Obrien County IA Archives History - Books .....Chapter X Old Settlers' Reunion 1914
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Book Title: Past And Present Of O'Brien And Osceola Counties, Iowa
CHAPTER X.
OLD SETTLERS' REUNION.
Many gatherings of old settlers, in small groups and neighborhoods and
townships; took place along through the early years.
But probably the first full-grown, county-wide reunion on a large scale of
old settlers took place at Primghar on August 31, 1889. The old homesteaders
were practically all yet alive, and actually there. Hannibal House Waterman and
Hannah H. Waterman, his wife, were the honored guests. The writer was present.
He must pronounce it beyond question the grandest public function ever held in
the county, even up to this 1914. It was representative of the idea that brought
the great crowd of eight to ten thousand people together. It was not simply from
one section of the county. Every township and town was largely there. It
occurred only eighteen years distant from the first large incoming of the real
citizen homesteader in 1871. While this same class of a reunion was repeated in
1894, 1899, 1904 and 1909, none of the later reunions reached in size or detail
its equal. It was democratic. It was pioneer. The people were in fact there. The
real homesteader was there; they were all there with their children. They were
close enough in time to reach back to the real grasshopper and hay twister, to
understand its true meaning, and yet it had struck into the high tide of the
better prosperities. The trees in the court house park had reached a sufficient
size to really make a shade. It was one of the greatest, as it was probably the
last occasion when the real old settler and all of them were so universally
present. At the succeeding reunions, many were dead. The later and lesser in
numbers compared with the increasing numbers of new settlers began in the later
reunions at intervals of five years to swallow the old homesteader up in the
swim, as it were. On this occasion, August 31, 1889, the old homesteader had
reached his climax. The bright day had dawned. The railroad at Primghar had been
built but two years, the new buildings had been completed, and its new people
were on hand in dress parade to bid welcome. As this was one of the great
occasions in the county that rises to the dignity of a county-wide historic
occasion, and inasmuch as its details will include a weaving among those details
much of the early situations, customs and people, we will give the full account
of same as published in the O'Brien County Bell the following week.
NEWSPAPER ACCOUNT OF THE REUNION.
The O'Brien County Bell, September 5, 1889: "From the abundance of the heart
the mouth speaketh," but there is just no use in attempting to tell the story
complete of the old settlers' reunion and harvest festival, held at Primghar
last Saturday, for two reasons, first, the heart is too full, and the mouth is
too small.
The morning came in beautiful, the sun appeared in its glory, the atmosphere
was pure. By daylight every man, woman and child in Primghar was up and dressed
far the occasion, ready to assist in making the day, as it was, one never to be
forgotten by the thousands who were present. It goes without contradiction, that
the assemblage of people was the largest and grandest that has ever occurred in
the entire Northwest, outside of the thronged days at the Sioux City Corn Palace
exhibition.
At sunrise occurred the national salute of forty-two guns, during which time
those of our citizens who had not completed (the night before) their
decorations, could be seen, some on roofs, others on boxes and barrels, tacking
up bunting, stars and stripes, mottoes and pictures.
DECORATIONS.
First the reader will be, as was the visitor, introduced to the decorations
as prepared by the Primghar people, from thence invited to follow these lines on
through in regular order as the exercises of the day were carried out.
One-half mile from the court house, on all roads leading into the town, and
at the depot, were suspended, eighteen feet high, large banners, "Welcome,"
each
of which was decorated with either corn, flax, wheat, oats, hay-twists or
vegetables of some description. By this it was made manifest to all visitors
that they were expected, and further, that the town and inside of it belonged to
them. Every house, public building, as well as numerous stables, sheds and
fences were found ornamented with decorations of some sort. Front gates and
sidewalks were arched over with beautiful designs, made of grain of all kinds,
grasses, wild flowers, house plants and vegetables. Many of the arches bore
appropriate mottoes. In the business part of the town, there seemed no way to
enter except under mammoth arches at each of the four corners of the public
square. At the northwest corner was an arch, or rather arches, or cross arch
from corner to corner, really a double arch, seventy feet square at the base and
forty feet high, which was decorated with prairie flowers, wild thistles, corn
and small grain, together with two hundred yards of bunting. At the foot of each
arch was a shock of either corn or grain of some kind. An arch at the southwest
corner was a duplicate of above. At the southeast corner of the square was an
arch crossing the entire square seventy feet from corner to opposite corner,
timbers from each corner rising to the center, pyramid shape, forty feet. The
frame work was so constructed as to leave a large square, twenty feet high, in
which were placed humorous paintings by Primghar's very clever artist, M. P.
