Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-08-16
Harvest Home.

The Delaware County Harvest Home
celebration, held on the Fair grounds
last Friday, ranked we'll up with the
best celebrations of former years. The
day was very warm but in other re-
spects the weather was all that could
be desired, Notwithstanding the fact that
many remained away to complete their
stacking, which the wet weather had
delayed, a large crowd was in attend
ance, and picnic dinner parties were in
evidence on every side.
After dinner the large amphitheater
was filled with people to listen to the
literary exercises. There was an inyo.
cation by Rev. G. f. Lusk, after which
President George w. Long welcomed
those in attendance in the following
we'll chosen words
When we look into the face of a
stranger, we imagine we can see fea-
lures that indicate some of the charac-
teristics of the person. When | look
into the face of an audience of Della
ware county people, readily discover
those features that always indicate q
character noted for honesty and in
dustrious habits. More than 40 years
of my short life have been spent in this
county, and l am especially proud of
my neighbors, and always thankful for
the many fortunate conditions that add
so much to life's pleasures and life's
blessings. Our Harvest home meetings
each year, after the gathering of a
bountiful harvest are among the bright
est spots of our lives, not the festivities
of such an occasion alone, but the
warm. earnest and sympathetic greet
lngs that contain volumes of unspoken
and unwritten friendship that never
dies, and never even grows old, AS we
pass along over lifes ftful journey, we
are often called upon to stand by the
open grave, and bid adieu to the cher
ished friends of our childhood, who
have gone down in lifes battle and we
must take up life's burdens and life's
duties, with only the recollections of
of their virtues and their examples to
prompt us and guide us as we try to
finish the work they have left undone.
In this connection let us stop to pay
tribute to the memory of DIR. Boomer,
whose greeting was always blessing
on Harvest Home day.
Where each can feel brothers sigh
And with him bear part,
Where sorrow flows from eye to eye,
And Joy from heart to heart.
We can never forget how the Doctor
always battled 80 manfully and earnest
ly for the right, and always so vigorous
ly opposed the wrong. A genuine,
everyday, christian gentleman, whose
influence never can be forgotten. How
we wish we were worthy to fill his place
even for single day. In this connec-
ton desire to pay tribute to all the
worthy people who have habitually met
with US at our Harvest Home meetings.
Mrs. Brayton, of Spring Branch, tells
me, that in all these years, that the
Harvest home was held at their place,
they never lost cents worth of proper
ty. In view of all this and many other
noble characteristics of the people of
northeastern Iowa, it is but reasonable
that speak to you the word Welcome.
The grafton by Prof. F. G. Barnes,
of Epworth, was eloquent, instructive
and quite appropriate for such an oc-
casion. The Hopkinton cornet band
furnished excellent music for the oc-
casiOn.
The fact that the Harvest Home is
largely visiting festival, and the in
tense heat in the amphitheater cut
short or rather cut out the short ad-
dresses which were advertised.
The election of officers resulted as
follows: President, George W. Long;
Secretary, John w. Swinburne.
The question about when the next
celebration should be held was given
consideration. 1t was announced that
the old grounds at Spring Branch could
not be procured, and a motion prevailed
which authorized President Long to
name committee of three to select the
grounds where next years Harvest
Home will be held. Mr.. Long appoint
ed as such committee, John Merten, r.
W. Thrill and o. G. Clark.
At the conclusion of the exercises and
business in the amphithester whole
sale county visiting time commenced
and extended on the part of many we'll
into the evening. This is as it should
be. The people on such occasions
should meet largely for the purpose of
greeting each other and enjoying day
of social converse.