The Mankato free press., 1923-06-15
PIONEERS AT PLAY
ENJOY THE OUTING
Mapleton- Sterling Society
Held Event Yesterday
CROWD WAS LARGE
Splendid ProgramAppreciated
"Jones of Rock" Gave
Hn Address

and amid the most beautiful wood
land Surroundings. members .ol the
Mapleton Sterling Old Settlers as
sociation and their friends number
ing in all $500 people yesterday
held a very enjoyable and success
ful picnic at Judd Cornelrs grove
near Mapleton.
An elaborte program OF speaklng'
music and athletic sports was car
ried out. During the day the mem
bers of Amboy band furnished the
music. In addition TO the inStru,,
mental music furnished by the band
George John OF Garden City and
Hosea Harmer OF this city maoe de-
cided hits by their we'll sung solos.
Mr.. John is possessed OF wonder
fully rich baritone voice, while Mr.
Harmer is a silvery tenor, Both
gentlemen graciously responded 10
repeated encores. -
Violin solos were rendered by
Professor John Christianson OF the
state university farm. Old time
melodies were exclusively used by
Mr., Christianson. many OF the old
gray haired men and women calling
Hpon the musician for the playing OF
tunes, which were popular nearly a
half century ago. AS these OLD mel
odies were sweetly played on the
violin it was indeed a pleasure 10
sit UP in front and look at the granG
old men and women who composed
fhe audience. The eyes that were
long ago dimmed by the years,
seemed to brighten as if with the
fires of youth, the pale faces giowed
they we're for the moment living
over the days of their long ago
youth.
ened by prayer, led by Rev; i; h0ss
Paden. Pastor Of the MethodiSt
Episcopal church Of Mani kato:
Grant Hazel presided at the
meeting and introduced the speak
Mrs. H. C. Hotaling of Mapleton
delivered the address OF welcome
The speaker said that she was ex-
cedingly glad to welcome everyone
to the picnic. 1t is indeed we&l tor
all of us to lay aside our labors and
once in a while forget the cares OF
life and mingle with our neighbors.
ute TO the old settlers present.
Judae Cray Gave Response
Judee Lorin Cray of Mankato IN
terlarded his reply to the address
of welcome with a number OF mum
orous stories. He said that 1t is just
such gathering as were held yester-
dav that bring old friends closer to-
gether. The exchanging OF lueaS
and the recounting of days OF oto
bring good cheer to those who naye
Dassed through them. The speaker
ssid that he was indeed glad that
this country is not one OF classes.
Every man is equal. To the young
men the speaker in recitlng tne
struggles of the pioneers said tnat
the hard knocks of acquiring a
home, were the happiest days OF the
pioneer, and so it will be on down
the line. the young men and women
who mate, will find that the nap
riest days of their lives will be the
time that they are rearing their
families, and getting home. IL the
roads seems rough, and the journey
long. don't give up. Have the STICK
to- it tiveness to stand up TO the
mark until the goal aimed at Is ac
com plished. This was the attitude
of the pioneers who laid the founda-
ton of this state and naslon: snah.
Hon. George P. Jones of st. Cloud
was the principal speaker OF the
day. In opening his remark he said
that il was indeed with sincere
pleasure that he accepted an INVITA- >
tfon to come back to southwestern
Minnesota his old home, TO greet the
people. Years ago, he said that he
iived in Rock county, hence the
name Jones of Rock"
He said that meetings such as
was held Yesterday by the old set
ters get neighbors and friends bet
ter ACQUAINTED. When one becomes
better Acquainted with his neighbors
there is less danger of hatred. he
believed in talking of the bright
side of life, for a rippling, laugh
might be likened unto a dimpled
checked elf. which always drives
away the fend of hatred and care.
Comparing conditions Of pioneer
er said that brides of half a century
ago in Minnesota were willing to
ride to and from the church on the
wedding day in an OK cart. Now a
good decent Ford does not even fill
the bill.
At this point in his address Mr..
Jones paid a glowing tribute to the
pioneers of this state both men and
women, and styled them soldiers OF
to their credit as the boys OF the
civil war, the conflict with Spain or
the world war veterans. They came
out into the wilderness, with clean
minds, and a steadfastness Of char
acter that knew not failure. These
men and women were the soldiers
Of peace, and of the two, the women
were the greatest, for they fought
the noblest battle, which lasted from
babyhood to the grave, and then sill
emily and unseen they passed on to
their God with the same cleanliness
Of life and character they had en-
tered this world. They were the
most kingly soldiers ever born"
While the speaker lauded the
brave deeds of American soldiers
in three wars, he said that their &C
complishments in perpetuating the
flag, were no greater than the work
of the pioneers.
In closing his address, Mr.. Jones
warned against the dangers OF soc
ialism, and radical papers which
are spreading propaganda tending
to cause revolution. In order to
combat this growing evil. the ideals
set by the sturdy pioneers, and the
soldiers, who fought and bled fol-
the flag, must lived up to.
Professor John o. Christianson OF
the University Farm School de-
livered a short talk on the advant-
ages to be gained by attending
the state agricultural college. The
sreaker explained that this institu
ton offers education to young men
and women of this state of The ages
OF eighteen and up. The scnool is
e. Ikn ~ cd - In