Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1893-01-12
The Papers, Letters, T!usic and
Banquet.

'ood >ON11Lt COSNIhSL O1SS
more for the purpose Of enjoy
ment. While they suffered the
varied trials of pioneer life in an
early day they now all enjoy the
comforts of pleasant homes and
the advantages of the present
time. The meeting was called to
order by the president, Mrs. c.
H. Brown. Prayer was offered
by Mr.. James Granger, after
which the "Star Spangled Ban
ner' was sung by full chorus,
The president then delivered the
following
ADDRESS OF WELCOMES:
lNcm6ns Of tile old Settlers.
Chi Of Wood Comfy, Dear Friends.
1t is natural for youth to look
forward in anticipation of the
future that lies beyond; but to
many of us, who have passed the
meridian Of our days, and around
whom the shadows Of evening
begin to close, there is a peculiar
pleasure in recalling the past-in
unlocking the casket Of memory
and counting its treasures one by
one. AS we look backward
through the shadoWy vista Of by
gone years, one pioneer life with
its hardship and heroism, its trials
and its triumphs, is enrolled be-
fore us, like a vast panorama, and
we remember with tears and
smiles the sorrows and joys which
have been our portion, and above
all give thanks to Him who has
crowned our lives with blessings.
For this purpose, and to renew
and strengthen the old friendships
we are assembled here tonight.
But it is not for us to linger long
in the Louisiana of recollection,
for although we have passed many
a mile stone on LIES journey,
there is work yet for us to do, and
greater heights for us to climb,
that we may leave as a heritage to
our children the example of
patriotism, of courage and en-
durance, and of duties nobly done.
Since last we met the Death Angel
has invaded the ranks of the Old
Settlers and some have joined "the
innumerablc caravan that moves
to that mysterious realm" but let
us think of them as bivouaced on
those Eternal fields of Glory,
where with all the Old Settlers of
the Past, they await our coming,
for happier, grander, and un-
ending reunion.
Wishing you all an evening of
unalloyed pleasure, in the name of
the Old Settlers Club I bid you
welcome.
The Secretary, Mrs. Denis, then read
the following letter written by Mrs. J.
W. Harris:
SALEM. ORE, Dec. 9th, '92.
Dear Friends of tile old Settlers
CZub:-I received your letter in
due time asking for word from
me to your "Old Settlers Club"
l cannot express to you how in
stantly my heart responded to that
request with the earnest wish that
| might present atthat reunion.
| wondered how many faces
that were familiar to me in Grand
Rapids and Centralia twenty-four
years ago, l should recognize now.
They must be very few. The
children have grown to man and
womanhood, those who were
young men and women are now
middle aged, and the old have,
most of them, passed away.
My husband and | spent six
years very pleasantly in Grand
Rapids, and our youngest daugh-
ter was born there. Twenty-four
years ago last Spring we came
away with our three children.
Since then the changes in the
place must have been great, and
many sad changes have come to
us as family. My husband and
second daughter Ella are buried
here in this beautiful Willamette
valley of Oregon. My oldest
daughter, Della, has her last rest
ing place in far away Japan. My
youngest daughter and | are left
alone. Yet, tho so much alone
we are together, and pleasantly
situated with home in this beauti
full City Of Peace with many
warm friends and a good degree
of health and comfort.
Wherever our home has beer
since leaving Grand Rapids We
have been blessed with kind friends
but none have been more kind OF
true than those we left there. Ny
heart turns to them with a peculiar
interest, for there was my hus
bands first Passionate, and thei
kindness and friendship wa.