The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1883-09-19


cursion Of nearly two hundred was
made up and a conceded failure was
turned into a grand success. They
arrived in Villisca at two o'clock on
Thursday morning, and owing to the
lateness of the hour accommoda-
tions we're made as best they could
be at the hotels and restaurants.
VillisCa had received so many con-
hicting rumors that she was lily pre-
pared to greet her guests in as royal
a manner as she would have liked,
but the welcome of the hearts took
the place of outside demonstrations,
and everything was merry as a mar
riage bell. On Saturday, the grand
Reunion Of the Spargur family and
all the friends of Highland took
place in the Public Park, where
ample accommodations had been
made for thevast concourse of peo-
pie who assembled. The meeting
was called to order by "UnCle Joe"
Spargur, who for the last ten years
has presided over these occasions in
Ohio, and opened by singing and
prayer from Mr.. John Grim. A few
very appropriate words of hearty
welcome were given by Mr.. M. S.
Thurman, in behalf of the citizens Of
Villisca, being replied to with enthu-
siasm by "Uncle joe" who fairly
Outdid himself in the expression Of
feeling and pathos. Mr.. +. P. Green
lee, the orator of the day, followed
with a most praiseworthy address,
which, had we the space, we would
have been glad to give in full. Mr.
Greenlee was chosen with a great
degree Of fitness, for he himself is a
H ghland county boy, and referred
with touching pathos, to his boyhood
days among the crooks and hills Of
dear old Highland" Mrs. Beavers
then favored the assemblage with a
few we'll chosen words, and closed
by reciting poem composed by her
nearly twenty years ago, on the oc-
casion of her leaving her Highland
home. "Uncle Joe" then dismissed
the audience in his own peculiarly
humorous style, and the well-flled
baskets were brought in and spread
under the leafy shade. The re alive,
Of the Spargurs, as nearly as posi-
bic, assembled around one long
table, at which we counted over los.
After dinner Uncle Joe gave an in
leresting history of the Spargur fam
lily, while seated around him on the
stand were nine Of his brothers and
sisters, among whom was "Uncle
Henry" the oldest living member Of
the family. The afternoon was spent
in general experience meeting, and
while the pioneers of old Highland
shook hands with the pioneers Of
Montgomery and wept DER friends
and relatives who had been sepa
rated twenty years, kind of inspi-
ration seemed to hold them as
spell, and they became a happy
family all united once again. And
as the shades of evening grew apace
and they separated to their various
homes, sweet memories lowered
round them all and each was better
for the emotions fe that day.
Thus ended the first Spargur Re.
union in Villisca, and one which will
be remembered by all who particl-
pated in its festivities, as among the
happiest days of their lives. And as
our friends from Ohio separate to
their various visiting points and
thence to their eastern homes, let
them always remember that Villisca
sends them the heartiest good cheer,
and that her citizens are proud to-
day of the old rock-ribbed county
who gave her birth, Ohio and Iowa,
and Villisca, the Old and
The New.