Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1904-12-02
OLD PEOPLE BANQUET
w. C. Brown Celebrates His Eightieth
Birthday By Giving Dinner to
OId-Time Friends.

las, Wednesday afternoon, the occas-
ion being the 8Oth anniversary OF the
birth of W. G. Brown.
The scheme as worked out was the
idea of Mr.. Brown himself, and was
unique to say the least Of it. Invita-
tions we're issued only to men who had
reached the age of 20 years, the wives
Of these men, and aged widows. He
also gave orders to Landlord Dunn
that he did not want any hifalutin,
stylish dinners set before his guests,
but Just a good, solid, old-fashioned
dinner-one similar to those dished
up on like occasions away back in
the early sos, and it is needless to add
that Mr. Dunn carried out these in
structions to the letter. While no bills
of-fare were issued, the happy-go-
lucky reporter got an itemized list of
good things, after making number
of friendly overtures to the good-na-
tured chef.
The following will give faint idea
of the elegant spread: Oyster stew,
salmon salad, baked chicken with
dressing and brown gravy, mashed
potatoes, cream corn, tomatoes,
cold meats with jelly, celery,
cottage pudding with hard sauce,
mince and custard pie, assorted cake,
tea, coffee and milk, bonbons, nuts
and fruits.
The dining room was tastefully
decorated for the occasion with ripe
grain and autumn leaves, intermin-
gled with crysanthemums, sweet peas
and cosmus, and added to this we're the
heavily-laden tables, which combined
to make most pleasing sight.
. After all the guests we're seated in
the dining room, Mr.. Brown arose
and made few appropriate remarks,
in the course of which he stated that
he hoped that all present might reach
the age Of 80 years. He was followed
by 7. J.Cummings, who spoke at some
length on matters of long ago and
wound up his remarks with a
funny little story which everyone
enjoyed
After a pleasant hour at the tables,
the party broke up, all the guests
wishing Mr.. Brown many more years
of happiness and prosperity. The
entire company was grouped on the
veranda of the hotel at 80 o'clock,
and Mr. T. J. Cherrington, the photo
grapher, made several exposures with
his large view lens. 1t is safe to say
that some excellent photographs will
be the result.
William @. Brown came from Ohio to |
Oregon in 1847 and settled at Albany,
where he helped to lay out the first
town lots. Two years later he came
to the isolated settlement of Dallas
Soon after his arrival, he met, wooed |
and married Miss Martha Townsend |
Shortly after his marriage, he took a
job of mauling out rails for Granville |
Baber at 25c day, to be taken out |
in grain which he used as seed the
next year. From the money he re-
ceived from this crop, he found it pos
sible to engage in farming on a larger
scale, both himself and wife having
received land under the Government
donation act. In 1858 he started the
first store in North Dallas, and after
wards moved his stock across the
river to the present townsite, where he
continued in business for many years.
During all this time he continued his
farming operations, and gradually
increased his holdings until today he
is classed as one of the wealthy men
of P ok County.
At the present time, he owns in Dal-
las five brick busin ess buildings. the
Cottage hotel, two farm store build
ings and fifteen dwelling houses.
He also owns two large hop yards,
and 100 acre farm north of town,
besides other property scattered over
The county. Mr. Brown is the man,
who, in 1902, scattered two thousand
nickels to the school children of Polk
county, an event that attracted wide
spread interest throughout the
Mr.. Erown was elected to the Legis-
ature in 1874, but since that time has I
never sought to hold office. His fami-
y consists of three sons and one
laughter: John G. and Henry Brown,
If Dallas; Joseph Brown of Stayton,
md Mrs. William Kersey, of Dallas.
His wife and one son, Alonzo, died 7
everal years ago
Following IS a list Of the guests p
resent at Wednesdays dinner, with !
he age of each: =
Mrs. Polly Robinson, 81.
Mrs. Mary Hubbard, 70. o
Mrs H. N Webb, 6s. il
Mrs. Harriet Shreve, rs. q
Mrs. Eliza Emmons, 81. fe
Mr.. Lydia D'Lashmutt, "A. O
Mrs. Jane Frink, 73. II
Mr.. Amanda Harris, 50. ST
Mrs Mary Wagner, 65. al
Mr.. Josephine Boyle, "A. h
Mrs. Sarah Irvine, So. ot
Mrs. Margaret Peterson, rs. NJ
Mrs, E. Lawrenson, 78. c,
Mrs. Martha Brown, 20. a,
Mrs. A. N Williams, 78. NJ
Mrs, Edwin Caldwell, 4S. is
Mrs. Cornelius Hughes, 6S. m
Mrs. F. NJ Collins, 65. tr
Mrs. J. NJ. Campbell, 60. m