The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1907-09-01
OLD SETTLERS MEETINGS
In WAYNE COUNTY.
The first, not only in the County. but as
since appears, also in the State, was held
at Richmond in September, 1855---lts Off
cial proceedings given by Isaac H. Julian

(
Dor and contemporary, George Holman,
was not in attendance.
"The next meeting is appointed for
the last Saturday in September. 1856.
at Centerville. The idea of such meet
ings is highly laudable. and we trust
that hereafter, due efforts will be made
to enlist the interest and presence of
as many of the early settlers as posi-
bic, so as the more effectually to fur
Their the objects proposed by these so
cial reunions of the rapidly diminish
ing remnant of the men and women 10
whom the present generation are so
much indebted
Thus far the proceedings I have no
complete file of any county paper for
1856. but to the best of my informa-
ton the meeting appointed for that
year at Centerville failed to material
lie, probably having been lost sight of
in the exciting presidential campaign.
In the fall of 1857 edited for publ
cation the autographs Memoir of Dav-
id Hoover, supplemented by over the
same amount of matter in the shape of
an Appendix, embracing interesting
facts and incidents in the settlement
and early history of the Upper White
water Valley, going to the very begin
ming, antedating Richmond and Cen
terville. An edition of a thousand
copies of the Hoover pamphlet of Al
| octave pages, was issued. Unfortu-
nately it is now pretty much out of
print, | say unfortunately, because it
would have been of very special inter-
est and value during this centennial
year, comparing favorably with DR..
Plummer's historical sketch of Rich
mond, both having been issued the
same year, and containing about an
equal amount of matter, the Hoover
pamphlet, however, occupying an ear
| lier and broader field, the Plummer
sketch being devoted entirely to early
Richmond; but because of its being
| prefixed to the first Directory of the
town, which was naturally preserved
as curiosity, has given it more per-
manent hold on the community in and
about the city. The proce edings of
the first Old Settleds' meeting were
inserted in the Hoover pamphlet, thus
indicating that there had been at that
time no later meeting. AS will be
seen, the proceedings are of special
interest, not only because it was the
first in the county, as now appears also
in the state, but because a number of
the earliest settlers-the real pio-
neers of the county, and who never ap-
peared at any subsequent meeting,
talks. And / appeal to the managers
- \
to the people generally, if there is any
good sense or right feeling in any fur
Their attempt to ignore this first or
ganization and first annual meeting of
pioneer settlers whose presence
graced and whose names and words
figure therein? And may | not sug-
gest to the several newspapers of the
county the propriety of their giving a
synopsis of the facts above stated, and
including the full proceedings of the
FIRST meeting held at Richmond in
September. 1855?
It only remains that I should add
few words setting forth my further SER
vices in recording and promoting the
series of Old Settlers meetings. or
rather picnics. at or near Centerville
L HIS WAS eHdDIeQ TO 90 6IIectlFoly
by reference to the files of the True
Republican, of which l was editor and
publisher. The first of these gather
ings was held in the grove of O. T.
Jones, one mile north of town follow
ing numerously-s call, in pur-
suance of which annual meetings con-
tinued to be held, with omissions dur
ing the war, and perhaps a few others
In the summer Of 1904, having noticed
sundry errors and incongruities in the
published proceedings from time to
time of the Old Settlers picnics, took
the trouble to revise their record from
the beginning to and including 1870
Commencing with the call and list of
signers for the first meeting, l went
through the series of meetings year
by year, reporting their various organ
izations, the more interesting speeches
of members. and other matters of spe-
cial interest. Having completed my
task, I transmitted the result to the
management, feeling l had done a
really good and commendable work for
the benefit of the association, deserv-
ing at least vote of thanks. But
again l found myself completely ig-
nored-not a reference to my commu-
nication, not a word of commentator
or even of acknowledgment! Never
theless fair measure of Justice came
then and there, 1t came through a
correspondent of the Indianapolis |
News who was on hand. saw my arti-
Gle. and approaching its value, i'm
mediately sent it to the News, in the
daily issue of which of August 20, |
1904 it appeared complete in all es-
sential parts. The year following, the |
old 90 settlers of picnic order did not
scruple to appropriate the matter, l
believe without credit to the News
certainly not TO the undersigned-but |
in view of the very large circulation of
the News, I felt / was very much |
ahead on this round. And / trust a |
similar result may follow the publica-
ton of this article, giving my humble
record on the general subject of Old /
Settlers organizations and meetings in
W H.