The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1878-02-23

in the old fashioned way, dispensing with
the modern notion Of bill of fare. In
this respect Mr.. Harper surpassed their
fullest expectations, and as the company,
the old mingling with the young, were
seated at the we'll supplied table, they pre-
scented sight suggestive of some royal
banquetting scene, After doing ample
justice to the supper, came the real enjoy
ment of the season in the shape OF music
and speeches, which brought to mind the
events of early days, in which they and
those gone before had taken part, During
the speeches the entire company remained
seated at the tables. Our limited space
allow us sto make only the following extracts
from the speeches:
JAMES TAYLOR,
the retiring president of the society said:
Friends and Old Settlers of Rock Island county:
1t gives me pleasure to see so many OF
US once again gathered together on this,
the anniversary of the birth of one of the
noblest men, a benefactor of the human
race, created by God to redeem this coun
try from oppression, We are here met
to- night to enjoy ourselves, to have a
friendly chat, no cold formality, but
good old-fashioned time, such as We used
to have in the days Of ''auld lang syne,"
when our wives went along, taking always
the babies and the knitting. Let us all do
to. night as the ilustrious Columbus did
when he landed on this continent make
ourselves at home.
- of hot ic
not half written, and some that is not
written at all. Of the two evils the last is
the least. have been anxiously looking
over every early history of this country L
could lay my hands on, to find out if pos
sible what Hotel Columbus and his gallant
crew put upat | even went to the trouble
to write to DR.. Gregg and others of the
very earliest settlers, in the hope that
| they might recollect something about it,
but as yet | have received no answer.
| Our worthy doctor seems to be in favor
of putting off everything OF importance to
the next centennial.
rs there anybody sick here?" was
asked by poor idiot, called Daft jamie,
well known in Edinburg some fifty years
since. 1t was not rich mans house, and
jamie was hungry. Fools get hungry as
well as the wise, but they seldom get sick
and the only reason | can give for this is,
that you cannot persuade any of them tC
take any doctor medicine, Jamie walked
up the steps and rang the door bell. The
waiter attended to the call, and asked
"What do you want here?" Il want Il
know if there is anybody sick here" sale
Jamie. No, you fool, why do you ash
that question:" Because if there is,
would like to eat their dinner"
If any came here sick the excellent
supper furnished US by our friend Harper
has evidently worked a perfect cure
and right here | wish to say that / have
recently learned that MIR. Harper il
an old settler, though he did no
know it. Our rule is that persons tina
came here in l845 or who married ladies
who were here then, are entitled to mem
bership Mr., Harper came here in 1885,
but his better half was here before 1916
and his family are therefore entitled to al
our privileges
A year ago when by your kindness
was handed this cane, spoke of the grea
importance of aiding our secretary in col
Letting matters pertaining to the earl,
history of our county, and more especial,
the record of all the old settlers. | an
glad to say that our secretary has published
a letter on that subject, and [ hope you
will all aid him in making the record com
plete.
Our annually decreasing numbers sug
gests the idea that at some future time
may be well to SO change the term OF resi-
dence as to admit persons who have re
sided in the county say twenty FIVE years
| mt l. 70
slider now. | only suggest it that mem
bers may think about it.
Do any of the old settlers living south o
Rock river recollect about wading thu
three branches of the river, embracing
about quarter of mile. before they go
to the ferry? know | have often, and
recollect well once meeting worthy
Justice OF the Peace. with his boots hang
ing over his shoulder on a stick, making
his way home, the water fully knee deep.
Our worthy official at that time took to the
water just like other folks, | always die
think that ferryiBg the Rock river was the
| biggest bumbug that ever was invented
They Eerried you one part, and the other
three parts you had your free choice either
to wade or swim.
now return my kindest regards to the
| Old Settlers for their uniform kindness
extended to me as President, and if | have
unwlttingly failed in any duty, hope
they will look with lenience on my short.
comiI 20
| Mr.. President: It DOW devolves on me
to hand to your care this cane, and | eau
assure you | do it with much pleasure. it
Is remembrancer of days that arc gone, ot
memories that we all fondly cherish and
that viii! abide with US, as | fondly hope,
until the last of US is called away from the
sunshine and clouds of time, to brighter
and better world. You are worthiIy
chosen TO hold this emblem. 1t could moi
be placed in better hands. A former
President has said that 1T is perfect
life insurance for one year at least" and
trust that it will be for many more years
to you, Once again, accept my thanks,
To these remarks Mr. Chopper rejoined
In receiving this cane, as the accredited
President of this Association for the en-
suing year, | take it in my charge with q
deep sense of qualification IN the honor
you have conferred on me by this dis
tiDction. know no better way Of
acknowledging your selection OF me than
by saying that / heartily thank you and
will uphold the traditions of the office
throughout my term to the best of my
ability.
am glad to see so many of the familiar
and respected countenances of the mem
bers of this ASSOCIATION present, Many
cannot be here, having passed from our
midst. But to all gathered here, saw
I Nv elcome-In the name of the Old Set.
ltlers of Rock Island County"