Big Rapids Pioneer Feb. 19, 1885
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Big Rapids Pioneer Feb. 19, 1885 |
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| The tramp of the pioneers, and the human sea, were both plainly audible and visible at the Armory Hall in this city last evening. As previously announced none were entitled at the Old Settlers' party except those who came into the Muskegon Valley as settlers before the first cars upon the G.R. & L. Railroad entered Big Rapids; and this rule was rigidly adhered to. This regulation, of course, included the children of those families. Never since the organization of the society, seven years ago, has there been such a gatherine of the old pioneers and their children. The old farmers and their wives, who entered the wilderness and stood in the front of the battle - many of them over thirty years since - came - along - distances to greet their old time friends and neighbors. About four hundred people enjoyed the grand old visiting party and its festivities. Seated in groups around about the room, many if the old people truly became young again in their rehearsal of the struggles and trials of years long since relegated to the past. Said one old lady, in speaking of thrity years ago, "I have never known such happiness in a neighborhood, never saw such true and genuine hospitality as existed the first few years of our coming into woods of Mecosta county." And she laughed heartily at the inconveniences to which all were subjected in those early days. "To go outside in those early days," and an old gentleman. "was considered about as much of an undertaking as to start on a journey to Boston now. From two to three days getting to Grand Rapids, through the trackless forest with an ox team, was considered good time. But what did we care? It seemed as we were 'monarchs of all we surveyed' in this splendid north country. We could cut a tree or make our maple sugar, wherever it most convenient, and for a long time there was none to say." A pleasing and appropriate incident occurred in the hall about eleven o'clock. It was announced that Mr. and Mrs. Gooch, of Hersey, had brought two or three bushels of fine apples from their own orchard to distribute as they would have done in times past - among those who had borne a burden and heat of the day and were still regarded as dear friends. After the usual hand shaking and friendly greeting were over in the early part of the evening, it was announced that dancing would commence, and this was kept up with now and then an intermission until daylight this morning. The music by Bisbee's Cotillion Band, was all that could be desired. Twenty-four set were formed on the floor, and all dancing at once most of the time until after midnight. A call was made for the first fifty tickets for supper at 11:30 o'clock, and the parties departed, for the Northern, where a most sumptuous supper was provided by Mr. Roosenvelt, and to which all did ample justice. About 150 ladies and gentlemen sat down at the first tables. The large dining hall was completely filled for the third time before all were served. It woulkd afford us pleasure to furnish our readers a complete bill of fare which the genial landlord furnished on this occasion, as it was truly recherche (?) in its character and abundance. We may be permitted to name a few dishes: Oyster stew, scalloped oysters, cold turkey, cold boiled ham, salads, pickles, jellies, oranges, etc. The hot tea and coffee was superb. All was in excellent order, the waiters obliging and attentive, and not an incident to mar the happiness of the occasion. Supper being over, many departed for their homes, while others again repaired to the hall to indulge in the card playing or dancing for a few hours later. As might be supposed the kind of dancing indulged in on such an occasion was of the old fashioned kind. The contra dance, the cotillion, the waltz and reel were especial favorites. Our reporter was informed that at the close some of the oldest citizens desired an old time moss-back contra-dance, and in old time costume, by first removing coats and boots, tying their suspenders tightly about the waist and "wading in" in their stocking feet. A few sets were formed in this manner and an exceedingly hilarious time was had, one gentleman becoming so excited that his stockings flew off also, but gave him no concern, nor did he allow it to interfere. At the close of the party Mr. J. G. Palmer, in a feeling and appropriate speech announced that there accumulated in the treasurer's hands from previous years about $155, and it was moved that $100 of this surplus fund be presented to our most worthy and honored citizen, Mr. Charles Shafer, which resolution was instantly and unanimously carried. Considering Mr. Shafer's infirmity and his standing as a citizen, we believe this action will meet with universal approval. The following is a complete list of those in attendance: Since the list was not in alpha order, I have taken the liberty to do it, in hopes of making it much easier to find all the names. Aitken, David Aitken, John Aitkens, Mrs. James Armour, Mrs. Anna Baker, Mr. and Mrs. J.S. Baker, Mr. and Mrs. Will