Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1890-09-27
PATRONS OF INDUSTRY PICNIC.
At stony Ridge, on "wednesday, A Grand
success-About I 800 People Present.

grand picnic at the above named
place, was accepted and the JOURNAL
man was made to feel that he was among
friends. Although the sun shone
brightly, there was n cold east wind
blowing which had the effect of keep
ing many at home, who would have
attended had the weather been more
inviting. yet there was an attendance
of about 1900 of Wood ceunty's repre-
sentative farmers, and their excellent
wives and pretty daughters.
The Wauseon Cornet Band, consis-
ting of 10 members, were present and
rendered some excellent music.
Long tables had been arranged and
on those were spread bountiful feast,
fit for II king, and in company with
Col. j. II. Brigham, we were invited
by S. o. Crandall vice president of
Olney association, to join them at din
ner, and it is Unnecessary to remark that
the gentlcmanly Colonel and yours tru
ly,were not slow in accepting the invi-
tation, and the table at which we were
located had much the appearance of
having been in the track of u hurri-
cane after we left it, There was
chicken, ham, and all kinds of meats,
big cakes and little cakes, big pies and
little pies, jellies and pickles, biscuit,
sandwiches, sweet cider, and every
conceivable thing that would taste
good at II picnic dinner, and if this
dinner is an indication surely this
county of Wood is land flowing with
milk and honey, and these good far
mers had a large supply of both the
milk and honey.
After dinner the exercises of the
afternoon were opened by II short but
appropriate speech by H. p. Mcknight,
stating the object of the meeting. 4
large number of farmers had become
members of the Patrons of Industry
for the purpose of protecting them
selves in their honest and legitimate
calling of tilling the soil and produc-
ing the bread for the nation, and this
picnic was held for the purpose of
bringing these different associations
together in social intercourse, and
exchanging views on how best to pro-
tect themselves. He then announced
a musical selection from the choir, con-
sisting of Misses Myrtle f. and Jennie
L. Pheils, ]. X. Pheils, Wesley Jeffrey,
'p.aH Hn,.i .i..ly hnt1 ID IL r
with Miss Nettie Webber, as organist.
Following the rendition of the musi-
cal number, Mr.. Mcknight introduced
Colonel j. H. Brigham, who said he
was glad to have the honor of meeting
so many of Wood county's leading
citizens. His time was limited and he
could only make brief mention of few
facts concerning the reasons why the
farmers should organize. He said
Wood county was distined to be, if it
had not already become, the leading
Agricultural county of the State, if not
of the Union. Much depended upon
the success of the farming community
the railroads, the merchants and the
manufacturers were all interested in
the success of the farmers, for when
the farmer suffered reverses and losses
his misfortune was felt by all other
classes, and therefore it is highly pro-
per and necessary that the farming
interests should be protected and pro-
NOTED as much as possible. All other
classes of business men and mechanics
had their organizations to promote
their own interests; the farmers have
depended long enough upon others to
look out for them, it is now high time
they took the matter in their own
hands, and while the farmers individu-
ally are helpless, yet when united
there is no power they need fear. Rail
way corporations are mighty in their
strength yet they are insignificant to
that of the farmers when properly
organized, and he was glad to observe
that many of them were awaking from
their long Rip Van Wrinkle slumbers
and making efforts to care for them
selves. Some of the things of which
the farmer complains most, he is him
self to blame for, but all these might
be overcome If he would take as much
interest in his own welfare as he
should. Surrounded as he is on all
sides by monopolies his conditions are
indeed not what they should be. No
nation has increased in wealth and
power as rapidly us this, and this
increase is due chiefly to the efforts of
patient hardworliing men and woman
on the farms and in the farmers
homes, who have never received their
just proportion of the benefits arising
from their toll and struggles. These
organizations can be so perfected as
not to interfere with the political ideas
of any of the members,and they can be
made benefit both mentally and
financially to the members. The