The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1914-09-20
Green Bay, John Morgan; Madison.

FOASCA lay SOAA NkOAG 0A NA0Ql0OuS
Peter Miller.
D. f. Miller. r. Mcfarland and e.
McCulloch were appointed a commit
tee to prepare a constitution and by
laws for the government OF the assoc
citation.
The Fourth OF July was selected
for the first annual celebration Of the
association and on motion Of D. F.
Miller, Judge Viele was selected as
orator OF the day.
John Van Valkenburg, r. A. Rus
sell. ]. G. Walker and Peter Miller
were appointed q committee Ito make
all necessary arrangements for good
celebration.
All persons who came into the
county after the Fourth of July, 1910,
and up to the state organization We're
declared to be honorary members OF
the association.
On motion OF Alexander Cruick-
shank, Hon. A. G. Dodge Of Burling-
ton, was invited to be present at the
celebration Of the Fourth Of July next
(1871.)
Article OF the constitution as
adopted declared that this association
is organized for the purpose Of COM
memorating, by an annual celebration,
or otherwise, as the association shah
from time to time, determine, the
early settlement of Lee county, Iowa.
and to cement and keep In lively re-
membrance OF the old settlers, the
acquaintance and friendship OF their
pioneer lives.
Article II declares all persons
eligible to membership who came to
the county prior to July 1, 1910, and
fixed the membership fee at fifty
cents.
The officers of the association were
designated-a president, sixteen vice
presidents, secretary, corresponding
secretary, treasurer and marshal, to
he elected at the annual celebrations.
First Annual Celebration.
The first annual celebration Of the
Old Settlers association Of Lee coun-
ty was held at the fair grounds near
Fort Madison, July 4, 1871. 1t was
after considerable canvassing among
the older citizens that this fact was
verified and not sufficiently then to
satisfy the sketcher, SO he appealed az
last resort-the last court-to the
old reliable, preserved copy OF The
Gate City, dated July 8, 1871, to make.
the veri1cation doubly sure, and this
is the way 1t made its Introductory
read in giving the report OF the days
proceedings:
From all parts Of Lee county, came
up the pioneers, their wives and chill
dren. 1t was gala day for them.
For they were to live over the past.
The 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 they: had not per-
formed their duty as God had best
given them the knowledge. and &C.
cording to their several abilities. Ven
cradle men were there, whose white
hairs and trembling limbs gave token
of lengthy pilgrimage More than
a generation had passed since they
in early manhood. crossed the Mis-
sissippi to carry the blessings of civil
lization into the wilds Of Iowa. With
strong arms and true hearts they had
battled with the perils OF border life
and conquered-the wildness and soli-
tary place today, as the result of their
labors, buds and blossoms as the rose.
Men although old settlers and still
comparatively young in years. These
came in boyhoods hopeful hours,
nobly assisted their elders in the
struggle 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 for the future, a
strong and perfect fellowship. All
honor to the pioneers, the heroes of
the past-future generations will
arise and call them blessed"
And The Gate City of today feels It
in its heart to echo warmly and rev.
erently the sentiment All honor to
the pioneers, the heroes and heroines
of the past and their surviving de-
scendants-the present and future
generations will arise and call them
blessed.
From the old Gate City are cleaned
and condensed other details OF the
notable event.
The fair grounds where the celebra-
ton was held. are located short dis
lance below the city, and are excel
lently adapted for such an occasion,
as well as for fair purposes. They
consist of thirty acres substantially
fenced and supplied with ali the
necessary buildings and plenty Of
water. The grove on the grounds, in
which the exercises of the day took
place, is beautiful and was fitted up
with seats and very tasty speakers
stand.
The arrangements for the comfort