Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-08-17

twelve or more was formed after the
manner of the Methodist Episcopal
church. Since Its formation it has
ever been known as the Ashland class.
] am the sole survivor Of that class.
The brothers Reuben and Jacob Myers
were among the leading spirits in the
movement which they helped sustain
for more than fifty years both by labor
and money
The community was pretty evenly
divided between the Baptists and
Methodists and many Of the children
and grandchildren of these worthy
pioneers can be found in this and
other communities proving the truth OF
Talmadge's words that I'VE live again
in our children their deeds answering
back as echo answers tcho."
In conclusion would say that Iowa
meaning beautiful land-was well
named; The present generation can
have little notion of the country as it
then appeared. Innumerable wild
flowers covered the face of the land.
The washes, which now disf1gure it,
We're almost unknown. Large tracts
of beautiful timber were frequent.
Deer, wild turkeys and other game fur
nished the settler meat. Wild bees
hived in hollow trees, made great
abundance Of honey to be had for the
taking. Wild grapes, wild plums and
wild berries of various kinds grew in
profusion.
The rich soil responded lavishly to
the most primitive touch of agricul-
ture. Truly ours was and is goodly
heritage.
Those days were days of great op-
portunities. That these opportunities
were embraced by some of the best
blood Of the nation, seems proven to
me, by the present generation. social
". morally and religiously In all that
pertains to the making of great state
and a great nation.
Renew Old Acquaintance.
Many old settlers from all over the
county were present at yesterday S
gathering. Many scenes. some glad,
| some pathetic were witnessed by the
onlookers at the meeting of old friends
Yesterday for the first time in years,
why Bill Smith," one bent gray
| haired old fellow addressed another
as he held out his shaking hand, his
eyes alight with the fire of the other
days. The man addressed peered in.
credulously into the others wrinkled
face, searchin- for a clue by which
to establish his identity.
Don't you know me?" the other
protested Why Bill, we was as thick
as ticks when We were boys. Don't
YOU remember the COW hidings we used
to get for goin' in swimmin? I'm
Hirum Young
The other old fellow dropped his
hand at his side and Strengthening as
near as his bent old form would al
low stared in open mouth incredultty
at the friend Of his boyhood days.
'EIirum Young he muttered, mot
/ Hi Young.
why" he brushed his hand over
his eyes and leaned harder on his cane
for support. why it can't be possible
can 1t HI that we're old men?" The
| other slapped him feelingly on the
back.
where's Nary" he asked. Seems
to me Bill that some one wrote you'd
married Mary after ALL Hey?" he
added playfully. patting the other 8
bowed form st was nip and tuck
for awhile between us until I Joined
the Forty miners and give you tbs
field"
The other rased his head slowly ant
stared unseemngly off over the heads
Of the crowd about them.
Dead. Hi" he said softly, as the
crush around the speakers stand sep
arated them.