The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1897-06-16
Additional Local
THE COUNTY PIONEERS.
The Meeting at GObIeville Last Week
Was Grand Success.

The Meeting at GObleVllle Last week
Was "A Grand Success.
The 27th annual meeting of the Van
Buren, County Pioneer association, held
at Gobleville last Wednesday, was the
largest ever heldin the county. The day
was all that could be desired. A huge
banner with the words "Welcome to
the Pioneers" was stretched across the
main street of the village, while the
whole town seemed covered with flags
and bunting. In an apple orchard just
east of the hotel a fine stand had been
erected and large number of seets
provided. While the citizens had plan
ned on large scale, they underestimate
ed the crowed, for at least half of them
had To stand The only criticism heard
about the whole arrangement was that
no reporters desk had been provided.
At 10 a. m. the Gobleville cornet
band marched to the ground playing,
aud at exactly 1915 President j. j,
Woodman called the meeting to order
and called on the band for another
piece of music. Prayer was offered by
Rev. j. w. Hagerty of Gobleville,
after which was more music by the
band.
Minutes of the last meeting were read
by the secretary, who also announced the
death of Vice-president Rood of Covert
and the appointment of L. IL. Rood.
Song by the Gobleville Glee club, The
Flag Without Stain" Reports of the
vice presidents being called for, every
township reported personally or through
the secretary, though some of them did
not get in until afternoon. New
members, 1876; deaths l0l. The treas
urer report showed 81 43 on hand a
year ago; receipts, so 80; expenses,
IS 40; on hand, $40 As After another
piece 10y the band, adjournment was
had at / 40 for dinner.
Tickets for dinner at the hotel were
furnished the officers and honorary
guests, and were on sale for those who
wished TO purchase, but the crowd
basketed wherever they could enjoy it
the best.
Promptly at one O'Clock the meeting
was opened by the band, prayer was
again offered by Rev. j. w. Hagerty
president, gave the address of welcome.
In this he earnestly voiced what we
saw and enjoyed of the hospitality of
the village. In the response by the
secretary he contrasted the welcome
we received in coming into the county
with the one of to-day. Prof A M.
Wilcox rendered very fine cornet
solo. G.. d. Myers recited, Ruben
stein" pioneer Farming" was the
subject handled by A. &. Glidden, and
he brought back to the minds of the
older ones many a hard rap in the ribs,
as well as many a jolly time in the log
ging and husking bees Pioneer Print
ing" by w. +. Stewart, was paper
worth printing aud preserving for its
historical facts AT this point the pres
ident introduced to the audience Mrs.
j. X. Monroe, the widow of the first
president Of the association, and also
Mrs. G.. NJ. Morrill,, two of the oldest
pioneers of the county. j. Nj. Hall
gave a very carefully prepared History
of Pine Grove" which 1t is hoped may
be obtained for preservation. Song by
the Glee club, dreams of Long Ago"
This was so we'll received that the club
was called out again, but waited until
Hon. G. j Monroe, who had TO take
the train soon, could be heard from,
when they sang "Clear the Way" ID.
II. Smith sang The Sword of Bunker
Hill" and it was voted that he do it
each year Mrs. j. j. Woodlands
paper, "Our Pioneer Mothers and
Their Request to Their Daughters"
was very fine production and was well
read. THE One Hoss Shay" was well
rendered by Miss Gertrude Hagerty.
Five minute speeches being in order,
VIM. Healy, John Cook, G.. ID. Myers,
ID. Woodman and N w. Lewis spoke
promptly. Mrs. j. j. Woodman being
called gave recitation. Mrs. ID. o.
Everest and j. IL. Howard followed,
the latter reading poem, my so
Years" Recitation, 1.-The Race for the
Bride" by Daisy Hyatt was very well
rendered.
The election of officers resulted in the
election of all the old ones except that L.
H. Rood takes the place of his brother
AS vice. president in Covert, and Thos.
Horton of +. p Harvey in Bangor.
A petition bearing seventy-six names,
asking for the next meeting, being re-
ceived from Bangor, it was voted to
hold it there.
After few remarks by the president
vote of thanks to the singers, band
and citizens of Gobleville, and some
remarks 10y General Harrison, a soldier
in the Mexican war, the largest and
one of the best pioneers meetings ever
held in the county adjourned.
The citizens of Pine Grove presented
to the association fine cane, to be
given to the earliest pioneer on the
grounds. j. j. Woodman carries the
cane. He came to the county in May,
1885, riding the head horse in the family
procession. The next earliest pioneer
present was his brother, David Wood
man, who was but few rods behind
when crossing the county line.