Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1912-08-17
over 1000 co
BACK TO AGENCY
SEVENTEENTH ANNUAL REUNION
CELEBRATED YESTERDAY
WITH TALKS.
FIRST SETTLER THERE.
Sports and Music, Together with
Community Dinner viii Long Be
Remembered BY Residents
of Historic Town.
FIRST SETTLER THERE.

one of the biggest and DeSC Gays tnd
has ever been held in the old town
The people came from near and far
in automobiles, buggies, afoot anc
horseback, and enjoyed one OF the
most rousing reunions Of their lives
Streblows grove, where the picnic was
held Is an ideal place, with stately
oak and elm trees and green grass
and is within easy walking distance
from town. The crowd began coming
early in the morning, with baskets
buckets and tub loads of good things
to eat, This was the seventeenth an
nual reunion of all men who made the
run in 1843, and the way they re
sponded to the call to the old stamp
| ing grounds will long be remembered
by the residents Of that historic town
Mrs. M. E. McMinn, of Agency, was
an honored guest at the homecoming
Yesterday, as she is one of the Oldest
residents of Agency, coming here when
she was five years old, the day before
the run, In 1S43.
Meal Was Big Event.
The exercises Of the day were in full
blast at IL o'clock when dinner was
called. This community meal was the
one big event of the day. This was the
time when everybody became acqua1nt-
ed. renewed old friendships and met
long lost relatives. Over the piles OF
fried chicken, cakes, and pies old mem
ories were brought hack, old tales re-
told, and such a flow Of good cheer
trat it will last until next year. The
orDoon exercises were opened at
W. A. Work of Ottumwa. who
on the program in the morning,
but could not get there in time, re-
sponded to the address OF welcome
given in the morning by DR.. D. McEld-
cry. Mr.. Work made the announce
ment that as he did not hear the ad-
dress he would say everything he could
and then he would be sure to cover
everything. His talk was good and
much appreciated. His remarks were
true and loyal and full Of the love of
home, Of patriotism and good will.
The male quartet sang a patriotic
air, and then followed ten minute talks
by number Of men. A. l.. Criley was
the first and welcomed the people with
hearty words of appreciation and love.
o. I. Truitt, returned missionary
spoke along the lines of good citizen
ship and loyal Americans. He aroused
all to q better understanding Of the
word America, and of being proud of
the country that gave them birth. j.
A. Israel of Denver, a former resident
Of Agency, then assured the large
crowd of his JOY at being able to get
back to the old home and look into the
faces Of friends and relatives. He told
how the love for home was ever in his
veins, and when the call came to re-
turn and celebrate on August Is, the
train could hardly bring him fast
enough.
Dr.. Jeffrey Appreciated.
The fife and drum corps of Ottum-
wa composed Of William Musselman,
T. W. Hollingsworth. Frank Mussel-
man and A. Hampshire then gave a
rousing number and everybody appre.
clated this martial music. The last on
the program was the address by DR..
T. w. Jeffrey, pastor Of the First M.
e. church Ottumwa. He was greeted
with applause, and in his opening re-
marks his humor cropped out. He
said, II can see why they called upon
these other men to talk to you, be-
cause they have lived here and are
one Of you, but the only reason can
see for calling upon me to talk, is be-
cause am reported to be the brain
lest man in the state, and also the best
looking" DR.. Jeffrey spoke of patriot
ism and the spirit of hospitality; of
the love of home and the lure Of re-
turning to home scenes and the reunit-
Ing OF broken ties The talk of this
orator was worth the long Journeys
that some had taken. He urged loyal
ty to country, home and friends in such
a way that all that heard him will be
better and appreciate more the privi-
Iege Of being an American born citi-
zen. The male quartet then sang a !
closing number and the sports were
started.
Sports Were Lively.
The ball game between the married
men and the single men resulted in the
score of to 1 in favor of the married
men. The tug Of war between Agency
and Washington township
resulted in the Washington boys pull |
Ing the Agency boys all over the place. |
The premium was box of cigars. In
me egg race IOr DOyS uuueT fourteen
Raymond Bachelor of Ottumwa won
first place and received 81. Clark !
Wheaton of Agency was second, re-
ceiving so cents.
A bull fight with all the Spanish |
'inishings and costumes was next |
pulled off, Six little boys dressed in |
costumes Of red and yellow entered
he arena first, followed by two pranc-
ng white steeds that galloped round
md round with their riders getting !
.eady for the entrance Of the bull.
The bull came with a below, and
ashed its tail in a frightful manner. |
The red flag was Haunted in its face, |
md it was proded with sharp sticks un- |
IL 1t was so infuriated that charge |
vas made and one noble charger bit |
he dust. Again the tormenters waved |
he red flag and again the bull made |
he charge, but this time he went down |
% ignominous death, and the bloody !
gnominous death, and the bloody
light was ended, The crowd then |
started Tor the town and the annual