The Forrest City times., 1914-05-29
7hro Mountain and Va7eu For F,iue Hundred Miles
Annual Excursion of the Arkansas Press Associot;o,
May 2I-23,' 1914

sang and shouted and shouted and sang until they were too hoarse tba uhlrd day to be heard above a whisner "lth A. w. Parke, the chief comedian or the party, there was never any lack or 1ovial hilarity and unres,rained fun.
 everywhere the reception commit tees were composed of the leading eff. zeAS or the communities. mavors Ju4ses' senators, and prominent busi. ness men delivering the addresses op elcome and extending courtesias to the visitors So numerous were these 'hat It would be impossible in so brief an article to mention all,
 The feasting began at Searov, where Ihel Ladies Civic Improvement Leaaua provided cakes and Strawberries and aecprated the interior of the coaches Wlth flowers. short time afterward several crates of luscious berries were put on at Judsonia, and at Bald Knob lq qhg table arranged under the shin plhs shed was loaded by the Jolly Nof kers with strawberries and cake ahds lemonade. At Newport an elab- crate luncheon was provided at the Claridee Hotel by citizens com. mitfee headed by P. H. VanDyke of the iIndependent.
 At Mammoth Spring, there was an eiaboiate banquet spread at the Ho- tel Nettleton, by the Commercial Cluh and many eloquent toasts were given The editors were entertained at the Nettleton and at private homes, and all voted Mammoth Spring one of the most attractive cities of the state It has one of the worlds wonders the largest spring in the world. making a lake or IS acres at it's source
 Secretary of State Earle w. Hodges called upon at every point for an ad. dress, was most felicitous in his re- sponse at Mammoth Spring, his old nome town, where his father resides and where all are his friends. He was warmly applauded and his remarks were the most eloquent and most cor. dlally received of any made on the en- tire trip.
 At Camp Hardy, on the heights over looking Spring river valley, the good ladies Of the community served a bountiful breakfast Friday. Al Wal. nut Ridge an hour was spent. with speeches and punch at the court house. At Corning the ladies ot the Oowala Club were hostesses at an elaborate dinner served in Odd Fellows Hall, | where there were more speeches. The Junketers were enthusiastically wei comed at Paragould, where were more speeches and an auto ride into the country. Friday night was spent at Jonesboro, where the reception was generous in the extreme An aut drive about the city, visit to the agricultural school, a reception and dance at the Elks Club. Q Grand The ater party, and entertainment for everyone at the hotels were provided.
 The last day there were receptions at Marked Tree, Monette, Osceola, LuXora, Blytheville and Harrisburg. concluding at 10 o'clock at night with a supper and band concert at Wynne. then home to Little Rock The St. Francis river valley was a revelation to all, who discovered in it truly the garden spot of Arkansas, with it's won- derful system of 800 miles of drainage, it's great plantations, and possibilities which are only being learned. Every town and city visited is progressive. with a thrifty people and boosters.
 One of the most enthusiastic boost CTS is Mrs. Adah l.. Rolssan, of the Oscola Times, the only woman editor and publisher in Northeast Arkansas. She was assisted by the good ladies and the progressive men of Osceola in preparing a delightful reception for the visitors. Mrs. Roussan was elect ed orator of the Association at it's recent meeting, and has been appoint ed postmaster at Osceola.
 One of the delightful events on the return trip was made possible by the thoughtfulness of Supt Dean. At Mark ed Tree 400 pounds of fresh black bass were taken aboard. and during the afternoon the fish was prepared by the chefs in his private car. At SUD- per time the excursionists were given a luncheon of sandwiches and fried fish.
 One of the features of the excursion was the service provided at every stop by the Southwestern Telephone and Telegraph Co.,, which connected up a telephone on the train and gave the members of the party the privilege of talking to any point ill the state. The telephone officials with the party were Messrs. Lane, Stout Sullivan and Sroball.