Messenger. One was represented as follows: Numerous grasshoppers were stripping
stalks of green corn same as sugar cane stalks are stripped, with another large
hopper starting out on a journey, apparently captain of this band of hoppers,
bearing in his mouth a banner, "More to conquer." At the lower right hand
corner
of the picture was a long, lean, lank hog, poorer than Job's turkey. On his back
was perched a large hopper, and on the ribs of the hog painted the words, "Spare
rib," "Corn all gone." Another of Mr. Messenger's paintings represented
the "Old
Log Court House," with six county officers in view, with "Old Dutch Fred"
standing at a distance, smoking his long pipe, as he was making that well-known
remark, "I am de beeples, you fellows am de officers." As everybody knew, Dutch
Fred was the only man in the county who was not an officer, there being only
seven residents at that time. Still another painting represented a large
grasshopper painted in colors bearing a mower sickle and reaper reel in his
mouth, "O'Brien County Combined Reaper and Mower, 1876."
We next come to the imposing arch at the northeast corner of the square. It
was indeed a surprise. George R. Slocum and George W. Schee each had a bank
across from each other at this time at this northeast corner of the square, and
they had challenged each other for the best donations and decorations. It was
asserted at the time that this arch as a whole actually cost over three hundred
dollars. This arch was forty feet square at the base and seventy feet high, two
stories, with full stairway to ascend, and held several hundred people. The long
procession passed under each of the four arches, but here the officers and
committees reviewed the procession. This arch was pyramid in shape, built of
heavy timbers, bolted together and self-supporting in the center to hold up the
audience expected, the other arches being supported only at the corners. During
the day the bands dispensed music from the top of this arch, and hundreds of
people ascended the stairs to take a view of the crowds and country. High in the
air, at this arch, was suspended "Welcomes," made of kernels of corn. The
entire
structure was completely covered with grain of every description and design,
mixed in with hundreds of yards of bunting. George R. Slocum had constructed a
map of O'Brien county about six feet square, made up of every possible
combination of ears of corn and the grains of all kinds of corn imaginable. It
was claimed that had value of time been considered, one hundred and fifty
dollars would not have done the work. It was taken to Sioux City to the Corn
Palace for exhibition and later to the state capitol, so many wanting to see it.
The four arches cost about five hundred dollars. When we state that the town
raised more than one thousand dollars, exclusive of individual expense for the
day, we can see the scale on which it was carried out.
The sidewalk from the front entrance to the court house was decorated in
like elaborate; style. Frank N. Derby was then county treasurer and Charles H.
Winterble county auditor, and they vied with each other as to which could
suggest the most original idea. This sidewalk of about eighty feet was one long,
high arch, covered roof like; Japanese style. In size it was eight by twelve,
and thirteen feet high. The roof was thatched with oats and grains, Japanese
shape, all decorated very elaborately with the grains, ears of corn and its
grains as appearance demanded. The north side, near the entrance, was finished
with grain and corn stalks trimmed, being placed in such a manner as to leave a
large diamond, three feet square, in the center, and in which appeared steel
engravings of all the Presidents of the United States to Grover Cleveland,
inclusive. This diamond was beautifully draped with the Stars and Stripes. The
south side was dressed with grains of all kinds, together with grasses in the
center, to correspond with the diamond on the north side, its three-foot diamond
being worked in kernels of corn. The interior of the whole long archway was
finished with all kinds of grasses interwoven in a multitude of forms.
The inside of the court house was similarly decorated, as likewise the
entrances to and the inside of the offices themselves. Near to the stairway
leading to the court room was a beautiful arch constructed with flags. Isaac
Clements, who was then county recorder, and John W. Walters, clerk of the courts
and whose offices were on the west side, made archway decorations on an equal
scale.
