West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1915-09-16

4" lhe grove aulOlnlnB Mountain View
church, near Tunnelton, on last Sun
day. September IL. 1915. These fami-
lies, long inter-married and now nu-
merous and influential, together with
their connections. mustered on this &C.
cation to the number OF two hundred
and fifty persons coming from Nor
gantown, Fairmont, Rowlesburg. Egg
Ion, Aurora. Amblersburg, Terra Alta.
Sinclair, Etam, Fellowsville, Frost
burg. Md, Akron, Ohio. and Washing
ton, ID. C., in addition TO the greater
number who are located in and around
Tunnelton. Beside the WiIes and
Watkins clans, some two hundred OF
their neighbors and friends assembled
with them to do honor to the occa-
sion and to join in the royal good
time that always attends these annual
events.
The platform I'm the grove was dress
ed In bunting and FIVE U. s. flags way
ed above the speakers stand. Two
Dolts or red, white and blue bunting
had been festooned from the small
trees standing between the grove and
the public road, thus giving the whole
scene gala appearance. The weather
was as fine, clear and mellow "a ~
made to order, and the people came
on foot and in every kind of vehicle.
from the farmers road wagon to the
latest model in swell automobiles.
n cabinet organ on the platform
led the vocal music, which was the
chief feature of the entertainment be-
fore dinner. Among those who as
sisted in the excellent singing were
Mrs. VIII West, Rose Buckalew, Ber-
tie Danser, Amanda Spangler, Jehu
Knots, Sullivan Rexroad, Ethel
Wiles, Gussie Bolyard, Agnes McGin
mis-, Mary Ellen West, John Buckaiew.
Clay Buckalew, George Wiles and Jas.
Buckalew.
AT the witching hour OF twelve this
lmproVised choir ceased to MARBLE, and
long tables were hastily constructed
from reversed seats, upon which were
spread snowy linen and an abundance
or those delicacies which serve to
cheer the inner man and to make So
cial beings of us all. Two hours of
roasting, jest, banter and repartee fol-
lowed-which some were inclined tn
consider the best part of the days
program.
FINALLY the relentless hand of time
pointed to two o'clock, and that me-
lodious choir" once more woke the
echoes among the tall timber. and
when they subsidized the chairman let
loose D B. S. Rankin, who proceeded
TO convulse the audience with one of
mis- characteristic funny speeches, in
terspersed with good common sense
In large chunks. The doctor is a gem
lus In his way and as fond of yellow
legged chicken as any Methodist
preacher.
The choir sang again and then Mrs.
Will West was introduced and enter
tanned the large audience with an
elaborate and carefully prepared aG-
uress suitable to the occasion. MIS-
West is a prime favorite with the u.o-
pie herc, and her fine spec n needs
no comment. Once more the choir
raised their tuneful voices and made
the maple leaves tremble on their tiny
stems. When the last echo had died
away along the mountain side. William
&. Lavelle, the Tunnelton postmaster.
was introduced and delivered the clos
ing address. Now, Junior is not ONLY
master OF the post but also master of
an eloquent tongue and a trained
mind. He used both to good advan-
tage on this occasion, peppering his
remarks with Celtic wit and sailing
them down with good American hum
or. Like the other speakers, he drew
rounds of applause and shouts OF
laughter from the enthusiastic audi
ence, which did not seem to need the
diagram of joke, nor the blue print
OF witticism, in order to comprehend
and appreciate them.
After Junior Lavelle's speech the
choir sang a number of selections.
closing with God be With You Till
we Meet Again." and then the Wat
kins-Wiles reunion gradually disin-
tegrated and dissolved by slow de-
grees. 1t will materialize again some
time in September, 1916, in the same
grove.
at this point Ed Clark, the Kodak
man, got in his work by making a
picture of the family connections
each decorated by his or her family
badge of red, white and blue ribbon
which is destined to become historic.
The committee having the reunion
OF 1915 in charge consisted of David L.
Wiies, Charles Cool, Ellis Wiles and
George Wiles. The four Oldest per
sons present were James Watkins.
Sged So; Mrs. Mary A. Cassidy. 20.
Mrs. Debby Wiles, 70; and Mrs. Chris
teha Buckalew, sail children OF
James and Sarah Watkins. who settled
In the wilds Of what is now Reno dis
trict more than century ago. and
spent their long and active lives I'm
helping to redeem the land from the
primeyal forest, and in causing it to
blossom as the rose.
W. SCOTT GARNER.
k
HONOR ROLL.
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