Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1901-09-05
Old Settlers Meeting.

Il
"There never was an old settlers
meeting that WAS not success" was
the remark made by an old resident
who had attended nearly all these
gatherings since they were Instituted
Ill this counsy Yesterdays meeting
was not an exception 10 the record ui
the past, and although the dust aud
counter attractions cumblned to in
teriere with the attendance, 1T is estl.
m 4ted about 5000 were upon the
grounds, aud everyone seemed to be
having the best time possible from this
aged men and women, VIII" leaned
upon staff for support. to the young
ster who tested the -produc;n g
power of his newly acquired whis le
The matrons took solid comfort i
exchanging views upon domestic at
fairs. The men AS usual, made pre-
dictions as to the chances of the eau
didates ut the next election OF course
the condition of the crops was fertile
theme of conversation, and while
every one seemed inclined to admit
that not more than half crop could
be hoped for, it was noticeable that
all spoke of the condition In good
hnmored way. No complaints were
INDUCED in, everyone seeming to be
content and happy. Surely no greater
comment could be- made upon the
prosperity of Harrison county aud III .
people who comprise its population.
The program as arranged by the
commute WAS very generally carried
out. MIR. III. NJ. Huff presided aud in
the absence of ths Secretary on &C
count of sickness, ID. f. Brainard read
the yearly report OF the organization
The statement made in the report that
ll2 old settlers had died during the
past ear aroused a lively discussion
among the people as to what consti
tuted an "old settler" Whether to
claim that distinction it was necessary
to have been a pioneer, or whether
twenty-tive years continuous residence
was sufficient, we're two sides Of the
question which was taxed Of; both
found ardent advocates.
The tlag-drill by sixteen little girls
under direction of Mrs. Holden and
Miss Cooper was we'll worth going
many miles to seq, the maneuvers were
perfect.
The address of welcome given by d.
Z. Brainard was cordial and was fit
tingly responded to by C. N. CALDWELL
The chief speaker of the day was
Congressman W. l. Smith. who adj
dressed the people for about half an
hour, receiving hearty applause at the
close.
T. V. Bird pleased the listeners with
an grafton. Short speeches were
made by j. C. McCabe, Judge Chad
burn of Shelby county, NJ. l.. Daken
During the entire day the Logan
band discOursed their best selections
and received many words of common
dation.
| Upon the platform within sight of
all and within easy hearing of the
proceedings were arranged dczsn or
more whose title to old settler would
be disputed by none. Those who had
come here in territorial days, who laid
the foundation for history and civiliza-
ton, those who broke the stubborn
soil and made the present status of
our county a possibility. Their eyes
we're dim; many of them walked with
slow, uncertain footsteps and spoke
with quivering voice, but not soul
there capable of any sentiment but
felt that after all the object of these
gatherings was to pay tribute aud
L uOpoA w oASoo oeSA uCll duu WOlueIt,
and how delightful it was to hear
them exchange "reminiscences and call
back the echoes of the past. and even
speak hopefully of what life yet held
for them and theirs.
The hospitality of Magnolia was as
usual full, free and overlooking and
every arrangement was made for the
comfort of the guests. The sons and
daughters of the old settlers and the
young stranger within the gates" re-
manned long after the "old folks" had
gone home and they danced in the
moonlight, tanned ty the cool breeze
which came in time to make an ideal
might.
Election of officers for the ensuing
year resulted in the following: Presi-
dent, G. N. Caldwell: Vice President. J
IS. McDonald; Secretary. A. NJ. Fly
rando; Treasurer, w. F. Fallon: Elk
ecntive Committee, j. j.. Cox, Frank
Schwertley. Samuel Ellis, Elmer
Owens, j NJ. Kennedy.