The Mankato free press., 1910-06-10


Sterling Center Yesterday. 1t was a
magnificent gathering of the splendid
product OF 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 wao wanders into their
midst. The very air seemed to be lad
cn with the wholesome welcome that
came from the lips OF those who gath
CT annually to pay their loving trib-
ute TO the pioneers that were lured on
by the north Star. and who in 1886
bIazed a pathway into Maplcton and
Sterling. TO the fellow who is tied
10 an otTitc 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 "bcen
seen" by the committee in charge of
the celebration. 1t certainly was an
ideal day for il picnic. and those who
gathered in Scott Growers grove could
not have had nicer article of wealth
er for such an occasion, had it been
made to order, The grove itself is
delightful place for an outing. Nature
has been lavish with carpet of green,
and the foliage il 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,
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 fifty-two- degrees making
travel rather unpleasant at times
Why do the pathmasters play such I
havoc with roads that are well enough /
if left aloney Evidences of the split
log drag were observed here and there,
a profitable method of improving the
roadway.
Gathering of. the Picnicers.
Early morn found picnicers on their
way to the grove. They came from
all directions In 1856 the pioneers
-.
they came to Sterling in automobiles
and equipages tit enough for king
to ride in. AT least twenty five au.
tos We're 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-
scnted in the vast concourse. 1t was
reunion of people who know how
to enjoy themselves to the full
The picnic was given under the aus
pices of tlfe 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-
tion, 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, L. b. Taylor,
II. 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. II. +. Bolton. The song
Star Spangled Banner" was sung by
the audience standing. The address of
welcome by James A. Howieson was
Il 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 an en-
thusiasm that brought from these
gentlemen another well rendered and
highly appreciated selection. The re-
sponse 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 cementing 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;
K. w. Washburn, Vernon Center;
George John and Joseph Tallman, Gar
den City. sang a 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.