Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1898-01-26
HoNoRlNG THE OLD FOLKS.


Under date of Jan. 20. "Cambrian'
writes as follows from Payson;
To the Editor;
Payson First ward has Just had re-
union on a broad scale All sects and
parties. old and young. apparently
without exception, We're Invited. Ihe
large opera house and the dining han
and kitchen of the adjoining hotel
were engaged for the occasion. Com
mittees on invitation, decoration, trans
portation. tables and seats program
and picnic, were previously elected by
vote. and under the general manage
ment of our Bishop and councillors the
whole thing moved very successfully.
After response to the chairman's
call, the choir sang fine selection.
Prayer by the chaplain. and singing.
Several came forward with songs and
recitatons, and a speech full of ready
wit was made by the Rev. Murphy,
which took hugely.
During the forepart OF the day pic
mic was sent to the kitchen in great
profusion and variety, and three long
tables We're provided and loaded with
provisions and laid out in fine order
with suitable number of walters. n
call for supper was sounded at
O'Clock promptly, and all over fifty
years of age were called to the first ta-
bles. When satisfied they withdrew
into the Opera house. The tables were
reset and replenished several times
during the evening until all We're salts
fed.
Music dancing and other parts OF the
program were continued till late
hour. 1t was observed that the old
folks exercised immensely In dancing,
and Mt times gave what may he called
a hoe down, and a voice was heard
to say so.
On the second day the younger peo-
pie had their time under the same COM
mittee. with similar program. the
children having gay time in the af-
ternoon and the youth in the evening.
The number of those who attended
and partook was above 600 persons.
To us here 1t appeared Il huge affair
and passed Off very satisfactorily. We
have heard expressions to that effect
by many, and we expect good results
in n greater degree of unity, love and
fellowship and an upward tendency in
progress in the ward.
OF the affair at American Fork, ~.
c." sends the following account under
date of the goth inst:
Yesterday our old folks and widows,
numbering about 900 sat down to a
magnificent dinner mt ! p. m, in the
Opera house, the means for which had
been provided by our generous citizens.
The house was tastefully and appro-
priately decorated for the occasion by
j.. B. Lee, artist, and his capable and
efficient aids. The tables fairly groaned
under the weight OF the many good,
toothsome things prepared for the oc-
caSion, and ample justice was done by
all present to the necessities and wants
Of the inner man.
There were present. by invitation
from Salt Lake City, George Goddard
hn Do. u ~.
Andrew Jenson, historian and wife,
and an old acquaintance and friend,
Phil Margetts. There was also q num-
Der of other distinguished guests pres
ent from various surrounding settle
ments. comprising Bishop Thorne, of
Pleasant Grove. N. C. Murdoch OF
Charleston, Wasatch county, an old
resident Of this place, and several
others.
We very much missed our old, res
pected friends, w. C. Dunbar and wife.
and his aud highland bagpipes, which
used to 'drone" and "slsirl' to our in
finite delight on so many former occa-
sions like the present. Never mind.
Brither Dunbar. maybe yen be weel
an able tae blaw yer pipes wi birr
neist time.
In the afternoon an excellent and
appropriate program was rendered con-
sistng OF speech making. songs and
'seNiViss iHttisDtIstu WIN music
from the Cunningham string band, and
piano accomplishments by Miss Ida
Chipman, as well as by several SER
vices OF cake, candies and oranges
VIM. Grant in sketching briefly the
past and present OF Old Folks dny. re-
proted eleven deaths since last we met
a year ago. 1t was shown that six
were present over so and 81 from 20 to
~. The number of widows present was
~. The widowers were asked to rise
ana be counted, but only eight res
Bishop W. D. Robinson extended
nearly concentrations to all assem-
nied, and spoke kindly and encourage
ingiy to- them. He thanked the vari-
Gus committees and their helps very
warmly Tor the kind, untiring efforts
they had put forth to make the happy
occasion such signal success. Mayor
Parker, in few well chosen words
also congratulated the old folks and
wished them many happy gatherings
In times to come.
Historian Jensen occupied q good
part of the afternoon giving a brief
outline of his recent travels and ex-
periences while circumnavigating the
globe. and exhibited quite a number
Of curiosities peculiar to the South son
islanders and other nationalities COM
ing within the purview of his extended
travels.
The old folks manifested great pleas
iire while listening to his description,
and followed him with close and un-
divided attention.
We extend our grateful thanks to
Thomas Barratt. John Tracy and Emf
ly Adamson of the craftsmanship of the
Old Folks party, and to ali the other
committees under their able super
vision, for their untiring, indefatigable
efforts to make the old folks gather
ings so pleasant and successful.
As Is custom, a supper and social
party were given at Grants emporium
in the evening for the missionaries
wives, and to entertain visiting friends
from distance WHO came to partici-
pate and help us out.
After supper an impromptu program
was presented which proved To be emf
nently talented and successful. Here
Historian Jenson again got in some OF
his work in the shape of song, humoI
and historic recital. John Peters and
Phil Margetts. both of local dramatic
celebrity, gave MS some of their pleas
ing and mirth-provoklng effusions;
especially so was Pills Quaker, In
character. Mrs. Ada Smith was also
very interesting on the OCCASION ms
also friends Goddard and Savage, and
many others we would like to mention
but fear of the News" editors waste
basket forbids further dilation.
One word more. however, ON Brother
Grant. May God bless him for tho
hearty interest and support he has al
ways manifested in the old folks cele-
brations. Until recently mis- house
used to be the only place where We