“Ideal Community Gathering,” from the Monroe Journal, August 15, 1916, Monroe, N.C.
Folks of Pleasant
Hill Community Near Goose Creek and New Salem Border Had Fine Time at Sell’s
Pond Saturday
The celebration at the Sell fish pond last Saturday was a
huge success and several hundred people were present throughout the entire day.
Stirring speeches were made by Messrs. R.L. Stevens, W.O. Lemmond, J.J. Parker
and Zeb Green. This is the first of many celebrations that the Pleasant Hill
community intended holding annually at the Sell pond, which is an ideal spot.
There is plenty of shade, and the pond provides several aquatic sports.
The various prize winners were: Arthur Williams, running
race; Bronnie Hargett, foot race; Baxter Hargett, sack race; best clowns, Frank
Griffin and Callie Davis.
Those in charge of the celebration were: Chief Marshall,
J.A. Sell; W.D. Simpson, Vander Simpson, Henry Austin, Winston Griffin,
Sandford Strawn, and Curran Griffin.
The fish pond is the property of Mr. W.M. Sell, who is one
of Union county’s most prominent citizens and farmers. He stated Saturday that
it was his intention to agitate such a celebration as was held Saturday every
year. He said that he would be glad to let the people of his community have the
use of the pond, and that he would do all in his power to make future
celebrations as successful as the one on Saturday. Mr. Sell said further that
he was a great believer in community spirit, and that he thought getting the
people together once every year would work much towards creating that spirit.
Mr. J.A. Sell, who was chief marshal, expressed his pleasure
at the good order during the day. This was especially significant since as
everyone knows, cider is in much abundance this year.
Mrs. W.B. Simpson and Mrs. J.A. Sell spread a picnic dinner
for the benefit of the visitors that was probably unequaled anywhere. Fried
chicken was plentiful and the country ham was sufficient for the ravenous
appetite of the visitors.
The Speeches
Mr. W.O. Lemmond was the first speaker. He was introduced by
Mr. I.G. Clontz. He laid special stress on community pride and uplift, and
stated that it always gave him great pleasure to be present on such occasions
as this. Education came in for a prolonged discussion by Mr. Lemmond, and he
urged the people to erect their school houses conveniently and secure the best
teachers possible.
Mr. J.J. Parker, who followed Mr. Lemmond, was introduced by
Mr. John Beasley. “Americanism” was the subject of Mr. Parker’s speech, and he
delivered an excellent one. He said that he pinned his faith to the red-blooded
Americans who stood for the upholding of the integrity of America on foreign
soil. Many other phases of American life were discussed, and Mr. Parker gave
thanks for the happy, tranquil scene that was before him as compared with the dark
and stormy days on the European battlefields. “I am opposed to war,” said Mr.
Parker, “but I am not too proud to fight.”
Mr. Zeb Green was the next speaker. He was introduced by Mr.
Solon Braswell. Mr. Green discussed three things, all of which are vital
questions: better farming, good roads, and better education. He said that Mr.
W.M. Sell was noted for breeding good O.I.R. pigs, but that he thought that the
Pleasant Hill community ought to strive
to earn that reputation for themselves as a whole. No one doubts but that we
need better roads, said Mr. Green. We are still paying the now famous mud tax,
and it is time for us to throw off the bondage. Better education is, according
to Mr. Green’s idea, less petticoat music courses, not so many buzz saw voice
students, and a little less Greek and Latin; but more of a practical course
that fits boys and girls for successful lives.
After the speaking, the Pleasant Hill team crossed bats with
the Unionville team, the latter losing by a score of 5 to 3.
All of the visitors were unanimous in their praise of the
day, and all expressed the hope that they might be able to be back next year.
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