The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1912-08-29
Old Settlers Memories,
Days Of Aud Lang Syne

F. Miller, Judge viele was selected
as orator of the day.
John Van yalkenburg, r. A. Russell,
III. G. Walker, John S. Kennedy and
Peter Miller We're appointed COM
mittee to make all necessary arrange
ments for good celebration"
All persons who came into the coun-
ty after the 4th day Of July 1910 and
up to the state organization" were
declared to be honorary members of
the association.
On motion of Alexander Cruik-
shanck, Hon. A. G. Dodge, of Burling-
ton was invited to be present at the
Fourth of July celebration.
First Annual Reunion.
The first annual reunion of the old
settlers of Lee county was the Fourth
OF July celebration at the fair grounds
at Fort Madison, July 4, 1871.
This was the first general meeting
of the organization enjoying its for
ty-second annual reunion in Keokuk
today. OF this first annual meeting
OF the pioneers OF Lee county The
Gate City had an extensive report
from which only the following para
graphs are reproduced for lack OF
space to give NOR liberal reproduc-
ton:
From all parts OF Lee county came
up the pioneers, their wives and chill
dren. 1t was gala day for them.
This retrospective view OF the halcyon
days and the sorrowful, weary, toll
some ones, would alike bring pleas
ant recollections to them as they re-
counted their hopes their trials and
their victories, for had they not per
formed their duty as God had best
given them the knowledge and accord
ing to their several abilities? vener-
able men were there. whose white
hairs and trembling limbs gave token
OF lengthy pilgrimage. More than
generation has passed since, In early
manhood, they crossed the Mississippi
to carry the blessings of civilization
into the wilds Of Iowa With strong
arms and true hearts they had battled
with the perils of border-life. and con-
quered The wilderness and solitary
place, today, as the result of their la
bors; buds and blossoms as the rose
Men in the prime OF manhood
were there who, although old settlers
are still comparatively young in years.
These came in boyhood's hopeful
hours, nobly assisted their elders in
the struggles incident to the pioneer,
and are worthy to share in the honor
and glory of the victory. With their
wives. children and friends, these
men came to greet each other, to re-
new the friendships of early years,
and to pledge to each other for the flu
ture strong and perfect fellowship.
All honor to the pioneers, the heroes
and heroines OF the past Future gem
erations Will arise and call them
blessed. It was appropriate that the
Fourth of July, our national holiday,
should be chosen for such gathering.
At an early hour in the morning,
the people commenced to come. Every
eioi0 ilOAu LILO cast, SUZUKI anu west
brought accessories to the numbers.
They came in wagons, carriages, on
horseback and on foot until the fair
grounds in the vicinity OF Fort Madi-
son was alive with people. The num-
Der present was estimated at between
four and FIVE thousand. The ar
rangements for the comfort of those
who came to celebrate the day were
creditable to the citizens of Fort
Madison who had the matter In
charge"
Judge yiele did not appear as ora
tor of the day and the address was
delivered by Hon. D. F. Miller. 1t was
brief and in keeping with the notable
occasion. In concluding his address
Mr. Miller said:
we. ! mean the old settlers. have
selected the Fourth of July of each
year as the annual celebration day of
our Old Settlers Association. So long