The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1916-06-16
An Address BY Governor J. A,
A. Burnquist Featured the
Occasion
Interesting and Entertaining
Program Held Attention of
Audience
From Wednesdays DaHv.


For DAYS preparations have been
under way for the greatest meeting
of the Old Settlers association ever
held in Blue Earth county. The large
new tent, fine new grandstand have
been erected and the grounds put in
to the best possible shape for the
guests of the day. Various estimates
have been made, but it is conceded
that fully $500 people enjoyed the
picnic in the beautiful grove on the
]. H. Cornell place in Old MapletOn.
The roads leading there had been
placed in the best condition possible
and from early morning carriages and
automobiles could be seen vending
their way in the direction of the pic
mic grounds. Every available auto
was pressed into the "jitney" service
between town and the grounds and
not one accident so far as could be
learned, occurred to mar the pleasures
of the day. The crowd was handled
with ease and dispatch by those of
former experience and all are loud
in praise of the management, who
labored so strenuously for the en-
joyment of all. A slight shower in
the early morning delayed the gath
ering of the crowd, but promptly at
eleven o'clock the president, ]. H.
Dobie, announced the beginning of
the program by the Sterling cornet
band, which had been entertaining
the crowd while they were gathering.
The day proved to be a perfect day.
Old Glory was given prominent
place as a background for the stage
The program commenced with a sell
ection by the Sterling cornet band,
followed with an invocation by Rev.
Edmund Larke, after which the audi
ence sang America"
Address of Welcome.
The address of welcome was given
by H. c.. Hotaling, who on behalf Of
the old settlers, welcomed all to this
meeting. He spoke as follows:
More than sixty years ago, the
pioneers settled here, on the best
land the sun shines on, AS an evil
modern homes, telephones and autos
They came to carve out homes for
themselves. Our Fathers and mothers
were the forerunners or our prosper
ity. Let us make conditions better
and better for those who follow" He
closed by reciting the poem Ring
Out the Old Ring in the New" This
was followed by solo by Miss Flor
ence McQuiggan, who sang "In the
Land of Long Ago. to the delight of
all and responded to an encore. Miss
McQuiggan possesses a well trained
voice, which is always a delight to
hear.
The response to the welcome was
given by Dr. Fred Hunt of Fairmont,
who spoke clearly and distinctly and
to the point, being himself son Of a
pioneer and native Of Sterling. He
said in part:
Ladies and Gentlemen, as I look
into your faces, am glad we live in
land of peace, that our sons have
not been called and that our daugh-
tiers have not had to lose their
sweethearts and husbands for the
cause of war. Everything breathes
greetings to us. The fresh air laden
with the breath of the roses and new
mown hay. L am glad that / live in
America, glad that l live in Mime
sofa and in this particular garden
spot of the greatest prosperity and to
honor those who are gone. Again
am glad to be here today"
Arthur Borchert, Mapleton's Harry
Lauder then sang in his best mood,
When | Leave the World Behind. -
For an encore Miss Florence McQuig-
gan and Mr. Borchert sang the duet,
IT'LL the Sands of the Desert Grow
Cold'
Chalk Talk BY "Bart."
The chalk talk by Bart Charles
Bartholomew of Minneapolis was an
agreeable change from the usual Dur
ing the whole time the speaker kept
up rapid fire of words eff the talk
should be success the credit is
mine, if failure, it is due to you