The Van Buren press., 1903-08-22
Hoods .SQrSdpdrili0
IT WAS A SUCCESS.
The First Old Settlers Reunion Proves
n Drawing Card.-A Large Attend.
ance and an Enjoyable time.

The first meeting of the old settlers of
Crawford county was decided success
rs fully success as its most earnest
promoters could have wished for. The
news Of this meeting had been spread
far and near, and not alone was every
section of the county represented, hut
good many came from the Territory and
surrounding counties; so that old
friends and acquaintance which had
in cases not met for decade, were
brought together, and there they re.
newed those old ties and reCOunted those
old scenes of pioneer life, with its trials
and tribulatiOns that time $ gentle hand
had mellowed, as well as the joys and
pleasures Of those by-gOne days Most
interesting stories TO the new generation
many of these old settlers could relate.
The meeting will go down in the his
tory Of Crawford county as one Of the
prominent events of 1903 There can
be no doubt from the expressions of the
people present that these meetings will
become annual events and grow in in
terest from year to year.
Crawford county is among the oldest
settled counties in the state and it was
naturally expected that there would be a
large registry of old residents-those
only who had resided within its borders
forty years and over being entitled to
registry-but the number who attended
and registered exceeded even these ex-
pectations,
The first day of the reunion, Wednes-
day, August 10Th, opened bright and
clear quite in contrast with the weather
Of the preceding days. BY 10 0 clock
quita "a crowd had assembled in the old
lair grounds grove east of town, where
every preparation in the shape of booths,
stands seats, etc had been made for
the comfort and convenience of the
visitors At II O. clock Mr.. Geo. r
Wood in very happy address extended
the welcome Of the city to the old set
| Tiers. Mr., Wood is an old settler him
self, having lived here practically all
his life, and knows just how to reach
them, and he did it in manner that
made them all feel at home Between
the close Of this address and the noon
hour the time was spent in meeting old
| friends and the registering of old sett-
lers. Andy SCrimsher was in charge
Of the registery book and badges. He
entered the name Of each settler, his or
her age, month and year In which born,
length of residence in county, whether
married or single and number of living
children, if any.
After the noon hour the Queen City
Band repaired to the grounds and rend-
cred several popular airs, This was
followed by "A very interesting address
by w, n, Neal. Hon. Robt, l.. Rogers
and Hon. Thomas Boles, who were on
the program for addresses both sent
regrets the former being prevented
from attending by official duties and
the latter by illness.
At $3.50 p. m. the Old Fiddlers 9 con-
test WAS called and It held the crowd
interested for some time. there were
three contestants for the prize Messrs,
Elisha MeadOrs, w NJ. Afford and
Clay Stevens. The judges were Messrs,
| l.. II. Southmayd and Frank Mclean
! After hearing two selections from each
the judges retired but were unable TO
agree Mr.. Southmayd, belonging TO
the old school of musicians held that
the foot movement should be counted In
\ contest Of this nature, while Mr., Nc
Lean, belonging to the modern school,
held II should not, SO they decided
10 call It draw and recommend that
each be given u similar prize.
After this contest was over call was
made for old couples to come on the
platform and trip the light fantastic In
old. time STYLE but as none responded
Abner Lewis so that the crowd might
not be disappointed, gave an excellent
exhibition Of clog dancing, which Ger.
tainly captured the audience,
At night there was m extensive dis-
play Of fireworks under the supervision
of Geo. A Michael and dancing by the
younger generation,