The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-04-24
MEN, WOMEN
 AND THINGS
Sunday in an automobile.

Somewhile back I wrote in this column about Sunday on a train.
 l now write about tour in an automo- bile made on last Sunday with Mrs. Mathis in Walker county.
 We reached Jasper Saturday afternoon and went immediately to the chautauqua tent, where we spoke to more than 800 people, many of them being farmers.
 Saturday night we drove to Townley, where we found the Methodist church filled with folks from the town and the country, all eager to hear about the need of crop diversifcation.
 But Sunday was the busy time. It was a glorious day. The air was like tonic, the skies were blue, the shrubs and trees were decked in green, and the ploughed land bespoke that spring planting was well under way
 Our first stop was at the church near Mulford's schoolhouse. It was literally packed with an anxious throng who had come out to hear about the war and what the farmers could do to help win it. I spoke first and J. A. Huggins took me in a Ford and we started for Mulford' s schoolhouse. We drove for miles, pass ing only few houses. We were In the heart of a great pine forest. The roads twisted here and there. It was like play ing game of hide and seek. 1 told Hug gins that if he could lead Hindenburg s army in such circle and get them as befuddled as he had gotten me- the war would soon be over.
 At last we found a county road and he got his bearings and we soon arrived at our destination, where we found a faithful few who were waiting for us. spoke and finished just as Mrs. Mathis drove up to drive her message home.
 
 Do you remember the joy you got as 8 child out of the first Sunday school pie nic of the season? It was always greater than any that came later.
 Breck Musgrove was host and Mrs. Long, his sister, hostess, and on the roadside near a well, and as I ate my first picnic dainties 1t was hard to re- alze that anywhere in all the world there was a scarcity of food.
 After lunch we drove to Sipsey, where we met the greatest crowd of the day. A platform had been built in the center of the village, and as we drove up the Cordova brass band played a patriotic air.
 Milton H. Fies, the general manager of the camp, gave us a cordial welcome. It was truly an inspiration to see hun dreds of eager. upturned faces in the great crowd, hungry to know what Uncle Sam wanted them to do.
 I spoke first addressing my remarks to the large and enthusiastic crowd of colored people who had come out to show their loyalty to the flag.
 
 Mrs. Mathis followed with a stirring plea to the farmers to go home and be- come soldiers of the commissary," and
  upon them by President Wilson.
 We could not wait for the firing of the cannon and the raising of Old Glory or to hear the other speakers, but had to hurry back to Jasper.
 After supper we drove r miles to Oak man, where we spoke to a capacity house in the Baptist church. Seventeen miles back to the hotel and to bed at mid night.
 A whirlwind trip in which we reached over 5000 people A grilling trip of over 100 miles over roads that. to say the least of them, were in many places al- most impossible.
 A tiresome trip to the body, yes, but to the soul, such joyous one to find the heart of the people beating true to the nation in it's hour of need. ! If anyone feared that the preachers would not be glad to see us on Sunday, could they have been along, their fears would nave eVapOrateu, TOT everywhere they turned their services over to us and bade us Godspeed in our work.
 
 Is the campaign going to do good? Ask the people of Walker who heard Mrs. Mathis and went to their homes re- solved to heed her advice and do their best to plant something to eat
 
 Is Mrs. Mathis a wonderful womany She is. l though the Birmingham cam paign revealed her true strength, but 1T you want to see this truly great woman in action, you must see and hear her out in the open air among her own beloved people.
 Here's hoping that everyone who reads this story of a Sunday in an automobile will do what they can to carry on the food propaganda and help to win the war.
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