The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1919-10-04
Soldiers Welcome Home
Barbecue A Success
5000 People Assemble in COlfax
to Do Honor to Our Ser
vice Men.
Soldiers Welcome Home, the Good
Roads Propaganda and Interest
in Political Issues Draw an
Immense Crowd to
Feast of Good
Things.

Fully five thousand people attended
the magnificent barbecue in Colfax on
October l. The three fold nature of
the days program, viz: Soldiers well
come home, Red Cross and other war
work honoss, good roads and the dis
cussion of political issues, struck a
popular chord, and intense interest
was manifested by agrand outpouring
of the people, whose sympathy was
manifest in everything from start to
finish.
About three hundred soldiers, sailors
and marines were in hne in their uni
forms, and after drilling few mo-
meDts on the high school campus FORM
ed in marching order and with colors
flying and proceeded by band, parad
ed several squares to the band stand
on Railroad Avenue, where they ar
rived about 10:45 a. m. and after
marching and counter marching finally
halted in front of the speakers stand
Atty. J. B. Roberts acted as master
of ceremonies, and after calling on
Rev. j. o. Bennett to pronounce the
invocation introduced Mayor j. Q.
Long, who delivered the address of well
come on behalf of the town.
The next speaker was Hon. E. H.
Randolph, representing the Red Cross,
who delivered splendid address TO the
soldiers, sailors and marines and the
assembled multitude, recounting in elo-
quent terms the magnificent work of
the Red Cross and closing with mag
nifieent tribute to, the zvalor Of the
American soldiers and an earnest plea
that it be preserved for all time.
Mr.. hurry M. Phillips, returned
soldier who was wounded several times
during the fighting in France, was in
troduced to illustrate the promptness
of aid by the Red Cross at the front.
He cited three or four instances where
he received personal attention.
Miss Anna E. Rein, Supervisor of
the Public Health Nursing Service
American Red Cross was then intro
duced. made very interesting talk on
the Soldiers Home Coming Celebration
and impressed the people of Grant par
ish with the need of public health
nurse.
Mr.. Clarence Ellerbe was introduced
and made good talk on the import
ance of using improved agricultural
methods in Louisiana. and the great
necessity for agricultural training
schools.
Col. h. p. Stubs, candidate for gov
ernor was then introduced. He spoke
to a plainly sympathetic crowd which
vigorously applauded nearly everything
he had to say. He especially empha-
sized the fact that he had not word
to say against his opponent, because
the sponsors for MIR. Parker in this
campaign in the campaign three years
ago had already said and left of record
all that was necessary at this time.
He read extensively from the record,
and his caustic application was evident
ly enjoyed by nearly all present. The
generally accepted opinion is expressed
that of the thousand voters present
eighty per cent of them were for
Stubs.
Dinner was announced about CLOCK
by the master of ceremonies, and
everybody was invited to the barbecue
feast spread on $50 feet of tables near
by. The meat was barbecued splen-
didly, and all present Toasted to their
hearts content.
In the afternoon after dinner was
disposed of the people were asked
again to ASSEMBLE at the band stand,
where Mr. Duncan Buie and Capt c.
H. Teal had a few words to say in sup
port of Hon. Jno. M. Parker.
Mr.. Charles j. Calhoun, a returned
Marine, who was wounded several
times during the war, made quite an
interesting talk for few minutes, and
closed by announcing that he was a
candidate for assessor and would ap-
preciate the support of all present.
The visitors from adjoining parishes
were all profuse in their praise of the
excellent provision and management
of the barbecue, all saying they had
not seen or heard of single act to
mar the pleasure of the day. The day
was clear and beautiful, and we only
regret that the lack of space forbids
our giving a more extended account of