The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1908-09-02
GREAT GATHERING
OF OLD SETTLERS
BLESSED WITH IDEAL WEATHER THE 1908
MEETING A MARKED SUCCESS.
Mr.. LALLY'S GREAT ADDRESS.
Mr.. Charles Bullock Elected President and
Steps Taken to Make Denison Permanent
Place Of Meeting.

County fairs. carnivals. fairs, bar
becues, circuses are excellent in their
way for entertaining the people, but
there is nothing will compare with an
old settlers meeting. except reunion
of old sol Il ers, for true heartfelt good
feeling. and solid. enjoyment. Year
by year the ties bind closer those who
came to the locality in pioneer DAYS
and braved together the. pr;vations of
frontier life. A gathering of old
settlers does not need advertis sing With
entlcing programs like a circus, it is
only sufficient to let the date be we'll
known. and the people will come, if
the weather is right.
To the kindly observer an old set
tiers gathering is indeed touching. 1t
is most gratifying to see the warm
friendly handshakes. faces wreathed
in genial smiles. the many groups en-
gagged in earnest conversation, the
laughter at jokes and reminiscent
stories, and the elderly people who
have made special effort to be pre-
sent.
For the gathering of 1908. Tues
day, September lst. the weather was
ideal and SO the people came from
near and far to the city park in east
Denison. By noon time the grounds
were lively with picnic parties. eat
ing dinner. The citizens committee
had delegated E. Gullck to superin-
tend the making and serving free Of
good strong coffee. ripe with cream
and sugar and his stand was kept
busy all day.
By one-thirty the band played and
the stated program began. o. M.
Criswell was president of the meet
ing. After few preliminary re-
marks he introduced the speaker.
Hon. P. E. c. Lally. Of Denison.
Mr.. Laily was thoroughly at home
among his neighbors and friends. He
gave strong meaty address, which
offered food for thought Mr.. Lally is
ever an original thinker and talks
with purpose and not to fill the
time. The great thought he brought
out was the need for the federal and
state courts to be nearer the common
people and not the instruments IF
corporation injustice. He cited case
after case where the courts had held
in favor of the great railway and
manufacturing corporations when
suits were brought for loss of life and
limbs by employees. Men and women
were compelled to work long hours,
with dangerous machinery or lose
their jobs and when accidents resulted
the courts were holding that because
the employee did not refuse to work.
he consented to long hours and defect
i've machinery. Under color of court
decisions, men and women had been
burned. hung, crucified and it was not
wrong to face the situation and see
how existing evils could be remedied.
He praised Roosevelt as the greatest
president since Lincoln. The address
was not all painting of dark picture
for strong mention was made of the
remarkable freedom of the res idents
of the U. s.. their chance to rise.
their ability to govern themselves
and right wrongs. Unusual atten-
tion was give Mr.. Lally and there
were requests that he still proceed
when he closed. His friends were
proud of him.
The Boys sent gift to the man and
woman present who had lived longest
in the county. This brought out that
Mr.. John Dobson. of Deloir could
claim the prize for men, and Mrs.
Margaret O'Banion. of Boyer town
ship. for the women. The represen-
tative of the Review arranged for a
group picture of these most respected
people to be taken and the portraits
will appear in our paper next week.
Col. George l.. Wright was present
and being called for. made heart
felt address. He said the Crawford
people were the best on earth. He
invited any who were in Denver. his
present home, to seek him out and
they would be welcome. At the
business meeting Mr.. Charles Bullock
was honored with the presidency for
next year. Mr.. John Dobson will be
vice president and N. l.. Hunt secre-
tary. Notice was given Of an amend
ment to the laws which will make the
permanent place of meeting at Deni-
son. The old settlers lined up for a
big group picture. But listening to
speeches or business was not the chief