River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1902-02-27
From North Dakota.
Valley City. n. D., Feb. %, 1902


[ have been intending to write my
annual letter, but for the lack of
something interesting to say have not
written. Life has struck a dead level
for US. In youth we abhor the levels,
but in middle life and after they come
as great blessing, these quiet places.
From our Mondays to our Saturdays
we find enough to keep US busy.
Thursday is great day every week,
when all the men, women and chill
dreD "do cOngregate" and while the
ladies sew the gen tlemen talk farming
and play crokinole. They also pay
ten cents for their dinner, the pro-
ceeds Of which GO to the Ladies Aid
Society. These weekly N ceilings are
pleasant places in all our lives, that,
with the connecting telephone line.
N axe US feel like large family whose
interests are one
We rather expected the Milwaukee
Co. to build a railroad through here
this summer, but the latest is that
they have decided not to build this
year.
Farmers in general are going quite
largely into the stock business. They
seem to see day not far distant when
wheat will not be king.
Yesterday was one Of the red-letter
days in father and mother Getchell's
lives. In honor Of their fiftieth ami
versary, it being Feb. 22d, made. it
possible for the business men to come
from town; fully 100 guests were pres
ent. They were surprised in every
particular. We do not do things in
small way in this large country; it's
sort Of a wholesale country, you see.
So, on the sly and under cover of the
elder peoples surprise, we also plan
ned china wedding for Mr.. and Mrs.
Simeon Getchell, and as the retiring
pastor, Rev. J. j. Dalton, who had
preached many times for US, would be
present, there was pleasant surprise
in the form OF fine, en- brOidered
quilt for hiEls and wife, Major
Black, who is known to military fame,
was to present the golden gifts and
our good neighbor, j. FL. Whitcher,
the china and your humble servant
the quilt. just before seating the
guests at the dinner table both the
gentlemen were taken with sudden
colds and watery eyes, so the pastor
took both presentations in hand. Fol
lowing the beautiful remarks and
fathers touching reply, he began:
Several years after a young man took
unto himself wife, and in honor of
that day we present them with this
token of our regard" Just here Mr..
J. FL. Rogers handed them d tray of
beautiful china. Can you imagine
their surprise? After this affair was
settled the quilt was brought forward
and thus ended the surprises. The
dinner was fine and jests went round,
and "laughs that made the house dog
howl" The party broke up about
five o'clock p. NJ, each carrying in his
heart the best wishes for many more
years and much of happiness for the
worthy couples
There is hint in the air OF the
dawning of spring and the drawing to
close of this most beautiful Of all
winters. There has been but very
little sickness in the neighborhood.
The farmers are cleaning seed and in
many ways are getting ready for
springs work. Lyman seems busy
and happy, he is taking the short
course in farm mechanics at the A.
@. college in Fargo
While [ look with hungry eyes at
the home pictures, and my heart
aches with it's longing for dear, old
faces and the claspiDg Of the kindly
hands, yet love this country too. 1t
has been like kind foster mother to
me. We are expecting visit from
Mrs. Angie Mckay Dodge in the near
future. Our rural mail delivery COM
mences here March 1st
With loving regard to all, am,
SARAH WADswoRTH GETCHELL.