Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-08-25
PICNIC OF FARMERS.
Annual Gathering of the Country
Folk of the Upper End at
EngdahI's Grove. ''@-- r
FINE WEATHER AND A GOOD CROWD

Days Festivities Much Enjoyed by All In
man Prince Coming-C. j. SearIe, III. A.
Weld, and Rev. schultz Speak-Zuma
Goose-Eggs Cordova at Baseball.
Port Byron. Aug. 25.-The weather
yesterday after rain the night pre-
| vious. which laid the dust, proved to be
| fine for the farmers picnic, and a host
of people from all parts of the sur
rounding country were gathered to-
gether at Engdahl's grove, two miles
above Port Byron.
The meeting was convened immedi-
ately after dinner and two kilograms
were read from Hon. George w.
Prince, one of which accepted the in
vitation to be present, and the other
stating that he could not be present on
account of the sickness of child,
which was quite a disappointment.
G. n. Searle being present, he was
first called upon to make a few re-
marks, and he said that it was not one
of the easiest things in the world to
select topic to speak upon ut a far
mers' gathe ing, which is composed
of all shades of opinions upon all sub
to meet oftener at such social gather
ings and not be so much absorbed in
obtaining the almighty dollar. He
entertained the gathering with few
appropriate stories which brought
smiles to the faces of the men and
dimples to the cheeks of the ladies and
placed those present upon very good
terms with themselves.
III. A. Weld, of Rock Island, was
then introduced. He congratulated
the officers of the Farmers association
uEon the success of their gathering.
He gave a glowing description of the
beautiful crops which were now about
to be gathered.
Rev. Schultz's Address.
Rev Schultz, of the Methodist
church, being the next speaker, said
in part that he had all the world from
which to select a subiect-except pol
itics. The farmers follow the oldest,
most important and respectable voca-
ton of life. All classes are depend
ent upon them for their subsistence.
Ministers and lawyers would soon
have to 90 to work and follow the
pillow in order to subsist were it not
that the farmers make that upneces-
sary. The success of all business en-
terprise hangs upon the success of
agriculture. We have a wonderful
nation without an aristocracy or roy
atty, only what we made ourselves.
We live in progressive times, and the
speaker showed the difference in the
methods of farming that have
been introduced since he was a
boy on account of the intro
duction of labor-saving machinery.
On reading the bible he understood
that the gift of citizenship demands
that citizens should live up to their
best opportunities and developments.
He recommended in speaking of the
good roads question that the criminals
of our country should build our roads,
which would be much better for the
criminals. He dwelt upon and gave
vivid description of our churches
and schools and concluded by saying
that he had taken great enjoyment
in driving from Erie to Hillsdale,
thence to Joslin and Barstow, down
to Rock Island and up the Mississippi
to Cordova to find the country so
dotted over with churches and school
houses.
Game of Baseball.
The interest of the gathering then
centered upon game of baseball be-
tween Zuma and Cordova for Il prize
of $15, which will never be forgotten
by any one who witnessed the game.
as it resulted in favor of the Zuma nine
by score of 10 TO o.
The days festivities were much en-
joyed and all seemed well pleased.
I AROR'S ANNUAL HOLIDAY.