REPUBLICAN POST

September 9, 1909

 

OLD SETTLER’S ANNUAL PICNIC

 

A large Crowd Present in Spite of the Threatening Weather

Many Old Settlers Die During Year

 

            The weather was somewhat unfavorable for the Old Settlers’ Picnic at Ogdensburg last Saturday. However, a large crowd assembled and dispelled the chill of the atmosphere by the genial warmth of their friendly greetings

            The Ogdensburg band, consisting of boys ranging in age from fourteen to twenty years and led by George Ratecliffe, a master of the old school and a man with an abundance of pride in his home town, made the day pass much more pleasantly by their numerous selections of appropriate music rendered in a most entertaining manner.  The fife and drum corps consisting of residents of Little Wolf and Manawa, and led by George Lindsay, were on hand and gave several selections of soul thrilling selections, the favorite music of those who recall the story days of ’61 to ’65.

            At noon a basket dinner was partaken in the Keating grove, which is now the permanent grounds of the association meeting, where seats and tables are provided and are the property of the association.

            Three speakers made short, pleasing and appropriate speeches which were all greatly enjoyed.  The speakers were George Ratcliffe of Ogdensburg, John Ogden of Antigo and Senator Browne of Waupaca.  The latter was loudly applauded when he made reference t the policy of conserving our resources, as forest and water power, in Wisconsin for the use of all the people rather than to fritter them away to big interests and private greed.  The enthusiastic manner in which their interest in the subject was manifested showed that the people believe every occasion an appropriate one in which to express their determination to stand for their rights.  Many expressions of approval were heard regarding all the speeches and the annual event was a decide success from every point of view.

            The reading of the last of names of those who have passed away during the year by the obituary committee showed that a surprisingly long list of old settlers have died during the past year.

            Nearly all of the old officers were re-elected at this, the fifteenth annual session and the officers for the coming term are as follows:

            T. Rich, Waupaca, president

            J.B. Jenson, Manawa, vice president

            E.E. Russell, Ogdensburg, secretary

            H.C. Smith, Manawa, treasurer

            P.K. Hayward, Royalton, chairman of the executive committee of fifteen members

            Mrs. Page Knight, Waupaca, chairman of the obituary committee.