A Thriving Community - Brief Items About the Town

LAWRENCE, May 19, 1875

To the Editor of the Dallas Herald:

I left Dallas this morning at five o'clock, and when we reached Forney, at seven, a delegation to the picnic was waiting to go down. It was headed by Miss McGee, bearing a fine silk banner, and under the superintendence of Mr. Rivers, assisted by Mr. Sowel and Miss Wiggins. When all the little ones were safely seated, the train started, and we reached Lawrence at eight o'clock. As all the delegations had not arrived, the party was shown to the hotel, there to wait for them, while Mr. Myers, propietor, used every effort to make the little ones comfortable. About nine o'clock the Terrell and Wills Point delegations arrived, and they were soon followed by the Kaufman delegation in buggies and wagons, headed by a fine brass band. Orders were then given by Marshal Robertson for all on foot to go to the school house, where they formed a line. The Kaufman band and delegation took the lead, followed by the Lawrence and Forney Sunday schools, the base ball boys playing shoulder arms to bats. Bringing up the rear was a string of wagons and carriages over a mile long.

A great many did not wait until all had arrived, but wended their way to the grounds ahead of the procession. On the way to the grounds the little ones were halted and a photograph taken of the line, after which all went to the grove, where seats had been erected in a beautiful, shady place. On the speakers rostrum was a fine organ, which was used by Miss Birdwell, of Lawrence.

The committee of arrangements were J.H. Francis, trustee of the Texas Colony association, Messrs. Tripp, Burwell, Falconer, Croft, Goddard, Webb, Jackson, Carns and Robertson; marshal of the day, Mr. A.J. Robertson, assisted by Mr. Shirwood and Manning. When all were seated the chairman, Mr. Falconer, made a few remarks, and introduced Colonel Lawrence, who was followed by Judge Clark, Captain Adams, Mr. Hudson and Mr. Slaughter. All the speakers extolled the enterprise of the Texas Colony association, and congratulations were freely offered on the success thus far attending its efforts. The speeches were interspersed with songs, and music by the band.

About one o’clock the announcement was made that dinner was ready, and all wended their way to tables groaning under the weight of the most delicious viands. The ladies of Lawrence, under the direction of Mrs. Francis, had prepared a table under a majestic old oak, which was most artistically arranged with flowers and evergreens, bountifully supplied with the rarest delicacies and substantials. A fine cake was presented to the Texas Colony association by the ladies, and was accepted by Colonels Lawrence and Francis. Another was also presented to the Kaufman Base Ball club. Your correspondent here wishes to return thanks to Mrs. Francis for a beautiful bunch of magnolias, and also to Mesdames Truax, Cairns, Kellogg and others for favors shown.

After dinner all went to the ball grounds to see a game between the Kaufman and Lawrence boys, which was won by the Lawrence boys by a score of 35 to eleven.

After the game an egg race came oil, which was won by Professor Manning. When the field sports were over, the base ball boys and invited guests, accompanied by the band, proceeded to the office of the Texas Colony association, where they were received and entertained by Colonel Francis. Ice cream, cake, lemonade, cigars, toasts, speeches and music, were the order of the day, until the arrival of the train from Dallas, when several delegations took their departure, amid music and cheers.

At half past eight, lovers of the dance commenced tripping the light fantastic, which was kept up until the wee small hours of morn. The ladies were dressed in the handsomest of toilets and vied in beauty and loveliness with the most charming of our city belles. Among them I noticed many charming faces, but the belle of the evening was Miss Flippin, whose smiling face and golden hair would have warmed the heart of an anchorite. She was dressed in an elegant white silk, with an over-dress of tulle trimmings of silver and flowers, and the accompaniments of full evening toilet.

For the benefit of those that have never been to Lawrence, I will state that it is situated on the Texas and Pacific railroad, twenty-eight miles east of Dallas. The location is beautiful, and is surrounded by rich farming lands, covered with abundance of timber. A little over a year ago, there was not a house where, today, is Lawrence with a population of six hundred, with hotels, stores, churches, telegraph office, wagon manufactory, etc., and is steadily on the increase. The people are noted for their public spirit and hospitality. They extend the hand of welcome to all, as every one that was here today will acknowledge. It is tributary to our own great city of Dallas, and every increase in wealth and population to our thriving little neighbor directly and indirectly benefits us.

DALLAS.