The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1897-06-23
BOTH ANNIVERSARY.
PREPARING FOR THE CELEBRA-
TON.
The Citizcns Of C!arksfcld Township will
Honor the EiIst settlers Today.

The Citizcns of C!arltsGcId Township will
Honor the Eiist settlers Today.
Today viii occur the exercises i'll
commeration OF the oUth anniversary
.t.,neut of Ciarksfeld town
ship. Nearly century ago hardy
New England citizens pushed their
way into the then almost pathIess
forests of the west and wherever Il
favorable location was discovered,
there the pioneer felled a few trees
and iaboriously built for himself
Drimeral hut. In many eases he lived
alone for a season until opportunity
presented for a return to the east for
family and friends. In some cases
small settlements of friends settled on
adjacent tracts and slowly extended
their clearings. From these small
beginnings, powerful and rich COM
munities have sprung, until in the
passage of years the descendants, i'm
bued with the same spirit that actu-
ated their fathers, have pushed out,
''new worlds to conquer and so have
the sons and grandsons Of those pio-
neer settlers become scattered to the
four corners of the earth.
Nearly two years ago the idea of a
reunion of the dcccndents of the pio-
neers. who cleared the forests and se--
tied the track now known rs Clarks-
field township, occurred to Judge
Oscar Cunningham of Urbana, Illinois.
The Judge was a Clarksfeld boy and
wildly remembered many of the scenes
of trials and privations, which were
associated with his childhood, and in
corresponding with others of his
youthful companions, he found that
many were indeed anxious to revisit
the places of which they cherished
such tender memories.
DR.. +. +. Weeks and \. j. Backman
of Clarksfeld, were written to and inn
mediately fell in with the idea and as
the s0th anniversary of the settlement
of the township was approaching it
time and gather togather as many of
the old settlers, and their descendants,
as possible. Communication was had
with these foreign Clarksfeldians,
wherever they could be located, and
many signified their desire and will
ingness to attend.
A date which came the nearest to
giving satisfaction to all concerned,
was fixed and for months past, every
effort has been made by the residents
of the little village and vicinity, to
provide entertainment for their yisi-
tors.
Every available resource has been
drawn upon and today, will be witness
ed in the quaint little interior village,
such a gathering of people, as never
assembled within the limits of the
township before. Visitors from as far
cast as Connecticut, the land from
vLich the early settlers principally
came, others from as fal west as Mis-
souri,, are already on the spot and
many, who have given their assurance
OF being present, will arrive this NOM
iug.
The township, without exception,
will declare a holiday and all gather
at the Hollow" where appropriate
exercises will be held. The neighbor-
ing towns and hamlets, which are in
close relationship, will also send large
delegations. and Norwalk, where many
who are closely allied to the quiet
town by ties of relationship. will send
a delegation, large enough to require
a special train, while many will drive
out in their own consequences.
The early morning hours will be
spent in renewing old acquaintances
and at 10 o'clock everybody is expect
ed to gather at the public school build.
ing, where large stand has been
erected and seating Accommodations for
at least 1900 people, has been provid-
ed.
The exercises Of the day will begin
shortly after 10 o'clock and the follow
ing is the program, as at present ar.
ranged: "''S T7Y7T,aIY