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ABOUT REUNION AT FORNEY
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Capt. Mangum Writes of Meeting of Veterans
Last Week
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At your request I hand to you this short writeup of the
reunion at Forney. Comrades E. Murphy, J. M. Williams and myself boarded the Midland
motor last Tuesday evening for Forney. As we went down that evening we ran into
a very heavy rain at Terrell but it did not extend very far west, so when we reached
Forney we found it dry and the weather was ideal, cool and balmy.
On
reaching there we met Rev. E.B. Thompson, who preceded us. He took charge of me
and carried me to one of his good friends, Mr. John Daugherty, where no one ever
had better entertainment extended with a wide, free and open hand. Sister Daugherty
was untiring in her efforts to make us happy and everything pleasant. They are
true types of Southern chivalry. They have two very interesting young ladies boarding
with them, who added greatly to our pleasure. The hospitality was never better
at any reunion. It was good, better and best. Bro. Thompson and I fell heirs to
the latter. The bright smiles and cheering words were evidence everywhere.
Dinner was served both days in a large building on two long tables with comfortable
seats and everything to eat that the cravings of a hungry appetite could desire
and ice tea and hot coffee to drink. There were a host of beautiful young ladies
mingled with several young widows, married ladies and young gentlemen to wait
upon us. They were untiring in making us comfortable and seeing that we lacked
for nothing in way of edibles and pleasure. All we lacked to complete the jollity
of the occasion was the presence of our good looking ladies. It was probably best
for him, for he might have smiled himself away.
We cannot be too loud
in praise of the good people of Forney, a beautiful little city of some 1700 inhabitants
surrounded by as fine black land as there is in North Texas. The session was never
more harmonious and pleasant, held under two large tents and stretched upon a
beautiful mesquite lawn, in fact no people can beat it. Commerce has held the
laurels up till now. We must take off our hats and bow in humble submission until
we have another opportunity to cope with Forney.
Bro. Thompson has a
host of friends at Forney. He taught school there for five years [1876-1881, Forney
Public School] and later as pastor preached them for four years. Our hostess was
a pupil of his. He also solemnized the rites of matrimony for them when they were
married. If he did not have a hearty welcome, no man at Forney did. Among those
we met were many of his students of many years gone by, some of whom learned from
him their letters, who are now heads of families, while older ones show evidence
that the corRoding tooth of time has marked furrows in their faces and the weight
of years have caused their forms to bow. I am glad I had a full share of Bro.
Thompson's welcome.
There was nothing left undone that I was capable
to judge to make their hospitality complete. The trains were met by the reception
committee and autos to carry the comrades to their assigned homes. The little
city was well decorated. The welcome addresses were strong and cordial and received
hearty applause. Your humble writer had the task and honor to respond to them
the best he could.
The next reunion for 1915 will be held at Ennis. Our
ranks are fast thinning out. Soon our reunions will be a thing of the past except
in the memory of a few patriotic young Southern men and women. I wish to extend
my profound thanks to the good people of Forney for their lavish hospitality extended
to us. May no storms ever disturb their happy homes, may peace and plenty abound
with them. Respectfully, W. E. MANGUM |