Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1893-01-12


with you, but many amusing
things might be told, if there
was time and your patience
would hold out. One thing
which seemed to me very funny
though, | must tell you. We had
q preacher whose name was
Peck, hewas not so very eloquent
and it was about as difficult then
for a third rate preacher to hold
an audience as it is to-day. At
first the seats were well filled,
but one by one, like Autumn
leaves his hearers dropped off
and With them their support.
until at last the old fellow gave
out he would preach his farewell
sermon on the following Sunday.
The choir was made up of Mr..
and Mrs. administer, Mr.. Philleo.
Tom Stevenson, Emma Alexan-
der, nee Butterheld, and myself.
The administers had a sick child
and could not come, and Tom
well, he was not there either,
neither was there any congrega-
ton. Well, we sang, the preach
er prayed, we sang again and
still no one came, but he opened
up his sermon and had got as
far as "Where two or three are
gathered together, when Mr.. P.
sald-'I've a goodnotion to shut
him Off" En- said do and |
am afraid | did not discourage
him, and so he said, Elder Peck,
since there are no more here. it
seems hardly worth your while
to try to preach this hot day."
but he had a sermon prepared
and wanted to deliver it, SO he
said, eff we wait a little longer
some one may come" he would
look out-while he walked to
the front of the hall to see what
the prospect was, we all skipped
for home and so the farewell
sermon was never preached and
the farewell hymn was never
sung, neither was there any con-
trlbution. How the poor man
got out of town will always re-
main as great q mystery as how
Cain could have found wife in
the land of Nod.
Our next minister was Mr..
Harris and a Congregational
society was formed and | think
a Methodist Society about the
same time, then the spiritual re-
form began, that is, they built
churches, wore better clothes,
had Sabbath Schools and ceased
to make Sunday a regular day
for visiting or going berrying.
Every one liked the HAIRLESS and
it was during his stay that the
war broke out Many of Our
brave boys went out for a three
months service thinking in that
short time they could settle
matters down in Dixie, and
come home all covered with
glory. Little did they think
many of them would never see
home again and many that did
return would be manned for life.
Neither did we think the cruel
war would last for years instead
of months. We did not dance
then, all were shrOuded in one
common sorrow and when the
drafting began, we tremblingly
said "who next" Every thing
stood still, little beside the nee
essaries of life were offered for
sale and money to buy these
was hard to get, and when the
war was over and the few that
were left came home once more,
gladly we welcomed them, but
sorrowed for those who came no
more On the people who came
after the war my paper has no
bearing and | will only say we
found among them dear friends
and true.
I have tried to mention all the
old settlers and if any have been
left out it was not Intentional.
| also tried hard to leave the
women out, but / could not for /
love them SO, besides, you know,
"Woman's Rights is my partic-
ular hobby and they have right
to be mentioned. Now, in con-
clusion, I will say-To all who
have passed to the Summer
Land"-to all the absent ones,
and those who have gtathered
tonight, God bless them each
and every one.
Fraternally,
M. PoMEROY.
''Old Lang Syne" was feelingly rend
cred by the large audience standing.
The following officers were then