Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1897-10-19
THE OLD SETTLERS.

The Old Settlers committee of this
county held a meeting in the court
house, Oct. IL, for the purpose of per-
fecting the Old Settlers organization.
The following members we're pres
ent:
A. H. Sperry, Willmar
A. Railson, Lake Andrew
liver Aspaas, Lake Lillian
Hugh Blakely, Roseville
E. P. Wicklund, Fahlun
Emerson Adams, Green Lake.
Mr.. Blakely had consulted with the
secretaries of the Old Settlers associ-
alton of Stearns county and of the Old
Settlers organization of the State of
Minnesota. He presented the consti-
tuition of the association of Stearns
county for adoption with such changes
as would be necessary for this county.
Mr.. Blakely thought that all who
were in the state prior to 1862 and in
the county now and the male portion
of their families should be eligible for
membership Of this association.
Mr.. Wicklund was satisfied with '62.
The chair: "'62 will take in all
that were here before the outbreak
Mr.. Blakely's motion, that '62 be
made the time, was acted upon and
carried.
The date for the annual meeting was
fixed for the third Tuesday in June.
Mr.. Aspaas wanted to know if people
who settled in this county after '62
could become H.: abers of this associ-
alton by paying the admission fee of
one dollar. Mr.. Blakely thought not.
Chairman Railson remarked that
the old settlers will soon die out and
that there should be a membership of
all that have married into the old set
lers' families: these are younger and
likely to live longer.
After discussing some of the articles
of the constitution, Mr.. Blakely Of
fered the following resolution:
Resolved by the Old Settlers Asso-
citation that the wives of'.old settlers
be admitted to the annual entertain
ment of said association, as honorary
members, on the payment OF the sum
Of fifty cents.
Motion carried.
Mr.. Aspaas here remarked that he
could not vote, having come to the
state in '64, and raised the question of
qualification in character, etc.
Mr.. Blakely did not think members
could come in in that way as the asso-
citation is chiefly an historical one.
Mr.. Wicklund wanted to know about
children of old settlers getting mar
ried and if he had son-in-law would
he be member. He was answered in
the affirm alive.
Mr.. Sperry thought it better to let
the young fellows go in as old settlers
after certain number of years.
The question of character was now
discussed and Mr.. Aspaas thought
the association might get bad char
acter through bad member.
B'akely responded; II take excep-
ton to that statement. Twas acquaint-
ed with every settler in the old county
of Monongalia previous to '62 and I
do not think that any of them came
under the head of bad character.
Mr.. Sperry said: mo, sir, there
wasn't a man in the county that was a
banker, a railroad magnate nor a
horsethief."
This remark caused merriment and
the chair called the house to order.
The meeting now proceeded to elect
officers, as follows:
President, Ani rev Railson.
First vice president, Hugh Blakely.
Second vice president, A. H. Sperry.
Secretary, Harold Swenson.
Treasurer, E. P. Wicklund.
The chair appointed Louis Larson
and Emerson Adams as an executive
committee.
The following were appointed to ar
range history of the county:
Mr.. Blakely to take the territory of
Grow river toward Paynesville includ-
ing Burbank.
Harold Swenson, West Lake and
Spicer.
A. H. Sperry, Solomon Lake, Foot
Lake and Eagle Lake.
Andrew Railson, Norway Lake.
Chas. E. Johnson, Lake Elizabeth,
Fablun, Lake Lillian and tennessee.
P. H. Parsons, Diamond Lake, Har-
rison and Irving.
These men were also hv motion riY-