Jasper County Democrat, Volume 19, Number 46, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 September 1916 — Gillam Township Home Coming [ARTICLE]

Gillam Township Home Coming

As usual, the annual Gillam Home Coming crowded the old Independence church to the limit last Sunday, and many were not able to gain adpresident, “Uncle Jim” Guild started the ball to rolling 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 Dan Guild. After listening to a splendid sermon by Dan, the annual communion sermon was held and many old-time friends participated in the beautiful service. An Excellent basket dinner was then served and many were the hand shakes of “Old Gillamites.” At 1:30 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 following former 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; Rev. D. H. Guild, wife and daughter of Ft. Wayne; Mrs. Rida Daniels, Mrs. Maud Galbreath and Greenberry Lewis of Rensselaer; Mr. and. Mrs. George Houser of Harvey, Ill.; James Prevo and family of Hammond; Mrs. Ed. Randle of Rensselaer; Charles Whitaker of Crown Boifft; Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Hardesty of Valparaiso; Mrs. Etta Powell of Brook; Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Miller of Lacrosse; Alva Potts and family of Rensselaer; Marion Evans of Lacrosse; Mrs. J. J. Moliter of Payne, Ohio, and many others from the surrounding country whose names I failed to get. 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 in the heavens’’: Mrs. John Kopka, George W. Faris, Nathaniel Harris, Frances H. Dunn, E. O. Rathfon, Jesse Osborne, Alexander Hamilton, Fannie Anderson, John S. Daughetee, Herman Hermansen, J. H. Van Buskirk, Joseph Coppess, -..rs. 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. Rathfoii, 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, Sec’v.

The following poem written by Mrs. Cora Simons Postill of Rensselaer in memory of her old Gillam home and church was contributed to this year’s program for the home coming: . Around our home in Indiana, where the corn fie!da 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 a parting of ihe road, Where the morning shadows linger on the wall, It stands in simple outline, its windows tall and bare Its broad doors opened 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 and children, around that sacred wooden bench, And our voices mingled sweet in prayer and song. At the closing of the service when we’d clasp each other’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 churchyard where the honeysuckles twined And the wild rose shed sweet fragrance on the air, We often stood in silence while the old bell softly tolled 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 we roamed in youthful bliss Among the scenes so loved in childhood’s happy day, On our Indiana home, time has pressed changing hand; Some are gone and many left are bowed and gray. But how oft in gilded churches, where the pews are richly carved And burnished pipes pour forth rich melody; Our thoughts turn back to childhood, and a longing fills our hearts For that dear old country church of silver gray.