The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1909-08-20

upon John e. Craig, who happened
to be in the audience. Mr.. Craig
said that he was not pioneer nor
an old settler, and the fact that ne
was called upon PIT him in the posi-
ton of blacksmith who was once
asked to make speech before the
public This man was not much OF
talker, and so wrote and memorized
speech many days beforehand. final
~ placing the document In his Sunday
hat. When the time came for the
speech he did not wear his Sunday
hat, and being unable to SAP of wha.
he had prepared, he simply said that
this place was once bowling wider
ness and he wished 1t was still. TIE
principle though which the speaker cx-
pressed was that the pioneers de-
serve everything that can be said in
compliment to them. In conclusion
he said that he hoped the old settlers
gathered together would go away feel
ing satisfied after being reminded OK
the olden times by the speakers on
the program, and would live to attend
another meeting. Following this the
band played a selection and Honor
able R. S. Caller OF Mt. Pleasant took
the platform.
This gentleman had Just arrived in
time, being brought to the stand in
an automobile. In starting out he
said that he would make a Short
speech that would have at least that
one virtue However, 1t seems that
Mr.. Callers idea of shortness is diff
ferent than that Of a good many
others, for he made quite lengthy
argument. However. it was thorough
" enjoyed. He added that he came
as fast as the Kline would bring him
and then told story which he said
he thought showed up the particnla,
road A governor Of ole of the states
was riding on this line and in running
through a field the train stopped.
The governor asked the conductor
the cause of the delay, and he was IN
formed that COW was on the track.
Some time later the train stopped
gain, and again the question was
asked The man in blue replied a sec
ond time that COW was on the track.
The governor said that there were no
COWS that he could see around that
particular piece of territory. well.
its the same cow" said the conduct
or. In getting down to business the
speaker said that he thought the resi-
dents OF Lee county were very pa
triotic. even down to the small boys.
In continuance he said that the pion-
GERS have much to be proud Of. They
have no successors for the triumphs
of the old days cannot be renewed.
They lived in the dawn and the pres
ent day generation in the sunlight,
is the way Mr. Caller put it. He said
that friendship was one of the key
notes of their success, they always
having stuck togther In thick and
thin. He recalled some of the things
which the pioneers had to on. up with
and ventured that they had some
pleasures which the people of the
present day cannot have. For In
stance he mentioned the fine water
quaffed from the moss covered buc-
ket. Another place where he thought
/ that the oldtimers had an advantage
over the present day people was in
social functions. In those days the
men did not have to wear their best
clothes, like they do now. no matter
how hot it is, and when a man goes
to reception nowadays he Is glad
when the darned thing is over usual
~. The pioneer was not stand
/ patter." said the speaker. he was pro
/ gressive. The standpatter is one who
I has reached his destination, while
I the opposite kind is one who is or
his way, is the form in which Mr.
Caller explained the use Ct The tw.-
words in this case. He went on te
say that liberty and industry was
4 what wrought the transformation
from the old pioneer days, aud eithe,
one without the other would have re
suited in aught. The speaker toll
of the trend Of migration westward
starting out with the original peoples
and following it up until he worked
in the present pioneers He theT
brought up the fact that people of III,
present day did not realize the ad
vantages that have came about
George washington never heard :
brass band play or saw a basebl,
game. nor did he wear a pair of sus
penders,' is the way he put it. The
speaker dwelt on the fact that vices
were not so common in the older
days. saying that they are an out
growth of wealth. coupled with lacf
of intelligence, which is just the re
verse OF what the old timers had Mr
Gale concluded his address at ten min
utes after twelve, and the meetili.
broke in order to allow time for lin
ner
i There were plenty of stands on th'
grounds and all the guests were we.
taken care OF in this respect. CHECKER
was on hand IN plenty with all th'
trimmings, and many other goot
things, which can only be obtaine,
in the country. were to be had for 4;
~ ~.