Telegram-herald. ([Grand Rapids, Mich.) 18??-1892, 1891-06-24
AULD LANG SYNE'S DAYS
The Old Settlers 5sth Anniversary
Picnic.
ATIqE FOR NENORY AND FOR TEARS
RESOLUTIONS of Respect for the Late adge
Holmes Adoptea-Kemtnisos i.s-
freshnleots aad kscrsation-Aa
Old Time Dance.


There WAS nothing commonplace
about yesterday. The sunshine was
uncommonly brilliant, the air was soft
and balmy, the wind was but the gen.
tiest summer zepher. and all nature
seemed 10 be enyeloped in happiness.
OF course the weather clerk ordered
sunshine and all its attendant bright
ness for the benefit of those who wished
TO attend the Old Settlers picnic. about
1000 in all having been greatly favored
| thereby.
liz was the fifty-eighth anniversary OF
| the settlement Of the Grand River Val
ley, and the faces which beamed kindly
| from the narrow doors of the rude log
cabins long ago, again smiled IN joyful
recognition of old-ume friends yester-
| day. Every year some face, dearly
beloved, is missed, and the vacancy is
| bridged oyef with greater tenderness
| for those who yet remain. There IN ali
| about seven hundred male members OF
| the Old Settlers Association, their
wives being honorary members.
| The officers are: DR.. Charles shepard.
| president; VIM. A. Berkey, second vice.
| PRESIDENT; Charles A. Robinson, secre-
tary; L. -. Gilbert, treasurer; w. n.
| Cook, marshal.
| The late Judge Holmes was first vice.
president. All the other officers were
in attendance except Mr.. Gilbert, who
was detained by business.
The hours of the picnic were set at
from 10 q. III. TO 5p. N. and
1hrongs of People
| Poured into Alger Park on every train.
| Many went out by way of the street
| railway ana crossed over to the park on
the little steamers. The spacious
grounds were ample for the guests and
could have accommodated many more.
| Popcorn booths, candy stands,
lemonade stalls and eoft drink coun-
ters abounded and were literally
patronlzed. Quantities OF ice cream
and other light refreshments were con-
sumed. Children by the dozen crowded
into the horizontal swings and made
merry echo, for an old settlers picnic
must not be understood to be
made up of old or even middle
aged people. Youth and child
hood ever on the alert for good
time and always prominent at the an
uual reunions Of the Old Settlers Asso-
cation. Capacious lunch baskets were
robbed of their contents at midday and
a grand spread was partaken of.
At l O'Clock President Shepard called
the assemblage to order from the broad
and cool verandas of the pavilion. Rev.
W. w. Johnson led N prayer and sup
plemented the invocation by remin-
| lscent talk. Rev. Johnson, in early
days, somewhere along III the fifties,
was missionary, and he prosecuted
the liquor business successfully. secur-
ing the arrest and punishment of many
law breaker.
Amid reverential silence George II.
White read a series OF
RESOLUTIONS on the Death OF the Late
Judge Holmes
which were unanimously adopted and
ordered spread upon the minutes.
Albert Baxter, the historian came
forward with an interesting reminiscent
talk, and w. n. Cook followed in like
vein, it being his maiden effort in
speech making. Music was interspcrsed
and America" and "Auld Lang Syne"
were sung with a ferver possible only
to such gatherings.
Immediately following the conclusion
Squire's full orchestra struck up en-
tranclng dance music on the upper
floor of the pavilion and the crowd
made bee line for the stairs.
Judge Morrison had been expected to
lead with Aunt Jane Smith IN the dance
having engaged her hand for the oc-
caslon some weeks ago. Either his
courage or his feet failed, for when
the floor Was cleared the judge was not
IN sight. Aunt Jane WAS not at al
depressed or abashcd, for gallant K. c.
| Luce Immediately came forward and
offered her ms arm. Capt. George
Judd, Asa Mech, W. y. Cook and
Luman Jennlson quickly followed with
partners who danced the stately min-
uet before Grand Rapids was even n
| village. Then the music struck up.
Mr.. Squires' commanded all to salute
partners and the fun began. Up and
down, around and about the hall
tripped lightly gray headed youths and
maIdens. When the order came to
balance all, the clever jlgging done
drowned the noise of an approaching
train. The dancing continued all the
afternoon.
Mrs. Harriet Burton 40 we'll known
as the first white woman married in the
| Grand River Valley was there tor dou-
blepurpose. Primarily. of course, ps-
cause il was the Old Settlers picnic, then
secondly /; was her 18th birthday,
Her father. Joel Guild. camped in the
| Valley June %, 1893.
Judge Morrison was probably
The Oldest Man There.
Being nearly 90 years old. He il hale
and hearty, aud well preserved for hrs
| age.
Or. Shepard ia 70 years old, and he
| was frlskiug about as though the blood
OF youth flowed through his veins.
+. A. Fletcher was there, but his
wife was not lie was boldly telling
| how he had sent her into the country
| so that he might 60 out to the picnic
and have a good time with the girls.
Oscar Wilmarth was there celebrat-
ing doubly. 1t was his wedding anni-
verssry. and he joined the ASSOCIATION
last week in order tnat he might have
two drinks for Eve cents, as ne jocu-
larly expressed il.
They we're happy and joyfnl crowd. /.
! Murth WAS the order of the day, sne
while sadness pervsded the minds Of
some, as { always has and always vii.
/ nearly every soul there lad sway duh
care and sorrow. and c0nspired 20
make tae annual picnic thing OF Joy,
10 be remembered forever.
rissh. sna nesshs
The full returns Of the supervisors
reports Of births and deaths in Kent
/ e4unfV are eaa - TNorA ne~e ofG