Berrien County MI Archives News.....The Pioneer Picnic June 15, 1887
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/mi/mifiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Mary Ellen Drolet MaryDrolet@comcast.net February 9, 2009, 12:15 am

Berrien Springs Era, Wed. June 15 1887, Page 3 June 15, 1887
Berrien Springs Era, Wed. June 15 1887, page 3

The Pioneer Picnic

	Just a week ago today the Old Settlers and their decendants[sic] together with
a host drawn hither by curiosity and some by unworthy motives, assembled on
pioneer’s day.  Good weather was guaranteed by the committee and a fairer day
never dawned nor fairer weather ever seen until about four o’clock when some
outside, envious influence secured domination for a time and a soft, warm shower
fell to lay the dust for those going home.  Too much rain fell and some persons,
absorbed too much of it in their clothes for their comfort but no one was hurt a
bit.  The rain choked off the program of spirit but did little else.  Mons.
Brown,, who was ready with a large balloon didn’t expose his ‘costly fabric to
the rain because the material wouldn’t stand wetting worth a cent and he, Prof.
Brown, has looked dry ever since.  About a score of patriarchs and a baker’s
dozen of fat men who had intended to show how fast they could run simply took to
cover and melted off in the drizzle, and renewed their youth under its reviving
influences.
	The attendance was, perhaps, larger than of any of the twelve that have
preceeded [sic]it, and it was remarked that those present were of a superior
quality of manhood and womanhood.  Less objectionable persons were present than
usual and those who came to swindle somebody were induced, by such persuasive
measures as our local aurthorities had at hand, to restain[sic] their ambition
for the day.  The old folks were out in force and were in high feather, and it
did the young folks good to see their grave and reverend seniors grow coltish in
the presence of those who had known them when the world, to them all, was young.
	Men gray and bald and fat, who were born in the county were on hand to answer
for their fathers and mothers who came here to subdue the forest and to build,
for their children, a fortune and habitation.  The memory of those old heroes
and heroines was duly honored, and the record of their deeds praised y those who
have reaped the harvest they planted.  That sort of honor cannot be given too
freely.  It is of a piece with the floral decoration of the graves of military
heroes who, in their turn, did something their successors may be proud of.
	The Berrien Centre band was on hand in good season and played well and stuck to
it through the day.  The newly resurrected Berrien Springs band turned out with
its old leader, Arney Brayman, and played nicely at several places in the
village.  They warblers—the are modest but musical, sang divinely and the
feminine portion of them looked charmingly.  Mrs. Mayo spoke greatly to the
satisfaction of the grangers, and Mr. Kirk turned himself loose in an oratorical
way that delighted every body within hearing.  As his voice is a good one his
audience was large and appreciative.  Mr. Sparks went for history and
reminiscence;  A.L. Drew was brief.  The welcoming address of Mr. Howe, of
Bertrand, was well conceived and appropriate.
	It was a day of genuine pleasure until the rain began to fall, and no one who
was here will like to miss the next reunion of the early pioneers.
	During the year, the following old residents have departed this life:  Orris D.
Snow, Mrs. A. Sherwood, Wm. Doughtery, W.R. Davis, Mrs. Fanny Snow, M.D. Bush,
Sr., Michael Hess, Chas. H. Washer, Chas. Evans, Worthy Putnam, Mrs. Mary
Feather, Mrs. Elizabeth Helmick, Mrs. Mary DeField.  The last named four were
not members of the society.
	The president appinted the following committee to solicit new members:  Norman
Nims, Moses Feather, A.W. Sherwood, Geo. Williams, E.T. Dickson, Wm. Tabor, N.
Hamilton, O.C. Spaulding, Samuel Mars, Levi Sparks.
	The officers for the ensuing year are as follows:  President, A.L. Drew; vice
presidents, C.B. Groat, N. Hamilton and M.C. Barnes; secretary, W.J. Jones;
treasurer, E.D. Wilson; executive committee, Levi Sparks, J.J. Murphy, H.S.
Vinton, Samuel Mars, N. Hamilton, Thomas Evans. Mr. Sparks will, next year
continue his very interesting historical sketches.
	The meeting was a success and will give the society great encouragement to go
ahead another year.  No disorder on the grounds or in the village was reported.


File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mi/berrien/newspapers/thepione66nnw.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/mifiles/

File size: 4.8 Kb