Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 211, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 September 1916 — GILLAM TOWNSHIP HOME COMING LAST SUNDAY [ARTICLE]

GILLAM TOWNSHIP HOME COMING LAST SUNDAY

Gillamites, Past and Present, Enjoy Reunion At Old Independence Church. As usual, the annual Gillam home coming crowded the oJd Independence church to the limit Sunday, and many were not able to gain admittance. In the absence of the president, “Uncle Jim” Guild started the ball to rollnig and turned the meeting over to the four ministers present. It-was planned that one of our former Gillam boys should preach the home coming sermon and the lot fell to our much beloved Don Guild. After listening to a splendid sermon by Dan, the annual communion sermon was held and many old timeafriends participated in the beautiful service. An excellent basket dinner was then served and many were the hand shakes of old Gillamites. At onethirty order was restored by the tapping of the old church bell and a short song service of the old time type was engaged in. The meeting then took the form of a free for all short talk meeting, many telling the experiences of the past. The followin gformer residents of Gillam township were present from a distance: Paris C. Freshour of Cedaredge, Colo.; Dr. Albert Overton and family, of Tuscola, Ill.; Mrs. Sarah Waite and family, of Danville, Ill.; Mrs. Laura E. Fischer and. son, of Chicago, Ill.; Rev. D. H. Guild, wife and daughter, of Ft* W&yen, Ind.; Mrs. Rida Daniels, Mrs. Maud Galbreath and Greenbury Lewis, of Rensselaer; Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Houser, of Harvey, Ill.; James Prevo and family, of Hammond; Mrs. Ed Randle, of Rensselaer; Chas. Whitaker, Crown Point; Mr. ■and Mrs. Alfred Hardesty, Valparaiso; Mrs. Etta Powell, Brook; Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Miller, LaCrosse; Alva Potts and family, Rensselaer; Marion Evans, LaCrosse; Mrs. J. J. Moliter, Pane, Ohio, and many others from the surrounding country. Following the reminiscent talks a short memorial service was held for those who have gone to the great “Home Above not made with hands, Eternal ni the Heavens”; Mrs. John Kopka, George W. Faris, Nathaniel Harris, Frances H. Dunn, E. 0. Rathfon, Fannie Anderson, John S. Daughtee, Herman Hermansen, J. H. Van Buskirk, Joseph Coppess, Mrs. John Resh, Mrs. Wash Lewis and Mrs. Mae Mansfield. The association then went into a business session and it was carried by unanimous consent to continue the annual meetings of the association, to be held the last Sunday in August, 1917. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year: S. C. Robinson, President, and A. J. Rathfon, Secretary and Treasurer. Perry Deselms, John Guild and E. E. Pullins were appointed a committee to look after the repair of the church. The meeting then adjourned by singing “Blessed Be the Tie That Binds,” and all went away happy over the thought of a well spent day. In advance, I wish to invite all to attend next year. A. J. Rathfon, See. The following poem writtne by Mrs. Cora Simons Postill, of Rensselaer, in memory of her old Gillap home and church, was contributed to.this year’3 program for the home coming: Around our home in Indiana, where the corn fields nod and wave, And the golden rod is blooming by the way, A cherished memory lingers, as we dream of by-gone days, Of a dear old church that’s painted silver gray. On a softly shaded hillside, near the parting of the road, Where the morning shadows linger on the wall, It stands in simple outline, its windows tall and bare, Its broad doors epened wide to welcome all. Oh, well we all remember, when the Sabbath sun shone bright And the old church bell rang forth so loud and long, How we gathered, aged anct children, around that sacred wooden bench, And our voices mingled sweet in prayer and song. At the closing of the service when we’d calsp eac hother’s hand, With a smile and kindly blessing of the day, We strolled with friendly neighbors to our simple, happy homes, Through the fields so damp and sweet with new mown hay. In the little vine grown church yard where the honeysuckles twined And the wjjd -rose shed sweet fragrance on the air, We often stood in silence while the - old bell softly tolled—_v—— Sad farewell to those our sorrowing hearts held dear. And as now from homes far distant, back to this loved spot once more, With outstretched hands to greet old friends we come, Many find a grass grown mound, shaded neath the wild rose there, All that’s left, on their return, to welcome home. Swiftly have the years passed by since