Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1909-06-30
PICNIC FOR OLD SETTLERS.

With its membership depleted by
more than fifty people who have
have died in the county during the
past year, the Delaware County Old
Settlers association at its annual
meeting held at Fair grounds last
Tuesday afternoon by adopting a rul-
ing submitted that all residents OF, the
county prior to the year 1875 should
be accredited as members, which ex-
tends the period of residence five
years. In explaining the matter,
| Judge A. S. Blair said that heretofore
it had been necessary to formally
make application and become mem
Der of the association, but the recent
ruling allows that all persons having
| lived in the county since 1875 should
be counted as members and that it
would not be necessary to sign the
constitution or signify any intention
of becoming member.
On account of the threatened rain
storm not a large attendance was
present at the reunion. but the eXer-
cises that had been arranged were
Lcarried out and program heard that
was most thoroughly interesting and
enjoyable. The president introduced
the Hon. q. c. Perkins of Delhi, who
had chosen for the subject of his re-
marks Pioneer Days" treating the
many incidents recited and rfeview-
| ing the progress made since the ear
| ly days when the county was first
settled, in such a manner as wildly
recalled to the minds of the older
people present the hardships and
victories won when they We're young
Mr.. Perkins declared that collec-
ton of relics should be made such
as are related to the pioneer days,
and also deplored the lessened at
tendance at the district schools"
from what it was forty years ago.
The purpose of establishing the eX-
detrimental station at LenoX college,
and the intention of the management
| to have given from time TO time lee
lures concerning agronomy and other
subjects of live interest to the farm
er, dairyman and poultry raiser, was
carefully described by Professor Ey-
ans of that institution Such a
course as has been provided at Leno1
will be of benefit to the boys of Del
aware county, said Prof. Evans, and
| that it is the intent of the faculty to
extend the advantages of the de-
partment to the residents of the
county, as well as to those attend
ing LenoX college.
1t was with much pleasure that the
remarks of Mr.. F. b. Peet of Edge
wood were listened to, who related
personal incidents of his varied eY-
lperiences as a pioneer in Delaware
countycounty IN the early sixties. He
told of the overland Journeys to Du-
buque, town where produce was re-
ceived and the only available market
was maintained. The viccitudes OF
the men and women of those days
seem almost improbable now
While one of the most Interesting
papers given during the afternoon
was by Mrs. j. p. Ball. the reader is
allowed to imagine if he can the ex-
periences enjoyed and realized by
the myriad of men and women who
journeyed across the plains from the
east to the wild and unsettled por
ton of the middle west then known
as a new state. Mrs. Ball reviewed
in most pleasant way the tril
which she made from Palmyra, New
York, fifty years ago, and of the last
fifty miles of the journey which wa;
made in the historic stage coach
Mrs. Ball was one of the earliest
teachers in the country schools o.
Delaware county, and her little story
full of amusing and enjoyable Incl
: dents in relation to her life as a pio
!. neer was enthusiastically receivet
by her audience.
The pleasure derived from attend
!, ing these annual reunions was testi
), fled to by Mr.. Byron Eldridge, WHIT
! stated that he had enjoyed meeting
with the old settlers and that he con
sidered it not only duty but a happ,
privilege in meeting together at leas
once year
Readings and recitations We're civ
en- by Miss Rebecca and Miss sar
II Scanlon and Miss Blanche Bishop
II A solo by Mrs. Lucy Brown was ais
a feature of the musical program.
: The officers elected for the ensuin
year are: Watson Childs, presiden,
u F. B. Peet, vice president; A. L
. Dunlap. secretary. and Mrs. Jane
: Morse, treasurer
y