Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1906-06-29
PIONEERS MEET AGAIN
Many Early Settlers of Polk County
Attend Annual Reunion in
Dallas.

The seventeenth annual reunion Of
FOLK county pioneers was a highly
successful meeting, both in point Of
attendance and in the excellence Of
Cne program. The weather was perfect
ana the attendance surpassed all ex-
pectations. A large number of the
early settlers of Polk county were
present, and many prominent pioneers
were present from adjoining counties
to enjoy the day with their old-time
friends and neighbors.
The morning exercises were held in
the City Park, where fully 1000 people
gathered to listen to the program of
speechmaking and song. Among the
prominent pioneers occupying seats
OF honor on the speakers stand were
Smith Gillian, Polk county's first
Sheriff, and now resident of Walla
Walla, Washington; Dan Holman,
one of Yamhill county's earliest pio-
neers;J. R. Gaines, of Douglas county,
a son OF Ex-Governor John P. Gaines
Ira f. M. Butler, Polk county's oldest
citizen d. M. Guthrie, W. @. Brown,
Joshua Mcdaniel, T. 0. Waller, DR..
L. '. B. Embree, G. W. McBee, 7. J.
Hayter, E. Kimball, F. S. Powell,
j. L. Lady, John Crowley, and J. H.
Hawley, president of the Polk County
Pioneer Association.
The morning exercises opened with
a fine selection by the Normal Cadet
Band, Of Monmouth. Rev. D. Julian
Becker, pastor of the First Presby-
terian Church Of Dallas, led in prayer,
after which the vast audience arose
and sang America.
The annual address was delivered
by Glenn 0. Holman, of Dallas. Mr..
Holman has few equals as an enter
tanning speaker, and his talk was en-
joyed by young and old alike. De-
parting from the usual line of speeches
delivered on occasions Of this kind,
he entertained the large crowd for an
hour with a talk that was original,
instructive and amusing Instead of
spending his entire time in fulsome
praise and eulogy Of few prominent
pioneer families of Oregon, ne paid
an honest tribute to every man and
woman who braved the dangers and
hardships of the memorable trip
across the plains. His description of
the early schools and churches and
his comparisons Of these institutions
with the churches and schools of the
present day was highly entertaining.
A better speech than that delivered by
Mr.. Holman has not been heard at a
pioneer reunion in Polk county.
The noon hour was spent in good,
old-fashioned, neighborly visits, while
partaking of the contents of well-filled
lunch baskets. The Dallas park is
an ideal picnic ground, and apleasant
hour was enjoyed in the shade of the
spreading naples on the cool banks of
the LaCreole.
The afternoon session was opened
by a selection by the band, after which
the occasional address was delivered
by Hon. A. F. Campbell, Of Mon
mouth. Mr. Campbell is a fine orator
and deep thinker, and his address
was a splendid tribute to the spirit and
energy of the early settlers Of Oregon.
The last number on the afternoon
program was a solo, entitled "Our
Good Old Pioneers" by Mrs. G. G.
Coad, one of Dallas favorite singers.
Mrs. Coad was in excellent voice, and
her song touched the hearts of all
present. The selection was timely
and appropriate, and was deeply ap-
preciated by the old people.
Secretary Smith reported the follow
ing deaths during the past year:
Samuel Coad, age 70.
Morris Jones, age 88.
M. L. Robbins, age Sc.
Mrs. Judith Shelton, age Sc.
Mrs. Ann Sylvester, age 80.
Peter A. Syron, age 81.
The officers of last year were all re-
elected, as follows: J. H. Hawley
president: DR.. T. V. B. Embree, vice
president: J. D. Smith, secretary and
treasurer. G. W. McBee, T. J. Haytel
and J. J. Williams were appointed as
an executive committee. A committee
was appointed on the organization Of
the Native Sons and Daughters ol
Polk County as follows: G. 0. Hol
man. DR.. Mark Hayter, Curtis l.
Hawley. J. Powell, Jacob Burch, J. A
Baxter. Henry Keyt and Frank Lewis
Mrs. G, G. Coad, Mrs. Ella Metzgel
and Miss Olive SmlJn were aPPOluV0O
as a committee on music.
The three annual prizes were
awarded by a committee consisting o.
Joshua Mcdaniel, of Rickreall; D. Nj
Guthrie, of Dallas, and F. S. Powell
Of Monmouth. The prizes were glyer
as follows:
Oldest married pioneer couple mo
having received prize heretofoTe- {
Mr. and Mrs. R. J. Grant, OF FALL
City. NJ
Oldest pioneer woman present-MIs
Maria Smith, of Bridgeport, aged q
oldest native daughter-Mrs. Hard!
Holman. of Dallas, aged 6Oyears.