Omaha daily bee., 1908-07-31
PIONEERS VISIT BELLEVUE
Organize Home Coming Day" Asso-
citation After Day at Chautauqua.
TALKS OF OLD DAYS INTERESTING
Henry II. Clarke Tells of Steamboat
ing and J. q. GOss OF Territorial
LegisIatIOn which He
Helped Make.

Men and women who were living in
Bellevue before most OF the visitors to
the ehautauqua of 1908 were born, had
their day there yesterday. It was desig-
mated "HomeNcoming day"
Scores of pioneers from all parts OF the
county and some from other counties and
states came and brought their lunch and
spent the day in hearing the speaking. ex-
changing reminiscences and renewing old
acquaintance.
A. c. Sloan of Bellevue was the leader
in %lnstituting the day. He presided at the
meeting In the morning and delivered the
address of welcome, In which he reviewed
the struggles and successes OF those men
and women who came to Nebraska when II
was only a wilderness.
]. @. Goss of Bellevue, who was a MEM
Der of the territorial legislature, spoke on
Territorial Legislation" and w. r. Pat
rick, member of the last state senate, dis
cussed some of the legislation of the pres
ent day.
Mrs. A.. Gates of Union Grove, one of
the earliest settlers, told of some of the
struggles Of the women who came to the
new country before there was anything in
the way of household comforts or con-
veniences.
Clarke Talks SteRmDOating.
County Judge James Begley Of Papil-
lion. son Of a pioneer settler, paid a tribute
to those who had blazed the trail and pre-
pared the country for the habitation of a
prosperous and happy people. B. Hol-
man of La Platte told of some of his ex-
periences more than half a century ago.
Henry T.. Clarke of Omaha spoke Of
T~lF4.. 49, -, - aHl
DR.. George H. Miller, not being able to be
present. he filled his allotted time also,
painting a picture OF fifty years hence.
Throughout the day that healthy, hearty
good will which prevails wherever and
whenever there is a gathering of the Ne
braska pioneers was evident. A chorus
sans several selections In the course of
the program and Miss Inez Gladhill of
Union Grove played a piano selection.
Mrs. Samantha Gates of Bellevue among
the women was awarded the distinction Of
having lived in the state the longest. she
came in 1854, Among the men George
Burtch of Bellevue came In 1854 and A.
w. Trumbull of Fort Crook arrived in
March, 1855.
Organization Made Permanent.
A permanent organization was formed,
with Mr.. Sloan as chairman, and 1t is
hoped to have a Homecoming day each
year in the future.
Yesterday was another big day at II
chautauqua. In the rftCinoor the Elks'
quartet proved a prime fevorite and George
r. Stuart kept a large audience laughing
for more than an hou- with his lecture on
"Lop Sided Folks"
Gypsy Smith, tie evangelist, was the
drawing card in the evening. He landed in
New York only last Saturday for a
twelve months mission here. This is his
sixth visit to the United States, After a
few flying visits to chautauques he will
enter upon twelve mis- sions Of about ten
days each in such cities as Baltimore, st,
Louis and Denver
Today is Corn Exposition day" The
day Is especially rich in music. George
Green's band will play and the Elks'
quartet will sing beth in the afternoon
and evening. Prof. p. O.. Holden Of the
Iowa State college will lecture both after
noon and evening and In the evening there
will be moving pictures by Prof. Price,