The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1921-04-29
PLEASANT REcoLLEcTIoNs or
MADISON

The Madison Observation-Disclosures is
one of the oldest newspapers in Flor
idt and has been one of it's most po-
tent factors in the states development.
For the past decade it has been Under
the editorial control of Mr.. T. C. Mer-
chant and on the 22nd of April it APP
peared as an anniversary edition.
Quite a number or the editors of the
state contributed short articles in
which they expressed their congratula-
tons and good wishes.
The following was the contribution
OF the editor OF this paper:
Ocala. Fla. April 14th, 1921.
Mr. I. G. Merchant, Editor Enter
prise-Recorder Madison, Florida.
Congratulations to you on the tenth
anniversary as editor of the Enterprise
Recorder which for SO long time has
been potent factor in the history of
the town and county of Madison.
It is always source of sincere
Measure to me to hear of anything
favorable concerning your historic city
and am glad. to know that it is feel
ing the touch of progress taht is now
so prevalent in SO many sections Of our
rapidly developing state.
/ have and shall always retain the
most pleasant recollections of your
city, its shaded streets and pretty
lakes. but especially of its inviting
homes and generous-hearted and clever
people
Can one ever forget when he wore
the gray clad uniform of the Lost
Cause 2"
II was at Madison the most of my
soldering was done. AS | held the
exalted position of foot courier, and my
daily duties ended after making out
the morning regimental reports and
conveying them from the camps to
headquarters in the city, had ample
opportunity to come into contact with
Your splendid citizenship and take &C
count of their generous hospitality.
How well remember on one cc-
casion attending an exhibition of tie
Exile Sisters when suddenly the
lights We're extinguished and were Col
lowed by q rapid volley of pistol shots
snd the bewildering stampede which
ensured in the Egyptian darkness.
Fandemonium reigned for time.
What it was all for was never asce.-
tanned
On returning from the battle of the
Natural Bridge on top of box car.
begrimed with dirt, smoke and dust
remember paying three months pay f,r
a cake of brown Windsor soap at one
of your drug stores, so those complain-
ing of high prices during the war just
ended really did not fully appreciate
its meaning. Il ssskTIll
remember how eloduently the Issues
OF the war were discussed by the NUM-
Der OF army Officers assembled in your
city and the usual number of curb
stone politicians Being quite young
and unsophisticated l was made to
believe that we would soon bag the en-
tire Yankee army and set up the grand
est government the world had ever
known and remember later how those
hopes were blasted when the fatal 9th
sof April was ushered in.
Speaking of the war-cradled nation
ard its flag well did the gifted Fatrer
Ryan exciaim
eBroken was its staff and shattered.
And the valiant hosts We're scattered.
A mightier arm was at the helm. and
purified through travail and tributati,n
the two contending sections We're
welded into one and if its traditions
can be preserved it will be the culmi-
nation Of human hopes and ambitions
and truly stand as beacon light for
the nations.
still reminiscing, I remember on
certain occasion the medical depar.-
n.ent of the hospital was broken into
and despoiled Of its WHISTLES, vines
and brandies. how nearly the whole
regiment was under espionage but