Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1899-08-31
wapello County Old Settlers
Association Is Holding
Annual Picnic Today.
Observation-Disclosures
Two Trains Necessary TO Convey tho
People From Ottumwa-Presbyter.
ian aud Congregational Plcnics
Also Held at Agency Today.

The fourth annual picnic of the Wa
pello County Old Settlers association,
in connection with the annual picnics
of the First Presbyterian and First
Congregational Sunday schools of OF
tumwa, was held at Fullen's grove,
Agency, today. The attendance was
estimated at between 5000 and 10000,
the largest than that at any
previous meeting. The day was
an ideal one for the occa-
sion, and every nook and corner of the
county was represented. Two special
trains, of five coaches each, were nec-
essary to accommodate the Ottumwa
people alone. Heretofore one train
has been sufficient to haul every one
who attended from Ottunwa. but this
morning when the ordinary three
coach special was hauled up to the
Union depot. Superintendent Stewart,
OF the Burlington, realized that the
trains thus provided, would not be
large enough, and Immediately ordered
two more coaches added to the train.
These were packed almost before they
We're coupled onto the train. and still
there were hundreds of people on the
platform. Many boarded !. the first
train without procuring tickets, and
at $3.50 the special was ordered 10 de-
part and return as soon as possible to
get the remainder of the crowd,
thronging the platform, or crowding
the ticket windows eldeavoring 10
secure tickets. Resi9es the hundreds
who went down on The train. there
were many who drove down. Ottum-
wa was practically deserted today.
The banks of the city were closed in
honor of the occasion.
At Agency.
As in previous years, the picnic wax
held at the beautiful natural grove
owned by John Fullen, Just north OF
town. There, under the shade O,
beautiful forest trees, was erected
large connections stand for the Off
GERS OF the association, speakers and
the many old settlers, who were in
vlted to occupy places of honor there-
on. The Wapello Chief band, of OF
tumwa, was provided with "a separate
stand, from which they liscoursed
splendid musical program throughout
the day. Both stands were decorated
with bunting and flags, the entire ar
rangements of the grounds having
been carried out by committee com
posed of G. L. Nye, w. w. Conlin, L.
=. johnson. J. f. Newell and John
Fullen, all of Agency.
The meeting was called to order by
Captain S. H. Harper, president
of the association. After "A selection
bN the Wapello Chief band Rev. ID. w.
Lower, pastor of the Congregational
church of Agency. invoked the Divine
blessing. President Harper then intro
dnced Hon. H. c. Humbert, mayor OF
Agency, who extended most cordial
welcome to the old settlers and their
friends. He said: Agency is proud
TO welcome such honored men, and
through the generosity of Mr.. Fulien,
you are granted free access to this
beautiful grove. one of the choicest
spots of nature in Wapello county"
Captain Harper responder to the adj
dress of welcome, assuring the mayor
and citizens of Agency that the visit
ors fully appreciated their hospitality,
as they had experienced it many times
before on similar occasions. He assur-
ed the citizens of Agency that Ottum-
wa felt very near to them and that
the city is moving down that way.
when we secure a few more factors
les" said Captain Harper, I'VE will
grow !ri"ht down to you and we will
soon make you one of the wards of the
citv.'
The Ottumwa Ladies' Quartet. com
prising Mesdames Harry Swsnson.
Clarence Stevens, John Hughes and
Miss Jessie McIntire, then rendered
selection, which was heartily encored.
Rev. John b. Hill, of Agency, was
the next speaker introduced Rev.
Hill has been resident of Iowa for
forty-two years. He has been indis-
posed during the past few days and
therefore his address was very brief.
He spoke of the remarkable growth OF
Iowa and the nation in general, at
tributing the success of the nation to
education and morality, which are the
foundation principles of civilization.
After another selection by the band.
r. III. Warden, Of Ottumwa, historian,
read the annual report Of the deceased
members of the association There was
a total OF siSty-nina deaths. a complete
list OF which will be found on page 6
OF 4this issue
Tbs meeting was then adjourned
until 1880 this afternoon. The time
intervening WAS devoted TO dinner.
which was one OF typical :nicnie va
Eriety. The afternoon WIS devoted 10
speseh-makins and election of officers
fnr thp snSlli,,,r vp1r Tho iattcr ba;,,