The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1916-05-27
PICNIC AT TURNER POND
Meeting of Candidates and People i'm
One of the Pleasant Places of
Western Marion

most OF the people VINO were at the
Cotton Plant picnic at the beginning
OF the campaign were also at Turner
Pond. There was big delegation
from Ocala, number from Dunnel-
Ion, and others from places scatter
ing all over the county.
Turner Pond years ago was one of
the most limpid of Florida's lakes, but
1T has dried up, and is now only sink
in the forest land surrounding. The
country was settled early, and people
have been worshiping at historic Cot
ton Plant church for over sixty years.
The country is not so thickly settled
as in the Fellowship section further
north, but still there are many people,
and their land is picturesque and fer
tile.
They are a most hospitable people,
as was shown at their picnic dinner,
where they took particular care to
see that each guest was amply pro-
vided for. And their dinner was a
good one; equal to any of the best
spread during the campaign; so much
Of the viands that many baskets had
to be repacked after all the people
had been fed.
The speaking and picnic was in a
pretty grove some three miles from
Cotton Plant. For a long time they
had in this grove dancing pavilion,
a floor laid under the shade of the
trees, where the young folks were ac-
customed to meet and have those
good, old-fashioned dances, where fun
is plenty and harm is scarce. The
pavilion has been taken up and most
of the lumber used to make the
speakers stand, but the Star hopes it
will be relaid; and the reporter would
like nothing better than to slip away
from town some evening and see the
young folks dance under the trees
ard by the light of the moon. 1t
would be far better than a city ball
room.
| Mr.. J. L. B. Hudgens, the precinct
committeeman, presided, and showed
himself well acquainted with parlia-
mentary law. The candidates were
rather more brief than usual and
some were missing, so all were thru
lby 8 p. m.
We are not reporting the speeches
of the candidates at any length, be-
cause they are talking to all the peo-
lple in the county, neighborhood by
Ineighborhood, and we would not rob
our readers of any of their pleased
anticipation.
A new candidate was on the
Iground in the presence of Mr.. Marsh,
who has an ambition to be county
surveyor. Two local candidates also
ispoke-John Parker for justice of the
lpeace and H. r. Roddenbury for con-
stable.
The close of the meeting was enliv-
ened by little verbal tilt between
Mr.. Brewer of Romeo and Superin-
ltendent Crimson. Mr.. Brewer thought
Mr.. Crimson did not visit the schools
ard Mr.. Crimson gave reasons for his
lconduct. They had quite a spirited
little debate.
The people were more interested
perhaps, in the commissioner contest
than in any other. Mr.. Hutchins and
DIR. Baskin have debated all over this
big district, good forty miles long
by twenty wide, and its impossible to
tell which is ahead.
/ The Star reporter was gratified to
Ifind that the friends he made at the
Cotton Plant picnic hadn't forgotten
him He was treated with so much
kindness and hospitality that the day
will ever remain bright in his mem
DRY.
The reporter had his first good look
at st. Johns church at Cotton Plant
This is one of the most famous neigh
borhood churches in Florida. Long
years before the war, in fact before
the crack of the Seminole's rifle had
ceased to echo, the people of the
community worship in log church
that stood near the location of the
present fine building. Lessons OF
truth learned there have guided the
footsteps of many who went forth te
the journey of life in other parts OF
the state and nation, and the people
can claim with pride the memory OF
not few who became worthy guides
to their fellow men. The present
handsome church is well attended anG
has a wide circle of influence, and the
historic graveyard, in which some OF
Marion's noblest are sleeping, is al
ways kept in beautiful order.
Work is going steadily ahead on tn.
new road by the church toward the
west side of the county, and when i
connects with the present good roae
at Martel Ocala people must put it OF
the itinerary of theif pleasure trips
for a trip over it will pay them well.
Tho RI \.