Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-08-01

It is our pleasure to give the readers
of the REPoRTER short sketch of the
outing we enjoyed the past week as a
member Of the Wisconsin Press Asso-
ciation. These excursions are held
annually and give the members of the
fraternity an occasion 10 get together
in a social way for further acquaintance
and enjoyment
We boarded the evening train on the
Milwaukee road Monday evening, July
22nd. On entering the car we found
ourselves in the company of Mr.. and
Mrs. NJ. II. Barnum, of the Wausau
Torch of Liberty, and MIR. and Mrs
Shaw, of the Forest County Leaves, who
were bound for the same place
Lacrosse. AtSparta our little company
was augmented by Mr.. and Mrs. {. ).
Taylor, of Barron, and Mr.. and Mrs.
Munson of Niroqua. Eleven O'Clock
that evening found us in Lacrosse regis
tered at the Burlington Hotel where we
were entertained III fitting manner
during our stay in that city.
Tuesday morning July 23d the Asso-
citation assembled at public hall for
the transaction of business. The resig-
nation of President Hicks was read and
accepted and b. j Price of the Hudson
Times, first Wee President, was elected
to Eli vacancy. Committees were APP
pointed and other minor matters
attended to. After dinner carriages
were supplied and the beauties of that
prosperous city were witnessed by the
whole party. We were informed that
they claimed the honor of being the
second city in the state. This city can
be justly proud of their cemetery. The
decorations therein are magnificent.
In the evening the Opera House land
by the way one of the finest in the
statel was crowded to listen to the Hon.
Ignatlous Donelly, of Minnesota, who
was invited by the association to par
take of the pleasures of the outing and
to deliver the annual address which he
did in an able manner. The reporter
for the Milwaukee Sentinel spoke as
follows of Mr.. Donelly:
''He is a prominent politician, and
has occupied numerous posts of honor
within the Gift of the Minnesota
electors. He is a gifted orator, and is
an ornament to any great occasion. In
his early life he was a Catholic, but he
has renounced that faith and has ac-
cepted what he calls growing faith -
In his speech at Duluth, referring to
the growth and development of the
Northwest, he used the striking SEN
tence, 81 believe in the doctrine oi
evolution, plus God" His faith in the
future Importance of the Western
country is boundless. He is an advo-
cate of the ultimate annexation OF
Canada. In appearance Mr.. Donneily
is below medium stature, with a large
head, full red face without beard,
double chm, and quick, intelligent eye.
His ability to apply Illustrative anec-
dotes is remarkable. His speeches, OF
which he made a half a dozen or more
during the excursion, were brimming
over with humor, and whenever his
audience laughed he laughed with
them Mr. Donnelly makes practice
of speaking eNtemporaneously, but his
address, given ut the fine new opers
house at Lacrosse was read from manu-.
script This, he explained, was that he
might be able to comply with The
Sentinels request for an advance copy
and thus be able to speak to the entire
state instead of to the audience before
him"
Miss Nettie Booth, the talented
daughter of c. f. Booth, editor of The
Monroe Sentinel, was member of the
party and charmed the audience will
two violin solos. She is an expert Will
this instrument and has been styled The
Camilla Urso of Wisconsin" a title
which those who heard her think vel
deserved. Mrs. B. j. Price, the eooC
wife of President Price, rendered sev