Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1880-07-23
FAMILY REUNIONs.

An old tramping jour printer remarked
TO us a short time since, that lie cared but
little for family relations, that he had al
ways met with better treatment at the hands
OF strangers. While our social and busi-
ness relations have been mainly with stran-
gers since arriving at the age Of fourteen
years, and we have no complaint to make
Of our treatment by what is sometimes
termed a cold and merciess world, we are
glad we do not share with our printer
friend in the above sentiment. In what
ever character they may take in this great
drama of life, If honorable,we find The ties
Of blood and family affection the strongest
and purest. 1t may be alenated to de-
gree by long absence and business cares,
but that mind must be caloused that does
not frequently wander back to the tender
ties OF childhood, home and the associations
connected Herewith, as they we're before
they became scattered to the four quarters
OF the globe.
Family reunions Of late seem to be the
most pleasant means adopted OF bringing
together these scattered fragments and re-
viving the memories of " Aud Lang Syne."
A few weeks since we received kind in
vitation 10 be present at one OF these reun-
ions, in commemoration OF the fiftieth
birthday of Mrs. Julis T. Gates, of Albion,
New York, on the Sd inst, a cousin, with
whom resides her mother, our only aunt
now living, whose age is 70 years. We
joined three of the four brothers, and their
families, of Mrs. Gates, at Detroit, Johi'
Perry and Ira Tietsort, the former OF Cas-
sopolis, Mich, and the latter two of De-
troit, and proceeded over the Great West
ern K. r. to Niagara Falls. The trip was
made on the night of the 1st inst" Do.
minion Day in Canala-and from the
number of drunken men that got on and
off the train at the different stations along
the road it is quite reasonable to suppose
that they celebrate the 1st after the same
fashion that the is celebrated in theU.S.
brate the lst in honor OF their securing
sovereign control or home rule by treaty
with England. The forty mile swamp
through which the g. w. R'y. runs, just
off Lake St. Clair, was illuminated by
countless millions of fire flies, in honor OF
Dominion day, and all were tipped with
the latest improved electric light.
Arriving at the Falls early on the morn
ing ot the I'd, a portion of the party stopped
over for the day and took in the sights
and were in turn taken in according to the
old established and we'll planned methods
of that locality. In the language of Grace
Greenwood, at costs you so cents to see
anything at the Falls, and if you see it, il
costs you so cents more" There are two
propositions that have received some atten-
tion to change the aspect of affairs at these.
the grandest falls in the world-one to
utilize all the water passing over the falls
for the purpose of propelling machinery,
and the other is for the two Governments
to purchase the land adjacent to the falls
remove the sharks, and turn it out in its
primitive beauty to be admired by visitors
from all parts of the world, without money
or without price. The former proposition
should not be tolerated for moment, but
the latter should be carried into effect win
out further discussion.
On proceeding to Albion in the evening
we found private conveyance to take the
party q miles into the country, where we
! found the "Gates ajar" and hearty well
come awaiting A brother and wife and
sister OF John and Julia Gates, residing in
the same county, came in on the morning
OF the Sd. These, including Rev.P.J. Ma
veety, OF Olivet, Mich, wife and two babies,
comprised the party, numbering % in all
The Teitsort's are all blessed with natural
gifts in music, which they have improved
and came fully armed with choir music
The afternoon was mainly spent in song
an informal presentation OF tokens OF
friendship and short addresses by Rev.
Mayeety and others. The Rev. gentleman
called attention to the TACT that these
meetings were the oasis in the desert of our
! lives that they came too seldom in life
time on account of the "hurry" Of this
age; that American civilization had tend.
ency to scatter, and in very many instan-
ces, brothers and sisters never met In this
life, after leaving the parental roof. The
fact was also mentioned that Mrs. Gates
was the first white child born in Cass
county, Mich.
The evening was occupied with music
and hoe made" FIRE works for the enter
tainmenl of the children. That the day
was pleasant one for all is best known by
those present.
The Sabbath was spent in religious ser
vice at the home and: in Albion. Monday
was again celebrated by Mr.. Gates arrang-
ing convey ances and taking the W hole par
ty TO Mount Albion Cemetery, some four
miles distant, and one OF the handsomesl
we have ever seen. The people of that
county have shown their loyalty and pat
riotism by the erection Of handsome
monument to the dead soldiers, which is
situated on the highest point IN the cemc-
terry, is 80 feet in height, with spiral stairs
leadinglO the top from the inside, from
which delightful section of country can
be seen. The base Of the monument, on the
inside, is inldid with ten white marble par.
els upon which is carved the names, rank
and regiment OF 400 dead soldiers. Among
these we found several that had served IN
Ohio regiments, and one, Capt. c. l.. White
Of the 5th o. V. l.
Albion was also visited. 1t is heauti.
ful little city of $500, the residences aud
lawns exhibiting wealth and good taste IN
its cilizens. 1t is blessed with three good
papers, the proprietors Of which are blessed
with sufficient wealth to take two days tn
celebrate the 4th-3d & 5 hand were not
at home. The town is situated in as beauti,
ful section of farming country as one
would wish to look at--famous for its
fruit, Geuesee wheat, and-army beans
The farmers are prosperous as their hand
| soma rasi1cpcaa and LARGE Oamhla roO