The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-08-16
REWARD MANY VIRTUES
OLD SETTLERS EVEN GIVE PRIZE
FOR RED-HEADED BABY.
Great Crowd mt Annual Reunion of
ionee mt Broad Rip
pic Park.

Broad i(1pple HdTh Was nNely III udJ StS-
terday with thousands Of people who had
come to attend the nineteenth annual meet
ing of the Marion county pioneers. The
day was a holiday. not only for the many
farmers and the member OF the associa-
ton, but also for hundreds Of city folk
who went out TO take part in the festivi-
ties. Very early in the morning vehicles
of many different kinds began vending
their way toward the park. in each one
was either an aged farmer WITH his wife
or some country youth with a girl at his
side. Nearly all the country people for
many miles around dispensed with their
worrying about the shortage Of crops and
the prospects of rain and made their way
10 the park for the annual "Old Settlers
Picnic"
Mingling with the crowd were many cour-
try youths. with naring red neckties and
each chewing peanuts. The city peo-
pie made their afternoons pleasure watch
ing their country friends. Stationed a few
PAGES apart from each other were stands
where many kinds OF foods could be pur-
chased. These were patronized literally.
The whole scene resemblcd a county fair.
The roar of the switch-back showed that
its popularity was assured, the music from
the organ at the merry-go-round gave evil
dences OF its rushing business. The Ladies
Band. of indianapolis. furnished music for
the afternoon. In the dance hall crowds
OF perspiring country youths and girls held
forth all day and evening. The only kind
of dancing INDUCED in was quaGrilles.
This was a Disappointment for the young
city girls and boys. who had expected TO
hear the lively music for two-step or
After the noon hour. when the fried
chicken and homemade bread and cakes
were disposed of, the committee or ar
rangements prepared fOl the afternoons
meeting. The speakers stand was erected
IN the south end of the park. under a large
clump OF trees. Robert Johnson, of Castle
ton, who is president of the association,
brought the meeting to order with a few
remarks on what the gathering had been
arranged for. at the close of Mr.. John
sons address the regular programme was
carried out II included contests In beauty
and age and OF different other kinds.
PERSONS OF VARIED EXCELLENCE.
A prize was given TO Miss Bertha Jenkins
for winning a half-mile rowing contest on
the river. Mrs. vanIandingham was given
q fine ca ssimere dress pattern for being the
Oldest woman on the grounds. Mrs. Van
andingham il seventy-nine years old. y
clothes wrinser was given to Mrs. Jane
Meredith for being the oldest woman on
the grounds with the fewest gray hairs.
Robert Johnson, president of the ass0cia-
don, received n bushel of seed wheat for
being voted the best farmer in the county.
For the best-looking m on the grounds
who makes her living by washing a patent
clothes wringer was given TO Mrs. Grass.
Lester Johnson was given a large rocking
chair for the best grafton.
Miss Hendricks, a member OF the Ladies'
Band. was given a flannel shirtwaist for
being the ~best-looking girl on the grounds.
Mrs; Mullenkopf was voted 8 In gold for
children with her. Mrs. c. G. Boardman
was given a prize for baking the best
bread. Mrs. L. Canning's baby was voted a
high-backed chair for being the only red
headed baby on the grounds. Five dollars
In gold was given TO Mr.. Silvers for wear
ing the longest whiskers. Jacob Whitesell
was given a large leather wallet for being
the Oldest resident in the county.
At the conclusion OF the contests the
oratorical part of the programme began.
Governor Durbin and Attorney General
TAYLOR were on the programme TO address
were made by Jacob Whitesell and Robert
Johnson. members OF the association. Mer-
mill Moores. deputy attorney general. fol-
lowed with an address. He said, I'm part:
AN experience of many years in attend
ing the old settlers meetings has taught
90 forcibly impressed on me that il cannot
fail to be true. Ii is the manifest and un-
deniably superiority OF the original set
tiers and their descendants. Nor is the
pride or the pioneer and his descendant
without excuse. Those who 5lazed the
forest. across desert and marsh, over
mountains and unabridged rivers. facing
with fearless fortitude hunger and thirst,
fever and faintness. disease and death
from savage beasts OF more savage men.
who found Indiana a wilderness and
cleared IL FOR cultivation and built roads.
and schoolhouses, and churches. and public
buildings 10 establish a government Of the
people by the people and for the people. a
free gift TO those who should come after
them, certainly deserve OF Us. whether de-
scendants or not. remembrance and honor
and the sincerest gratitude
At the close OF Mr.. MOOres's address
Robert johnson moved that that part of
the programme be cut out. and the crowd
went over TO ;he river. where the steamer
was boarded and a trip made up the river.
There are but three Members OF the oriEf-
nal association now living. They were pres
ent al yesterdays meeting aud took a live
y interest In all that was done. They are
Robert Johnson. OF CastletOn. aged sey-
enty; Jacob Whltesell. OF Nora. aged sew
enty-four. and James Huffman. of In
dianapolis. aged seVenty-three.