Bismarck daily tribune., 1915-11-21
OLD SETTLERS
HOLD REUNION;
WILL ORGANIZE
Those Here in Seventies Entertain
Residents Who Came in
the Eighties.
STEP TO. PRESERVE
HISTORICAL DATA
Excellent Program Presented at
Commercial Club-More
Than 300 Present.

HAL COV 1xcSeIG.
The most successful old settlers
reunion in the history of Bismarck
terminated at an hour perilously near
l O'Clock O. the Sabbath at the Com.
mercial club rooms this morning.
More than 800 pioneer residents who
had located in Bismarck or Burleigh
county in the seventies and eighties
turned out in response to the invita-.
tion of the committee of the seven
ties, and in point OF attendance: in
the excellence of the program given
and the degree of enthusiasm shown.
the gathering exceeded the eXpecta-
tions Of In most optimistic.
Came Early.
The old-timers began 10 gather as
early as o'clock, when they were
ushered into the large convention
hall Of the club, which was artisti-
cally decorated for the occasion with
flags, portraits Of Dakota's first ter
ritOrial and North Dakota's first state
governor; portraits, Of early mayors
and other leading citizens Of Bis
marck, with the national cOlors every
where AT one end of the room was
stationed, large show case, filled
with interesting photographs and
other mement0ess of long ago.
Long before $3.50, the hour set for
the opening Of the program, the hall
was filled, and every chair was occu.
pied. Il. A.. Williams. presiding. be-
gan the exercises with a graceful adj
dress of welcome to the eighties, de-,
livered on behalf OF the seventies. I
Musical Program. ,,,
Songs and musical selections were
given by Mrs f. Byrne, Miss Clara
Tatley, Miss Celia Connolly, Mrs.
Clara Lafsoh., Enmet Griffin and Miss
Bessie HoHah,, all of pioneer Bis.
marck barehtake, and addresses we're
delivered by" Joseph Hare and John
Yegen. The formal program was
concluded with the singing of "Auld
Lang Syne," in which the entire gath
ering joined. All of the selections
were favorites of long ago, each was
executed in a style which brought
forth generous and wel.merited ap-
plause. n
Experience Meeting.
After the set numbers had ,receiv-
ed due attention, the reunion resolv-
ed itself into an experience meeting.
in which various pioneers told OF
their early experiences and of their
affection for North Dakota generally
and Bismarck in particular. Among
the many who responded in happy
Vein were Dennis Hannipan. Thomas
Welch, William Falconer, Captain
John Belk, Philip Harvey, Mrs. II. R.
Marsh, Mrs. Mary Mclean, Mrs. w.
H. Weeb and Mrs. J. P. Dunn. All
said much that was worth remember
ing, and an effort will be made to re.
port the many good talks in full at
a later date.
Mrs. Dunn read from the first issue
OF the Bismarck Tribune and excerps
were given from the notes kept by
Mark Kellogg of the Custer expedi
tiOn.
To Organize Association.
The organization of an old settlers
association then was taken up. E. A.
Williams presided and Mrs Mary
Mclean acting as secretary The fol-
lowing committee was named: Mrs.
J. P. Dunn, '73; Mrs. Mary J. Mclean,
IA; Mrs. w. H. Webb, rs; William
Falconer, "a; Mrs. Phoebe Marsh,
~; Joseph Hare. '7S; John Belk. '6S.
This committee will formulate plans
for the incorporation of permanent
organization and will report al a
meeting to be held at some later date.
Everyone who attended last evening
was heartily in favor of the organi-
Zation Of an association which will
meet at least once year and will
thus assist in preserving records of
great value to posterity, at the same
time furnishing an opportunity for
the pioneers of the present to keep
alive old friendships.
Many who attended last evening
could not wait to register. For their
benefit the register will be kept open
at the Commercial club Office for the
next several days. It is desired to
have complete list in order that all
may have a hand in the organization.
Before adiOurning, there was adopt
ed on the motion of II. l.. Reade, a
Totion rendering to the pioneers of
the seventies, last evenings hosts
and hostesses. the thanks and sincere
compliments of TIE eighties for the |
fine entertainment given.
The members of the executive com.
mittee are so modest that they de- |
cline to permit the use of their |
names. It may he stated. however. |
that to this group of ladies of the
seventies, with one or two mere men
thrown in inst for good measure, is
due the credit for one Of the most |
it not the very best, event |
for which the Commercial club has
stood sponsor since its occupancy OF i
the present quarters. l