Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1898-02-02

/ Don't forget the old folks,
/ Love them more and more;
As they turn their longing eyes
Toward the golden shore,
| Let your words be tender
| Loving, soft and low
Let their last days be the best
They have known before"
The Old Settlers association met Mt
Opera hall on Thursday last, with Capt
r. s. McMichael, president Of the or
ganizetion, in the chair, and NJ V. B.
Richards, who is especially adapted FOR
the executive requirements of the office,
as secretary. BY 10 o'clock a. ~. the
crowd had assembled. and we're scattered
in groupes around the room extending
old-time greetings, stirring up past rem
iniscences and reviving old associations
Several sexagenarians were seen about
the hall, with their silver locks lying
about their temples in the familiar way
so noticeable to all of their acquaint-
ances when recalling their pleasant faces.
A Few moments after the hour announced
for assembling. Captain McMichael arose
and, after calling the meeting to order,
made few appropriate and suggestive
remarks relative to the objects in view
of the association, as well rs dwelling
somewhat prolix in an entertaining and
very interesting way upon past RENT
niscnces of Vernon county pioneers
The president spoke of the necessity of
the members of the association becom-
ing interested in one of the principal
objects of the society, the compiling and
making an authentic history of Vernon
county for the State Historical Society
Henry Gorsling was called by the chair
man to the stand, who read the names
prepared by the Captain G. those VINO
we're living in the county in 1850, the
year in which Mr.. McMichael lsnded at
Warmers Landing to locate in Vernon
| (then Crawford) county. Amid the
silence of the assemblage, the president
pronounced the words dead" or ''liv
ing" as the names were read by Mr.
Gorsling, and the impressive sound of
| the former seemed TO fall with sol
emn effect upon the minds of tie audi
ence in their frequency Of REPETITION
Solemn, because their thoughts reverted
back to go short time when thzir asso
Citations were mingled; solemn, for the
reason that their familiar faces are not
seen among the manv places frequented
by all of those now living; solemc, also,
in view of the ever prevailing thought
regarding the mystery corrected with
/ the future that Seems buried in oblivion
and from which no mortal ever returns
The number who have passed away was
surprisingly large, and out Of 166 Of
the old settlers living in that year, about
Al remain.
"Don't Forget the Old Folks" was
an appropriate sopg for the occasion
Mrs. ID 0. Mahoney conducted the sing
ing, assisted by three of her pupils,
Misses Stella Barney, Helen Cot and
Hilma Olson, and which was rendered
in commendable way.
A favorable report was then presented
from the committee appointed at the
last meeting to consider the practical
bility of holding a picnic on the ground
where the battle of the Bad AK was
fought, and which was adopted.
Colonel Bait presented the following
resolutions, which were unanimously
| adopted:
ResolUed, That committee be appointed
| by the chair, representing different parts OF
| the county, each member to collect and send
| to the secretary of this society articles of
history for use to consolidate and make
| history for Vernon county.
f. NJ. Rogers and NJ Y. b. Richards be a com
mittee of three to consolidate such scraps of
history into shape to well represent the past
history of this county.
On motion, General Rogers proposed
that committee of five be appointed by
the chair to make preparations for the
county celebration of the semi centen
NAL of the state of Wisconsin, to be held
in Viroqua the I'd day of May, 1898.
The motion was carried, and the chair
reserved the appointment of the com
mittee.
The report of the committee, ap
pointed to consider the practicability of
holding picnic for celebrating the six
ty sixth anniversary of the battle of the
Bad Ak, on the I'd day of August next,
was again presented, and it was proposed
committee of three be appointed for
making final preparations for the event,
the committee to be chosenby the chair
man, whereupon the meeting adjourned.
4
Mike Sallander, of Retreat, Kicked
several pearls out of the trials and vi"is-
STUDIES of pioneer bfe, and gave an inter
esting sketch of incidents that happened
during his pioneer days. Mr.. Salander
settled in Sterling in 1916.
Geo. FL Bryan, of the town of Jefer-
son, presented very descriptive and
entertaining review of the many incon
veniences existing in early days, as well
Id the bright side of bis pioneer expert
ence. Mr.. Bryan said that he came to
Vernon county with his father, aud a
settlement followed the advent OF the
family in June, 1855 The story of the
enterprising hen sitting upon her eggs
that were placed in bucket suspended
from the hind sxle of the wagon, ard OF
large brood of chickens appearing at
the time the family had come to their
journey end, appeared 10 be appreci
ated more from his interesting manner of
disseminating pioneer information.
OOl. ". h, Dutb oDUotbhiuSu VIZ WA
settlers by presenting en- interesting
review of the early history OF the county
10 we'll selected words, and his pre-his
toric reference to the mound builders, as
we'll as the red aboriginas, left an i'm
preston of the existence in that remote
period of other "old settlers" His ad-
dress was replete with patriotic inspira-
ton, which his reference to our fore
fathers denoted. Although somewhat
characterized with number of subj cts
and anecdotes that were extended be-
vond the limits of the county, the Col
onel's re,. arks we're poignant and pleas
ing. Colonel Butt came to Vernon
county in 1858.
Jerome Favor eulogized the old set
tiers in a way they all appreciated. His
remarks we're opportune, coming at q
time when an oppression of WEAKNESS
from remaining in one position seemed
to be upon many 10 the room. The
trip down hill to [ h = Rockton was
certainly corker. Jerome came In
1854.
Hartwell Aliens remarks were as en-
pertaining as usual, and were in har-
mony with his surroundings. His views
on education of the children and the re-
| .cors;h;l;tias of tho taachar and pareyit