University Missourian. [volume] (Columbia, Mo.) 1908-1916, 1911-04-24
Ii stopped at the concrete buildingAon

ne StdT SpduSleu DdHHci, thC uduu
switched to Dixie" A great shout
went up from the people that filled the
sidewalks ard street of Lisco's princi
pal business block. They waited to see
the procession, then they would fall in
behind the vehicles and follow the
eight blocks to the auctioneer's plat
form.
Wagons. carriages and automobiles
continued to turn the corner and pass
through he throng. Some were filled
with people, while others carried ad
Ivertisement. for business houses. man.
ufacturcrs, promoters or the Civic
League A lOng-horned steer. sur
rounded by steel framework. advertis-
ing the Flying NJ ranch. was drawn
on a hat-bed wagon. The line length
ened, as the drum-major walked farth-
er ani farther to the west, twirling his
Ibatoh.
The sun beat down heavily that July
day. The horned-tOads sought in vain
for ants that Stunned the blistering
sand, and the fish in the tanks swan
deep Breaths of hot wind whipped the
faces OF Jess" and the Colonel. But
dealers in the soil. prospective buyers.
advertisers and the curious travelled
Ion.
| A big white tent stood in the center
of the subdivision. and smaller ones
were near. Molly Bailey's circus was
there. Since early morning people
had been gathering at the place OF sale,
and llready the circus had given one
performance Women had ridden their
lponies around the circle at dare-dev-
iii pace; acrobats had swung from one
bar to another, with only thin nets be-
tween them and the ground, and
Iclowns lad brought laughter to those
who sat on the circular seats
Priviiege-men We're busy with the
lcrowls at their booths. Cold yellow
and red drinks were being sold to the
Ithir,ty ones; boys and men hurled
Ibaseballs at the babies" for cigars; q
flew were pitching rings over a covered
board at knives on rack, and the
broncho-buster made it merry for those
who ~atcheG him cling to pitching
horses.
The procession and its endless train
Iof followers came up. No time must
be lo-l now In ten minutes the great
est loI sale in the history of the county
would Dasin. The Publicity Man clam.
bered M the steps of the platform, fol
flowed by the Colonel, the Mayor and
the Senior Partner.
As the first notes of The Ranget'
rung out there was loud applause from
every part of the crowd. The compos-
ler of me piece was a Lisco musician,
land the citizens of the town patrioti-
cally applauded whenever and where
ever it played. A furious blast from
the bass horn and the cOrnet and a
wild rumbliEg from the big drum was
a signal for the concluding cheer.
The Mayor stood up. He looked
about over the multitude that had now
gathered on all sides of the platform
men, women and children stood before
him, most of whom held umbrellas Ov'
er themselves to ward off the hot rays
THAT bore down on them. Throwing his
head back slightly. the Mayor began:
1T does my heart good to stand be
fore this throng. I'm new man in the
West, but the spirit of the country's
got ne. The Old States got charms
flor me no more I'd rather live out here
where it's all new. where the airs still
fresh, where much of the ground is still
unbroken. I'd rather live with YOU
who lcok upon every man as youl
egual-that's why I'm here today.
but the Colonel's here to tell you
about our country, our town and Oul
people He knows it better than any
man in the state. He's studied the
,, whole question for twenty years-he
can tell you ALL"
A deafenins cheer went up for the
Colonel Everyone present knew the
!, auctioneer. He was a man of the
, West. His fame as a pre-auctiOr
speaker was unrivaled. even theFourtf
of July orators could not be put in hi:
class. Then there was silence.
"Mv people. know not but the
West, Yet. could I wish for efe?
have shared. the hardships of pioneer
days .ith you; | have lived to reaI
with you the rewards. Where once co
votes barked at the yellow stars. cite.
now flourish: where once roamed the
wild seer. now feed the tame cattle
. where once there was but sand ant
grass. there are now fields of cottor
and grain. 7 have seen all this, ant
right here where | stand.