The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1872-06-28

by ten o'clock carriages began to arrive
and to unload. From every vehicle
men were seen carrying pals, and bas-
kets, and trunks filled with everything
eatable, and some things that were in.
tended only to feast the eye.
Mr. Smith had every arrangement
completed, and was on hand to welcome
the guests as they arrived. Long lines
OF tables were arranged under the shade
of the oaks, with waiting table in the
centre, from which the contents of the
various baskets could be easily distribu-
ted to the eating tables, faster than the
ladies could distribute it. The provis.
ions ar rived in bewildering variety and
and profusion. Strawberries by the
bushel were picked over by nimble
fingers. The reputation our farmers
wives have always sustained, for setting
fine table, was not lost on this occasion
1t would be impossible to particularize'
and describe the various dishes. ven.
ture to say that no cook book ever con.
tanned half the recipes for cakes and
pastry as were shown on these tables
Boquets and notices were numerous.
Mrs. j. j. Woodman brought para.
mid of flowers surmounted by this NOTE
Farmers Club of Antwerp, welcome
all" The band arrived before dinner
and enlivened the occasion with excel
lent music.
After all had satisfied the wants of
the inner man, Mr.. J. j. Woodman an
nounced that speeches would be made
by several gentlemen present, and after
short address of welcome, called out
T. Smith, the man to whom we were in.
debted for the many excellent arrange
ments, and the pleasant ground We occu.
pied. Mr.. Smith announced himself as
no public speaker, but was highly pleas.
ed to see so many of his friends, and to
see them enjoying themselves SO well.
He was heartily applauded at the close
of his speech, and Judge Monroe was
called. He had not heard of the pic.
mic until he arrived in Paw Paw, and
he told his friends he could not 60, for
he had not brought his pic mic clothes
along, his friends insisted, and said he,
II went and bought this hat and coat,
and here | am" He spoke of the con-
trast between the country now and thir.
ty years ago, and the Improvement that
had taken place since that time. h.
Durkee spoke of the importance of edu
eating children TO habits of industry. OF
our common schools as matter of more
importance, and deserving more care
than is given them. IL was practical
in his remarks, and was listened TO with
interest.
Edwin Barnum was called for and
spoke of the wilderne he came through
thirty years ago, between Kalamazoo
and Paw Paw. There was but one
house on the whole route. He spoke of
the primitive dinner he ate there years
ago, and contrasted it with the appear
ance of the table to day. 1t was an in
dication Of the advancement since Il q;
: time. Mr. Hawkins was loudly called
for. He moved on a wild piece of lai d
a little east of Mattawan, and spoke OF
; the hardships he endured, when nothing
could be cot to eat \ coon was god
send, and furnished meat for several
days. He spoke of going five or six
, miles to get hands TO raise his log house,
and of it taking three days to raise it.
How he went out at two o'clock in the
morning to kill coon to make dinner
for the raising. Two or three We're pres
ent who helped cat that coon dinner
Joseph Gilmln said he knew more in
those cay, of the doings anu plans Of
hs neighbsr, five miles away thar Of
his neighbor, now who joined farms
spoke Of their enjoyment, and the inter.
est each took in the welfare of his neigh
Dor He alluded with pride to tie Ia
be. as an evidence Of prosperity since
those days.
+ Rev. G. 2. Blanchard was called out
; and paid an cioquent tribute to I'll,
: memory Of the hardy pioneers made
glowing picture of the spreading har
|. vests as the fruits of their toll He al
Z luded to the liberality of Mr. Smith, il
= furnishing so much toward such an ex
cellent entertainment.