The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1904-07-13

the many visible signs of prosper
ity that attend 80 many of them
now, and compare these with the
tolls, sacrifices and, dangers hourly
'attending the early settlers from
the rowing bands OF treacherous.
blood-thirsty red men who infested
the forests on either side of the
rivers; with no other settlers in
hailing distance, where only the
scream of the panther, the howl
ing of the wolves and believing of
the by-on or buffalo and the hoot.
ing of the owls mingled with the
moaning winds in the deep. dark
forest was the only music by night
and the sweeter songs of the birds
by day.
What contrast, with the fertile
f ,lds aud we'll filed barns and Low
ing herds of today, and the oondi-
lions that obtained about the old
home in later years when the
youngest son, Uncle Tommie, GOULD
stand mp on his front porch, near
the original cabin. and summon
nearly his entire family, who were
settled around him. at one blast of
the horn.
Again this is a noted occasion of
its being the first general reunion
in the history of the family in
period extending into three centu
ries and covering seven genera
tions. However, they are not all
represented here, only in history.
l trust this will be made time
of rejoicing extending into future
generations, union of hearts and
hands; an event thrilling every
heart with the thought that long
severed friends have met, again;
let the parting be as though we are
to meet again tomorrow. Let no
pessimistic sentiment or word find
lodging place in any breast to
mar the joy of this happy occasion.
L have known otherwise joyful co.
oasions turned into sadness by
some nervous one so far forgetting
themselves and looking on the dark
side and drawing on their imagina-
tion to suoh an extent as to shroud
the coming together with funeral
pail by wrong idea of tho parting
hour. The prime object of re-
union is to blend and cement our
hearts and lives together 30 COM
pletely that distance is wiped out
and that We can see no separation. |
May such an optomistic spirit per-
wade this gathering that this re-
union may bind us closely togeth
er, that the spirit thereof may go
with us to our several homes
whether in West Virginia, Ohio,
Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Okla.
homa. Michigan, Oregan, Montana
or any other place in Gods domain,
even in sweet Ireland.
For more than one year and
half have lived in thought of this
reunion, and made numerous visits
by mail to all parts of the country
wherever 1 could hear of any of the
royal stock, and sure 1 have found
not few and have pryed into their
business and history to ascertain
when they were born, where and
when married and number OF ohild.
rem born to each, even unearthing
the ages of bachelors and spinsters
L have spared no pains to make the
general history as complete as pos
sible and at a oost sufficiently lew
that every one could have it and
possess family record of the
whole American race and thus
bind the family SO closely together
that this little booklet may make
this reunion perpetual. and when
it is over and we repair to our sew.
eral homes I expect to accompany
each of you in spirit, looking for.
ward in happy anticipation of
another reunion il not ON these
grounds some where else on God q
footstool. If not on earth then in |
the sweet home over there, where
We will never say good bye.
Let US forget the parting and
look with joyful hope to future
meeting, and in the language of |
the poet say
Shed not tear o'er your friends |
early bier,
When am gone, when am gone.
May perpetual sunshine guild |
the pathway of each one of you;
let rs continue to love each other