The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1857-06-16
EVANSVILLE, IND.
Pioneer Associations.


Among the most agreeable and useful asso-
Citations that have grown mp in this age OF
societies, there are none moro pleasant and
commendable than the organized annual
meetings of the early settlers. They serve TO
revive and keep alive the brotherhood of feel
ing, which the trials and dangers Of pioneer
life engendered among the first inhabitants |
of the Western Wilderness. They recall the |
memory of past events, and in the narratives |
which the meetings elicit, they gather up
many interesting details for future history.
The plan is to form into a society all the
settlers of section of the State, who lived
IN the country p. Tor to a certain period. The
societies hold annual meetings, and have fes-
rivals, to which the members bring, not only
the memory of their pioneer exploits and al
ventures, but every relic of olden times that
will revive the associations of their log cab
In life, with its joys, anAieties and privations.
A handspike, by which the logs Of the first
cabin were laid up, in settlement-that is
now fourishing town or city-awakens
emotions as exciting in the heart of an old
settler, as relic from the battle field does in
the bosom Of an old veteran who participated
In the event. For an hour, these meetings
Of the old pioneers roll back the tide of time
to the days of their early manhood, they live
for day in the past, and in memory flight
their battles DER again" We can imagine
no reunions, in any community, more de-
lightful to the participants, or that tend moro
TO strengthen the bonds of neighborhood-
quicken the love Of early homes, and our ma
tive State, that has been sanctifed by the
sacrifices, the labors and sufferings of our
fathers. There has been q strange indiffer-
ence among our citizens in relation TO the
early local history of the State. The day is
coming, when our present neglect of the ira
dictionary history of the country will be sub
ject of deep regret to our descendants. We
are in the same Congressional district with
Vincennes, the first settlement between the
Lakes and the Ohio, and the seat of govern
ment for nearly century of all the territory
now embraced in the States of Ohio, Indiana
Michigan, and Illinois. 1t has been the scene
of many memorable events, within the mem
DRY of men still living, the history of which
has never been written, though in their re-
suits they have had important influences upor
the political and territorial interests of TIL
country. The Pocket has large number o
its pioneers still in the active scenes of life
dwelling on the spots they first cleared, wit
all the history of their early adventures, an
the incidents of the settlement Of this por
ton of the State fresh in their memories.
they could be associated, and meet at an an
q
collection of the events of which they hav
been witnesses, they would contribute t
their own enjoyment, instil a stronger Low
of home among their descendants, and affor
some valuable and interesting materials
history. The approaching fourth of Jul
would afford q convenient and very appro
pirate occasion for calling together at som
convenient point-say this city-all the oil
settlers who were residents in this Congress
sional District prior to 1925 or 1880.
The early inhabitants of Cincinnati hay
maintained such an association for man
years; and their annual festivals have bee
found highly interesting and agreeable. I'll
old pioneers around indianapolis have also
society among themselves, and on Tuesda
last held their fourth annual festival, in ii
State Fair Grounds. The occasion gatherc
together large company of the old settle
and their families, who brought with them
great many relics and mementos of 'front.'
life. The day was spent in recounting Il
recoliections of those who had first invade
tho wilderness that once-covered the site of
now fourishing city and a populous' III
highly cultivated landscape around it.
rich repast was served up in pioneer style
on primitive tables, in dishes that had deck
the shelves of the old cabins-and on tab
cloths like those from which the frugal mea
of olden times eaten.