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-ROyally We'll
coined.
Between three and four thousand

people, the largest aggregation at
any rural gathering ever held in
Redwood county-gathered on the
farm OF Jerry 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 undou ubtedly
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
eadyBfor 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
liz 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 imag-
ined 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
mile from the farm house of P. Cal
laghan on the east to S. II. Bellig's S
on the west. Jerry Bellig gave up
all attempt to preserve order and
allowed the teams to be hitched and
the people to 60 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 surprise was in store
for the Governor, J. Albert John
son, mayor of that town. followed
by citizens, had draped the town
with bunting, and 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. O. and Paul Cal |
laghan and Mayor Johnson and
driven to Mr. Bellig's farm three
and half miles east. Here the !
Morgan band struck up a popular
air as the Governor 5 party arrived ;
and next hour was given I'D to |
mixing with Minnesota
democratic governor. Ladies. men !
and children we're on in the hand |
shake, and the Governor took to
the latter 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 of
of the photos, and as a result the
kodak owners have a big job on
heir hands.
At ll:3O clock Gov. VanSant ad-
dressed an audience over in the
grove. and spoke for more than half
IN hour, He was heartily applaud
I'd at every turn. He also spoke in
he afternoon and a synopsis of his
will be found. in another
In the afternoon NJ. J. Bowling
delivered short address. He was
by Attorney c. T. Howard.