hicks was then intro
duced as the principal speaker Of the
occasion. He had been told to
make it short" he said and he was
going to obey orders. 1t was then
after one o'clock and most of the
folks there were accustomed to eat
ing dinner at twelve o'clock. He did
not need any more admonition than
that-he was not going to keep the
crowd away from the excellent din
ner that was awaiting them. Hehad
been around where it was being pre-
pared and he knew what was in store
for them. He had prepared a speech
he said but under the circumstances
he had decided that that was not the
time and place to deliver it and he
was going to make friends of all by
not making a speech then. In his
apologies and excuses as to why he
was not going to make the speech
that he had intended to deliver Mr..
Hicks gave running synopsis which
conveyed pretty good idea of how
we'll he was "loaded" and there were
cries of ego ahead" "speak," &c.
but this was all he gave them.
Mr.. Hicks remarks were nlong an
entirely new line from the ordinary
address to soldiers. Not one word
was said about wars, and battles,
and soldiers-about heroes and hero
ism. Nothing about the past and it's
traditions, its glorious achievements
and imperishable renown.
He had reference to the present
with it's wonderful opportunities and
the future with it's boundless pOssibili-
ties. He spoke of old age and it's
crowniug glory to those who had
passed through childhood and young
manhood and middle age to that
state in which they can peacefully
contemplate the end with calm re-
pose. There was regret that Mr..
Hicks did not deliver the speech he
had intended to make and the GOLD
LEAF hopes the opportunity will yet
be offered him to do so.
Mr. A. J. Harris was introduced as
the next speaker. 'Not now but
some other time" said Mr.. Harris,
and his remarks consisted mainly OF
reasons why he was not going to
speak. All the addresses we're in
good taste, full of fine thought, hap
PLY conceived and admirably ex-
pressed.
Then the dinner of which we have
already written and the close of a
most successful and pleasurable oc.
casion to all who were present.