The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1921-07-15
Address Delivered By
Thomas Hughes July 4,
1921; Recalling Events
of the Past

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when the multitude sat down on this
straw they found 1t occupied by a
fierce black animal known as "Flee
Cambriaencis"; and the good minis
ter adds that a great many of these
creatures would weigh as much as a
jack RABBIT. OF course, he did not say
that one of them would weigh that
much, for he was a truthful man.
rather think 1t may have been the
distraction Of the fees that hindered
attention to the program for l have
failed to find any of those present
Doubtless Rev. David M. Jones pre-
sided on the occasion and James D.
Price and William e. Williams must
have been among the poets. The
probability Is that the Horeb choir
under the lead of William Shields
the Bthel choir under John R. Owens
and Salem choir led by David Pugh
furnished music for the occasion
while Rev. D. NJ. Jones, Richard
Roberts. Owen Morris. Jr, VIM. s
Hughes, Thomas e. Evans and others
grated. A big thunder storm rather
hurried the close Of the program and
play of heavens fireworks. A num-
Der of Bethelities, who had tarried
too long at the lemonade stand were
caught by the tempest and sought
shelter in Bethel Church. A bolt oil
lightning struck the building and two
or three of them were slightly in
Jured. Some over superstituous
Horebite is said to have claimed that
this was a judgment Oh the tribe OF
Bethel one of whom had sinned ip
using some naughty words when ces-
tain OF those fees bit him. But in
spite of the heat, over indulgence at
the refreshment stands and the
bountiful picnic dinner, the fees, the
storm and getting Tilted by our best
girl, still the celebration was a great
success. In fact so enjoyable was
1t that it has continued as an annual
festival ever since for fifty years. II
has become eten more popular than
a "Cwrdd Mawr". For the first three
or four years the place remained at
the foot of the bluff in the Jiggers
den. Then it was removed to the top
of the bluff directly across the road
from the Wagner house. Finally
about twenty five years ago the To-
cation was fixed on this beautiful spot
where 1t has since remained. But
not only has the place changed but
much more the people. Not one OF
the men and women of middle age
upon whom half century ago rest
ed the responsibility of the feast, can
be found here today. few of us who
were then the children are only left
aud we are the old folks of this cele-
bration. The literary and humorous
Rev. d. M. Jones departed years ago
The genial and jocular Richard Rob
arts h. Gnl 10 u,
early meetings, the fiery John Wal
speech, the enthusiastic, Thomas E.
Evans who was ever ready to do his
part, the capable William s. Hughes
who was generally either president
or secretary of the Association, the
bexcentric and witty Rev. Jenkin
Jenkins, the original Rev. Griffith
Roberts, the guileless David Evans,
with David S. Davies. Henry Hughes,
Owen Morris, ST., VIM. P. Jones,
Evan Evans (Sec. 100, John Jones
9Romel Thomas Richards, Jabez
William E. Jenkins, William r.
Lewis, Richard Jones, John S. Jones,
Robert S. Jones (Canada), John C.
Jones, David T. Davis, Edward
Thomas, Daniel L. Harris, William l.
Harris, Rev. Thos. E. Hughes, Thos
and Hugh Owens, John ]. Lloyd
Hugh Rowlands and many others
who then as leaders of the communi-
ty were depended upon to furnish
the eloquence, the wisdom and the
dignity of the occasion have all longago
to their reward and with the good
old mothers i'm Isreal, who also con-
joyment of the old time festivals, are
celebrating today in fairer land a
greater event than even the declara-
ton Of American independence
Then the leaders and trainers of
choirs, William Shields, John ].
Shields, Richard G. Roberts, John F.
Jones, Owen r. Owens, David Pugh,
John S. Davis, Thomas Luther Jones,
Humphrey H. Jones, Mr.. and Mrs.
David E. Bowen. Mr.. and Mrs. Evan
D. Price and others but few of them
now remain Among the many poets,
who used to respond to the call for
recall only James D. Price, VIM. e.
Williams and Owen Morris. Jr., as
stfll carrying terrestrial harps and
of these only Ap. Devil resides in
the neighborhood. OF the many
young folks who used to take part on
the old programs / recall so few that
/ shall not attempt to name any but
owen and Mary MOTIFS, Timothy
Jones, Daniel Evans, William F. and
Byron Hughes, Evan Hughes, and
Rev. William G. Rowlands.
In 1890 the Cambria Philharmonic
band was organized with D. Charles
Davies as leader andy-on his depart
ure from the neighborhood In two or
three years. Evan D. Price became
his successor. This band played first
at the celebration of 1890 and for
many years thereafter, and added
greatly to the success Of the pro-
grams by the excellent music it
furnished. In 1898 the Salem Cornet
Band under the leadership Of John
F. Jones, was formed, and it. also,
played with much acceptance for
several years. But set program
was not the only feature Of those
celebrations. There was the pleasure
of anticipation which was about
equal to the reality to most of US
when young. Then there was the ex-
hilerating drive to the grove in the
old lumber wagon all dressed in the
splendor of our Sunday apparel, each
wagon box filed with young and old,
all speeding from every direction to-
ward the Wagner grove. Arriving at
the grove there was the shooting of
fire crackers for the small boys; the
patronizing of the refreshment stand
and swings for the girls; the carry