This was abstracted from a Sears, Lightner, Battle Lochart family history compiled by Lynward S. Lightner in 1985. This portion was authored by Adelle Lockhart. Submitted by Martha Rainey

 

The Lockhart place in Talbot County, was only five miles from Howard, in Taylor County. Many of the friends at the pinic including "B," who wrote for the Standard, were from that neighborhood.

That the home of Lemuel D. Lockhart was pleasant, and the family a popular one, is shown by an account of a "A Centennial Picnic," described in the Talbotton Standard for Wednesday, July 26, 1876:

Never was a day brighter and lovelier for an occasion of this kind. About 8 o'clock the young people from all parts of the neighborhood came rolling in and by 10 o'clock a large crowd had gathered themselves under the grove in front of the house, jabbering and cackling so naturally for young people on such occasions. At noon, a bell rang and under a large shady oak, tables were loaded with delicious food of every description.

After dinner, the crowd was invited by the lovely Miss Addie E. Lockhart to the parlor. No sooner than we had seated ourselves before we heard something that made us feel as if we had just stepped into an opera hall.

Lemuel D. Lockhart, Jr. and sisters, did make some of the best music that we have had the pleasure of listening to in some time. Dennie is a noble hearted boy, and while he cannot be excelled as a violinist, Miss Addie seemed to be perfectly familiar with the base instrument. Little Sallie, the sweetest of the three, understood her part with the piano.

What a treat to hear songs that were sung by Miss Lou and Lola Montez McCrary! Among them was "Homeless Tonight," a song dedicated to the memory of the fire in Boston.

The sun was sinking low in the tree tops when this "Centennial Picnic ended.