The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1933-07-28

Many visitors from all parts Of the
United States attended the meeting of
the Vermilion Range Old Settlers
Association held in this city on Thurs
day. While the attendance of actual
old timers was good, many from the
range towns and Duluth failed to ap-
pear.
It is estimated that there were more
real old timers present at the picnic
in the afternoon at Sandy Point than
during the past few years, or since the
economic conditions became unsettled.
Many had come considerable distances
to be present, some from California,
some from Alabama and others from
other states. Taken all in all. the
attendance was about as satisfactory
as for the past few years.
The membership list contains the
names of about 500 persons. 200 or
more of which were residents previous
to 1885. There are over 25 whose resi-
dence dates back to 1883 and before,
over loo to the year 1884 and the
balance from 1884 to the following
years. Qualifications for membership
is the beginning of residence on the
range of twenty years or more.
The old timers began to gather at
about 9 o'clock at the Community
Center. At 1890 the annual parade
took place. The parade was one Of
the features of the day. Led by the
Ely Community Band and headed by
the colors, the parade traversed sew
eral blocks of the city afterwards dis
banding at the city hall where cars
were on hand to take all to Sandy
Point Grant McMahan was chair
man of the parade committee.
The band kept the crowd enter
tanned until 1890 when the "booyah"
was announced and served. This an
nual delicacy was prepared and served
by the Oliver. Mining Company in
to the old timers. In adj
dition coffee, cream and sugar were
served free. Picnic baskets brought
by the larger number present, forth
fed by the "booyah" satisfied the inner
man. B. o. Strachan was chairman
of the picnic committee.
Visiting around occupied the at
tention of the picnicers until 2 O'CLOCK
when several short addresses were made
before the main speaker, DIR. Preston
Bradley was introduced. William G..
Sargent was introduced and told of
having been with the pay crew which
paid the Indians of this section in 1877.
Mr.. Sargent made very fine short
talk and his facts of that early in the
history of the section north Of Duluth
were both Illuminating and instructive
and somewhat of revelation to the
old timers. Col. w. F. Henry, the vet
eran newspaper man of the county,
now business manager of the Duluth
Evening Herald, was introduced and
said he was not. speaker but would
make way for the real speaker to
follow.
DR.. Preston Bradley, pastor of the
Peoples Church in Chicago. also Ma
tional president of the Isaak Walton
League, in an all too short address ir
which he was severely handicapped by
the wind, paid one of his eulogistit
tributes to the pioneer of yesterday
and the present time DR.. Bradley L
recognized as one of the best speaker:
in the United States and the Ole
Settlers are indeed fortunate in having
him address them He has beer
present at the yearly reunions for thu
past 18 or more years and his ad'
dresses are one of the drawing card
for the gatherings.
That evening at the banquet at TIN
Community Center, DR.. Bradley mad'
another Of his mastery addresses II
which he again touched on pioneering
and many other subjects at present II
the public mind. He Is an honorar.
member of the organization, spending
his summers at Black Duck island Il
Lake Vermihon where he has hi
summer home. His word pictures o
the sunsets, skies, water and nature
as displayed in this country, ar
masterpieces. In all his numerou
radio talks throughout the land, D.
Bradley never fails to say somethin
fine relating to this section of tn
great state of Minnesota.
Although the weather was hot, tn
crowd at the Point amused itself mos