The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-10-16
M E N, w o MEN
 A N D I'll IN c s

NAAOW oI only one tnlnS WHICH VIII draw a bigger crowd than a basket pie nlc' and that is a free barbecue as the odor of the meats seems to permeate the very atmosphere and find their way into every nook and cranny for miles around
 It was a barbecue which drew me to vincent on Thursday morning. It had been heralded far and wide that there would be much oratory turned loose be- fore any one got a chance to try the cue. 1 can smell barbecued meats as far as the next one, but I really believe my scent for speechmaking is more devel- oped. The idea was to have democratic and a republican spellbinder, in order to play fair with the citizens of Shelby county who were asked to assemble to take up the matter of good roads, as it is a we'll known fact that politics sizzle in our neighbor county during every presiden- tial campaign. But it was set down in the books that neither was to mention the subject
 
 l was selecter as the white hope'' of the democrats, and rose early in order to make the Central of Georgia, and was among the first on the ground I was sorry to learn, however, shortly after my arrival, that my good Baptist brotnex, Judge A. H. Longshore, who was slated to appear on behalf of the republicans, for some reason failed to show up. One thing is certain, had he done so, there would have been no debate between us, set-to.
 I walked through from Mountain Ter race to Woodlawn and just as reached the depot up drove Sid Lee in his car, for he has caught on to the fact that he can save time by boarding the train at Woodlawn instead of at the terminal Take it from me, and I speak out of a long experience with him, Sid is one of the best fellows in the world to have around at a fish fry, a picnic or bar becue. He knows the game and follows it with genuine joy.
 Sid is popular with the men, favorite with women, but is beloved by the chill dren, for he always has something for them either toy or something to eat This time it was stick candy, and he distributed it with lavish hand. For the grown-ups he usually has a supply of ginger ale, for his nickname is "Old Buff falo Rock But this time he furnished
 mary a drap," but handed out all the Morning Dew coffee that the crowd could swallow, in my opinion a very much more appropriate drink for cue than a soft drink with the color q beer.
 On arriving at Vincent I went down to the hotel and rested for whileS waiting for the folks to come in, but I didn't have to wait long, for quite bunch came on the train, and soon every road lead- ing to the town was alive with buggies and automobiles. I had no idea of vast ing a chance to mingle with my friends by sitting cn a, hotel veranda, so l was soon back in the midst of the bustlng throng shaking hands right and left with acquaintances from all parts of Shelby county.
 For many years past had been making Vincent either to preach or speak in the interest of some cause. I'll never forget during the amendment campaign being billed to speak in it's behalf. It was an exciting time The A., B. & A. was be- ing put through. and a bunch came in from the camps One rough fellow who got drunk every time he came to town. showed up in two-horse wagon with his wife and family, and took a front seat A few of the timid ones thought he might be trouble bent. but they were mistaken. He said, T came because I want whisky put as far away from me as possible. I want to be able to come to town sober and return home in the same fix"
 The next big gathering I addressed at Vincent was during the war. when was sent there to speak in behalf of the Red Cross drive. Vincent is a good town in a fine community, and I knew that the barbecue would be pulled off in fine shape. While Vincent was acting as host, the cue, sufficient for twice as many pres ent, was gotten up with the help of Calcis, Sterrett, Vandiver, Dunavant and Leeds. these being the towns most directly interested in building the high way to connect with that of Jefferson county. The plan is revival of one begun some years back by Sid Lee, Fred Jackson and others, some six or seven thousand dollars having been spent on grading a road over part of the noun tain.
 It is hard to realize that at our very doors there is such a promising territory bottled up for the lack of highway into Birmingham. It seems passing strange that the people in the northwest ern part of Shelby county have been so patient in waiting for the commission CTS to take action in giving them relief from such an intolerable situation. For example, if a man at Vincent wishes to drive to Birmingham in his car his shortest and quickest way is to so round about route.
 The cue and the speaking was held in the pine grove near the Baptist Church, an ideal spot for such an affair as the ground slopes just right for the people to range themselves in order to hear the speakers. There were no seats provided, the crowd just good-naturedly sitting down on the grass or pine needles F'lCker McGraw, the local chairman, in- troduced H. M. Judge of Leeds, who pre- sided in his own unique and inimitable manner, introducing those on the pro- gramme la Judge.
 Tho rpaatinr was opepad with a Sorvant