The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1911-10-18

ut was great, IL was SIahu' ~ "-S
all-day Democratic
rally at Hartford last Thursday
Few, il any, even among the most
bitterly partisan Republicans, VIII
deny 1t. With all Democrats 1t prov
ed to be as was intended-a season
of general rejoicing and good cheer.
This feeling was not shared any
more heartily than among the hun
dreds of women and children who
attended. In fact, 1t was season
long to be remembered by the thous-
ants who were there. They came
from many miles around and went
away satisfied with day we'll spent.
There was no drunkenness, no ca
rousing. This element of disturb
ance which usually attends big
gathering was noticeably absent.
Not a jar nor an unpleasant event
was precipitated during the entire
day.
There have been various esti-
mates upon the size of the crowd,
which, being scattered all over town
in large droves on the streets and
also all over the fair grounds adj
jacent was rather hard to estimate
exactly. Just before the close OF
Gov. McCreary's speech, just about
noon, Hon. Ben Johnson, who
sat upon the speakers stand
and could overlook the crowd
and has had much experience In
sizing up an assemblage, was asked
Alto estimate the number of people
gathered in front Of and around the
stand. After about Is minutes
study he replied that there were
about rs people to the row OF In
tiers, about 80 deep. This would
place the number at 1880 gathered
there. At the same time there were
fully thousand people over behind
the amphitheater, on the grounds
and beyond the race track course,
and fully that number over In town,
roaming the streets. A conserva-
tive estimate of the whole crowd
that came to Hartford on that day,
and one generally concurred In by
unbiased men, was that there were
more than four thousand people in
the bunch.
There we're 5000 wooden dinner
plates ordered and these were all
used except $50, making the num-
Der of dinners handed out 1880,
and many were fed who did not use
plates. This fixes the crowd at GER
tainly more than four thousand.
\ OF course prejudiced Republicans
held the telescope of estimate with
the large end next to the eye. This
was expected. But even then they
were astounded, dumbfounded, at
the crowd which 1t revealed.
There was plenty to eat and to
spare, free for everybody. II there
was one hungry person present, 1t
was because he or she did not walk
up and get what was due and ready
to be served, cooked to a nicely.
Part of the day and all night be-
fore, large force of men under the
supervision of Mr.. c. e. Morrison,
worked diligently at the barbecue
pits, where the carcasses of 40
sheep and four beeves were roasted
to turn and by six o'clock, a. M,
were pronounced done" Then a
large force of willing hands began
the carving of the meat and putting
It in large lunch packages, which
were distributed to the people in
wooden plates or dishes. When the
noon hour came, all was In readi-
ness and the thousands were served |
with dispatch and to fullness.
In this mammoth work of prep !
aration and serving, many willing |
hands took part and to them is due
great credit for the complete sue
cess Of the event. 1t Is a big Job to
get up and successfully pull on"
big barbecue like that. 1t took
weeks Of careful preparation and
also big sum Of money. Demo-
Gratis and business men Of Hartford |
and Ohio county. responded. liberal