The Ely miner., 1932-07-29

Large Number of Real Old
Timers Attend Eighteenth
Annual Reunion.

large uumper from CnlS city at
tended the reunion of the Vermilion
Range Old Settlers Association at
Tower last week Thursday. The storm
of the previous day kept many at home
from this city,
The reunion was attended by an ex-
ceptionally large number of old timers
who had come from all parts of the
country to meet and swap stories of
the old days. The Mesaba range fur
nished large number, Eveleth, where
many Of the former citizens of Tower
had settled, supplied very large con-
tingent.
The damage to the Miner Office kept
the editor away for the day although
time was found in the evening to at
tend the banquet. As we were not
present to note events and list the old
settlers present, we take the following
excellent account from the Tower News
in regard to the celebration. The News
said:
Despite predictions to the contrary,
an unusually large crowd was on hand
yesterday to celebrate the eighteenth
annual reunion of the Vermilion Range
Old Settlers, at Mckinley Park, with
weather that was exactly suited to the
occasion. The storm of the day before
took the edge of the intense heat that
had been prevalent, the rain had settled
the dust and everything was cool and
fresh, with a fairly stiff breeze coming
off the lake.
The reception committee were ON
hand bright and early, as was Secre-
tary Pryor and his assistants, to collect
dues and issue official badges, but
neither committee was kept very busy
during the morning and it looked as
though the day had been forgotten by
everyone. A pleasant sur
prise awaited them on their arrival at
the park, however, as many of the old
timers and their friends had gone di-
rectly there to such numbers that the
booyah boys found themselves short
of rations long before everyone was
served and the membership committee
was busy practically the whole after
noon.
AFTER eats and been disposed of and
some visiting done the large assemblage
listened to talk by j. H Hearding of
Duluth. Chief Good-day was also
there with his warriors and gave an
exhibition of their famous dance.
"At o'clock the old timers and
their families were seated at banquet
tables in the high school gymnasium
and did justice to a repast prepared
and served by the local Eastern Star
lodge members. Prof Jensen and his
high school orchestra furnished music
during the banquet, following which
orchestra numbers, singing, ETC., pre-
ceded two excellent talks, one by Thos.
Owens, past presidest of the association,
the other by @. A. Koski, local attorney.
Following the speeches the annual
meeting of the association was held
at the banquet tables at which time
officers for the ensuing year were
chosen, these being: Peter Schaefer of
Ely, president; A j. Fenske of Ely,
first vice president; Grant McMahan
Of Ely, second vice president; l. NJ
Brownell of Ely. secretary; j. o. Mike
Of Tower, assistant secretary, while
Jas. Moonan of Ely was reelected
treasurer. VIM. Tracy of Two Harbors
and Louis Bieberman of Duluth, whose
terms as directors expired this year,
were replaced by T. e. Miller of Ely,
and A. j. Hotter of Tower. B. o.
Strachan Of Ely was elected to a di-
rectorship to I'LL the vacancy caused
by the resignation of Grant McMahan
when he was elected as one of the vice
presidents. Mr.. Strachan's term win
expire in 1888.
Taken all In all the reunion was
success in every sense of the word and
everyone seemed to enjoy themselves
to the utmost. One new member who
was added TO the roll, Miss Mary
Weller, said she had come all the way
from Los Angeles, California, to be
with the old timers. About twenty
new members were placed ON the books,
and these with those already enrolled
are eagerly looking forward to next
years reunion which win be held at
Ely"