The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1896-02-28


Ague was the leading complaint but even 1t
was not so bad, since coming on alternate
days the victim had as the wrestlers say,
'half the fall" The homes built, then
came the successful though long enduring
struggle for church, school and temple of
OF justice The intellectual standard OF the
early pioneers was high; padlocks were not
used and the latch string always hung out
for neighbor or stranger. Men grew great
In personal service; bread was broken and
given by the breaker; the coin of charity
was given not sent Now our lives are sep
Grated and social non-intercourse breeds
hatred. The first ingram carpet and the
first imported bonnet were apples of dis
cord. Frugality causes generous social life.
The great principles of ideal government as
laid down by great thinkers from Plato to
Moore and Bellamy are nothing else than the
principles of pioneer life. Mr.. Turner re-
eeived loud applause for his instructive and
eloquent address.
Mrs. G. w. Angel, accompanied by Mrs.
Kellogg, sang II cannot sing the old songs"
in way that brought tears to the eyes of
many.
DR.. A. G. Cowles was on the program for
paper but was unable to be present on ac-
count of professional duties.
Mrs. l.. Z. Gould, the scholarly principal
Of Oakside school, Owosso, read an inter-
esting paper on pioneer life. We cannot
help having fondness for the past of our
country's history since it is set in hallowed
memories. Pioneer life is romance and
retrospectiOn is like climbing cliff-we
often pause to look back upon our path of
progress. The early pioneers had distinc
tive and noble character. Their doors were
always open to friends, neighbors and even
strangers were not denied admission. The
social life of that time was healthful as their
homely pleasures were enjoyable. But the
new times produce the new woman, whose
formality at the modern formal reception
would seem ridiculous in the eyes of our
early pioneers. In those days democrat
wagon and corduroy road was in style, but
lately the bicycle has come into use and to-
day we came in cars drawn by the mystic
power of electricity. The pioneers of our
county compare very favorably with those
OF other counties and our Shiawassee river
as beautiful and beloved stream as ever
flowed. Historical societies exist in older
states and they accomplish great deal, cov-
ering the period for two hundred years.
Younger states like ours should write their
histories while it is possible to get the facts
from living witnesses. The national col
lection is deplorably poor and the student of
our early history is compelled to go to for
eign countries for his materials. Folk lore
also should be preserved. The pioneer SO.
cieties of Michigan can serve great pur-
pose in preserving the local annals well and
accurately written and thus we may gain
state history. Mrs. Goulds suggestions are
certainly very valuable and it is to be hoped
that the early history of our county will not
remain long un-written.
Way down upon the Suanee River" was
effectively sung by Mrs. Walter Mcbride.
Mrs. Alice Cooper Kellogg, of Corunna,
gave paper on "Our Grandmothers, which
held the close attention of all. No Drawer
women ever lived than our grandmothers.
Uncheered and unheralded, brave battles
have been fought by the mothers of men.
Mothers work while the men were at war
has saved this nation several times. That
women should not vote because they do not
night is no argument. Women, by their no
BILE work at home, had in reality stood be-
tween our country and its enemies I'm
dimmed by misfortunes they held their cour-
age high and fulfilled every promise made
IN their eastern homes to their ambitious
husbands. They did hard work, though
some were frail and their bravery has not
been outdone in history. Their sacrifices
and hardships developed characters which
inspired posterity and the pioneer mothers
love is appreciated by her children more
and more as time rolls on.
Mrs. Kellogg read we'll written biogra.
ply of Mrs. Caroline Baker Knapp Chalker,
by Miss M. Carruthers.
VI Mrs. Abbie Beach, Mrs. Kellogg said
that she founded the first school and the
first missionary society in the county. She
was woman of great moral courage and
unbounded hospitality, beloved by the
countless numbers who have received kind
ness at her hands.
AT the close of this paper Mrs. Helen M.
Howe, of Owosso related her first night in
the county. She was one of the three chill
dren Of Jonathan w. and Julia Brewer, who
came into the county in October, 1s41. Mrs.
Brewer said to Mrs. Beach at whose house
they stopped "The children ate tired, only
give them some bread and mix and let them
70 to bed" But Mrs. Beach said that was
not enough and gave them good warm
supper. She never did things by halves.
After good narp solo by Miss Holman,
Mr.. Howe, of Owosso, praised the life and
abors, now so nearly ended, of Burri.i
Chapman.
Elnathan Brown, of Vernon, thought that
the pioneers deserved n nonumept Mann