The Ottawa free trader., 1881-08-13
THE OLD SETTLERS.
= Hot Day, Rig Crowd and An Interesting
Gathering.
The Morning.

| Thursday was one VI the very hot days OF this
unusually hot summer; aud the roads were as
dry and dusty as onIy our prairie roads can get
during pIotracted droutn. Nevertheless there
was an immense crowd in attendance at the 18th
Annual Reunion Of the Old Settlers OF La Sale
county at Hoes's Grove In this city. The larger
part of the crowd came into town before 10
o. oclock in the morning, to escape the promised
intense heat OF the day. As a matter Of fact the
crowd was not as large as last year on account
Of the heat, many faces usually to be seen not
being present, the pleasure of the day not over
weighing the dscomforts of long ride to town.
However, by O3O, the hour set for beginning
the formal exercises Of the day, the grounds
were well filled with people, old aud young. The
proceedings were, however, delayed by the loud
IN ouths Of couple OF "Hheei of-fOrtune" men,
who insisted on disturbing the gathering and
scandallzing all by their oft reiterated shouts for
The "man who had the moral courage to invest
10 cents aud win Sl0O"' As they were outside
the fence the management had no authority over
them, and no policeman had as yet put in an ap-
pearance. By coaxes and threats they were final.
iy subdued and removed to the extreme west end
Of the grounds. These men squelched, the pro-
ceedings began, the crowd being called together
by G. W. Armstrong as president of the day
The choir wa. composed Of Mrs. D. Dick, Mrs.
E. C. Lewis, Miss A. Eaton, Misc L. Newell, Miss
r. NJ. Southgate, Mrs. D. Bullock, Messrs. A. 8.
Ward, Elmer Baldwin, b. q. Alvord, c. N. Eaton,
8. A. All, A. L. Parry.
They Gang MY Country, 'Tls OF Thee"
Rev. w. Batcheller made q prayer.
The choir sang "All Hail the Power Of Jesus
Name"
Then came the welcome address Of president
Armstrong. He extended hearty welcome to
all. These meetings are the meetings OF old
friends and bookings again into old familiar faces.
Is Is most gratifying to ne, he said, to extend
this welcome. When recall the past have seen
and rem memberng the part have taken feel a
pride In this county. came here boy aud
helped to build il up. Iheped to raise the first
school house; now we have 800. Then VIZ had
no churches; now lO6. When contemplate all
the changes, say to you young people, your lot
has been cast In pleasant places. This is our
18th reunion. l hope they will be continued
every year. Let those now young take them up
We of the association welcome you ALA well
come that will be heartily responded to By all old
settlers of this county.
Hon. $. r. Lewis made the response. thanking
the speaker for his welcome. He then proceeded
briefly to point out some OF the landmarks" or
slime. e.marks"-by which the claim to old-settier-
ship Is gauged. came here. he said, about the
same time IS yourself, Mr.. Chairman. When
drst knew you you we're trying TO navigate $ III
lie steamer up from Peru to Ottawa. have
been here about ~ years; and it was long time
before I could call myself an old settler. All
were laughed at for calling themselves old SET
tiers unless they had been here before the Indian
war. We envied the men who had seen those
thiugs; even now l feel like lifting my hat to
him when meet one OF them. What are now
left OF the old settlers are . band OF broth
es. Was here IS yesrs before I called myself
! an old settler; but now I feel entitled TO he