Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1913-08-28
THE ILLINOIS PICNIC
Over 800 Present TO Enjoy The In.
tereStlng Program
ADDRESS BY c. /. WASH0URM
J. R. Bateman Elected President, C. F. Halnline
SeG'y and Treas.


Thursday, August 21st, the day set
for the annual picnic of the Illinois
residents of Gratiot county, opened
with one of the heaviest thunder
showers of the season. For nearly
an hour the lightning flashed, thun-
der rolled and rain fell in torrents.
By nine O'Clock the storm broke and
the sun came out with sufficient
warmth to dry the park so that at
noon tables were spread with the
good things from the farm and city
and two hundred or more former Ill
inoisians were soon busy enjoying
as good a dinner as was ever spread
out of doors During the noon hour
the Alma city band made its ap-
pearance and taking possession of the
grand stand soon added to. the plea
sure of the occasion by rendering
several selections which were thor
oughly appreciated, as evidenced by
the applause which greeted each num-
Der. Following dinner and a social
hour, President c. F. Hainline called
the crowd together and in few we'll
chosen remarks introduced Rev. w.
H. Mason Of the First Presbyterian
church, a former resident of the
Sucker state, who opened the pro-
gram with prayer. The chairman
then introduced Mr.. Carl H. Wash
b,,-- ooeb;a- 80 +ba E;re+ Got. haply
who gave the address of welcome.
Mr. Washburn's address was full of
thought for all present and held the
close attention of the three hundred
or more listeners. He said in part.
In being permitted to appear be-
fore you this afternoon at this third
annual picnic of Illinois farmers and
to speak to you for few moments
! assure you that | appreciate the
opportunity and the honor thus con-
ferred upon me.
When your committee spoke with
me several days ago about your re-
quest that | make an address of well
come, | was inclined to remember
my failings and to decline to serve
in this capacity; but as l looked
about in all directions of the COM
pass, | could think of you people,
could see how closely many of your
lives have been interviewer with
mine in our business, social and reli-
gious activities, and being grateful to
you for your assistance in our en-
.deavor to be of service to this COM
munity, / found it impossible to say
no. So ] am here to enjoy your pro-
gram of good things which will fol-
low the few broken remarks that ]
may be able to make
believe that about four years ago,
during the spring OF 1909, was first
aware that Illinois people were pur-
chasing farms and moving to this
community. | think that Mr.. James
Beery, Mr.. c. F. Hainline and Mr.
John Barry and their families were
the first with whom / became ac-
quainted. Since that time our real
estate men seem to have been quite
successful in impressing upon the
minds of the people of Champaign
county, Illinois, the fact that its cit
izens were welcome in Gratiot coun-
ty, Michigan.
The difference Of $1G0 to $3.50 per
acre in the selling value of farm land
and the fact that our county with its
cheaper land will produce-take it
one year after another as many
dollars worth of farm products per
acre as the more expensive land of
Champaign county, has been a strong
to you to leave your
friends and all the ties that bind one
to home, to make for yourselves and
your families new friends and new
homes with us.
The state of Illinois is great state
and ranks high among the states of
the Union in its agricultural prod
ucts, in its manufactures, its coal
mines and its general wealth, but it |
is known by all the other states as
the Sucker state. And do not |
blame you people for moving when
you can change a nickname from
Sucker to Wolverine.
But as | look into your faces and |
have become better acquainted with
some of you | have concluded that |
you have not come to Michigan sim
ply because that in Illinois you were
Suckers, nor with the thought that
Michigan offered an opportunity to
invest small amount of money with
! promise of large and quick returns.
II you did come with that thought
you may be disappointed
/ do think that some OF our far
ners are making a mistake and pos
'ibly some of you people are making
he same mistake in trying to culti-
'ate and pay for too many acres of
and. A farmer who is paying inter-
sst on fifty per cent or more Of the