The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1905-06-15
DAVIS PICNIC PARTY
A Large Crowd was Present and the
Garden Grove Band DisCoursed
Music for the Occasion.

Garden Grove Band Discoursed
Music for the Occasion.
The picnic party given in honor OF
Mr.. and Mrs. Enos Davis at their home
two and one-half miles northeast of
Garden Grove last Thursday, was per-
feet success in every way. The day
was beautiful and the large crowd pres
ent felt happy in thinking that they
were helping to celebrate the 62d ami
versary of a fine old couple, who are
among the oldest settlers in Decatur
county, having come here nearly sixty
years ago and remained good citizens
ever since. There were present at the
picnic two hundred and fifty people, and
this worthy couple in whose honor the
picnic had been gotten up, were cheer
full and happy to think that although
they were both past the four score limit
they were not forgotten.
The banquet was indeed all that one
could wish, the table being loaded with
good things to eat. After the banquet
was served, a number of athletes tried
their skill in throwing the 16 pound
hammer and other strength testing
games of different kinds. The Garden
Grove band was present and discoursed
sweet music, which added greatly to
the entertainment and kept the large
crowd in good humor. Addresses were
made by Rev. Patterson, Hon. G. P.
Arnold, E. S. Buffum and others, all of
which were quite interesting. Papers
were also read by Francis Brown and
Bertha Young which were in the nature
of historical sketches of the lives of Mr..
and Mrs. Davis.
Mr.. and Mrs. Davis settled on the
farm they now occupy about 1868, Mr..
Davis devoting his time principally to
farmitg and Mrs. Davis to teaching
school. Mrs. Davis was we'll acquainted
with Daniel Webster, her father being
friend OF the Webster's. Her father was
a physician and president of the Mon
roe Academy and often had Mr.. Webster
lecture on the campus. Mrs. Davis be-
fore her marriage was assistant princi-
pal in the Lagrange Collegiate Insti-
tute at Ontario.
Following is the paper read by Bertha
Young:
Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls:
AS the older ones have had their say we
feel that we younger ones ought to con-
tribute our mite. We are all here today
to show our respect to our aged friends,
Mr.. and Mrs. Enos Davis, and while to
! live as long as they have lived, seems to
us long, long journey, yet when we
hear old people talk we realize the
truth of the verse which says:
How brief is life, how passing brief,
How brief it's joys and cares;
1t seems to be in league with time
And leaves US unawares.
But ever in it's pathway mixed
Dark spots and bright abound.
I And of each kind am sure our aged
friends have had their full share. They
were married April 26, 1S43, at Ontario,
Lagrange county, Indiana, came to
Garden Grove Oct. II, 1S4S; lived first
near the east side of the Weldon river
west of Garden Grove. The next Spring
they moved to the place where the
Garden Grove high school, now stands;
lived there about year, sold that land
then bought the land now owned by Guy
Arnold; lived there about three years.
Lived next in Franklin township near
where Weldon now is and made large
farm there. They later moved to Cos
pei Ridge and owned the farm now own
ed by James Cherry. About 1868 they
bought their present home, or rather
the prairie which they have improved
.
When Mr.. and Mrs. Davis came here
there We're good many Indians in this
county, and they used to camp at times
near the Weldon west OF Garden Grove.
The chief was called John Kish Kash; he
had handsome white woman for his
wife, he was very proud of her; he had a
fine pony for her to ride which he would
not allow another to use. When the
Indians camped near Mr.. Davis used to
trade with them, and always got along
we'll with them.
When Mr.. Davis talks about his ex-
periance with Indians it is worth listen
ing too.
There were about $50 families of Nor
mons here when Mr.. Davis first arrived
but tn y soon began to leave and most
OF them went to Utah. The most OF
these people were good neighbors.
The fact that Mr.. Davis has lived to
the present time shows that the hard
7 ships of pioneer life do not always
} shorten life. While hardships had to be
endured, many privileges abtu ded
,, The broad prairies with pasture and
, hay in abundance; the timber, the wild
! fruits, the game, all as free as the fresh
air and sunshine of this grand country
And there are very few spots on earth
that can surpass this country for a
! place to make good home. Mrs. Davis
! was graduate of Monroe Academy
near Rochester, N. Y, and as schools
were not to be found anywhere neal
Garden Grove in those days, Mrs. Davis
taught private school in their own
] b the first winter they lived here
: A scnool district was soon organized in
] Garden Grove, there being no other
) school district within five OF six coun.
ties. Mrs. Davis was hired to teach the
: school which was held in one room of O
N. Kellogg's hotel. Mrs. Davis went tc
( teach this school on horseback and
> carried two of her children with her
l Children came to that school for miles
, generally on horse back.
II Those coming from the west when