Fergus County Democrat., 1912-07-30
GATHERING At MOCCASlN LAST
THURSDAY ONE OF LARGEST
IN HISTORY OF COUNTY.
SOME FINE ADDRESSES
Judge Cheadle, Senator George, Lieu
tenant Governor Allen, Alfred At
kinson, A. e. Chamberlain, Prof.
Cooley, "UncIe Sam" Hampton and
Others Talk to the Multitude.

One of the greatest gatherings In
the history of Fergus county was that
OF last Thursday, upon the occasion
of the fourth annual picnic, held at
the state experiment station near Moe
casin. While there was no way of
arriving at an accurate estimate Of
the number present, 1t Is safe to say
that between four and five thousand
people were on the grounds at noon.
1t was certainly an immense crowd
and the day was ideal for picnic pur-
poses. The crowd was one of the
most orderly that could possibly be
assembled under the circumstances,
not an act even of petty lawlessness
occurring to mar the general pleasure
of the occasion.
Many From Lewistown.
Naturally, 1t was the western part
OF the county which contributed the
greater number OF the people. All of
the towns and farms out that way
| were deserted and LeWistoWn present
ed anything but a lively appearance
with five or six hundred of her citi-
zens celebrating out on the Louise
creek bench.
Two Hundred Autos.
| About two hundred autos were
counted on the grounds. 1t Is safe to
say that the first cost OF these cars
was fully half million dollars, and
a pleasing feature of the auto exhibit
was the fact that many of them be.
longed to farmers.
| Picnic Dinners.
At noon, dinner was served on the
ground in real picnic style. This part
of the outing was evidently enjoyed
to the limit by all. For those who
did not take their own lunch baskets
a good dinner at a reasonable price
was served at a stand especially erect
ed for that purpose. No intoxicating
liquors were served, but great quaint
ties of soft drinks were sold by the
fortunate concessiOnaires.
Damaged by Hail.
Many were disappointed, owing tt
the fact that a severe hail storm had
a few days prior to the picnic, prac
tically wiped all crops on the expert
ment farm out Of existence. The sta
tion presented beautiful appearance
according to Manager Stephens, be
fore the destructive storm came alonl
and ruined the crops.
To Whom Credit Is Due.
Credit for the entire success of th
picnic is due largely to Superintendent
Stephens, who worked hard to ge
everything in shape for the; his ef
ficient assistants on the farm; to Sec
retary Peterson, of Moore, of the Ju
dith Basin Farmers Picnic associa
: tion, and to other officers and lead
, ing members of that organization. Pri
: marily, Hon. S. S. Hobson, OF this city
is entitled to credit. 1t was owing t.
his generosity that the farm was Sc
! cured by the state and improved. Mr.
Hobson has always taken deep In
terest in the enterprise and Is de
serving the thanks of the communit!
} for his very large part In making th
: Moccasin station the most successful
t experimental farm in the Unite'
, States.
/ Speaking Program.
At / o'clock the big improvised audi
torium was crowded by those who de
, sired to hear the addresses. After
i selection by the band, Judge e. X
/ Cheadle, who has acted in the ca
} pacity of master of ceremonies 70
/ four successive years, called the meet
ing to order. After an eloquent invC
t cation by the Rev. E. C. Haynes, O
CONTINUED on page 10.)