Jasper County Democrat, Volume 2, Number 23, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 September 1899 — THE OLD SETTLERS’ MEETING. [ARTICLE]

THE OLD SETTLERS’ MEETING.

The two days’ meeting of the Jasper old settlers opened with rain and clouds. They proved to be silver lined and the first afternoon and the second day revealed perfect weather conditions. The patriotic strains of the Comet band went to the breeze on Friday morning but afterwards there was a crowd of people. Phillip’s grove revealed commissary tents and tents with relics, to cheer the appetite and eye. There were no gaming devices, no intoxicants nor immoral practices. Never in the history of Rensselaer, from village to city, did such an immense crowd come and go in a purer atmosphere. The prizes were all given and accepted with good grace, as follows: Oldest settler, rocking chair by J. W. Williams, D. Nowels; oldest man, penknife by W. H. Eger, I. Sayler; oldest woman, tea pot by Warner Bros., Elvira Reeve; oldest couple, blankets by B. Forsythe, David and Phebe Nowels, couple first married, bed spread by LaRue Bros., David and Phebe Nowels; largest family, album by A. F. Long, L. S. Alter; Relics, coffee pot by Antrim & Dean, Shelby Grant; Song, book by B. F. Fendig, Morris A. Jones; largest man, hat by Ellis & Murray, J. W. Pierce; tallest couple, Journal by Leslie Clark, W. W. Wishard and wife.

The relics were attractive and deserve to be a feature at old settlers’ meetings. The prize most warmly contested for was the book. Volunteer songs were given by John Thompson, E. P. Honan, John L. Pierce, James W. Pierce, Morris A. Jones and the Alter family. Thesesongs were all worthy and appropriate and some thought John Thompson’s song about the “New Country” was very deserving. This feature of the program is worthy of being retained. The president being absent the Board of Directors selected Judge Thompson as president, pro tern, on both days. Gertie Hopkins acted as reporter and the papers presented, many of which are worthy of publication, are in her hands. The Rev. Isaac Sayler not being present on Friday morning. the invocation was pronounced by W, W. Wishard. In the forenoon, after the speech of welcome, John Thompson ami Louis S. Alter addressed those present. The selection of officers and settlement of expenses were referred to a meeting in the east court room at 2:00 p. m., Saturday, Sept. 16, 1899. All places wishing to secure the next meeting should then have their representatives present. Judge Thompson in his welcome address ndmonished the audience, that each speech might not be as perfect as a song, nor each song as holy as a prayer, nor each life as constant as a picture. As in old days there was plain living and high thinking. The sole satisfaction was secured by halving its wants. In conclusion he hoped that the meeting would broaden, deepen, straighten and improve the stream of life for each auditor, that the intention was to make everything pleasant.

The speaking in the afternoon was of the best. Judge Hammond had a carefully prepared address giving his early experiences and stated that at life's close he expected to be buried near his kindred in the God’s acre of our city. Judge Darroch gave us a clear and succinct history of the now mythical Beaver Lake. Mr. Gilman’s address teemed with good advice to our law makers. John L. Pierce talked eloquently of the people and surroundings of early Bensselaer. The selection of Floy Nowels was well rendered and received. The exercises on Friday closed by the audience singing “Nearer My God To Thee.” The attendance during the afternoon was about 1,000. The storm passed, and Saturday was perfect in its sunshine and air. After singing “America” and receiving the invocation from the Rev. R. S. Dwiggins, George W. Faris, member of Congress from the Sixth District of Indiana, gave the principal address. He was born in the Westerly suburbs of our city. His mother was a sister of the late Hon. Geo. H. Brown, and his father the brother of Mi-

nerva J. Wright and the Faris’ of Gillam. Mr. Faris was among friends and relatives, and was apropas to the occasion. W. W. Pfrimmer recited his original poem “The Old Man’s Dream.” This was pronounced in substance and manner of the best. Robert Parker told of the settlement that came from Rush county to Hanging Grove tp. The experience of Newman Snow was a good hit. Uncle Newman is an old Mexican soldier, who never sued or was sued, and never paid a lawyer a cent. A. Leopold, the first of our Hebrew children, made a first rate ten minute speech. The papers of Mrs. Purcupile and Mrs. Alfred Thompson giving details sf early Rensselaer were well written and read.

Many hundreds of people enjoyed a social basket picnic, and the temporary president presented the prizes. The songof the,granddaughters of old settlers was sweet and responsive. E. P. Honan presented a new song and gave as an encore “Castles In the Air.” The samples of popular songs since 1856, by Morris A. Jones took the book. Mrs. McCoy’s paper gave a clear history of the KentonParkison emigration to the forks settlement. John Ade explained the “Bank of America” at Morocco, and the difficulties attending a run off the same. Peter Foulks talked to us of the Pioneer law giver, who was cradled in the bull rushes, and found ten minutes too short to speak. The patriotism advocated by Mr. Dwiggins was to follow the flag. Mr. Westfall stirred up the old soldiers. William Porter’s talk was well received as a picture of early hardships. Mr. Comer told of herding cattle on speculator’s land. The last and best of the speakers was by the oldest settler, but he was unable to make the vast audience hear. All stood and sang “God Be With You ’Till We Meet Again,” and our old settlers’ meeting of 1899 is a pleasant recollection. Simon P. Thompson, President, pro tern. C. E. Mills, Secretary.