Rensselaer Republican, Volume 28, Number 9, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 October 1895 — THE MILK CHURCH PICNIC. [ARTICLE]

THE MILK CHURCH PICNIC.

The annual public meeting and picnic given by Alfred McCoy, president of the Rensselaer Creamery Co., and the business men of Rensselaer, and denominated by Mr. McCoy/ a “Milk Church Picnic’’ was held in the court house square, last Saturday, and was a great success, although in point of attendance from outside of town it was hardly what it probably would have bee* had it not been preceded by so many other “big days’’ of various kinds/this season. The farmers have so much corn to husk this fail, too, that many of them dislike to take a day off, just now. The dinner at noon was the great feature of the occasion, of course, and some idea of the number of those who partook of it may be had from the fact, the meat consumed comprised two beef cattle, 10 sheep and 10 pigs, contributed by Mr. McCoy,

and 293 pounds of cooked poultry* contributed by the competing “sisters.” All of this was eaten up, together with quantities of bread and buns. A barrel or two of coffee was also disposed of. --The provisions were banded out in paper sacks, and m easures were taken to preserve order and distribute the provisions in a seemly manner. Much excellent food, however, was wickedly wasted by “kids,” who would procure a sack, search it through for a choice morsel or two of chicken, and throw the rest away. A number of these boys ought to have been cow-hided off the grounds. The exercises consisted only of a few remarks by Mr. McCoy, music by the College band, by Yeoman’s martial baud, and songs by the “Mi k Church Choir.” S. P. Thompson, who hid been expected to speak on the general subject of dairying, was unable tp be present. The songs by the choir, included, besides s.me of the older original “Milk Church” songs, such as “Come Join the Milk Church” with its rattling chorus of Hurrah! hurrah! The Milk Church isn’t dead. .. Hurrah! hurrah! the cows they must be fed ; And we’ll rally round McCoy, and help him Bhout for joy, While he is calling for joiners; But there weri two new original songs, both we believe, the product of the lalt-nts of our gifted arid versatile County Surveyor. John E. Al‘er. One of these was a very ingenius medley ; aad the other the following: PICNIC SONG. Good people of Jasper who always prosper, W e welcome you now to a feast, At our ai uual meeting with kind words o* greeting, r you have our best wishes at least. They’re coming from Fair Oaks with tents and with hammocks, To visit the wondrous display, From near and from far, from Blackford and Parr, - ——^— ■ ■ To join in the picnic to-day.-(And help eat.) ChorusGooseberry Jam, Gooseberry Gam, Plenty of Gooseberry Jam, With Roast Beef and Chicken and Turkey bone pickin’, And plenty of Gooseberry Jam. The creamery is running, the churns are all humming, They’re making both butter and cheese, While milk cans are rattling and with cash we are settling, The milk banner floats in the breeze. NO more weary churning or heavy crank turn. ing, We’li save you that trouble you see. You see in a minute there’s lots of cash in it And all works as nice as can be. Chorus— Marlborough station to this celebration, Has sent people in by the score. A special committee was sent from that city, With turkey ten bushels or more. Now if you are biisy don’t churn ’UI you’re dizzy. For such labour will always annoy. Come from aU creation to this grand institution, Whose Founder is Alfred McCoy. Chorus-

The competitors for the 36 premlums offered by the business men for the greatest weights of cooked poultry were not as numerous as the premiums offered, and the prizes were properly divided among them. The names of the competitors, the pounds of poultry they brought, and the prizes given them, were as follows: Mrs. Josie Carr, 41 pounds poultry, prizes: 15 gold piece, pair fine shoes, stand cover, 4 Delineator subscriptions. Mrs. Alton Grant, 40J pounds: $5 in gold, hat. bible, basket fruit. Mrs. Theodore Keiper, 38J lbs.; f 5 in gold, bat, glass set, box cigars. Mrs. Fred Saltwell, 32* lbs,; Id in

gold, fancy mirror, calico dress. Mrs. Jas. W. Pierce, 25 lbs ; nickel plated copper boiler, pair gaiters, pair eardrops. -rr-r.-r-. —: ' Mi*; John Summers, 25 lbs.; pair shoes, crepon dress pattern, 10 lb. beef roast. Mrs. Henry Lners, 24| lbs.; cut glass set, granite teakettle, 10 lb. roast. ‘ -Mrs. Chase Malehow, 23 lbs.; banging lamp, faseinator, buggy whip. Mrs. S. R. Nichols, 13£ lbs.; parlor tamp, riding bridle. $1 worth stationery. , ■ 1 .. .. Mrs. Mary Winteis, 13 -lbs : dress pattern, $1 worth coffee, box cigars. Mrs. W. C. Huston, 7 ibsg 100 lbs. flour, $1 cash, The awarding committee waa.l. M. Wasson,-Geo. M . Robinson, C. B Steward and James F. Irwin.