Jasper County Democrat, Volume 16, Number 93, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 February 1914 — Big Birthday Celebration in Union Township. [ARTICLE]

Big Birthday Celebration in Union Township.

About forty relatives spent the week-end at the Riverside Farm, John E. Alter being 61 years of age the 14th of February- The guests were invited in honor of the occasion. Although the weather was around the zero mark, the big 11roomed house was heated perfectly by three wood stoves, a base burner and the cheerful " z fire-place. The party was abundantly fed, about ten chickens, gallons of dressing, salads, huge kettles of potatoes and noodles, a dozen cakes of different varities, pies of many sorts and other things too numerous to mention at meal time, with tubs of apples and bushels of popcorn to nibble at between times.'

The guests were most royally entertained. A regular program in the afternoon and another at night. There being three violins, a cello, guitar, piano .also a splendid new Edison phonograph to furnish the varied musical numbers, with solos, duets and grand choruses. Several interesting recitations and readings were also given, some specialties in old clogs and jigs were inspired by the zeal of the fiddlers. The hymns and anthems made them more reverent, but no less delightful. Sunday night the fest of the quests departed, all degearing there never before had been such a splendid house party. There had been a “smoker” for the men. a room for the Children with their games, but there hadn’t been the tiniest place for ill feeling, nor a corner to even think of your neighbor’s faults. The guests fully decided that February was the birth month of great and interesting men indeed. They have known for years what it meant to go "out to Aunt Hattie’s.” xx