Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1898-06-01

for order and after song by the schools
and prayer by Rev Coram, Mayor
Aug Smith spoke few appropriate
words, bidding the old settlers welcome
President McMichal replied, continuing
his remarks in general. He recounted
the labors of the fathers of Vernon
county since the iorties and fifties, he
himself becoming a resident here forty
eight years ago. He related the hard
ships of tho pioneers, their privations in
all the things that were desirable for
home and comfort, yet he said he nor
any other pionee, sgretted having been
one Of the early settlers. They gloried
In the achievements Of their effoits
and they builded better than they knew
In all material WAYS, said the speaker,
Wisconsin and Vernoo coun5y have pros
pered. Capt McMichael related many
entertaining incidents of early days
hs introduced Mrs. Wm. L. Terhune,
the first teacher of a Virogua school, who
was received with applause. She told
of her teaching experiences s, which were
commenced soon after arriving with her
hor ored husband, Judge Terhune, in the
early fifties. Mrs c. c. Brown, her
fret pupil responded to calls, giving
briefly aud entertainingly her school
life under Mrs. Terhune, her observa-
tions of things in early days and close
tab on tho city and county in their
Development
After music by the baud, song by the
school (there is no Other flag like ours
and three rousing cheers for Vernon
county, the pioneers and the rising
generation, an adjournment was token
for dinner, many uniting in basket
lunch on the grounds.
For the afternoon exercises the taber-
nacle was we'll filled, the program and
impromptu efforts continuing beyond
four o'clock. Hon. d. o. Mahoney's
address on wisconsin" he said, was
very broad field; lie therefore confined
himself within the lines of education
He did SO in forceful way, bringing
out the many and superior advantages
afforded for the youth of this common
wealth to obtain just such education 10
the higher grades and professions as
they might desire. He traced the vari
Gus sources from which funds were de-
rived fo- higher education, commencing
the fore light of those whose wisdom
! directed the ways and means for univer
sal learning in the commonwealth that
is second to none in universities and
normal schools The institutions for
instruction of the blind, deaf and feeble
minded were especially complimented,
as were also the common and graded
| schools.
Mrs. L. w. Ady gave brief review
of the trials Ct her parents, Mr.. and
Mrs. David Strawn, in their early pi,
grimage to home seeking and building
in the Bad Ak county.
Col. Butt gave brief history Of the
bar of Vernon county. He said there
had been forty one, we believe, who
have practioed or been Licensed to do so
in the county. He complimented the
men aa 3 whole, stating that there had
been and were many bright minds 10
this legal aggregation.
Rev. A. j. Coram, who is always on
tap with an outbuIst OF thought and
humor, entertained the audience with
both wit and wisdom Although ma
tive of Ireland, he was fully imprasse d
with the thought that Vernon county
and Viroqua are the best spots on earth
A brief history of the press of the
county was presented by 0. G. Manson.
The first paper published was BY Joseph
A Somerby, June 7, 1855, the Western
Times, which later became the North
western Times, finally the CENSOR The
pioneer editor and publisher is still liv-
ing, resident of one OF the western
the county since 1856, sixteen different
newspapers, with fifty editors and pub
fishers. Six of the publications are
still in existence, while thirty five of the
men connected with them still live and
are scattered far and near.
Mrs. w. A. Co.., who is a native Of
the state, happily related her childhood
days in Lafayette and Iowa counties
She laid stress Oh the comparison OF
school advantages Of those days and the
present
M. V. B. Richards closed the speak
ing program with az appel to those in
terested to complete the writing OF the
different town histories at the earliest
day possible. He displayed variety
OF relics taken from the battlefield OF the
Badex. He reminded the people thai
the pioneer association would hold {
picnic on TIE old battle ground, August
I'd, the anniversary of the battle ane
close of the B ackhawk war.
Rev. VIM. Haughton read the follow
ing original poem written for the occa
sion:
| Amidst the stars that deck thy crown,
Columbia the Free,
Is one of rich and rare FenOwn,
; Wisconsin giveth thee;
No brighter, nobler, costlier gem
Thy fair escutcheon bowers
As burns upon thy dfadem
Than this dear land OF ours,
Her fertile wales; her sunny meads;
Her story and her song
Are ali a fyee-born people needs
To keep 1t brave and strong
Today with joy we celebrate
Our union with the free
Our fifty years an honofed state
Wisconsin-EaI! 20 thee
Thy sons were loyal to their trust
on many a field OF fame,
Thy banner never trailed the Dust
Or stained Columbia's name.
Thy heroes graves lie far ana wide,
And few are left to tell
How comrades in the prison died,
Or midst the conflict fell
The wondering nations little knew
Till came dear Freedoms call.
Columbia was giant,t 20,
And lowered above them all
Her nerve. her brain, her warlike Skills
Her scientific light
The spirit born OF Bunker Hill
With its unmeasured might.
OGodi Our fathers loved thee we'll
Their f,A~-born sons are vs.
Thy last eIect-Thine Israel
May We be true To thee,
And II We tread foreign land
To break expressions chain,
Well bravely be thy chasf' ming hand
To scourge the pride OF Spain.
Her trail is blood red down the years.
The nutcher's savage powers
He- .Writing on the WalF' appears,
And comes her Judgment hour