The Redwood gazette., 1902-06-18
OLD SETTLERS PICNIC.
Between Three and Four Thousand People
at Jerry Bellig's Farm Last
Thursday.
Gov. VanSant Present and Delivers Two
Fine Speeches We'll
coined.

Between three and tour Thousand
people-the largest aggregation at
any rural gathering ever held in
Redwood county-gathered on the
farm OF erry Bellig's, in Willow
Lake township, on Thursday Of last
week, the occasion being the annual
picnic of the old settlers of Sun
down and Willow Lake and such
other people as desired to partici-
pate. The old settlers and the
children of old settlers who we're
there on that day, will undoubtedly
point to it as the climax of the an
nual picnics Of that association,
both from the standpoint OF a
crowd, and from the standpoint Of it
having been the occasion when the
Hon. Samuel R. VanSant, governor
of Minnesota, honored the old set
tier and himself by attending the
picnic and delivering words Of
cheer, encouragement and happi-
ness.
The day previous was occupied
by Mr.. Bellig and others in getting
readVfor the fete, expected great,
but not expected to be anywhere
near as large as what actually oc.
Cured. A merry go-round from
Springfield was placed on the
ground, refreshment stands were
erected at different places, a ball
throwing apparatus was ready for
the adept, and an immense dancing
floor, covered by a huge tent Sc
cured from Tracy, was placed in
shape. SO that when the first arri-
walls made their appearance at nine
o'clock Thursday morning Mr.. Bel
lig and his assistants we're as ready
as they could be.
Before eleven o'clock Mr.. Bellig
wondered where so many people
had resided, and at noon be mag
ned that the United States had
turned its population loose upon
the grounds. Everywhere teams
were hitched. People swarmed in
to the grove and on the open space.
Over $50 vehicles were counted in
the pasture, and were strung for a
mile from the farm house of P. Cal
laghan on the east to S. H. Bellg' s
on the west. Jerry Bellig gave up
all attempt to preserve order and
allowed the teams to be hitched and
the people to go where they choose.
Gov. VanSant remained in Man
kato on Wednesday evening, com
ing from Owatonna to that city He
took the early morning train for
Wanda, arriving there about nine
o clock
At Wanda a surprise was in store
for the Governor, J. Albert John
son, mayor of that town, followed
by citizens, had draped the town
with bunting, aud a brass band
played Hail to the Chief" as the
train pulled in. After ride about
Wanda Gov. VanSant was placed in
a carriage with P 0. and Paul Cal
laghan and Mayor Johnson and
driven to Mr. Bellig's farm three
and a half miles east. Here the
Morgan band struck up popular
air as the Governor S party arrived
and next hour was given up to a
general mixing with Minnesota S
democratic governor Ladies, men
and children were on in the hand.
shake, and the Governor took tc
the latter s'like duck to water. =
Kodak fends, also, caught the Gov.
ernor, with numerous punches OF
young and elderly ladies, and the
LADIES' all insisted on having one ol
of the photos, and as a result the
| kodak owners have a big job on
their hands
At 1l:30 o'clock Gov. VanSant ad
dressed an audience over in the
grove, and spoke for more than hall
an hour. He was heartily applaud
ed at every turn. He also spoke in
the afternoon and a synopsis of his
remarks will be found. in anothe,
column.
In the afternoon NJ. J. Bowling
delivered short address. He was
| followed by Attorney c. T. Howard
- /