Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1915-08-05
400 IOWanS Picnic
In Ashland Park

Four hundred former Iowans from
every part of southern Oregon gath
cred under the trees in Ashland park
last Friday and enjoyed the annual
Iowa picnic. AS each arrival regis
tered his name, present address and
former address in Iowa, he was CIV
en- an old gold badge provided by
Ashland Iowans. The time from -
to 1880 was spent in doing justice to
the picnic dinner spread in the shade,
in family and neighboring groups.
Following this, c. B. Lamkin Of
Ashland called the gathering to or
der at the round table and intro
duced Mr.. +. V. Coffin of Medford,
who presided. Editor Wolf Of the
Ashland Record on behalf of Ashland
made a witty address of welcome,
which was responded to by a rising
vote of the assemblage. Fred Mears
Of Medford spoke Of the Hawkeye
state and its influence on western
development.
Mr. Thomas of Talent thoughtful
ly reviewed the reasons why Iowa
takes its high position, morally and
economically. B. F. Mulkey of Med
ford followed in twenty-minute ad-
dress on Iowa as seen from the out
side. In this he well sustained his
reputation as a public speaker.
The musical selections of the pro-
gram, solos by Mrs. Wolf of Ashland
and Miss Iva Coffin of Medford,
were excellently rendered and
pleased the audience. No less pleas
ing was the martial music of the G.
A. R. drum corps. At the close OF
the program Southern Oregon Iowa
Association was effected, the officers
OF which for the coming year are:
President, C. d. Hoon of Medford;
secretary-treasurer Mrs. Boehling Of
Medford. The vice-presidents are
the heads OF the local societies-C.
B. Lamkin of Ashland, c. NJ. Thomas
OF Talent, Mr.. Hopkins of Central
Point, o. S. Blanchard Of Grants
Pass, the Gold Hill head to be named
later.
A permanent organization was
then formed consisting Of the Iowa
societies of southern Oregon. 1t is
hoped that by next year Roseburg
and klamath Falls will be represent
ed.
Much enthusiasm was evident and
a good solid organization resulted.
The executive committee is to consist
of the officers. The committee on
organization consisted Of Mrs. Myron
Sheets, C. B. Lamkin and F. G. Nc
Williams.
A feature of the program was the
singing of the Iowa song, which was
printed upon cards and distributed to
the crowd.
After the business of the day had
been disposed Of, the remainder OF
the afternoon was spent in partici-
pating in and watching various sports
and games. A feature Of the athletic
events was the winning of the ladies'
race by Mrs. Clara True. c. B. Lam
kin won the fat mans race after a
close heat with F. G. McWilliams,
who says he would have won but for
losing his hat. Mr.. McWilliams says
that Lamkin was not fat enough any
how, but that they are going to corn
feed him in anticipation of next
years event. The winners of the la
dies and the fat mems races then
met and Mrs. True defeated Mr. Lam
kin in a close finish. A riproaring
pillow fight concluded the program
and caused much merriment. Every
body had most jolly time and look
forward to the next picnic which will
be held next summer. A mid-year
meeting will be held this winter. At
the end of a column article on the
picnic the Medford Sun says:
1T was a day long to be remem-
bered and may we have many more
of them. The thanks of the associa-
ton are due to all those who partici-
pated in the splendid program, to
the members of the different COM
mittees having charge of the pro-
gram, of the arrangements and OF
the sports, to the Chautauqua Asso-
citation for the use of the grounds
and last but not least to the Ashland
contingent, which furnished the best
coffee ever brewed.