Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1909-06-30
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HORTICULTURAL MEETING.
Annual Summer Meeting Held Oh
Sunday at the Home Of Hon.
A. Jacobson in Spring.
field.

Pursuant to invitation large num-
Der Of the horticulturalists of this
vicinity gathered at the beautiful
home of Rev. and Mrs. A. jacobson
Sunday afternoon. The muddy roads
kept many from coming but the yard
soon filled with vehicles and the
guests found plenty of shade from
the rays of hot sun under the
spreading limbs of those magnificent
evergreens which were planted with
much care and forethought by Mr..
Jacobson some thirty years ago.
The program was carried out as
prepared. Mr.. Jacobson in his ad-
dress of welcome bid the visitors a
most hearty welcome. He spoke at
some length about the conditions of
! the place when he first started and
| how the first trees were planted
where now the main ones are good
sized saw logs. He also expressed
his delight at having an opportunity
to meet so many of the fruit growers
at his own home and complimented
Messrs. Brakeman and Lomen on
their work in struggling to maintain
society.
Mr.. Brakeman responded with the
following remarks:
BY special invitation the Winnie
shiek County Horticultural Society is
once more assembled at this home.
the home of Mr.. and Mrs. Abraham
Jacobson, for the purpose of enjoy
ing the hospitality of our old friends
and co-workers in horticulture, lis
ten to the experiences of the men,
bers, renew acquaintance and en-
JOY day OF rest and recreation.
Here again we are permitted to see
another ideal home, built up by
man who came here as an early set
tier. A man who came all the way
from far off Norway without much
money, to build up a home in a new
country, far from friends and kim
dred, far from markets and rail-
roads, no schools and none of the
comforts that we now enjoy Diff
ferent from the present time. He
did not find house built for him.
and buildings necessary for the COM
fort of himself and stock, nothing
but the raw prairie. He had first to
build shelter for himself and fam
lily, then to break the land and get in
the crops which would furnish the
living for the cold winter that was
to follow. He did not have the mod
ern implements. The cradle, the
scythe and the old crotch drag and
plenty of muscle was his stock of
machinery. The grain was sown by
hand. The wagon. primitive affair,
the wheels made of pieces sawed
from log with hole bored in the
center for the axle to rest in. An
OK team hitched to this, board
thrown across the box and Mr.. and
Mrs. jacobson on this going to De-
corah with butter and eggs to ex-
change for the family needs.
/ have only mentioned few of the
privations of the early settlers. My
young friends, how would you like
to enjoy like experience?
Friends, we should be thankful for
the changes that have been brought
about by the old settlers of this coun-
try. / say old settlers for it has
been by them and through them that
you behold the prosperity and ad-
vancement of the present day. Look
at this home, with it's beautiful sur
roundings and note the change that
has been wrought by its owner in
the years that have passed since he
landed here. Think of the toll and
energy he has expended in bringing
this place up to the present stand
ard. The old settlers as we'll as the
cid soldiers should come in for full
share of the honors OF the present
day. The old settlers for building
up and improving the country and
the old soldier for its preservation.
! cannot close without extending
the heartiest thanks of this society
to Rev. Jacobson and family, not
only for the invitation, but also for
the royal manner in which we have
been entertained, and it is our wish
that they may see many more years
| of enjoyment in this beautiful home
and may the all wise Creator con-
tinue to shower his blessings upon
them.
The principal address was made by
Prof. /. F. Grose of St. Olaf College,
| Mortified, Mimi, a son-in-law of
Rev. Jacobson. He congratulated
the meeting because there is a Hor-
ticultural Society and said if he lived
here he would surely be a member.
His subject was the advantages of
boy on the farm as compared with
| boys in the city. 1t is to be regretted
this address cannot be given in full.
1t was appreciated by all who heard
it and many complimentary express
sions were heard afterwards.
The musical part of the program
was rendered By Mr. and Mrs. I.
jacobson of DEBORAH and Miss Helga
Jacobson and was highly appreciated
by the audience, the applause calling
them back several times.
All who were present were very
! grateful TO Mr.. and Mrs. Jacobson
/ tor their hospitality and kindness