Year: 1873

LACONIA, ARK, July 23.-Life in Ar
/ kansas, especially that portion border
4 ing on the Mississippi, is much the
sane as is found in all civilized and
well-regulated communities elsewhere.


ABSENCE OF CRIME.


One of the first things to be specially
( noticed is the security of person and
property, and but few cases Of violation
of law. Considering that here the mass
/ of the population is cOmpOsedOf of colored
people who are all engaged III raising
! the staple, this speaks well for them as a
| abiding race. A g0Odly number of
white laboring men are also here Occu-
/ pied in raising crops by their own labor,
demonstrating that they are willing to
obey the mandate Of God, that "ThOu
shalt earn thy bread by the sweat of thy
| brow"


THE KNOWLTON PLACE,


Or as it is known here, a part of the old
I Abercrombie place, at present run and
cultivated by Messers. Bankston and
| Early, and a number of enterprising
eolored people, most of whom have pur-
/ chased small tracts, and are now rejoic-
| ing in the dignity of landowners, pre-
sents the appearance of a richly nulti-
y
abundant crop. The late spiing, and the
| desperate efforts the people had to make
to get ''ogt of grass, f" has kept all hands
/ busily employed up to the present time.
| But now the most Of them are clear of
grass, the crops look clean and thrifty,
and many of the colored people expect
to go to cottOn-picking by the middle of
next month. Surely, if patient industry
and attention to business will bring forth
rich fruits, you may look for the people
in the vicinity of Laeonia Circle to
make money when their crops come in,
as they richly deserve.


PLEASANTRIES AND ENJoYMENTs.
In the midst of the continued labors
and anxieties of the planters in looking
after their cropping interests, the young
folks determined to have a day of en-
joyment and pleasant amusement, and
consequently it was agreed that the
event should be celebrated by a


GRAND PICNIC,


on the twenty-third instant. Messrs.
Bankston and Early seem to have been
the chief instigators of the movement,
and the manner in which they per-
formed their allotted duties and brought
the thing to


A PERFECT SUCCESS


is deserving of all credit. A large num-
Der Of invited guests, from far and near,
were in attendance, and what is remark
able on all such occasions, particularly
in rural districts, is the fact that every
lady seemed to be perfectly satisfied, and
the absence of all jealousy about some
being treated with more respect and
rtr.rr- ~, r,fl oil tTn
and seemed to fully appreciate it.


EIGHT HUNDRED POUNDS OF MEATS.


AS an item of the liberal fare of this
party it may be stated that over eight
hundred pounds of meats alone were
placed upon the tables, and all the ac-
companying luxuries, such as cakes,
pies, fruits, ETC., etc., made up a cuisine
equal to what might be expected in the
most recherche establishment presided
over by DelmOnicO. In order to fully
perfect all arrangements the steamer A.
J. White was brought into requisition
to bring from Memphis all such delica-
cies as might be needed for the Occa-
sion. Her fine string band was engaged
to furnish the music, and of course this
attracted the attention and admiration
of all the rurslites in the vicinity. Cap
tain Mark Cheek and lady, SeymOre
and other of her officers were invited to


STOP OVER


and participate in the dance. Of
course, Captain Mark could not
resist such a pressing invitation from
such a respectable and important source,
and he and lady, and SeymOre stopped
off the boat and spent the day among
the pleasant enjOVments of the rural Ar
kansians.


HE ENJOYS HIMSELF MUCHLY.


That the captain enjoyed himself
while ashore is unnecessary to assert.
Being among his friends, and in the
midst of plenty of fun, he was simply in
his element.


SHE is AN INSTITUTION.


In speaking of Captain Cheek and his
fine steamer, White, it may not be out
of place here to state that this boat is a
recognized institution in this trade, and
that without her regular visits to all the
landings the people would feel lost and
as badly Inconvenience as a fish out of
water. But TO proceed with the party.
A fine floor, covered with an arbor. was
prepared, seats made, etc, and


''ON WENT THE DANCE"
with all the merriment of wedding
party. About two o'clock in the even
ing a rain suddenly dispersed the crowd,
and most of the party found refuge on
fatboats in the vicinity. In a short
time the skies again became clear and
the festivities were resumed until night,
when the party adjourned to the resi-
dence of DR.. AbercrOmbie, where dane
ing was kept up until late hour, when
tho no r1v adiOurnad