The Mena weekly star., 1897-10-13
MRS. MENA DE GEOIJEN AND HER
 HUSBAND VISIT OUR CITY.
ftEEASSEEGG ifH MifH THE EHE PROSPECTS raGGssrrEEcc
Another Cottage Ordered BuiIt.- Shades For the School Rooms Or dered, Honey for Band Dos mated and Fruit Farm
 to be Opened.


 local townsite agent received word that Mir. J. de Geoijen Jr, his wife Mena, for whom our town was named, Baron Van Nagell, L. R. Gi atama, all of Holland; E. de Q. Quincey, of Lon- don England, and President A. E. Stil- we'll, of Kansas City, would arrive some time during the forenoon by a special train for a brief stay. The party stopped at Mt. Mena and took good look at that soon to be popular summer resort, viewing the road up the mountain, the new hotel and other inaprevem ents being made. and arrived here shortly after l2 o'clock Carriages were in waiting and the entire party drove hurriedly over the city and to Hotel Mena where lunch was waiting and then started south for De Queen While driving about town Mir. Still well passing one of the cottages he re- gently had built here, made present of it to little Mena de Geoigen the ten year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. de Geoijen, and instructed Mir. Landes to contract for the building of another lone on a lot near.
 During the drive the party passed our public schools and noticing the windows without shades and the sun shining unobstructed upon the pupils, Mir. de Geoljen instructed Mr. Landes to have the measurements taken and he would have his wife select shades for all the windows of the five school rooms and send them to put up free of cost. This was an appropriate and delicate little donation, one that will be appreciated by all who know that in thls new school district where no public tax has ever been assessed or collected, it is all the school board can do to furnish the rooms with such appliances as are absolutely necessary and we are sure the teachers and pu- pills will feel grateful for this gift.
 When starting for De Queen it was announced that the party would not go any further south and would re- turn at 6:30 and it was understood would remain but short time but after arriving here the two Pullman cars occupied by the party were side tracked and they did not leave till a. m. the next morning. Had our people known that the party were to remain here several hours a reception would surely have been arranged and tender ed Mrs. de Geoijen and the party and many are the regrets expressed that this could not have been-not alone in honor of the very charming lady and true womanly woman for whom our town was named-but also to give the ladies and gentlemen of Mena a chance to see and greet her and her handsome and generous hearted husband.
 During the evening, by invitation, A. W. and R. K. St John. of the Star, accompanied by their wives and Mfrs. Nj. J. Budiong. of California, called on the party at their car and spent very enjoyable hour.
 During the conversation, matters for the welfare of Mcna being considered, the fact was mentioned that eur Port Arthur Route band boys were in debt about S100 for set of instruments and at once Mir. and Mrs. de Goeijen tender. ed the money-Si00-aDd Mr. Stilwell Supplemented their offer with s20 say ing that if this was more than was needed ''the boys could buy another horn"
 The entire party expressed tnem- selves as pleased and surprised wlth the wonderful growth and progress made in Mena also of the beauties of Mt Mena as resort, the desire being expressed that Mt Mena should be in every way possible made to rebound to the credit and prosperity of Mena
 Mir. StllwelI stated that he expected to commence the erection of a very nice cottage on Mt Mena and directed agent A. W. St. John, to select the best lot there for Mrs. .Mena de Geoiien. l While here Mir. Stilwell arranged to open up model fruit and poultry farm On an 80 acre tract adjoining Mena He proposes to plant not less i than 50 acres to peaches and stock it with poultry and bees, largely with Il view to encourage these industries