Daily Iowa State Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1859, 1859-02-23
STATE DEMOCRAT


PIONEER SETTLERS SECOND ANNUAL
FESTIVAL, AT THE BUGTls HorsE LAST EVENING
Last evening at an early honr the geor
gous parlors and reception rooms at the
Burtis House commenced filling with the
Pioneer Settlers of Scott county. The
weather being Of the most auspiciua char
acter, the number was large-much larger
than was expected.
At o'clock the hour appointed for all To
be at the Bcrtis House, there were over
two hundred and forty arrivals-and that
number Of tickets had been sold. The
gathering was of the most pleasing charac-
ter. The old and young met once more to-
gether for their Second Annual Festival
At o'clock the members of the Young
Pioneer Settlers Society--numbering abou,
forty--headed by its officers arrived to
listen to the annual address. The Young
Settlers made quite fine appearance.
At the appointed hour the guest march
ed into the dining Hall to listen to the An
nual Address, by Willard Barrows, Esq.
Meeting called to order by President A
Le Claire.
On motion Of Hon. James Thorington,
one reporter from each newspaper office in
the county was invited to be present.
The orator Of the evening then took the
stand. and in a most appropriate manner
delivered the following
Annual Address.
Mr.. President, Laeiies ond Gentlemen:
We meet again, TO celebrate the Second
Annual Festival Of the "PiOneer Settlers
Association of Scott County. And while |
feel my own inability to address you on this
occasion, my heart rejoices to extend to
each and all, the fraternal greetings Of an
other reunion.
In the good Providence Of God. since
our last meeting, our number remains al
most unbroken But one of our members,
40 far Va heard FROM has departed. David
Barry died on the 10Th Of June last. lie
WAS well known IA man of energy and
perseverance,, a man Of industry andlhard
labor, with an open and generous heart, and
a true Pioneer. He was native Of Ireland,
and spent many years in Boston, Mass, pri-
or to his removal to Iowa, in 1897. lie To-
Gated upon farm few miles back from
Rockingham, where lie lived most of the
time until his death
By resolution of the Association pass
ell Feb. 9TH, 1859, record is to be made OF
the death OF the wives and daghters Of Pi-
Oneers prior to that time, which have not
been provided by the constitution under
this head mention the name OF Mrs. Ste
L. Al
These comprise the dead list Of our num-
Der, for the year 1858. Few, indeed, my
friends, compared with the list of our AS
sOciation.
The formation OF our Society has been
attended with many difficulties, but | am
happy to say has met with universal appro-
val The origin of this Association, was
one Of deep anxiety; to retain the Incl
dents and early struggles of the Pioneers
OF Scott county, which were fast passing a.
way and losing their identity. In the rap
id progress of the age, amid the whirl and
hustle Of life, we were fast becoming stran
gers to each other. forgetting the days
when small enterprise OF any kind, requi-
red all the means and energies OF the little
pioneer band of twenty vars ago. We
were fast being carried along with the rush
IL,
until we began to forget. amid the splendor
of the age. the days Of the "old log cabin. :"
It was fitting that we should turn aside for
a mnmeet and look back to the scenes
through which We had passed. We had
our gathering 1t was one of deep and
thrilling interest to many hearts. 1t was
an experiment. Its managers were often
in doubt and anxiety as to the result. Fears
were entertained of want of guests; our
noble hearted and enterprising host, DIR.
Burtis, was equally anxious with us all.-
and suggested the propriety of having an
yited quests. at his own expense. the conse
ouepce was. that this magnificent structure
was full. TO overlooking, but the thousands
were sumptuousy fed, and there remained
more than "tuelue baskets tuH" that were
given to the poor.
From the experience of last year, the
committee on the present occasion, have set
proper limits to the gathering, and wisely
confiue it 10 it's more immediate members.
To the new conner, these gatherings may
seem as of but little Importance. But to
the "Old Settler" it is day Of inexpressi-
ble emotion; one alike Of Joy and grief, OF
amiles and tears, Of sadness and Of rejoic
ings. as he recounts the tolls and hardships
of q pioneer life. 1t is a day set apart for
the Pioneers of Scott county, in which tn
celebrate our advent into this beautiful
land. It is q day in which heart meets
heart. and old familiar faces look kindly on
each other. A day in which We recount
the termoils and strife Of times long since
departed; a day in which We sit down to
dwell with mingled emotions Of JOY and
sorrow on the past. the happiness Of the
present. and the bright and glorious hopes
of the future.
In all ages of the world, great events
have been celebrated with pOmp and splen
dor. and humble as our pretensions may be
we have the privilege, and love to come to.
pether. to renew our early friendship, and
have chosen as a suitable day for the occa
sion, the 22i Of February, Of each year
being the birthday OF the immortal WASH
INGrox. lie too, was a pioneer, and well
knew the hardships and privations OF the
wilderness, the camp, and the battle field
He was the Pioneer, not only Of his owl
State. but his ambitious spirit was evel
ready to penetrate the dark recesses Of the
forest, and fear.essly brave the dangers o
the home Of the savage He was the greal
Pioneer Of all the liberties we now enjoy
the first in the halls Of Congress, on tn,
battle field, and in the hearts Of his country
men. And while we celebrate our owl
puny adventures, compared with his ma,
We never forget to lose and venerate th
memory Of GEoRGE WAsmNGroN.
To enter upon minute description OF ou
country, it. first settlement. and the varie'
scenes through which it has passed to it
present growth and Importance. is not m.
present Intention, but l shall al!ude only t
snch. as NAV be presented In the early his
tory Of our land 1t is all full OF Interest
and would call up many thrilling reminis
eences of the past.
I/You can we'll remember, my friends, th
/long and tedious journey from your nativ
home, by steamer. stage or wagon Yo
can we'll remember when you first behel
the Great River, and crossing it. you frs
Get foot upon this beautiful land; you r.