The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1886-10-09
THE OLD SETTLERS.
Address by the Hon. q. W. Armstrong
President.

II has been assigned to me to bid you,
one and ALL hearty welcome on this the
eighteenth annual reunion of the Old Set
tiers Association of La Sale County.
NV friends: The reunions of these pio-
neer associations in all the great west are
being looked forward to with incr
interest from year to year by the old and
young, and the many who assemble on these
occasions, reviewing the past and renewing
their old acquaintance and forming new
ones, expressing hopes for the future, we
can enjoy this day above all others in each
year as they occur. My friends, recognize
before me and about this stand many per
sons, now gray and bowed down by the
weight of many years, who years and years
ago came to this locaity-this now great
county of La Salle-into this beautiful val
ley and its environs, to contend against all
the dangers, trials and vicissitudes of from
tier life, with a determination to build up
homes for themselves, their children and
their children's children, and all who might
come after them; to build up these vast
prairies into civilization as broad and
boundless as the blue sky above them.
Ny friends, while our numbers of old
settlers in this association may seem but
few here to-day, yet each year will take
from amongst us many who, perhaps, have
met US here for the last time on earth. But
vet il is consolation to know that their
places upon the farms, in the workshops, in
the stores, in the mechanical commercial
and social circles Of life, as well as in this
association, will be filed by their children
and their children's children, and thus will
the memories Of the early days be kept
alive and the deeds Of the pioneers become
sacred events in our country's history. SO,
then, as these annual reunions occur it is
no wonder that familiar faces of the days
long gone by should be missing here, and
their places taken by younger members,
whom, too. we gladly welcome on this
oscasion. True, my friends, ii is a sorrow
ful thought that in but few mort short
years the incidents we hear Of at these re.
unions will lie but the tales our fathers and
and mothers told long, long ago! Blu, what
tender memories mingle to-day with our
social greetings, as the visions Of our de
parted friends appear before us! What n
melancholy pleasure seems to come to US in
the memory of our departed friends, who
seem to beckon w on as we pass lifes
heeting milestones along the way Blessed
are they and happy those who have inner
ited the perseverance, industry, integrity
and virtues Of the pioneer settlers Of this
great west!
1t is not expected that |, in an address of
welcome, should allude to the men anu
measures who shaped the desinies of this
great county of La Sale. Adler speakers
than myself will doubtless dwell upon them
and do them justice. Suffice II for me to
say that there are many here to-day, rs well
as absent Ones whose lives are worthy of
all imitation, for whether in war or in
peace, at home or abroad, men whose pure
and spotless lives have marked them as
natures noblemen; - and women, too, who
have been as true heroines "a the world has
ever knOwn;--the men and women who
made La Sale county what it is. Should
she not rejoice with pride in her noble sons
and daughters who helped to produce her?
Add while we welcome you young men and
young women here to-day, | desire to
impress upon your minds that thi. great
county of La Sale, second only in popula-
hon and in wealth, first in agriculture and
in mining products, second perhaps only in
manufactures, sending millions Of dollars
worth from her soil, her mines and shops
annually to the markets Of the world, with
its palatial residences, its school houses
churches and beautiful cottages, and the
neat Surroundings that adorn cities, villages
and farms all over its extensive plains,
make it as county not surpassed in all
those desirable qualities by any county
in the state, and perhaps by few in the
Union. These fine cities, lovely villages,
these substantial residences, these pretty
cottages, these commOdious barns, extensive