The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1869-09-02
THE OLD SETTLERS PIC MIC.

wednesday, inc nrst OF tue honshi WIS
most charming day for the demonstration oil
our Old Settlers Of Scott and Rock Island
counties. Just on the confines Of summer
aud autumn, it seemed subtle minghng oil
both, and just what could have been desired
for so interesting an occasion.
The attendance from Rock Island county
need not be alluded TO. OF course, consider
ing the convenience of access to the isah'
which we enjoy, our pioneers turned ou' !"
force. Every portion of the county was
abundautly represented. Scott county sent
delegation of over two hundred, among
whom could be noted most OF the familiar
old faces OF the past. On crossing TO THIS
side. they drove at once TO the Court house
which had been previously designated as the
rallying point. >,
Attwo O'Clock procession of wagons ana
carriages was formed, which cast into the
shade anything Of the kind Rock Island has
seen for many day. There were one hun
dred and sixty vehicles Of all styles IN the
column, which stretched in an unbroken line
from Market Square to within o hundred
vards of the Arsenal building on the Island.
Jonathan Parker Of Davenport, President
of the Scott County Association, and Lucius
Wells, of Hampton, President OF the ROCK
Island County Association, marched at the
head, preceded. by the Rock Island brass
> hand, The route chosen lay up the centFe'
avenue of the Island, to the scene oil the pro
5 posed festivities, a beautiful spot about
quarter of a mile north east OF the two large
armories in process olerection, and the same
b Mace a. used for the picnic last year
' Its green grass aud cool SnaneS
|. hidden away from the surrounding cite
: with their great marts Of trade aud roarinj
manufactures, we're well adapted to bring I
Z, mind the appearance of this goodly Ian
g. when our old pioneers first reached
L. After the halt, the teams were all drive
"a into the recesses of the grove and secured
A stand had been erected, and seats OIL
a. a. tables provided in advance. Around 'he'
the multitude gathered, and after q sho
res rest, were called to order BY President W ell
N. Rev. Richard HaDey, of the Method'
Church of this city, followed with br
aud appropriate prayer
:. The Rev. ". A. Spencer, OF PEORIA
= native # this county, and son Of John
Tor Spencer, Of this city, was then introduced
'ao' the orator Of the day, and entertained
- assembly with an interesting address OF 80
MN length
At its conclusion poem was read ,reia'i
wa IN the Island, by Rolln j. Wells, q native
Moline, but now a resident OF Atkihs'
nth Henry county.
oal The interesting exercise Of pc.nici
dinner was next in order, and just as III
might have done in the olden time, bet'
Wy their rude log cabins we're completed, the "
'N cradle people scattered about the grove
large and small groups, by tables, and
an the grass, and made way with their Hbu
f a ant edibles in manner that testified
had not marred the viror of their health a
spirits.
her Dinner being over, Mr.. Jones, of Dav
cps port, took a Photographic view Of the see
copies of which win no doubt be in DENT
wed as soon as ready.
rn. Loud calls being made for many old FAY
ties. Judge Grant, Rev. Richard Haney,
Gregg, Rev. MIR. Meade, Jacob Norris, +
mer lip Suter, and others, responded in improI
p at addresses.
"Auld Lang Syne' wac then sung v
a.. spirit, after which the procession reform
49,. marched from the Island, and the Old
.o,n tiers separated for another year-many
them perhaps forever.
During the afternoon, Gen. Rodman
ath' staff visited the grounds, and formed the
in quaintance Of large number OF grey hal
G to gentlemen who remember to have seen
tho spotnof his present magnificent inpro
ments Il savage wilderness