The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1910-06-10
LEAF OUT OF A PAST.
OLD SETTLERS HOLD REUNION AT
STERLING CENTER.
An Enjoyable Outing in Which the
Folks From Home Participated; q
Day in Natures Dell; Program
That Met UP With the Spirit of
the location; Songs and Recita-
ticns, Addrccsrs and "reminiscences


Sterling Center yesterday. 1t was a
magnificent gathering of the splendid
product oil one OF the finest sections
o; Blue Earth county, and they were
all folks from home who exhibited that
hearty and genuine spirit of hospitality
that warns the cookies of the heart
of stranger VIC wanders into their
midst. The very air seemed to be lad
ell with the wholesome welcome that
came from the lips of those who gath
or annually to pay their loving trib-
ute 10 the pioneers that were lured on
by the north star, and who in 1856
6lazed a pathway into Maplcton and
Sterling. To the fellow who is tied
10 an offire desk day after day, yes
terGay's outing can be likened unto the
JOY experienced by thirsty man when
be comes to an oasis in the desert.
Weather Was Ideal.
The weather man must have been
seem by the committee in charge of
the celebration. 1t certainly was an
ideal day for a picnic, and those who
gathered in Scott Growers grove could
not have had a nicer article of wealth
er for such an occasion, had it been
made to order, The grove itself is a
delightful place for an outing. Nature
has been lavish with carpet of green,
and the foliage is just heavy enough
to ward off Old Soils hot rays. The
ride from Mankatu to the grove was
enjoyed very much. The roads were
in excellent condition, except those
spots where the pathmasters had at
tempted to improve them. In some
places the annual rip and tear has
done its worst to the highways, leav-
ing their sides at an angle of some
thing like ffty-two- degrees making
travel rather unpleasant at times.
Why do the pathmasters play such
havoc with roads that are well enough
if left aloney Evidences of the split
log drag were observed here and there,
profitable method of improving the
roadway.
Gathering. of. the. Picnicers.
Early morn found pienicers on their
way to the grove. They came from
oil directions. In 1856 the pioneers
travelled with OK teams. Yesterday .
they came to Sterling in automobiles I
and equipages lit enough for king
to ride in. AT least twenty five au-
tos were by the roadside, and to estimate /
the number of carriages and other con
veyances would be task impossible. .
Amboy, Winnebago, Mankato, Garden .
City, Blue Earth, Mapleton, Vernon
Center and other towns were repre-
scented in the vast concoursc. 1t was
u reunion of people who know how
to enjoy themselves to the full.
The picnic was given under the aus
pices of tile Mapleton and Sterling old
Settlers association. This organization
was formed a number of years ago,
and annually it holds its reunion at
which time the past is brought in re-
view and tales of other days are told.
These are the committees that had
charge of yesterdays event: Recep-
ton, Joseph Dobie, John Morrow, Mrs.
Q. w. Healy; music, Judd Cornell, O.
w. Hcaly; grounds, Charles Troy,
Scott Grover. john I. Morris, Herb
Fisk, George Keith, Grant Hazel; cx-
ocutive, William Hall, +. B. Taylor,
H. c. Hotaling, O.. w. Healy, Judd
Cornell.
The Exercises of the Day.
Hon. William Hall presided at the
rendition of the program. He is one
of the old timers in Sterling The
Mapleton band played several selec-
tions, and an invocation was pronoun-
ced by Rev. H. +. Bolton. The song
"Star Spangled Banner" was sung by
the audience standing. The address of
welcome by James A. Howieson was
gem. . 1t was cleverly constructed
and its delivery excellent. Mr.. How
ieson referred eloquently and feelingly
to the pioneers who made possible the
development Of that section of Blue
Earth county. The song by the Ster-
ling quartet, composed of George Con
rad. Oscar Healy, Joseph Stevens and
Judd Cornell, was received with All en-
thusiasm that brought from these
gentlemen another well rendered and
highly appreciated selection The re-
Spouse to the address of welcome was
given by DR.. Fred Hunt of Blue Earth,
and it was In excellent taste and filled
with those sentiments that cause peo-
pie to draw nearer to each other
the cementiig of friendships that never
can be severed until the ruthless
hand of Time comes forth with his
scythe One of the bright features of
the program was the recitations and
stories told by Miss Geneva Parker of
Winnebago. The Woods quartet,
made up Of H. +. Woods, Amboy;
4. w. Waslburn, Vernon Center;
George John and Joseph Talman, Gar
den City. sang d number of sweet
songs that quickly reached the hearts
and touched the souls of the large au-
dience. Their songs were in keeping
with the spirit of the occasion. Then
came the address of the speaker of the
day, former Judge Iorin Cray. The
address was listened to with rapt at
tention, and at its close the speaker
was accorded a generous supply of
applause. The address in its entirety
Continued On Page Seven.