Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1914-09-30
HORTICULTURAHSTS
HOLD BIG PICNIC
Annual HOrticultn Picnic at City
Park on Sunday . aaght Out
Big CrtT
EXERCISES HELD M
HONOR DEPARTE MEMBERS
Prominent Speakers Dels ed Ex.
cellent Addresses, and t. Con
gregational Church Ch ~
Rendered Pleasing
Vocal Selections.

The Horticulturists of Winnie
shiek assembled at their annual pic
mic with their respective families in
the beautiful City Park of Decorah,
the most attractive and romantic
park within a radius of a hundred
miles or more and the most ideal
place maginable for such purposes.
The tables were soon filled as
the dinner baskets were emptied and
table linen spread on the green
lawns and surrounded by hungry
looking, but happy men, women
and children here and there all over
the Park, made an impression on the
thoughtful and observing eye not
easily forgotten, and this elegant
style of dinner was made complete
by Mrs. VIM. Hauswirth's hot coffee,
mixed to perfection by rich Jersey
cream from the Hauswirth family
well known prize winning Jerseys.
When the appointed hour came
the society members with their
families and other friends took seats
in the band stand and on seats all
round on the ground and the exer-
cises were commenced under the Iii
rection of Vice President John Har'
ter of Locust, by the rendering OF a
vocal selection by the Congregations
al choir.
Mr.. Harter then in few words
extended TO the audience a short ad
dress of welcome, in which he
touched upon the fact that two OF
the best and most respected mem
bers or the Society were not with
them this time, and that the meet
ing was held to the memory of their
departed brethern. He also called
attention to the fact that it was SC
necessary for the young Horticul
ttralist now, more then ever, to take
4 hold and become members, as the
veterans were becoming grey and
old and would not be able to contin
ue their life's work in the future as
I they had done in the past.
The choir then rendered another
vocal selection which was very ap-
propriate and highly appreciated.
The principal address was then
made by Atty. E. w. Cutting, who
held his audience with the closest
attention for about half an hour
with his usual eloquence and ability
He first alluded to the possibil-
ties and opportunities of thu
fruit growers in this locality, as he
proved by unquestionable evidences
that Iowa is the best fruit produc
ing country known. taking markets
and all other conditions and facili
ties into consideration. He then
paid a high tribute to the Societie'!
departed members, Mr.. Henry Paine
and Edward Brakeman, dwelling al
length on their work to aid the Hor-
ticultural Society, and also calling
attention to the home of Mr.. Paine
which is known to contain the best
kept private grounds known in this
part of the state.
Mr.. o. o. Lomen, secretary of the
Society, then delivered his address
which we publish in full below:
when we meet at our customary
annual summer picnic it is with oul
hearts filled with joy as we antici
pate the pleasure of the days festi
vities. But our happiness today is
however clouded with the solemn
thought Of our departed brother
members, who so suddenly were
called away, not by reason of the in
firmities Of age, but right in the
vigor of manhood while diligently
pursuing their respective duties as
husbands and fathers. We are not
able to understand why the society
should be deprived of two of its most
influential members and the com
munity of two of it's best citizens
but such is life. How fully we must
realize that the ways and thoughts
of the Lord are not our ways and
thoughts.
1t is a pleasure to me to think
that I was permitted to enjoy quite
an extensive acquaintance with
these venerable gentlemen and it is
an equal pleasure to have an oppor-
tunity to testify to their noble char
acters, although knowing too well
that | am incompetent to do the sub
ject ample justice.
Ever since the days of my youth
/ remember the safely, gentlemanly
and refined appearance of Mr.. Hen
nv Paine and his attractive mansion
Continued on page ~