Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1895-06-21
GRATIOTS' PIONEERS.
Spend Day in Talking over Old Times.
A Fair Attendance.

n AR AlltHQdHtts
4 better day for the meeting of the pioneer
and historical association of the county
could hardly have been selected than last
Friday. Ii was just warm enough To be
comfortable and as sunshiny as could be de
sired. Although the meeting was called on
short notice the Attendance was excellent
Among the first at the meeting, AZ they were
in the county, were Roman Fyler, Elias
Shaw and w. W. Comstock.
The association was called TO order at 1890
By Elias Shaw, the only member of the ex-
ecu.ive committee present, who briefly
stated the object of the association and the
necessity of every member taking an earnest
interest in keeping the association in good
working order. The association then put
in some work on the by laws, the reading of
which was Gale for by W. W. Comstock.
As'no provision had been made for annual
dues MIR. Comstock offered resolution pro-
viding for the annual payment of ten cents
from each member which was adopted IMAM
imously.
A list of the pioneers present showed the
following: William Long and wife. Roman
Fyer, Gilbert Hall, Francis Curtis aud wife.
j. Heinlen and wife, j. X. Hffner, Albert
Bovee, Mary \. Cratsenburg, Mary Harris,
Nettie COmstock, Elias Shaw, Daniel Failing,
Warner Coston, George Randall and wife,
Jerry Shaver, 4. Hoag and WIFE O. NJ. Ever
den, +. A. Walker, A. NJ. Walker, A. ).
LOOMS and wife, ). Wheeler and wife, W.
II. Laycock and wife, X. Allen and wife, y.
Walker ana wife, n. b. Fraker, A. Cole and
wife, John Price and wife, Newell Leonard
Mrs. Louisa Seaver, Mrs, f. NJ. Russell, y.
ID. Scott and W. f. Winton and wife. The
association then adjourned for dinner.
After the call for order the secretary's re-
port was called for and read and as no set
program had been prepared. the members
were invited to make the best possible use of
the time. A. j. Harrington of ST. Louis had
prepared list of the members of the society
who had died during the year, which was
read, experimenting the reading with per-
-onal "reminiscences of different ones. The
number noted amounted to A.. Newell
Leonard offered the following resolution
and moved Its adoption:
Whereas, since our last animal meeting
Sidney ). Hastings OF st. Louis, w. c. Beck
with of Ithaca, Lafayette Swaziland and
Elijah Beard of North Star, have departed
this life; therefore,
"REsoLvED. That in this death the society
has lost four of Its brightest ornaments and
active and respected members, who we're al
ways foremost in making grand and GLORIOUS
the history of pioneer life in this county;
al
lives were such a. TO endear them 10 the
hearts of all the old pioneers. They were
always found TO be the friends of all III times
of need and their names will receive honor
able mention in connection with the early
days of Gratiot;
"REs LIVED, That this society extend vote
of sympathy 10 their families IN this, their
bereavement;
"REsoLyED, That these resolutions be
spread at large on the minutes of the society
and published in the county papers,"
The next in order was the election o: the
officers for the ensuing year, as follows:
Pres, W. +. Winton; Secretary, o. NJ. Ever
den; Treasurer, W. W. Comstock, all of Ith-
aca.
W. +. Winton was escorted to the chair
but on being called on for a speech, declined
as not being prepared. The officers elected
were, on motion, elected as the executive
committee, with power to name the required
vice presidents and transact other necessary
business.
committee on program, consisting of
A. J. Harrington, q. +. Hall, Newell Leon
ard Nettie Comstock and Mrs. W, +. Long
was appointed and retired to prepare q pro-
gram. President WInton then called for
speeches, and William Long of Washington
was the first to respond: tame TO the
county with wife and child and stopped over
night in deserted log shau'y, which was
without door, window, floor or roof. Built
house on his land and settled down TO
clearing it NJ; wife Wa taken sick and ne
had to do the work and make the butter and
had the ague all the time.
Roman Fyler Of North Shade gave the as
ISOLATION an account of trip that nj made
into the county and the financial loss which
resulted from his making too many trades
on the way.
q. W Petty Of st. Louis came into Gratiot
in 1869 and bought state land III Bethany.
He thought il fine country then. for the
ground hadn't thawed out, and there weren't
host of mud holes. He went back home
and in May again came in, bringing with
him his son. Found plenty of mud. Had a
neighbor draw some lumber to his land and
built shanty. After awhile his wife came
Cleared up his land, and after the springs
opened up at st. Louis, times were better.
Went to raising onions and made good liv-
ing.
A. Bovee came to Washington in rs with
his wife and children. Traded for his place
without seeing it. In those days there were
no roads. only trails. Had Is cents, all in
cash, when he got here Chopped four acres
and put it into spring wheat the first season,
and II looked fine, but it all froze in June.
Didn't harvest kernel. Had 10 go TO St.
Johns to market and used to carry the but
ter in pals suspended from neck yoke.
Had to walk loot logs most of the way.
Started from home one morning with forty
pounds of butter there and brought nearly
that many pounds back of groceries and got
home in time for dinner. Couldn't do 1t
now.
J. Heinlen moved from Ohio in IS. There
were no bridges above Maple Rapids. Had
to ford the River. Built shanty with a
puncheon floor and small fireplace and
a stick chimney. Had a horse the first sum
mer but traded him off for provision. Had
! 700 pounds of flour when spring opened, but
neighbors ran out of provisions and he
| loaned until his flour ran out, and then the