Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-08-25
RENEW OLD TIMES
PIONEERS GATHER IN ANNUAL
REUNION AT BLAKEsBURG.
HUNDREDS OF OLD SETTLERS THERE
stirring Addresses Delivered at the
Old Soldiers and Old Settlers Re
union List of Pioneers Present
Program for Today.

union -, List Of Pioneers Present
PROGRAM for Today.
Many Ottumwans were present at
the opening of the Blakesburg Old
Settlers and Old Soldiers reunion.
which. opened at 6 o'clock yesterday
morning with the firing of 100 guns
The weather was ideal and the at
tendance was variously estimated at
from 1000 to $500 The busy little
city was filled from early morning
with visitors and strangers, and each
train during the day brought addition
al numbers.
The train bearing the two hundred
people from Ottumwa yesterday was
met at the depot by Dr. Terrence, the
president of the Blakesburg Old Set
tiers and Old Soldiers association,
and his assistants in charge of the
reunion, and great throng of the
Blakesburg residents and visitors al
ready present, headed by the Avery
Cornet band When the greetings
were over all fell in and marched to
the main part OF the city where the
speaking and exercises are being held
this year.
Visitors Owned Town.
a Ropes had been stretched cutting off
the four main business blocks from
the use of teams and vehicles and
practically the whole town was turn
ed over to the visitors. Upon every
street corner and upon every vacant
lot and space were erected stands and
the streets were lined with games
and street fair and side show fea
lures.
The Morning Salute.
The morning exercises began with
the firing of 100 guns at sunrise and
devoted to the decoration of the res
licences and business houses. This
was followed by musical program
given by the Avery Cornet band and
big parade through the streets at 8
tent in which the exercises are be-
ing held and which has been erected
beside the Blakesburg bank.
Addresses Delivered.
The addres Of welcome was delivered
by Herman Snow, one of the younger
old settlers and was responded to by
Hon. Austin Jay, of Moravia Follow
Ing the addresses that were a pro-
gram of literary and musical numbers
consisting Of retitations and declama-
lions and songs by the Methodist Epis-
copal church choir and chorus from
the Mt. Zior Sunday school and num-
Der Of selections by the Cornet band.
The forenoon meeting adjourned to
meet the neon Milwaukee train bring
ing the Ottumwa crowd and the whole
assembly marched to the depot. Upon
the return the line of march broke up
for dinner. The big tent was filled
with little groups enjoying picnic din
ners. Hundreds went home with
Blakesburg friends for dinner and the
little town certainly won great rep
utation for hospitality.
The afternoon meeting was notable
gathering. Upon the stage, which was
gaily decorated with bunting and flow
ers sat some twenty-five of the oldest
pioneers of the county They were an
Interesting and impressive group.
With their gray hair, gray boards and
bent forms they were typical repre-
sentatives OF the men who reclaimed
Iowa from the wilds and were worth
being called the patriarchs of Iowa.
They smiled and nodded approval when
the speakers of the afternoon, recount
ed the hardships and perils of the early
days in Wapello county
Oldest Man Present.
The Oldest man upon the grounds as
well as one of the Oldest settlers was
Dennis Ball, who resides in Urbana
township, Monroe county, so years of
age and who came to Wapello county
in 1S47. The Oldest pioneer in attend
ance, while not the Oldest in years. was
l.. d. Hitchcock. who came to Iowa in
1883. His early pioneer days were not
spent in Wapello county but in recent
years he has come 10 Blakesburg to
make his home.
Wapello County Pioneers.
The Oldest. Wapello county pioneers
In the group We're: Mrs. w. H
Rogers, Dr. and Mrs. r. r. Arnold and
William Dorothy, ell of whom came in
1843. among this groun of aged pio--
neers half centuries were spoken of as
freely and lightly as the younger ger
erations speak Of months and years. An
old resident who could not point to at
least forty years spent in Wapello or
adjoining counties had no stories to
tell of his uioneers days. but talked of
present day crops and affairs.
Thos. ii. Smith Talks.
There We're twelve principal ad-
dresses. delivered during the afternoon.
The first of these was by an old
Blakesburg boy, Thomas H. Smith of
Harlan He talked of pioneer times
from personal knowledge and his prac-
. tica1 accounts of the life as he found