The Mississippi enterprise. (Jackson, Miss.) 1938-current, 1944-07-15
The w. G. Avery Free Picnic
Draws Thousands OF Employees
And Outsiders AS Well
Barbecue, Watermelon Cutting,
Baseball, Special Features.
By Sarah M. Harvey

were employees Of the w. G. Az
cry Body Company and their fam
lilies, were present to enjoy one
of the biggest and most enjoyable
picnics ever given by any employer
for his Negro employees, in the
history of Jackson.
Beginning around 100 pm, Sat-
urday, July g, these picnickers, rid
ing in private cars, on street cars,
in big trucks furnished by the
company, in wagons and every
available vehicle, made way to the
Negro Playground on the Pocahon-
tas Road, where as the guests of
the w. G. Avery Body Company
they made ready to forget for a
few hours the grim horrors of war
and the many completing affairs Of
the day and give themselves up to
just having a good time-the fact
that all the eats and entertainments
were being furnished absolutely
free, made it all the easier for them
to do this.
At the beginning Of the big after
noon of revelry, most Of the partici-
pants were employees of the four
plants and their families, but be-
fore long, outsiders from the COM
munity and then other persons
from all sections of the city, hear
ing of the big free picnic, drifted
in and at once became a part of
the Avery picnic. And. because Mr..
Avery is a man who believes in do
ing everything on a big scale there
was plenty of food and drinks for
every one present.
Following the very entertaining
baseball game, the large crowd
made its way to the long tables
around the barbecue pit, where the
savory aroma of 200 pork hams pre-
pared by an outstanding barbecue
chef made a delightful and pleas
ing appeal to the apptite. Tasty
potato salad and other goodies that
go to make up a perfect picnic
lunch was placed on the plate of
the picnickers. All this good food
was washed down with hundreds
of bottles Of soda pop, lemonade
and ice cold water. When it seem
ed that there could not possibly
be room for anything else to eat,
the two truck loads of watermel-
Ions that had been iced down for
hour +. were uncovered, cut and ser
we'd, many persons getting two and
three large slices.
Mr.. Avery and other white per-
sonnet of the w C. Avery Body
Company were present through
out the picnic and personally sup
ervised the arrangements, being
sure that the days activities were
successfully carried out.
Around six o'clock men, women
and children, tired, and in many
instances dusty, but all rejecting
the JOY and satisfaction that comes
from stomach well fed and an af-
ternoon spent in fun and goodtimes,
piled back into their private cars,
walked to the street car stop. fill
ed the company's trucks, climbed
into their wagons and made their
way home, and on each lip there
was praise and approval for Mr..
w. G.. Avery, the man who is with
out doubt one of Jackson's best
business men and who because of
his kindly heart, full of generosity
for all mankind, especially those
in his employ, is considered by
his employees as the most popular
and best loved employer in Jack
son.
Photos of the picnickers were
made by Investigator Mr.. A. E.
Crawford and are shown on the in
side of this paper.
This picnic is the second of such
entertainments given his colored
by Mr.. w. G. Avery. in
an effort to show his appreciation
for the fine and loyal service they
are giving in his four plants.
Classified by the VINO as an EN-
ployer of Essential Labor" and
100 per cent war industry" the w.
G. Avery Body Company thru its
four local plants is doing splen-
did job of not only contributing to
the war effort, but also contribut-
ing to the economic security of Ne
groes in Kinds and Rankin coun-
ties.
AT Christmas time last year Mr..
Avery entertained his coIored en-
ployees with a four nights ban
quet, given at the Savoy ball room
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