Daily Davenport Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1864-1874, 1868-01-15
Pioneer Settlers Asso. iasion.
Celebration OF the EIe,euis, An.
ntvcrra-y.

"a tHe B.teeGfatsl -
ntvcrra-y,
Lest evening at an eatly hour the + P.oneer
Settlers Of Scott county assembled at the
German Theatre TO celebrate their eleventh
anniversary, by one Of those pleasant gath
Ell ~ that always mark their annual re-
unioas. Every thing was favorable for .
good attendance Feom a close estimate
made, as al were seated At the table in the
large Hall, doiog justice 10 friend Weide
man splendid repas., we place the number
a.two hundred and iif;y. They met for :
pleasant time, TO renew old friendships and
revive Old memories. We have seldom
seen pleasan.or, happier gathering
the silver Of time is forgotten and nc
weight OF years % aid aside in the memory
Of younger days. II their other gather
ings have been successful this one was even
more SO.
the national banner, evergresns, pictures.
etc. On the stage was the monument ofthe
Society, bearing on its face the names OF the
pioneer dead for 1867, arranged as follows:
Mrs. Charles Lesslie, A. Milo White, Mrs.
Thomas D. Armicl, William Rumbod, Mrs.
Samuel Freeman, Louis Hebcrt, Trad No
be, Mrs. Erastus Downey, Mrs. J. w.
Beard, Mrs. Chss. II. Eirdge, William
Grant, Willard BArrows, William Camp.
On either sidc stood an evergreen tree,
emblcmatical Of tho memories Of these ab-
sent ones, who on former occasions had
been the lie Of their festive gatherings aud
| the pride OF tie association.
At half past seven Mr.. Israel Hall ,Pres-
| dent, took the chair and called the associa-
tion to order. The frst thing in order be-
ing music, "The New Year" was
beautifully rendered by the Glee Club, con-
sis.ng Of Messrs. Ira Andrews, G. Woeber,
Isaac ssGlsspell, and Misses Maggie Motto,
Sarah Noel and Clara Alyord Miss Clara
presiding at the piano forte. President
Hall then delivered The following valedic-
tory address, AMI presented his successor
Judge Grant with the Presidents cane.
e;mset this evening for another festive
occasion. One more year il ended anoth
er long stretch on our lifes journey has
been trsversed. And We are about to en-
JOY another OF these pleasant occasions
which mark off the distance that lies be-
tween US and the grave. We can step
across the time without . moments pause
to think what has been, and what may bs
A year what recoliections throng upon US
IN the review OF its twelve months What
memories Of Gods goodness and Of the low
ipg kindness Of the Lord. When ws count
His mercies they arc more in number than
the sands Of the sea. Many Of us,. ill re-
call our delivcrance from sickness and our
preservation in travels by land and sea.
Some have not lost near friends By death
in the year past Through all their dan
gers they have escaped. They look around
the circle of their kindred, and il is unbro-
ken. But for many the year has had its
sad hsreavements. As We kept on cur
ceasele>s march, one and another has fal-
len by the way side, and the world seems
more dark and drcary-
| "Couds in the evening skv more darklv gather
And shattered wrecks lie thicker on the rand
| 1t affords me much pleasure, sir, in be-
half OF the Pioneer Settlers Associate of
| Scott county, to present this emblem of Of
| flee and honor 10 you.
President Grant upon receiving the cane,
replied ss follows:
| MR President had resson to expect
that the honor and duty you are now about
to place on me was many years distant.
Scott county has yet many Older and wiser
Old Settlers. who, by right should precede
NE in discharging the duties your kind
ness imposes on me. But this cane is
not only an emb en-, it is reality. I am
getting old and il multiplied affection and
tflals and care given ono position among
you, am content Two wives, two chill
dren, and one brother. all old settlers Of
this cou:i'y, have passed from earth to
Heaven during the thirty years have Ii. ed
among you. In all the aill ctons, trials,
privatons OF the past, have born my share
and the time is approaching when must
| jnin the countless caravan which has tra'-
eled through the dark valley OF the shadow
of 6ea'h
! few days ago Mr. Willard Barrows,
the founder aud honored presiding officer
81 tins Society, passed ircm among us. lie
was the historian Of Scott equity. His in
divslual eioF,s have done more to perpet-
uste our names and exalt our Society, than
the combined efforts Of the whole Of us.
We doplore his death, we honor his name,
we cherish his virtues, We will perpctuate
his memory"
The Glee Club then favored the Assem-
blago with 'Our Old Uomcstsdd" After
which Judge Grant introduced DR.. p
| Gregg of Rock Island, who had been Sc
lected to deliver the annual address. We
have space only for q few extracts from
this highly interesting document, and re-
greet that we can not publish il entsc. He
sad -
Ny Gr,t business ia to conf, SIS to you nv
unfeigued surprise at receiving from your
committee an invitation TO address you tins
evening. To use nautical phrase, | was
taken all ahack.
Ny path through life las led through the
thorny byewavs Of a lahorious and ever
exactiug profession, along which sowers Of
eratory seldom bloom, and few opportuni-
tiss OF culhng the scattering allurements
The maxim that those whom the gods
wish to destroy they first make mad, NAV
perhaps account for my presence here to
night. crafty confronting and recklcssly
Drawing the resplendent talent but il 10 to
be hoped the merciful criticism of the
bench. the bar, the pulpit and the press Of
the Old Settlers Society will Be granted
Well may exclsim in the words Of Mark
Antony: Were Dillon and Dillon Gregg
There were Gregg, would touch sympa-
ths,ic cord in every heart and move the
very stonss Of Davenport to myth and
laughter.
Why are We, q say We. for am not .
member Of . kindred society. bound to you
by ties Of censanguinity. psopinguity, iden-
. tity Of interests. and BY that golden link
which binds us
The hslcion days Of equatter life,
Aud the girls We 6idn't leave behind rs.
. Why assembled on this occasionf For
! self Slortication, and the assumption tha,
we are better than other men. Not so. To
| handler 10 our basor natires il diacu ssi NO