Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-02-23
OLD SETTLERS.
ANNUAL REUNION, DINNER AND
BALL YESTERDAY.
By Sedgwick County's Association-The
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Changes
Proposed Important Steps
Official Eistory-Ron Of
Members.
OLD SETTLERS.

city yesterday and was in every way pro
nounced success and concluded with g
grand ball at the Garfield opera house lasi
| night.
In the forenoon few of the members
and their friends met at the board Of
| trade rooms. But the large attendance
was not until the announcement of dinner
at the Garfield, which was preceded BY
an address of welcome by the president OF
| the society, Mr.. w. 7. Jewett. Rev. J. G.
Post invoked the divine blessing upon the
repast.
THE DIHTNER.
From IL o'clock to p. N. the ladies OF
the association served an elegant collation.
to not less than $50, including members
and invited guests.
THE PROGRAM
was not to have been rendered until 2:30 p.
m, but the hall having been cleared a
little earlier the exercises proceeded before
an audience which comfortably filled the
hall.
Mrs. George C. Strong favored them with
an excellently executed piano solo. Miss
Maud English, as is her wont, delighted
the audience with recitation. Miss
Blanche Fechheimer followed with very
ably rendered recitation, which was liber-
ally applaud-d.
Mr.. Cecil Harris clarionet solo was en-
cored and that young musician responded
in good style.
BeY. j. c. Post was then introduced and
made some very interesting remarks upon
and relative to the early settlement of the
western country, in which he was for
years, at very early day, engaged in mis-
sion work. Mr.. Post was resident of
Texas for many years before it became one
of these United States. He lived there in
1886 and was an active and belligerent adj
vocate of Texas independence, which the
Texans then claimed included the present
state of Kansas and more north of here.
AT this juncture it was announced that
the Valley Center glee club would favor
the audience with songs. Three of the
gentlemen comprising the same then sang
a character solo and trio. representing
three gentlemen of the road" who pre-
forred poi and cake" to hard work.
Mr.. J. r. Mead, of this city, as master
of ceremonies, presented Mr.. 4. p Thomp-
son, who recalled many incidents of the
very early days in Sedgwick county and
gave some interesting data concerning the
-arly method of conducting the affairs of
the county, when there was practically
nothing to tax and nobody to pay the
taxes.
Four members of the Valley Center glee
club then gave a character song repre-
senting the American, the English, the
Irish and the German nationalities, which
was roundly applauded.
Mr.. n. A. English was the next speaker
and gave an amusing bit of unwritten his
tory, recalling the rivalry which at one
time existed between Wichita and little
place called Park City, few miles up the
river as to which should have the cattle
trail pass its way. Park City had laid out
"a cut off, diverting the trail from Wich-
tia, but committee from the latter place
went out and met the cowboys with sew
eral bottles of persuasion" and induced
them to continue the trail via Wichita to
the final extinction of Park City.
Mr.. G. A. Stafford told what a time he
had in getting any one to drive him
to Wichita when he first came
here and how much more difficult it was
for him and his wife to find a place to
stop. but they finally got room in one of
the private residences. He 'raked up old
personalities" TO a certain extent, by con-
trasting the masculine attire of that day
in Wichita with that of today, much to
the amusement of those present. He was
by a member of the Valley Cen
ter club, who recited, in character, "Jolly
Old Farmer McGee," and was encored.
Mrs. Finlay Ross sang with pleasing eff
feet DAYS of Long Age" Mrs. S. Winch
presiding at the piano
The Valley Center Glee club concluded
its part of the program with one-act
operetta in character, depicting the resolu-
ton of Farmer and his family, who,
after celebrating, determine not to mort
gage the farm.
Captain George Z. Harris was called
upon and responded gracefully, closing
with well chosen and we'll delivered quo
tatiyn. Others made interesting remarks.
The association voted its thanks to the
ladies for the excellent dinner spread. 1t
in this manner the Valley
Center Glee club for the part it took enter
tanning the audience. All other partici-
pants on the program were thanked in a
similar manner.
Notice was given to all persons having
bills against the association requesting
them to present the same to the sec
rotary Mr.. John Wilkin at 124
West Douglas by Monday morn
ing next. The executive committee is
to meet at the Savings bank on Monday
to audit bills and attend to other business
which may come up.
Although the lateness of the hour pre-
vented any action in regard to admitting
to membership those people who settled in
this county prior to January l, 1878, yet
The general feeling was strongly in favor
If such action, as indicated by those inter
rogated upon the subject.
The ball at night was one Of the largest
and most enjoyed of the popular balls ever
given by this association
The officers of the Old Settlers associa-
ion of Sedgwick county, are as follows
or 1889: President, w. T. Jewett; vice
PRESIDENT. Mrs. John Martin; treasurer,
4 E. Dodge; secretary, John Wilkin; ex-
,cutive board, w. Mathewson, J. c. Will |
Jams. r. E. Lawrence, W. II. Newton and |
John Mccormick.
HISTORICAL
1.-The Old Settlers Association of Sedg- |
vlck County" was organized January Is, |
SO, and soon afterwards received its char |
er. The original charter members were |
" T. Jewett, T. L. Nixon, S. W Fitz- |
GERALD, H W. Vigas, VIM. Mathewson, d. |
\. B. Greenlee, J. L. Holmes, c. NJ Gar
ison and E. b. Allen.
The first board of directors was as fol- |
ows: VIM. Matbewson, J. T. Holmes.
Charles NJ. Garrison. W. B. Williams, D. |
\. B. Greenlee.
The first officers were: President, H /
". Vigas; vice president, D. S. Munger;