The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1871-02-28
THE OLD sETTLER's REUNION
a Happy aathegins Of Old Friends.
+. xaeNIFIcEET FEAST.

ahopt one o'clock this afternoon The Old
ssttlers of Rock Island county commenced
TO assemble at the Harper House. The
ladies passed up stairs into the cloak room,
and the gents thronged the Office rotunda,
and the scene was one to be remembered.
Old men, who in former days roughed it and
camped out together, and who have with
stood the attacks of hardship and toll, met
their old comrades, and talked of by-gone
days with gusto, and their life-partners
assembled in the ladies parlor, and talked
of the ones who had preceded them over
the rolling river. The missing ones were
still warm in the memory of those present,
and the list of the pioneer dead, caused
many sad feeling to interfere with the
hilarity of the occasion.
The Assemblsge greatly exceeded the ex-
pectation, as the condition Of the roads is
such as to preclude full attendance The
weather, however, is beautiful, aud the prev
alent wind has dried out the roads so that
those living adjacent could reach the city.
| The noon train brought down a number
from the upper pert of the county, bnt the
majority of those present are residents Of
the city.
/ The Old Settlers all admired the beauties
of the Harper House, the iberahty of its
proprietor was praised, but the ladies' and
gents psrlors, attracted the most attention
and called forth the most comments.
The Dining Hall, under the superintend
ence of Mr.. Smith, the steward was model
of beauty and neatnesS. MIR. Hawthorne
exerted himself to sustain the reputation he
attained at the Banquet, and the tables this
afternoon bore speaking testimony as to his
skill and taste.
I On each table were three pyramids, perfect
models, and the elegant cakes and Other
delicAcies .brought forth much commends
ton from the sssemblage. At the south
end ofthe room, is a fair representation o
one ofthe log cabins used by these SANE
men in days of auld lang syne. 1t is con
ssructed of bark, and has doors and win
dows. On the roof is the inscription
/" Knox's Cabin" and e ladder run
up to a window in the side, Oh the rounds O
which may be seen an Old Settler going IL
bed. This little device attracted oonsidera
bic attention, and created much amuse
ment.
1T four o'clock the house was we'll filled
and the steady hum of many voices remind
, ed us Of the banquet, although on a smAlle
scale, yet they undoubtedly enjoyed then
selves hugely.
At the call for supper, the ladies and gent
past into the dining hall, and seated then
selves st the table. The tables accommodi
ted about one hundred and thirty, tt
seats were all filed, and some we're force
to wait, as the supper had only been pre-
pared for about l25. At the tables coul
De seen the old white headed couples, wit
their grown up sons and daughters, the soI
=
away. The opening prayer at tie table va
made by Rev. Meade, of Rockingham, low
after which the bills of fare were in deman
and the festivities of the occasion COT
menced.
Leaving them busily engaged in discus
lug the merits of the numerous dishes pr,
pared, and q crowd still arriving, we can
away, satisfied that it was most success
full affair, and that these sreunions. betwee
those fast losing their hold on earth's plea,
ures, should come oftener. We regret TIL
, we are unable to give fuller report OF tt
affair, but circumstances forbid it. Tn
evening the young settlers assemble in IL
dining room and enjoy social dance.