The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1917-05-25
BIG DAY AT FISH
FRY AT "xALAPA FARM"

The now-famous "Xalapa Farm" OF
Mr.. Edward Simms, of Houston Texas,
located on the North Middletown
pike, about seven miles from Paris,
was the scene Tuesday of one of the
most remarkable gatherings held in
Bourbon county since the days of the
old-fashioned barbecues and outdoor
political gatherings.
Mr. Simms was host on this occa-
sion to the people of Bourbon county,
vious condition of servitude, political
or religious beliefs. the only qualifica
ton necessary being their ability to
enjoy themselves. And they did!
Mr.. Simms has several large ponds
on his farm, and they becoming over
stocked with fish he conceived the
idea Of draining them, and giving the
people a genuine ond-time fish fry.
The idea expanded until invitations
had been extended through a dozen
different mediums to almost everyone
in this city and county and in some
of the surrounding counties as well.
The guests began coming in large
numbers from every direction on all
the roads, in all kinds of vehicles, and
in few short hours there was assem-
bled a very large crowd. Webber's
band of thirty-two pieces had been en-
gagged and furnished delightful music
throughout the day. In the afternoon
an orchestra discoursed music for the
dancers at the big pavilion. At noon
a delightful dinner was served COM
prising fish, barbecued meats, burgoo-
boiled country hams, bread, pickles
and coffee. 1t was simply delicious,
served in the most appetiZing manner,
and everybody told everybody else so.
One hundred and seventy-five gallons
of burgoo, prepared by Dudley Law
renee, of Lexington, over 1900 pounds
of fish, four beeves, eight sheep,
thirty-five boiled country hams, eight
hundred loaves of bread, seventy-ive
gallons of coffee and two barrels OF
pickles had been prepared by corps
Of cooks under the direction of Leer
Stout, of Paris, one of the most expe-
rienced caterers in the State. After
the guests had finished their dinners,
cigars were passed around, over thirty
boxes of Sonadas being distributed.
The affair was delightfully."- informal,
and there was nothing whatever to
mar the enjoyment of the occasion.
Mr.. Simms personally saw to the
comfort of the guests, and was assist
ed in this by his brother, Mr.. Will
Simms, of Spring Station, the resident
manager of the estate, Mr.. Ben Buck
ner. and a score Of personal friends,
who wore white ribbon badges labeled
Entertainment"
The farm where the entertainment
was held is known as the old II. &.
Buckner farm, and has been trans
formed by a score of landscape gard
eners and artists into one of the hand
soonest estates in the State, not even
excepting the famed Haggin show
place near Lexington. The farm com
prises one thousand acres of the finest
land in Bourbon county. Mr.. Simms
will soon tear down the old Buckner
home on the farm, and will erect
handsome mansion on the site. He is
spending thousands of dollars on the
place. not for purposes Of show, blu.
for making 1t home-like place Tor
his future residence.
Through transformation I II e
NEWS published in its last issue an
item in regard to the fish fry in which
it was stated that mint juleps were
be served. No liquors were on the
ground and none served, that being
a local option territory.