The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1912-12-13
Old SETTLERS
MEETING SUCCESS

Valley City, N. D., Dec. 13.-With
nearly 200 old settlers of Barnes coun-
~ present, the sem1-annual reunion OF
the Old Settlers association was the
biggest sort of a success-probably the
best in point of numbers of any since
the organization was formed more
than a year ago..
The country districts gave Valley
City a lesson in attendance. Those
from outside Of the city outnumbering
local members by more thar two to
one, although a goodly number Of the
old settlers from Valley City were
preparing the feast OF good things in
the basement of the armory during
the afternoon session.
Hon. ID. S. Richie of this city was
the first speaker on the programme
after the formal opening of the after
noon meeting by VIM. Mexican, presi-
dent of the association. from Sanborn.
Mr.. Richie made an eloquent and
earnest address, complimenting the
attendance, and urging their active
cooperation at this meeting to make
the organization SO permanent that it
would become a part of the life of the
county. He declared that the mem
bers were making history when they
formed the association. TT is not at
a crucial STAGE" he said, land every
AAANAab III oAAN - VIA rs SIIRlDIS
should join to make it a success"
Andrew Brimer was called on for
"reminiscences, but oontented himself
with expressing his pleasure at at
tending the meeting, and his good
wishes for the future of the society.
Mrs. W~estergaard gave an i'm
promptu talk on her experiences in
the early days, when most of the fam
lilies "trekked' with teams of oxen.
and when only an occasional shack
marked the country where now stands
hundreds of beautiful homes.
VIM. Coop was asked to address the
meeting, but he modestly assured the
audience that he was not. a speaker,
and resigned his place to Jno. Marsh,
who served with Generals Sibfey and
Sully in the Indian campaigns through
this section of North Dakota in the
early sixties.
j.. S. Weiser, who came to Barnes
county in the late seventies, paid an
eloquent tribute to the old settlers of
the county for what they have enddr-
ed and suffered to make the homes
which they and their children now en-
joy.
Among the other speakers were r.
H. Whitcter, James Daily, Mrs. Miller
Of Sanborn and others. Each one Of
these gave interesting experiences Of
the early days.
"a = az ~ EE a fcpNkdh AIlA E itONIlIlld-
tons and election of officers was held.
d. W. Clark was unanimously elected
president and i j. Moe, secretary.
Each of the newly eietced officers ex-
pressed his appreciation in a short
speech.
After a bounteous diner served at
6:S0, the guests repaired to the arm
CRY, where -, w. Clark, as chairman
introduced Mayor Platou, who spoke
appreciatingly of the. work that the
Old settlers had done and whaf a
grand organization it had already
grown to be. Then Mrs. w. T. Cras-
we'll, with her own accompaniment,
sang very beautifully Silver Threads
Among the Gold, She was heartily
encored and responded with the win
some Scotch son Comm Thru the
Rye. after which Mrs. Froysaa and
Mrs. Craswell sang a duet, Sweet
and Low. The programme was con-
Guided with Aud Lang Syne, sang
by Mrs. Craswell, with the audience
Joining In the chorus. ID. w. Clark
and Mrs. Morrafiety danced an Irish
jig, accompanied by the Morrartety
orchestra, with such fEiTnbleness and
grace that could only have been equal
cd by the professional. This so de-
lighted the guests that they were
heartily encored and happily respond
ed again and again, only retiring when
WEAKNESS 0yercame them.
Dancing to the strains or q seven
piece orchestra WIS then INDUCED In
until q late hour and many a pioneer
tripped the Virginia reel, the pigeon
wing and the money musk.