Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1893-09-21
OLD SETTLERS.
The Pioneers Picnic
Complete and Gratifying
Success.
Hon. E. c. Ericsson Delivers an
Interesting Address Of
Years Gone By.

81
One Of the most delightful occa.
sions experienced in Union county
took place at the Old Settlers picnic
held OH the farm Of Lewis Johnson
OF Brule on Friday of last week.
The day did not open as aus
piciously rs could have been desired
owing to the strong wind blowing
which raised clouds of dust. Never.
theless this did not dampen the
spirits of the participants for they
were there for pleasure and enter
tainment. By the aid Of the pro.
motors Of the picnic success crowned
every effort.
The grove in which the exercises
were held were Hastily arranged
for comfort. When Chairman Sam
Dahl called the meeting to order
there were fully 500 persons present.
After a brief prayer the Rev. Mr..
Dale delivered the address of well
come couched in beautiful language.
Then came all address full of meat
and thought ty K. r. Rome in the
Scandinavian language, after which
Hon. 4. C. Ericsson delivered the
leading address Of the day-a brief
extract of which a be found be-
low.
A bountiful dinner was served
which certainly conferred honor
upon the big hearted wives Of the
old settlers. There was every
thing heart could wish and all as
good as it was free to those present.
After dinner had been served ad-
dresses in the Scandinavian language
upon the world famed Vikings were
made by Andrew Hoyem and E.
Houig. Andrew Hoyem read an
original poem to the old settlers
which certainly was a gratifying
production. During these exercises
the Elk Point band furnished music
while the Normandy Sangerbund
ofSioux City, a Scandinavian sing
ing society rendered beautiful mu.
sic for the entertainment of all. In
the evening the young people par.
ticipated in a dance.
The speech OF e. G.. Ericsson was
a resume Of the early history of the
county and was not only an able
speech but did Mr.. Ericsson honor.
We give the historical section of
his speech as follows:
The Indian title to the land which is embraced
IN Union county was extinguishca by a treaty
In 1883. IRON May II, 1855, when Minnesota
was admitted rs a state. until March :, 1851.
When Dakota territory was organized, the part
not Included in any territorial Organization and
the people who then resided here had no gov
erninelt whatever. William Jayne was APP
pointed the first governor, and through q little
incident from his trip from Sioux Cts to Yapk.
ton. at tue time he went 10 assume his office.
y eklough west VI Elk Point secured its name.
reaching the slough three miles west of Elm
Point the outflt becatle mired and his excel
!!eucy had 70 stay stuck in the mud for some
hours until help could be secured to pull him
out. The slough has been called Governors
Slough, ever since. In June, 1861, when the
first census was taken, Dakota territory, which
then included what Is now North and South
Dakota. Montana. Wyoming and most Of Idaho,
had AL told 2.4o2 population as shown by Ills
first Official census. IN 1870 the government
census gave Dakota IA, lSa population. OF which
Union county had very nearly one fourth, and
II was then the most populOus county III u
territory. the census giving 1t $50. The first
now Union county. lying south of the north line
Of township 13 was organized under the name
Of Cole county. y being. named after Austin
uS,e, one o, Inc ,s irst settlers u who at that time
and vino WAS also u member OF the council OF
the second, fifth aid sixth territorial legisla.
' 1sss: loc ass e nUa, lie ssa s,x M1s y y . set q Nay 4,
lion near what is now McCook and Was nanttsd
In the act Victoria. On May =. 1852, the Iexis-
ia,mre passed ~ act providing for the holding
county. There are no county records of Cole
county in existence 50 far ~ ! have been allie
to fnd On January =. iee4, Union county was
time William Frisbie. William Mathers and
John X. Wood were county commissioners Of
Cole county. n. NJ: Rich was register Of deeds
same session Of the legislature Lincoln and
county for judicial and election purposes. The
earliest record OF proceedings Ut the commits
dated March i. Ices. The meeting Of the be board
Y Si,,l hesd as w f'Gs'Sn M. y the "a, house q A.; 4.
esAu NAIlGu-
ell were present as commissioners and Henry
Carpenter as clerk. The board seems 10 have
exercised judicial functions In those days, MS
the record shows that they removed G. r. Pease
from office Is sheriff and appointed David nj.
Mill in his stead. Edward X. Collins was ut
nat sims appointed y county our superintendent. a.
OF probate. The legislature having on january
4. 1865. provided tor the holding OF an election
to locate ne county seat Of Union county. on
commissioners at that meeting established
three election precincts for the county us fol-
i icM I,s,d F " -. n non.s creek cs prscinSut election to
on the farm now owned by William Frisbie. the
Judges being Thomas Watson. James Fate aud
Ira Seward; second, Elk Point pIe cinct at the
used as . hotel and owned by e. b. Wixsos,
which stood on the corner now occupied bv the
G i.,,as D : csn And Tie r1sx Judges s,, were Ley, Cross;
precinct WAS B'E Sioux at Desire Chaussec's
house north q McCOo The judges were Ma
iS,ss ra m1sea.e ~ Nv WASH a',o Kellogg and J. Gray.
election nor Of any other election upon the
county seat question.
.o 1Ss 1 A.! m 81 ls !. Is, &, vi. which 4. there he. y !: any re.
With present rates OF taxation might well make
one long for the good old times" The levy
for territorial purposes was three fourths Of i
mill ana tue county tax was two mills. The
Town Of Elk Point was incorporated April Il.
1861. With John 3. Wood president 81 the town
s sEa !, FL wI n y Wixson recorder. aud M!yrcn
kiss councilMen. The town OF Richiand Was
incorporates May p, 1862. with 7: Bliss as
cIlnen. Tho hryt homestead entry I'm Union
county and tn Dakota WAS made BY. .Mahion
Gore. who now resides ct Orlando. Fla. lie
q the early settlers held their land 40 squatters.
r xese n so,n lsi ,sn S.o !: s Sp s ~ ~ .d Union county
3. D.. Todd OH May 4, 1859. On November 70