The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1880-02-21
OLD SETTLES FESTIVAL.
A Large and Successful Gathering.

AS anticipated the annual festival Of the
Old Settlers Association of Rock Island
couptv which was sheld in Armory
bnildipg and Turner Hall on Friday even
ing. was browning success. The recep-
lion committee we're at their places about
s p. NJ, and shortly afterwards many old
settlers from the county began TO arrive,
and the guests continued to pour in till half
past seven O'Clock, when Capt. G, w.
Halves. with Capt. j. j. Parks as lieuten-
ant, called the old representatives to the
front and formed them 10 line; the remain
der of assemblage then fell iu and at a
signal from the commandant the company
to supper, and right well they
looked. as to the strains of stirring music
they filed out from the Armory building
to Turner Hall where the supper was laid.
A series of tables were arrang
ed on the hall floor and in
the adjacent room. while on the
stage a table was placed at which sat the
executive committee, the president, and
were laid for $50 persons aod Mr.. August
Herkert filled his part of the programme
we'll. and filled every available space that
was procurable. so that none were sent
away empty. When the company had
been seated and before supper commence
ed Mr.. e. W. Spencer and a GLORIOUS Of
eighteen voices sang Jerusalem Ny
Glorious Home" after which the Rev. L
G. Barnard Of Moline offered prayer, and
besought blessing on the food and enter
tainment which was to follow. Miss
Hanns Mills and chorus then sang
cousin Jedediah or Well all Take Tea, !"
which was we'll received and appropriate
for the occasion. The company then did
justice to the good things provided, and
heartily enjoyed what was a most excel
lent and sumptuous repast, which was
enhanced by pleasant conversations. and
interchange of news Sufficient time
having elapsed for refreshments the
Battalion Glee Club" stepped on the
stage and sang the Rosebud, in
their most excellent style. This was
followed by the singing of the odd Hick
DRY Cane" BY Mr. E. w. Spencer and
chorus. Major Frazer Wilson, the retir-
ing president, then came forward aud
made a speech full of "reminiscences and
quaint anecdotes, and formally presented
the cane of Office to his successor Mr..
Nathaniel Belcher, who read a suit
able reply.
Mr. George Mixter pad : tribute to the
departed, and feelingly repeated the lines
OF Moore's song "Oft in the Silly Night.
He read list OF those who had left for
the other shore during The past year
which Is as follows:
l.. Mrs Jane L. Andrews, Feb. 27.
1879. age SIS.
2. Nelson Perry. March 16. 1879, age
46; came 10 1855. Old Settler by MARI
age.
3. Mrs. Capt. VIM. Henderson. June
IL, 1879, age IS.
4. Mrs. Kinner. Sept. 10, 1879. age rs.
5. Ex-President John I'll. Ely, died in
the west.
6. Wesley Bysant. Aug. II. 1879
7. Mrs Sarah Hartzell. wife of Abram
HartzelI, Jan, 2, 1880. age 6S.
8. Mrs. VIM. Bell, Dec, %, 1879, age
81.
g. A T. Swander. age IS.
TO- John Wells. Jan. %, 1880.
IL. Mrs. Rose Mills, Jan. /. 1880.
~ A. E Gutter, Jan. |, 1880.
Is. James T. Copp. Feb. 8 1880, age
80.
IA. Rev. David Kelly.
DIR. William Bell, az president Of
of the association, next followed with a
tribute to the memory OF the late John
Wells, and gave particulars of the position
the Wells family held in Rock Island
Mr.. A. (. Phillso. spoke in terms ex
pressive of the Societies feelings In relation
10 the late Mrs. Elizabeth Bell, the honor
ed wife of ex President VIM Bell. He
in feeling language to their 60
den wedding which was celebrated on the
2ud OF last July, and described the happy
home of the couple IS it appeared on that
besu,itul evening. when. surrounded by
their children and grand children. they
received their friends and neighbors. who
with beaming faces came to express their
high regard and cffer their heartfelt good
wishes. Then he beautifully described
how, in ieas thaa sig short months the
angel OF death came and bore der away.
anG how she was laid away peacefully to
sleep till the time OF awakening: and he
hoped that we should fall asleep like her
and have az glorious awakening Mr.
Philleo then paid a touching tribnte TO the
OF the late Amos F Cutter, re-
ferriDg to bis life among US and bis useful,
busy energy, which was always ready when
-eqpired and which we now miss SO much
The Rev, George r. Palmer, made a
7ery happy and well suited speech on life.
which was like setting forth on voyage.
md started with the youth full of hope,
going out and looking eagerly forward to
What he would plish-then he de-
,icted the old man looking back to what to |
Tim were only memories. He then spoke |
With tender feeling OF the late Rev. David |
Kelly. whom to know was 10 love; who
lever wronged man, and whose life was
ull of good deeds. The Reverend speaker,