Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1897-06-15
State Line Old Settlers Meeting.

uhy ANc VAOuSduu Pcoplc COn-
vened at Le Roy, Saturday the 12, on
the OCCASION of the State Line Old
Settlers annual meeting. The meet
ing assembled in Lewis grove in the
suburbs of the village, and was
promptly called to order by w. E..
Haskins, president of the association,
who addressed the people reviewing
the history and growth of the organi-
zation.
Two bands and a glee club furnish
ed melodious harmony for the
occasion, doing themselves much
credit. The bands were; one from
Chester; the other from Ostrapder,
the glee Climb from LIE Roy.
There had been no deaths among
the members of the association du-
ring the past year, but the roll call
disclosed the fact that less than half
the members responded to their
names when called.
The annual meetings are limited by
the constitution to the territory
which was first included, which are
six townships, three upon each side
of the state line, embracing two in
Howard, one in Mitchell, and three
townships in Mower and Fillmore
counties in Minnesota, though
persons outside of this territory may
become members by signing the con-
stitution.
The election of officers for the en-
suing year resulted in unanimous
vote for w. E. Haskins, of Chester,
as president, B. F. Garvey, of Oak
Dale, as vice president, j. NJ. Wyckoff
of LIE Roy, as secretary, and A. G.
Hubbard, of Chester, as treasurer.
The selection of the place for the
next annual meeting, by vote of the
association, was left to its officers.
After these proceedings the presi-
dent introduced the Rev. F. P.
Shafer, who in an address of great
power and fervid eloquence held the
close attention of the people during
entire delivery. His theme was well
chosen and embraced almost every
phase, feature, and duty of American
citizenship. The citizenship which
he admired, endorsed and upheld,
was sharply outlined and contrasted
with the citizenship that is held by
the class that appropriates to itself
the belongings of others and in many
a pointed Illustration ELECTED the
applause of the audience. The time
and space at our command forbids
the publication of his address and a
synopsis would do it injustice.
The choir joined in by the people,
sang "God be with us till we meet
again." after which Rev. Rumsey
pronounced the benediction.
After dinner which was we'll pro-
vided, the afternoon was passed in
various ways to the infinite amuse-
ment of the people, in the way of
foot and bicycle racing. A race
of 100 yards between five boys of
twelve years was sharply contested
and made in quick time, producing
much applause. Another race be-
tween men over sixty years of age
was made in quick time and was the
occasion of much merry making.
A dance in the Opera House in the
afternoon and evening closed the
pleasures of the day.
In passing review of the events
which have transpired, we note that
in 1860 two of the towns, Chester and
Oak Dale, named as belonging to the
association, contained, not to exceed
eleven families each, and the other
four townships of the organization we
have reasons to believe were as
sparsely populated as they. Now
the territory mentioned will average
more than family to each quarter
section beside the growing villages
of LIE Roy and Chester. The six
townships contain 29S sections each
containing one square mile, 1192
quarter sections and with four per
sons to quarter section, has pop
ulation of nearly 5000. But not more
than one half of those pres
ent Saturday resided in the territory
mentioned as included in the organi-
zation of the association.