The weekly Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1911-1922, 1911-08-31
IMMENSE CROWDS At
OLD DSET7LERSP PICNIC
Annual Meet At Lapaz Surprise Manage
ment--. Throngs Gather Once More to
Talk Over The Early Days And En-
joy Sports Of The Young

Feople from all parts OF Northern
Indiana, Marshall and Saint Joseph
counties in particular gathered at
Lapaz Saturday in honor of the old
settlers of these two counties who
held their annual picnic there.
As the years of time roll on
and on and each year more and more
OF the first settlers in the country ars
taken from us. this occasion comes To
mean great deal to those who ara
still left. 1t may be their last chance
to be together, the last time that thew
shall be able to discuss the experi-
ences of by-gone days-the happen
lngs OF the golden days of their
youth. when all this country was as
yet practically wild and unsettled.
when rude homes were built in ths
heart OF the forest with Indians and
wolves as the only neiehbors.
Maybe you think this Is stretching
IT too far. No. that is not the case.
his younger friends Saturday how.
Tor, more than one old resident told
he and his father first came here 20
years or more ago. thew lived in a
rude log hut, surrounded by the dense
forest with its wolves and Indians
One old man stated that when he
first moved to Indiana there were but
four dwellings In Starke county and
but few more In Marshall.
This great affair. the picnic for the
old settlers has for several wears
been held in Wilson's Grove near
Lapaz. This woods are an ideal
spot for the gathering they being
large. cool and inviting for picnic
ers.
Amusements of every sort had
been provided. There was merry
eo-round about which hundreds of
eager Youngsters and MANY orav-
haired old people as well. gather TO
take lust one more ride" The,
the usual nigger-baby" rack was on
the grounds and the other stands al
so at which lunches and refreshments
OF every sort as well as souvenirs of
the occasion were sold.
The Lakeville band furnished the
music for the enjoyment of all. This
band Is very good, consisting of ls
pieces.
In addition to these concessions
and amusement enterprises a num-
Der OF interesting contests took place
In the afternoon. Among these were:
Merry-go-round. Music by LakevilIs
Band all day long
Horseshoe Pitching Contest. 81 1st
prize: 81 for second prize
Creased Pole Contest. prize 81. byJ
d. Tbayer
BOYS 3-legeed race. pfize. one pocket
knife. by H, T. Shirk
Ladies' Nail-Driving Contest. S.
bottle Perfume. BY Abram Shafer
Boys Foot Race, under II years,
prize ST
Foot Race for Young Ladies under
ID years, 1st prize 81. 2nd prizs
81 worth Toilet Articles
Tug o. War between Marshall and
st. Joe counties. prize, box OF
cigars by Willis Iced
Fat Woman's R.ace. prize. pair
ladies fine shoes, BY Bessler &
Schaal
Bows Sack Race. prize ! COWBOYS
Knife by Gideon Logan
Potato Race for Boys under u years.
prize SOC
Besides these attractions there
We're several exhibitions of apricuL
tural implements on display. There
was also booth showing samples of
farm products and other interesting
exhibitions relating to Marshall coun-
ty.
A big free performance will be Civ
en- tonight and this promises to be a
great treat.
1t is estimated that FIVE or six
thousand people attended this picnic
saturday. About half of this number
we're from our county. the other be-
opeine to St, joe About 900 people
vent un from Plymouth on fhe
rains in the forenoon. to say nothing
IF the hundreds going in rigs of er-
srv sort. Nearly 1.0no had assembled
n the grove at 10: 100 a. m. and hun
lreds more came from South Bend
md thereabouts on the III :00 o'elock