Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-06-26
SUCCESS CROWNS
PIONEERS PICNIC
A Perfect Day and an Abundance Of
Good Things to Eat Are
Appreciated.
YOUNG PEOPLE THERE, TOO


making the day to order they could
not have turned out a more perfect
one. As result, some 400 OF the
men and women who came to Ne.
braska when it was in its swaddling
clothes, together with half as many
young people, gathered under the
shade OF the trees in the southeast
corner of Miller park, where they
spent a greater portion OF the day.
With the Douglas County Pioneers
the annual picnic is regarded as one
Of the most enjoyable Of outings, and
the one, held yesterday was no ex-
ception. The pioneers commenced to
gather at the picnic grounds as early
as 10 o'clock in the morning, The
early arrivals arranged the benches
and the tables for the feed that was
scheduled for the afternoon, and then
they decorated the speakers stand
with flags, bunting and innumerable
bouquets and baskets of flowers. This
having been done they awaited the
coming Of the crowds, entertaining
one another with tales of how things
were done during the pioneer days in
Nebraska, Douglas county and Oma-
ha. And one OF the most entertain
ing of the entertainers was Mrs. Mar
garet Kennelley, who in point of
years of residence in Omaha is the
dean, or the deaness, Of the pioneers.
Mrs. Remotely Tells Experiences.
Mrs. Kennelley came to Omaha in
August, 1854, and consequently she
has resided here close to sixty-two
years. To the listeners, and there
were scores OF them, she told OF the
wilderness that extended all the way
from the Missouri river to the Pa
cific coast at the time of her arrival
here with her parents. At the time
she came there was no Omaha worth
mentioning. There was just cluster
of little houses along the steamboat
landing. West OF this and beyond,
to where earth and sky met, it was
just an unbroken wilderness.
1t was shortly after noon when the
pioneers commenced unpacking the
corpulent lunch baskets and laying
out the good things to eat. And
when the call to lunch was sounded
the pioneers had before them a meal
that would tempt the appetite of the
most exacting domestic scientist.
There were meats that were cooked
to the most delicate brown, and sal
ads that would make your mouth
water. There were pies and cakes and
dainties and, to top off with, an
abundance Of ice cream for every
body.
With the conclusion of the basket
dinner, w. I. Kierstead, president of
the association, mounted the platform,
and in one Of his characteristic
speeches called the assemblage to
order. He congratulated the men,
bers upon their ability to be in at
tendance and congratulated the wom-
en- upon the splendid dinner that they
had served. He paid tribute to the
courage Of the pioneers who half a
century, or more, ago had the courage
to leave comfortable eastern homes
and penetrate what was then will
derness, remaining here to see it
Blossom like rose"
Absalom Yost Absent.
Mr.. Kierstead called attention to
the fact that Absalom Yost, a pio-
neer Of 1854 and a former president
of the association, is i'll at his home
in this city. He asserted that this
was the first of the annual picnics
that Mr.. Yost had missed in years,
and that while he was unable to be
present, his best wishes were for the
enjoyment of his old associates.
In concluding, Mr.. Kierstead pro-
posed that wireless message ex-
pressing good cheer be sent to Mr..
Yost. For an instant there was per-
feet quiet, and then, with nallet,
Mr.. Kierstead tapped on the table,
announcing that the message had been
sent and that it had been picked up
by Mr.. Yost.
As president, Mr.. Kierstead intro
dueed Moses P. O'Brien, who pre-
sided during the exercises. Mr..
O'Brien's address was retrospective.
Being a pioneer and the son of
pioneer, General O'Brien, he reviewed
the early history Of Omaha and
Douglas county, as we'll as that OF
the state, detailing its growth and
what had been accomplished by the
pioneers.
Mercer Principal Speaker. I
As chairman, Mr.. O'Brien intro
duced David H. Mercer, the principal
speaker, who at length reviewed the
history OF Nebraska and its great
men. He told OF many of the things
that had been brought about through
their efforts during the days that
were not as prosperous as those now.
Those assembled joined in singing
The Star Spangled Banner" after
which the call for supper was sound
ed. By those who were not in the
secret, the serving Of a second meal
was looked upon &C an impossibility,
on account Of the presumption that
everything had been eaten at the noon
meal. But it was another example
Of feeding the multitude with few
Ioaves and few fishes. From under
tables more baskets were brought
forth, and within the space of few
the tables were again groanl
ing under their loads Of good things
to eat. Again there was enough and
10 spare, and after it was all over
It was discovered that there were
baskets and baskets that had not been
opened.
At S o'clock the Postoffice band ap-
peared upon the scene and during the
next hour a most delightful concert
was given, but the pioneers were not
ready to quit. Instead, as darkness
to gather, they congrc-
gated in little groups and once more
lived over the thrilling events Of pio-
neer life in Nebraska, and it was