The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1888-08-24
THE ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF THE
ssss OLD SETTLERS.

the calls made in June and July last.
. The day opened with cloudless sky
The air was moderately cool, as the result
: of the heavy rains the day previous; the
| green fields and groves Of trees put on
an improved appearance for the occa
slon, and your secretary, as he started
for the club grounds, was heard to say
We'll, we have struck it at last"
Arriving at the grounds at Paddock's
lake at an hour not fully up to the
time advertised, goodly number were
upon the grounds, and making active
preparation for lunch.
i President Hon. r. S. Houston called
the club to order at IL o'clock, for the
purpose OF transacting the business oil
the club; but finding that the contents
/ OF the baskets prepared by the wives
and mothers for the occasion had more
ATTRACTION: at that time than business
matters, the President announced an ad.
ljournment for lunch until halfpast one
o'clock. This action was not submitted
to the fornality of vote, but from the
demonstrations that followed the an.
nouneenent it is safe to say that mega
tive otecould not be found to register.
Family groups and small parties OF
young and old were everywhere to be
seen on the grounds looking for favor
able spot to spread the noon repast.
| Looking over the grounds could be
seen family circles where the extremes
of life's journey were portrayed in living
pictures--the child in its mothers
arms as one feature in the view before
u.s., and the gray-haired grandmother
and the grandfather, whose feeble steps
and trembling hand told plainly that to
him the autumn of life had come, but
with no trace Of sadness; as forgetful of
the picture of life's journey just begun
and nearly ended they were enjoying
the day as one given up entirely to
social enjoyment.
Your secretary noticed an aged couple
from Salem who have, think, never
missed an odd settlers festival, and as
they came near the platform, leaning
upon each other, could not let the Cd
portunity pass without taking them by
the handlwith kind wishes expressed TO
them that we should meet them another
year. 1t is not often that We see q
couple permitted to share each others
companionship to SO great an age.
; The time ha swing arrived for the trans
action OF the business, the Salem Brass
Band favored the club with a selection
of music, which called the assemblage
together, when the President, R. S.
Houston, called the club to order for the
transaction of the business matters of
the club.
The Secretary was called upon for his
report, showing but five additions to our
membership, and this being all the re-
port which he had to make touching
financial matters he asked the indulg-
ence Of the chairman and members of
the club in reviewing the history of the
club from.its organization to the present,
and as, a, deduction showed that it would
be necessary to make some arrange
ment by assessment upon members or
otherwise to assure an annual income
sufficient TO defray expenses, and to ask
for suggestions from members as to the
propriety of.deriving means to build
structure which would serve the pur-
pose of our annual meetings and shelter
in case of storms.
Following the review, discussion of
the matter became general among the
members Of the club, and as result the
membership fee of So was changed to
81, it being the opinion of the mover of
the resolution that our membership will
be increased and a greater revenue &C.
cured by the change.
A committee was appointed by the
President to solicit subscriptions for
membership, resulting in the addition of
| So members.
While the committee were soliciting,
the report, of the treasurer was called for,
showing a balance in the treasury of $35
or thereabouts.
The election of officers resulted in
placing Dwight L. Burgess, of Brighton,
President; D. b. Benedict, Secretary;
Edward Jones, Treasurer.
In looking over tile crowd assembled
many old familiar faces were looked for
in vain. AS years gather the older PEG.
pie who are and should be the center of
attraction, are missed from our gather
ings. To many no doubt it would be as
sacrifice Of personal comfort to be with
us. Yet we'appeal to you to meet with
us another year.
Mr.. N. r. Allen was prevented from
attending by circumstances beyond his
control, and expressing his regrets he
stated that the day was the SD anniver-
sary of his residence in Wisconsin, he
being tine oldest settler in the county
living, excepting Mrs. Hugh Longwell.
Remarkswere made by Col. Frank,
H. S. Thorp, J. M. Kellogg, L. A. Cass
and Others When the exercises were
closed bysa selection of music by the
Arion club, which was received by
marked appreciation by those present.
Mr.. Ira. T. Helms, approaching the
needs of the club, constituted himself a
committee to ascertain what amount he
could raise for building purposes. He
informed me just before adjournment
that he had received subscriptions of
seventy.five dollars. arg.
Suggestion: Will some one in each
town in the county take it upon himself
to procure subscriptions for this pur.
pose? If each one interested in main
tanning the club will make small con.
tribution before another year we can
have accommodations for our reunions
And in this connection would like to
ask the young men of the county who
are enjoying the blessings and the legacy
of homes, the gift of the early pioneers
of our county, if you can in any better
way show of your gratitude for present
comforts which you possess than to con
tribute to the building on the Old Set
tiers grounds, where the few pioneer
fathers and mothers come to meet once
each year to refresh their memories Ii
recounting the joys as we'll as the priya
, tons to which they were subject in thu
early settlement of our county?
| The Arion male quartette, consisting
of Messrs. Cass, Engel, Baldwin anG
Whitaker, responded to the call of thu
officers of the club, and sung severa
pieces OF music, which were thankfully
appreciated by the club and those pres
/ emit. Theboys have a standing invit a
: ton to attend each succeeding festiva
of the club. - x: -.