Barton, Miss Susie Barton, Joseph Barton, Mr. and Mrs. Hank Benson, D.S. Bigelow, Steven F. Bowers, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Brooks, Mr. and Mrs. A.L. Brooks, Minnie Brown, Mr. and Mrs. M. Byers, Mr. and Mrs. John F. Carr, Mr. and Mrs. John Chappell, Edna Clark, Harry and Cora Clark, Mr. and Mrs. I. T. Clark Clark, Mr. and Mrs. E.P. Clark, Mr. and Mrs. J. Frank Cornell, Mr. and Mrs. George P. Crandell, Mr. and Mrs. C.D. Crawford, Mr. and Mrs. George W. Crawford. Fannie and Maggie Cunningham, Mr. and Mrs. C.W. Currie, Miss Maria Currie, Peter Dalziel, Mr. and Mrs. Benj. Dalziel, Jennie Dalziel, Kitty Dalziel, Matie Dalziel, Mr. and Mrs. Will Dalziel, William Darling, Mr. and Mrs. E.J. Darrah, Mr. and Mrs. C.M. Darrah, Mr. and Mrs. J.M. Davenport, Mr. and Mrs. B.I. Dewey, Harry Dingman, Mr. and Mrs. James Donly, A.H. Donly, Ellen Drew, Mr. and Mrs. N. Drew, Mrs. Will Dumon, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Dunning, Mrs. W.W. Ely, Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Ely, Minnie and Maria Escott, Bertie Escott. Mr. and Mrs. J.T. Evans, Mrs. E.H. Fenning, Mr. and Mrs. John Fields, Fred Fields, Mrs. James Fisher, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Ford, Mr. and Mrs. E.W. Foster, Mr. and Mrs. J.H. Foster, Mr. and Mrs. S.W. Foster, Will Frederick, Mr. and Mrs. Eli Frederick, Harley and sister French, Mrs. Phoebe Fuller, Mr. and Mrs. C.C. Furster, Etta Gay, Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Gay, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Gibbs, Mr. and Mrs. Fred and daughter Gibbs, Mr. and Mrs. James M. Gooch, Mr. and Mrs. B.F. Gooch, Sylvia Green, George Green, Mr. and Mrs. George W. Green, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Green, Sen. Lola Greenfield, Charles Greenfield, Mr. and Mrs. John Griffin, Minnie Hammond, Mr. and Mrs. C.H. Haney, Cora Hoag, Ida Hobart, Mr. and Mrs. A.R. Hong, Mr. and Mrs. J.E. Howig, Julia Howig, Mr. and Mrs. F.A. Hudnutt, Mrs. and Mrs. J.O. Hunt, Mr. and Mrs. Warren Ives, George B. Jakeway, Mr. and Mrs. A.J. Jones, Dell Kelly, Mrs. Peter Kent, Mr. and Mrs. Monroe Kline, Miss Kline, Mr. and Mrs. George Ladner, Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Ladner, Mr. and Mrs. R.D. Ladner, Mr. and Mrs. William Lane, Mr. and Mrs. John C. Lazell, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Lduke, Mr. and Mrs. John Louckes, Mr. and Mrs. John N. Loudon, Mr. and Mrs. John Lovejoy, Mr. and Mrs. Dell Lovejoy, Mr. and Mrs. Lymon Loveless, Mr. and Mrs. L.T. Lowe, Mr. and Mrs. William McConnell, Charles H. McCormick, Mr. and Mrs. James McDonnall, Mr. and Mrs. Fred McFarlane, Andrew McFarlane, Mr. and Mrs. Alex McFarlane, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew McFarlane, Mary McGregor, David and Jennie McLellan, Mr. and Mrs. D. McLellan, Will McNaughton, Mr. and Mrs. William Maher, Alice Maher, Mre. and Mrs. D. Markham, Amy Markham, Frank E. Markham, Mr. and Mrs. A.F. Martin, Alzada Martin, Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Martin, J.L. Mason, Mr. and Mrs. A.S. Mather. Mr. and Mrs. E.P. Miller, Mr. and Mrs. F.G. Miller, Mr. and Mrs. George Mitchell, William G. Moody, Mr. and Mrs. W.D. Moon, Mr. and Mrs. R.A. Montonye, Mr. and Mrs. W. P. Morrissey, Mr. and Mrs. M. Morrison, Lucy Murray, Mr. and Mrs. J.R. Nisbett, Mr. and Mrs. W.P. Osburn. Mr. and Mrs. I.J. Owen, Mr. and Mrs. T.J. Palmer, Mr. and Mrs. J.H. Palmer, Mr. and Mrs. L.G. Palmer, Marion Parkill, Mr. and Mrs. James Peters, Nettie Pfistner, Fred Pfistner, Jennie and Emma Philleo, Mr. and Mrs. James Philleo, Mr. and Mrs. W.C. Pierson, Mrs. Allen F. Powers, Mr. and Mrs. James Preston, Mr. and Mrs. A. Putnam, Grant Putnam, Mr. and Mrs. W.W. Robbins, Charles W. Robbins, Hattie, Howard and Minnie Robbins, Mr. and Mrs. F.S. Rogers, Mr. and Mrs. J.H. Russell, Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Seaman, Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Seaman, Peter Sebastian, Mr. and Mrs. George Segar, Mr. and Mrs. Ben Shafer, Aggie Shafer, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Shaw, Mr. and Mrs. John Shaw, Mattie and Lizzie Shaw, Thomas Shields, Mr. and Mrs. George Shier, Mary Skelton, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Jay Stearns, Charles Stearns, Mr. and Mrs. George F. Stickney, Mr. and Mrs. E.M. Stickney, Nellie Stone, Charlie Thompson, Mr. and Mrs. S.D. Tenny, H.S. Tenny, Minnie Tubbs, Mr. and Mrs. H.N. Turk, Mr. and Mrs. Sam Turk Utley, Mr. and Mrs. C.W. Utley, Mr. and Mrs. W.S. VanBuren, Mr. and Mrs. Will Vandersluis, Mr. and Mrs. F.O. Vanguilder, Mr. and Mrs. A. Vanloo, KIngsley Wakefield, Fred Watson, Matie Weaver, Mrs. John Webster, Mr. and Mrs. S.G. Wernette, Mrs. C.W. West, Annie West, Charles West, George West, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Wheeler, T.M. Whipple, Mr. and Mrs. W.H. Whitney, Mr. and Mrs. W.A. Wilcox, Fred Williams, Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Winchester, Mr. and Mrs. G.W. Winter, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Wiseman, C.M. Wiseman, Emmett Wiseman, Mr. and Mrs. John Wiseman, Linda Woolley, Mr. and Mrs. Vernor |
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