The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1912-04-24
CAMP A|GN|NG
IN FLORIDA ON
A RAINY DAY
OF A PARTY OF
CANDIDATES WHO VISITED
YOUNGSTOWN AND JOUR-
NEYED TO MARIANA FOR THE
NIGHT.

noon last some candidates and candi-
dates friends were enjoying a river
trip up the Apala chicola bound for
Blountstown. After supper they settled
in comfortable chairs on the upper
deck Of the steamer, enjoying their
cigars. They cogitated on campaign
ing as having its pleasures as we'll as
troubles. AT $3.50 a. m. blast from
the siren that was sufficient to. rouse
the slumbers Of the ancient Indian
chieftains In their burial places along
the river. announced that we were
nearing the landing. AS we wake
down the gangplank and surveyed the
surroundings no livery accommoda
tons showed UP, but an ominous cloud
which at intervals flashed it's warning
in sheets of electric flame told us we
must beat II" If we got to town ahead
of the rain. After some investigation
boy was found with a mule and
wagon who agreed for certain none
tary considerations to pilot US to
coming rain ended in it's beating US to
1t by fully one lap, but the candidates
and their friends, full of hope and with
their never failing nerve, located a
hotel and took possession of some va
cant rooms, mine host being wrapt in
dreams of the barbecue to be pulled off
that day.
After nap the companions Of the
chase for votes breakfasted and went
out for reconnoiter. There was water,
water everywhere and plenty else to
| drink, SO 1t was discovered later. BY 8
o'clock notwithstanding the weather
and no signs of clearing up the crowds
were arriving. A temporary cessation
of hostilities by Jupiter Pluvius per-
| mitted the committee on arrangements
| fn he NJ
victims at the speakers stand and the
vigorous playing of the local band soon
resulted in a large audience. On &C
| count of the unavoidable absence Of
| Mayor Peacock, Col. Warren presided
and welcomed the visitors. The can
didates, their friends and visitors from
other sections of the county were
| made to feel at home and the speaking
| began. Col. J. F. 9. Griggs, who Is
| trying out this season as candidate for
delegate to the national convention, led
off with a we'll received speech. He
presented his candidacy in good shape
| and 1t was evident that Col. Griggs is
popular in Blountstown. Hon. Riley
Dorman was next up to the bat and
| will doubtless be credited on the off,
| cial score card with safe bast hit
| Third to speak was Hon. R A Gray,
of Gadsden, who presented the candi-
| dacy of State Treasurer Luning.
Pause must be made here Ions
| enough to say that in a stenographiC
| report of the speeches up to this point
"a la Congressional Record-aft y
each insertion of applause it would
| be proper also to insert continued
| showers"
The showers made 1t necessary to
| adjourn the meeting to the court house
| where Mr.. Gray concluded his speech
| that had been punctuated up to that
| time by the rain.
Following next was a presentation
| of the candidacy of Hon. w. A. Nc
Rae by an enthusiastical adnirer.
Four local candidates next took turn
at the. bat and the talkfest was con-
Guided by a speech by Senator Flour
noy. Col. FIournoy spoke for nearly
an hour and it was evident made q
strong impression on the audience.
Great Spread Enjoyed.
The great spread Of barbecued meats
and other good things was fully en-
joyed and the rood people of Blounts-
town established their hospitality thor
oughly,
At 2 p. m. the visiting candidates
boarded the train for Mariana, amid
| clustering rains which again had re-
sumed with more ominous clou Is
| backing them UP. Soon steady
downpour set In and for two hours the
| heavens seemed 10 De weeping IN IuIl
Justice to the Titanic disaster. Rain!
| did it ever rain like that before? Six
miles from Mariana we encounters
| our first washout. After wait OF
| two hours temporary crosstie under
! pinning was put In and we crept on
| our way. Two more were passed IN
| the same manner and a mile from
| Mariana, long after nightfali, we met
| our Waterloo. 1t was a water lou
all right. over one hundred yards OF
] track had been washed up and com
pletely displaced. BY lanterns dimly
| cleaning in the monotonous downpour
we gathered our suit cases and began
| picking our way over the crossties
overhanging the torrents of muddy W.
| ter underneath. For yards and yards
! the track was sagging inclined to one
side fully 40 degrees. mastering the
| courage called for by necessity. with
luggage IN our hand and gripping tho
upper rail with the other, we %cooned'
| it over the toughest and most dan
gerous places. At 9 p. m. we rudged
| in to Mariana, tired to "a fragile.
| thoroughly soaked and hungry ~as
| bears.
The kindly host and hostess OF the
\ Chipola built US fires and fixed Us
/ supper, after which. gathered arounC
the office heater, we again pulled oui
I cigars and cogitated on the pleasures
| Of campaigning on a rainy day II
/ Florida