To day Frank Stewart and I left Mother's [Mahala] in the buggy in route for Liberty. We drove 12 miles to Crockett where we stoped for the night at Hall's Hotel. expenses $2.25. weather changeable & warm.
Thus closes my notes for the month of December and also for the year just passed and gone and now numbered with the things that were. Whether the Almighty will spare me to chronicle the daily events of the incoming year is more than I know but trusting in Him I shall enter upon the pleasing task, which is useful as a reference and may be profitable to those who have an interest in me.
Monday, July 4, 2011
Thursday, July 4th, 1861
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BELLVILLE [TX] COUNTRYMAN, July 10, 1861, p. 2, c. 4, The Fourth. We passed the 4th very pleasantly at the barbecue near Mrs. Bracey's. Through some mistake in the editor, printer or devil, it was stated that it would be held in 'Possum Bend, by which we were doing great injustice to the habitants of a different and wealthy portion of Austin county, who do rejoice in the cognomen aforesaid. All hands apologize for the error, and hope they may have the honor, on a future occasion, of meeting the people of 'Possum Bend at a gathering in that portion of the county. But we wanted to say something about the barbecue.
ReplyDeleteWell, it was one of the most agreeable we have attended in a long time. Beef, mutton, and pig, and a lot of fine things to gratify the appetite, were spread with a rich profusion, equaled only by the liberality of the settlement. After the ladies, the military, the boys and the citizens had got their "fill," the crowd repaired to a well constructed and comfortable arbor, when the exercises commenced, by reading the Declaration of Independence, a thing that was well performed by A. Chesley, Esq.
Loud calls being made for Z. Hunt, Esq., that gentleman came forward and made one of the best extemporaneous addresses we have heard in a long time. It was completely utilitarian in all its parts, principally having reference to the war in which the nation is now engaged, and the best means of being prepared for the struggle. Patriotism, a deep, heart-felt devotion to the interests and success of the Confederate States, was prominent throughout the address, and the frequent rapturous applause of the assembly, evinced the fact that the sentiments of the speaker met a hearty response in the hearts of all. This was the speech of the day.
After that came Col. Paine, H. H. Boone, W. O. Campbell, Watts Cameron, of Cass county, A. Chesley and others, all of whom did well, abundantly well, in their respective brief remarks. Judge N. I. Chappell acted as Marshal of the Day, doing the thing up in a manner such as the Judge, and he only, can do it. Taking it all in all, by and large, great and small, big and little, we think everybody dispersed satisfied with the enjoyments of the day.
At night there was a party and a dance in the neighborhood. We can't dance, so we did not attend. We are informed, however, that they got along just as well without us, and that everything passed off as harmoniously as though we had been there, and we have no doubt of it.