The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1891-08-28
THIRD,ANNUAL HESS REUNION.

held in the grove of Reuben Hess, at
Rupert, Thursday Of last week, August
2oth. There were present this year
about five hundred relatives. A re-
ception Committee was appointed,
who made special effort to see that
all became acquainted with each other.
There were representatives from Scran-
ton, Wilkes. Barre, Pond Hill, Nesco.
pee, Berwick, Mifflin, ..Briarcreek, Lime
Ridge, Espy, Bloomsbury, Saltwater,
Fowlersville, Rupert, Darville, Mon
tandon, Steelton, and Harrisburg
Nearly all came with baskets and in
family groups enjoyed their contents.
Immediately after dinner nearly all as
sembled in the large building, and lis
tened attentively to program arrang-
ed for the occasion. .'he first was
music by the Bloomsburg Cornet Band /;
followed by prayer by Rev. S. P.
Boone next was music b The Blooms
burg Glee Club, (Messrs. Yost, Ye:ter,
Colley and Ent.) They gave such a
beautiful selection that The applause
continued until the qus rtette again re.
turned and gave another of their
choice selections. The president of
the Hess-re-union, J. Wilson Hess of
Montandon then gave the following
address:
Ladies and Gentlemen:
1t has fallen to my lot deliver the
address of welcome o. this the third
Annual Reunion of the Hess fa~ Yes
and connections. To say that 10 .s
me the pleasure to see you here, and
to assure you that you are welcome
is putting it only mildly. Yes we
welcome you all and thrice happy
welcome to you this day, and may the
few hours spent here be the happiest
and brightest in your recollection. 1t
may perhaps be inquired; Why these
Reunions or Annual Assemblages of
the Hess and their relations. Now l
am unable to go into all the details to
point out the advantages we may gain,
but will simply outline few. In the
first place we meet friends here whom
We have not had an opportun of
meeting for year. The distance sep
arating a number of us is so great,
that to make frequent viz IS is impos-
sible without entailing hea expense.
l have met on former OCCASIONS rela-
tives whom l never saw b ore and no
doubt a number of you hive had the
same experience. Secondly it pro-
notes sociability among relatives
that is not acquired by any other
means. 1t is only by frequent inter
course that we become Intimately ac-
quainted and learn to kno-' each other
tamiliarly. Thirdly it creates a respect
ability among us that under other con-
ditions would possibly not be brought
about, Absence lends enchantment to
our feelings and We hold e"ch other in
greater respect by seeing and convers-
ing with each other. l should like to
give the geneology of the Hess family
if l possibly could; but a. I have no
historical biography Of them can on
ly give such tradition J evidence
as l can remember at this time, CIV
en- to me by my father many years
ago.
He it was that informed me that my
great grand father and four or FIVE
brothers landed on the Anne can
shores over a century ago and from
these four persons sprung our present
Hess relations and out of which has
originated the present Hess Re union.
Let us examine the characteristics Of
the Hess family and ascertain if thev
are different from all other people or
whether we can find the same brother
hood of man in them, as in people by
any other name.
They are industrious as class which
you easily see by visiting any of their
homes ard surroundings where yo"
will find the effects of their industry
displayed. They are generous to their
neighbors and friends and ever ready
to assist the truly needy and deserving
who may call upon them.
They are social which is readily seen
by looking at the assemblage to-day.
You can find groupes all over this
beautiful grove busily engaged in chat
ting with each other and showing their
sociability by frequent importupings to
come and visit them SO that longer in
tervals may be enjoyed in common
conversation.
They are all engaged in the various
pursuits of life and Incidence is un-
known among them as class. You
find the majority engaged in agrlcul'
ture and it is only necessary to make
trip over the country and see the
crops they raise, to convince you that
they make successful farmers. We
also find them in the different profes
sions and there as elsewhere you see
them making good record Of their
work. They are patriotic, as by the
examination Of the Muster rolls OF the
all I'D %t,Av