The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1889-07-05


here as we do at the beginning of the second
half century of our history as state, many
of you can look back and recall the time
when Michigan did not belong to the sister
hood of states; when she had only 175,000
population; now her population is eleven
times as great. Then there was almost an
unbrolxen wilderness from the shores of
| Superior, the great inland sea OH the north,
to the Indiana line on the south. Now the
value of the annual product of her soil Is
lightweight millions Of dollars; of her for
ests, sixty millions; of her mines, twenty
five millions and of her fisheries one mil
! lion. Then there was scarcely manufac-
| turing establishment in the state; now there
are nearly ten thousand. AT that time there
was not mile of railroad in either PENN
sula; now there are over five thousand miles
in operation. Then but few churches and
school houses had been erected; now they
are scattered all over our broad land and
their bells have but just rung in the second
half century of history.
| Our growth as nation has been phenOm-
email. In single century our population
has increased from four and ofie-half to
about sixty-fve millions. Our number of
states from thirteen to forty-twO; our foreign
commerce from $50, 600, 900 to 81, 500, 000,-
900; our faculties for domestic commerce
have been immensely improved. In 1880
there were only twepty-nine miles of rail-
road in the United States; now there are
one hundred and twenty-five thousand
miles-nearly One-half the railroads in the
entire world. Some idea of our domestic
commerce may be gained by considering
that the carrying trade of the Mississippi
valley alone amounted in one year to the
handsome sum of $2,0O0,O0 900. Five
great trunk lines link tOgegther the two
oceans. Neither river nor desert have inn
peded the march of progress. The great
American desert is thing of the past, and
where it once was is fast becoming the gar
den of the West. The mighty wave of
humanity has swept from ocean to ocean.
We have the richest copper, silver and
gold mines, the most extensive coal and
iron fields the largest salt production and
the best agricultural and grazing region in
the world.
Our water courses are the most extensive,
our lakes are the largest, our hillsides the
fairest, our valleys the greenest and our
prairies the broadcast. One hundred years
ago but little was known either of Americas
exhaustless capabilities or natural beauty.
| Now all these things lie stretched out like
| panorama before us. No people have
such reason to be proud of their native land
as have we, and we are proud. To the
pioneers of Shiawassee county, as part of
| the great body of pioneers of this nation,
we give the credit of these things, and as
we stop to consider them there comes into
| our hearts nothing but gratitude for the
great work which you have accomplished.
Your presence here todaycannot but teach
! the youth of the town and county that it
means something to be pioneer, to have
cleared the fields and builded the barns
which we today are in full enjoyment of.
We welcome you today to all that we have,
and as you mingle together in song, speech
and social conversation we hope that your
countenances may glow with renewed youth
and pleasure, and that the day may forever
be remembered as one of unalloyed pleasure.
President Owens responded to the address
in behalf of the society and took occasion
to speak of the growth and development of
the country during the past fifty years etc.
The Durand Glee Club then sang Don't
Leave the Farm Boys" which was greatly
appreciated.
Miss Minnie Macarthur was received with
hearty applause and recited poem that
was real treat and was greatly enjoyed.
The pioneers will all swear by Miss Nc
Arthur hereafter.
N. NJ. Smith then related his pioneer
experience and ended up with a talk on
political economy. He was in the state be-
fore it was admitted and remembered the
first session of the circuit court when the
cost for the session was only $3.50. His
father was county clerk at a salary of $3.50
year. He gave the young men some very
wholesome advice on economy.
Mr.. Smith was followed by DIR. Parkill
with prepared address on the .'Hstory of
Shiawassee County," This address will
probably soon be published so we will not
try to reproduce any of it. DR.. Parkill sus-
tanned his usual reputation of telling the
biggest lie and sticking to it. 1t was nip
and tuck" between Drs. Parkil and Ward,
and A. b. Clark, of Morrice but / rather
think the two doctors told the largest lies.
The Durand cornet band discoursed some
nice music at this juncture after which DIR.
Ward came forward and read a poem which
was suggested by conversation with an
old pioneer.
| The Bancroft cornet band was present
and favored the meeting with a selection
at this time.
Miss Macarthur was again called for and
recited poem prepared for Decoration Day.
After song by the Durand Glee Club, A.
b. Clark, of Morrice, made a witty and ap-
/ propriata apaoob and hora doxv, an oavaraIv