The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1921-07-21
OLD Il 5
FRQLlC SATURDAY

Tae Barnes County Pioneer Clul
he d Its annual picnic in the Chautau
qua park on Saturday, June 18th ant
it is the opinion of all that it wa:
one Of TIE best that has been held al
though not so large in numbers at
tending owing to the busy season ant
the bad roads which kept many from
attending who would liked to have
done so. Although little late few
of the members thought that pit
mic should be held so with this in minC
a request was drawn up and signed BY
several members asking the president
Mr.. Melvin Lee and Secretary l. j
Moe to call a picnic. This was done
and over a thousand invitations were
mailed at once. The president also
appointed committee of ladies anc
gentlemen to make all the arrange
ments. They decided to furnish coffee
cream and sugar, also cups and tea.
spoons, the members bringing thell
baskets well stocked with good things
The morning of the day did not
open very auspiciously as between
four and five a. m. heavy thunder
storm came up with heavy rain and
the committee thought that their labor
had been in vain. But by the time set
II a. m. the roads had dried up and
loaded autos began to roll into the
park and by the time the coffee was
ready it is estimated that there was
near 500 people on the ground. At IL
O'Clock sharp family groups were scat
tered here and there enjoying hearty
meal. The members seemed to feel
proud to be able to wear the old badge
again marked with the year of their
arrival, SO they were much in evi-
dence.
The good old time spirit was very
much in evidence by the hearty hand
shakes and friendly greetings Of the
men and women to whose honor should
be given the credit Of being the foun-
dalton builders of Barnes county:
which they claim and we thing right
fully. The best county in the state.
Promptly at two o'clock all being as
sembled in the auditorium to listen to
program which had been prepared
by President Lee. Hon. David s. Rlt-
chic was called and gave very fine
address on the achievements of the
old pioneers and called on the younger
generation to carry on the work and
help perpetuate their memories. One
of the features Of the program was
the appearance of the Old Settlers Fife
and Drum Corps composed of Mr..
Getchell, father of Mr.. Getchell of the
Barnes County Citizen, who played the
fife, who came to the territory in 1873.
drummer A. j. Henry, who came to the
territory in 1881, and who was assist
- k1oT 1ofi
for IS years. Both Of these men were
old soldiers. Drummer D. W. Clark
who proundly carried badge Of 1880
and who is the youngest old man in
the county, and last but not least
Drummer Mart Mason who was the
first drummer of the first band organ
lied in the county and who is the
proud possessor of an 1880 badge.
These four old timers brought back
to these assembled the Spirit Of 1876
and j.!.e:r entertainment was much ap-
preciated. Miss Dorothy McF Farland
sang very sweetly group OF songs
and responded to an encore with
couple of darky songs. She is a
daughter of our respected old settlers
Mr.. and Mrs. George A. Mcfarland.
Harry Davidson entertained us with
several very we'll chosen songs which
showed off his fine tenor voice. Harry
is a son of Andrew Davidson of Green
township and who was called upon and
gave a very interesting talk of his
first team of oxen and his trips to
town with his OK team and then after
wards of his ride in his sons aero
plane over the same graund. Presi-
Dent Lee then called on Frank San
ford, Louis Noltimier, w. H. McPher-
son, John Maresh: Darby O'Malley
also Mrs. Wylie Nelson who gave a
history Of how Valley City was named
which was as follows: The town was
first know as the Second Crossing OF
the Sheyenne, then it was named
Worthington, but after this named
Valley, City at meeting held in 1878:
Several persons were present, b. w.
Benson being chairman. j. s. Weiser:
John Morrison, Donald cFadgen, A.
]. Dunun, James Stewart, Otto Beck
er, Arne Olson, Frank Wright and
John Maresh and at that meeting Mr..
Weiser proposed the name Of Valley
City which was forwarded to the post
office department at Washington and
accepted. An of those men have
passed away except John Maresh and
Mr.. Weiser who lives with his daugh-
ter Mrs. Phillips at Detroit, Minn.:
and who is in feeble health. One of
the features Of the program was the
singing by the audience which was led
by Prof. j. B. Myer Of the State
Teachers College who also rendered a
group of songs which were rendered in
his usual nasterful style. Mrs. Jose.
phine Wright Rhoades of the musical
department Of the State College pre-
ided at the piano and enhanced the
pleaure of all who listened. President.
Lee then called upon the Old Settlers
to come to the platform according to
the year number on their badge. Mrs!
w. H. Beacham came first having been
in the territory near Yankton in 1866:
then John Maresh in 1870. Mr.. Get
chell in 1873 and so on. When they
were all assembled on and around the
platform America was sung only
old timers can sing it.
Owing to the fact that the First
National Bank were holding their 4Oth
lhirthdav in the mark at tho same time