HICKMAN COUNTY, TN - NEWSPAPERS - Columbia Herald, 6 Sep 1872
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Columbia Herald Newspaper of September 6, 1872

NEWS FROM HICKMAN

DEAR HERALD:  Last Friday the beauty and chivalry of Hickman county met in a
grove below Raleigh's Chapel, to attend a grand barbecue given by the
hospitable citizens of Big Swan in the interest of the Duck River Valley
Railroad enterprise. Fully two thousand people attended the meeting.  The sun
shone intensely hot. But tall sycamores, with their thick foliage, gave the
vast multitude ample protection from the scorching rays of the sun.  

The scenery was sublime, the ladies were beautiful, and the gentlemen wore a
commanding appearance.  All were fresh from the country.  There were no
foolish airs or foppish formality among the people.  The grove in which the
meeting was held is semi-circular shaped, with a base about three hundred
yards in length, which  is washed by the waters of Big Swan.  On either side
massive hills raise their towering heads which are covered by the green
foliage of the mountain oak.

The hills retire to the north, gradually curving east and west, enclosing the
beautiful valley, containing about twenty-five acres, part of which is in
cultivation.  The valley forms a curve of half a circle, with a delightful
landscape on the south.  At the base of each hill, on a  line running through
the center of the grove, two fountains pour their gurgling waters, which flow
in meandering courses to mingle with the waters of Big Swan.  Near the center
of the grove temporary seats, and a suitable big stand had been constructed.
O. A. Nixon, J. Moore and Dr. Pettus delivered interesting speeches in favor
of the railroad.

Dr. Pettus gathered the nicest flowers from the garden of the English
language, and strewed them at the feet of his fair auditory.  The ladies
responded to his complimentary remarks with their sweet smiles.  Dr. Pettus
closed his remarks by announcing "dinner ready."

The ladies and gentlemen formed separate processions and marched to the
tables, which were close in, headed by the Centreville string band playing
"The old gray Agra comes tearing out the wilderness," as the prelude to the
iron "horse" which is expected to come tearing through the wilderness.  The
tables were found groaning under the weight of a full variety of wholesome
food.  After all had feasted, enough provision was left to have fed as many
more.

Dinner over, the people returned to the stand and listened to addresses
delivered by Col. Levy McCollum and Rufe Coleman, Esq, who are candidates for
the Legislature.  Railroad stock was freely taken.  The commissioners of
Hickman county only lack ten thousand dollars raising the necessary amount of
subscription to commence building the railroad to through Hickman county.  The
Duck River Valley Railroad scheme will prove a success if Maury county will
only extend a helping hand.  Recently several meetings have been held in
Hickman in the interest of the road.  Last Friday another meeting was held at
Centreville.