When rabbit hunting and a picnic made headline news
A vintage greeting card from the Blount brothers with an inside message that says Greetings of the season and Best Wishes for the New Year.
The Bourbon News reported a big rabbit hunt would take place in the Moorefield neighborhood on Friday, to be participated in by Carlisle, Sharpsburg, Millersburg and Moorefield young people in October 1897.
July 4, 1907, great speeches and plenty to eat was said to have been cause for a happy celebration as thousands gathered for the American Society of Equity’s picnic in Moorefield.
A Lexington newspaper reported a large crowd began to arrive early in the morning, buggies and wagons bringing to the scene numerous growers from different parts of the county accompanied by their wives and children.
At noon lunch was spread under the large shade trees where two thousand quests were present and seated themselves on the ground to partake in the event.
The scene was said to be a striking one and would long be remembered.
After the crowd marched around the grounds, Hon. Green R. Keller delivered the address and welcome on behalf of the local union.
V.M. Swinford, G.F. Wycoff, Judge Holmes, Smith Weaver and Hon. J.N. Kehoe of Maysville also delivered addresses. Mr. Swinford was the first speaker and he told of the extensive work being done by the Society of Equity and the success that has crowned its efforts. Mr. Swinford expressed the desire to see Nicholas County at the head of the list as a loyal supporter of the society. To accomplish this the growers must work hand in hand with only one motive view. The immense tobacco monopolies must at last accede to the demands of the growers, and the Society of Equity has come to stay. A large percentage of the 1907 crop is now pooled and before many months has passed the entire crop will be placed in the hands of the Equity Society and this fall will be stored in equity warehouses. Mr. Swinford expressed his appreciation of the keen interest taken by the growers and of the large crowd in attendance. Hon. J.N. Kehoe in his usual happy manner told of the glorious future in store for the Society of Equity and the growers. Mr. Kehoe impressed upon the growers that the fight is not yet won and will not be until growers own their own manufactories and warehouses. He said the Equity movement is yet in its infancy and that greater results that the growers have even dreamed of will be realized. Judge Holmes made earnest pleas to the growers to stand together and thereby promote the interests of the society. Mr. Swinford urged that cooperation is the most important requisite organization and that without the requisite success cannot be secured. Mr. Weaver’s address was a gem of thoughts and was well received.
