The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1911-06-09

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The annual picnic and gathering
Settlers association which was held
at the beautiful grove of Judd Cor
nell's, Old Mapleton, three miles
southwest of Mapleton village, yes
terday, was a browning success in
every particular. The day was ideal
kato was splendid considering the
hard rain of Monday. Going south
from Mankato the regular Mapleton
road is travelled to Decoria, and from
there is well dragged after each rain.
The rainfall was quite heavy south
extend further than Mapleton village.
The shower passed over the section
south of there. On all the princi-
pal roads leading to MankatO from
the various towns in the county the
drag is used extensively, and where
no graveling has been done, day
or two after rain the liberal use
of the road drag makes wheeling
or autoing pleasure.
Crops Look Fine.
The crops could hardly present a
finer outlook anywhere than on the
way to Mapleton. Wheat, oats and
corn are from six to ten inches high
and presented a color of thrift that
betokens magnificent crops. Farm
ers are busy now cultivating corn
and preparing for the hay crop soon
to be cut Fruit trees are well
loaded and barring hail storms, will
yield abundantly.
About one thousand people drove
to the picnic grounds yesterday, and
the gathering included class of
enterprsing, thrifty and intelligent
people such as is seldom found In
gatherings of this kind. The grounds
are ideally located, in a grove of
young maple trees; a flowing spring
of cool water, race track at the
edge of the timber and all within
few rods of Mr.. and Mrs. Cornell's
house. This annual gathering has
heretofore been held in Sterling one
year, and in Mapleton the next, but
yesterday the association decided to
make the Cornell grounds the per
manent meeting place. 1t was no
ticeable yesterday that between forty
and fifty automobiles were on the
grounds, and that many living at
distance who could not get there by
team in the past, came in autos. The
automobile is a distance shortener.
The Cornell grove is but one-half
mile from the original TOWNSHIP laid
out in the early day, where many
lots were sold. However, it was later
homesteaded. The survey was made
by Engineer M. B. Haynes.
Familiar Faces Were There.
A large tent was erected over the
speakers stand which made it pleas
anter for all. Here was held the
business meeting. the addresses
given, the music and the main part
of the excellent program. On the
platform were some familiar faces
men who seldom miss an annual
gathering. The ranks of the pioneers
and members are thinning. All per-
sons who located in Minnesota prior
to 1876 are eligible to membership,
but the men who are members COM
ing here in the fifties, have nearly
all passed away. Among those on
the platform noticed were James
Douglas, Sterling; George Mckay,
Do al praf No
William Wild, New York; E. E.
Cooper, Mankato Frederick Miller,
New York; Robert Curry, Sterling;
Sam Burgess, Mankato. Mr.. Wild
was formerly a Mapleton resident,
but now resides in New York. He
came from his present home to be
in attendance at the gathering where
he could meet and greet his old
friends. He is lightweight years old,
and came to Minnesota in 1855. Dur
ing the afternoon he was called on
to sing Ben Bolt" which he rem.
dered nicely for one of his years,
and responded to hearty encore
by singing Silver Threads Among
the Gold" While rendering the lat
ter he was showered with bouquet
of roses.
President William Hall of Sterling
makes an excellent presiding officer
and hts Introductory remarks to the
various speakers were happily made
in clear, resonant tones.
The Woods quartet is composed
of H. e. Woods, Amboy; E. w
Washburn, Garden City; George
John, Vernon Center; and J. L. Tall
man. Vernon Center. Their singing
was a charming feature of the days
pleasure. All have splendid voices,
and their clear notes sweetly echoed
in the beautiful grove. They gave
several selections during the day.
Address BY Rev. McCiary.
Rev. Thomas McClary's address, a
synopsis of which was published in
The Free Press Yesterday, was rich