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- THE NINETEENTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE
- BATTLE OF LONE JACK CELEBRATED.
battle of Lone Jack was celebrated in the beautiful grove of George
Griffith's two miles west of the town of Lone Jack. The day was clear
and bright, and a good cool breeze served to make it one of the
pleasantest that could be wished for. At an early hour the people
commenced arriving in all manner of vehicles and many on foot. Your
reporter is reliably informed that at least 800 people arrived last night
and camped on the grounds. Every arrangement possible was made by
the committee for the comfort of those in attendance. James A. Jones,
a son of Martin O. Jones, was chief marshal of the day and was ably
assisted by an efficient corps of assistants, who maintained the strictest
order and decorum. Not a drop of intoxicating liquor of any kind were on
or near the grounds so far as can be learned, and no disturbance or
even a harsh word was indulged in, but each [ ] seemed to enjoy
themselves to their hearts' content. The crowd, though not so large as
that of last year, aggregated near 5,000 people.
On account of the extreme warm weather and the terrible dust to
encounter in coming to and going from, a large number of people who
would have been present, remained away.
Judge R.E. Cowan of Kansas City, was the first speaker, and was
escorted to the stand to the music of the band. On being introduced, he
said he had not been invited to speak, but that his invitation was to come
down and eat mutton, and while he did not expect to establish his
reputation on this occasion, if they would bring on their sheep, he would
soon prove his capacity in that particular. The judge then proceeded to
speak of the day which they were here to celebrate, and in flattering
terms and eloquent language, paid tribute to the valor of those who took
part in that memorable battle in 1862-both those who wore the blue and
the gray. The speech was one of the judge's happiest efforts, which was
attended by the frequent bursts of applause from the audience.
At the conclusion of Judge Cowan's speech, an ode, "To the Memory of
the Boys Who Fell at the Battle on the 16th day of August, 1862,"
composed by A.M. Salyer, was sung by a quartette, at the close of
which dinner was announced, and it was a feast, when spread, to look
upon.
After dinner was through with Rev. D.H. Creager of Pleasant Hill,
delivered a short address, which was well received.
Loud calls were then made for Wm. H. Wallace of Independence, who
reluctantly came upon the stand, with the school boy's excuse, who said:
I came not here to talk. Mr. W. said he was here for a far different
purpose; that he was present today to seek himself a help mate, and to
enjoy himself in mingling and mixing with the throng who came here to
participate in the commemoration of the memorable battle. He, however,
soon warmed up to the necessities of the occasion, and for half and
hour completely enchained his hearers in a beautiful flow of eloquence
that brought forth much applause.
Taking the celebration of today in comparison with that of proceeding
years, it will fully equal them in all the features that go to make up a
social and intellectual feast. The crowd this year, though not equal in
numbers to that of last, is no indication that this anniversary is losing any
of its interest with the great mass of the people. The people went away
happy and well satisfied with the day, expressing a full determination to
return again next year to commemorate the day and enjoy the festivities
attending it. In closing it is due to say that Mr. Geo. W. Griffith received
many flattering encomiums for his generosity in the disposal of his
beautiful grounds for the purposes of the celebration.
Mr. John H. Homs was prostrate with heat, but soon rallied sufficient to
be able to sit up.
Kansas City Daily Times, Wednesday, August 17, 1881.