Omaha daily bee., 1912-02-24
0LD-TIMERS TALK And sing
Pioneers Hold Mid-Winter Reunion
at Baright Hall.
ALL JOIN IN VIRGINIA REEL
Incidents of Days when Omaha Wa,
Bnt speck on Map Recalled in
Storfes-OId fiddlers
There.

Incrts
Stories OF the time when Omaha had
q population OF se. early experiences OF
pioneer people in q land wsr-ridden by
Indians, songs and dances-these enter
tainments held a crowd OF 800 settlers an
interested audience all day yesterday at
the annual midwinter reunion OF the
Douglas County Pioneers association IN
Baright hail
There are 800 members Or the assocls-
ton. but some were sick. others were
opt Of the city and stin others could not
attend the reunion. This necessitated q
change In the program. which. however.
did not include set speeches and tire
some stretches OF oratory. William kier-
stead had charge Of the meeting and
Mrs. Al Sorenson and Mrs. Josephine
Carroll Joined with him and about TWEEN
ty-five others TO make II the most In
teresting and pleasant social the old set
tiers ever held.
All present stood and sang America"
and after invocation by Rev. T. J.
Macksy. Mayor Dahlman made an ad-
dress OF welcome. He took the place Of
Fred Lowe, who was III at home.
When these words OF welcome fall
from my lips" said the mayor. thou
sands Of hearts will beat in time to them.
for all greet you with the best wishes.
You have done your part, and Il Is up to
US and We are ready to do our Part
A. y. Yost, president of the sssocia-
ton. responded to the mayors address,
saying Il was a pleasure TO him to show
off before his fellow pioneers and that
he could talk for hours. bat he was afraid
1t would not be interesting TO all.
Following Mr.. Yost the Misses Elsie
and Augusta Mengedoht brought down
the blessings of the house when they
played old-time patriotic songs. Recita-
tons and song filled out the program,
which was interspsrsed with five-minute
"reminiscences by the pioneers At the
close OF the program the tenor OF the
whole meeting was suddenly changed.
George R. Rathbun and W. II. Dunn
raised their tri'd and trusty fiddles TO
their chins ed began playing the old
time dance tunes.
wv "i-lu'ns y. y 80 - -, -.
eseois NV W. o,ue, i'''u " .O'
inc Nsnie '' 'eos su"
eAeu - ~. ~.
Waru anu JAIN W "o ,
ladies' to the right. outward march,"
Gent pass the lsay ana iady pass tue
gent came the commands. and the gray
haired boys and girls caught step and
for hours danced 70 the hVeiy music Oh
the violins.
Its leap year" said sweet-faced girl
Of 6. speaking TO Mayor Dahlman The
mayor Is sort Of strong with the women
anyway and he didn't need second in
vitstion. Give US Old Dan Tucker. he
requested and again the pioneers ieit 'ne
years slough from them and were back
In the days when the heart was young
and youth called to adventure for love
and fortune.
Never was such day spent by those
to whom credit must be given for laying
the cornerstone OF Nebraska A oounteous
luncheon was served shortly after noon
and little groups gathered about the hail
to renew acauaintsnces. tighten the bonds
Of friendship and tell OF the crude. Wild
days whom Omaha was on the edge OF
the Great American desert, which eminent
authorities Declared weusd aawsys De
desert.
Pioneers Joined In unanimous effort TO
make the social unique and It was a
unanimous verdict that pronounced the
efforts completely successful Assisting
prominently In the entertainment OF .hs
pioneers and their guests were; Mary
Taylor, Edith sayre. Mary c. Fernanton,
Helen Durham, ID. =. Redman, Joe Red
man. Emma Feenan, Ada McGinn, Mrs.
Jennie L. Maglnn. Mrs. Mary LANCE, Mrs.
John Little, Mrs. Al sorenson, Mrs. JOS
ephine Carroll, Mrs. James Kennedy and
others.
Scarcely a. member gathered at the
meeting but what had participated in
some episode Of historical interest TO the
FROM sg Ss s .ns s.p sso , ana e ass
prosper IN II. marvsOu' ma ann no r,, %