THE PARK ITSELF.
The trees in the park were then eleven years old, planted in 1878. There
were then probably ten times the number of trees as now, many being thinned out
as they grew. These trees were all decorated in all manner of forms and shapes.
They were smaller then, the first limbs being then just about as high as one's
shoulders, the right, height for decoration. The invincible F. M. (Pomp)
McCormack, of the Bell, made this work his special feature. He had
enthusiastically gotten every merchant and business man in town to take it upon
himself to decorate one tree. For instance, one tree for the "Press" was
decorated by all sorts of hangings relating to the newspapers of the county and
their editors.
The speaker's stand, twetny [sic] feet by sixty, four feet above ground,
with a back wall eighteen feet high, was literally covered with flags and
bunting. In front of the stand, nicely arranged, was a rope of flowers twenty
feet long, and very beautiful, the work of Mrs. L. D. Wooster. Directly in front
of the speaker's stand was a mammoth floral anchor, the work of Mrs. Frank N.
Derby. At the noon hour sixteen long tables were constructed, one for each
township and each eighty feet long, or a total of twelve hundred and eighty
feet, the whole loaded, as was humorously remarked that day, containing enough
provisions to have lasted the entire population of the county in 1860 (seven
voters) from that time until the grasshoppers came. The old homesteader up to
that date made all his bows and comparisons to the grasshopper.
At the northwest corner of the park, and clear across the corner, was
erected a soldiers' monument, fourteen by fourteen feet at base and seventy feet
high, which was headquarters all day for the old soldier homesteaders, and one
hundred and forty old soldiers registered, though all did not get their names
recorded. This monument was nicely and appropriately decorated in keeping with
the other decorations of the day. Many of the business buildings were likewise
elaborately decorated in various designs in corn and the grains. This subject
can best be summed up by saying that everything and everybody in Primghar was
decorated, and the streets were a sea of flags.
COMMENCED TO ARRIVE.
Many arrived as early as Friday, among them being Mr. and Mrs. Hannibal
Waterman, the first citizens, Mr. John McCormack, the early-day hunter, and
Uncle Don C. Berry, a very unique and early-day character.
Even as early as eight o'clock in the morning the people began to pour in;
at eight-thirty it was estimated there were two thousand. The excursion train
from Cherokee at eight-forty brought in several hundred, who were met at the
depot by Assistant Marshal Charles F. Albright, the Hub Cornet Band and
reception committee. By this time every highway leading to Primghar was lined
with teams as far as the eye could reach, some processions actually being two
and three miles in length. At ten the excursion train from Sheldon arrived,
every car packed with people, bringing their fine Sheldon Band. This delegation
was likewise met with Primghar committees. Next came the Sanborn and Franklin
township delegation, headed by the Sanborn band. With the Paullina and Union and
Caledonia township delegations came the Caledonia Brass Band, making in all six
bands, including the Sheldon Drum Corps and Charley West's unique drum corps,
composed entirely of members of his family. It seemed that every citizen of the
county was there. Assistant marshals went out to meet the delegations from each
township as they arrived.
THE PARADE.
"Fall in" was the order given by the marshals and old soldiers. The Sanborn
band headed the procession. Next came Hannibal Waterman and wife, the first
settlers, seated in the rear of a beautifully decorated carriage. The front seat
was occupied by John McCormack, the deer slayer, Mr. Waterman's neighbor and
noted hunter of the early days. At his left sat Miss Jennie Scott, holding the
banner: "First Settlers of O'Brien county, Mr. and Mrs. H. H. Waterman."
This carriage was surrounded by a band of Indians in war paint, apparently
intent on capturing Mr. and Mrs. Waterman, picturing out the scenes and frights
they had contended with. All this can only be described in part. The procession
was lined with all kinds of banners and mottoes, and included all manner of old
relics, horses over twenty years in the county, harness made of rope and hay
twists, hay twisters twisting hay, as was actually done during the years and
throwing them out to the crowd, with even sod shanties built on wagon floats.
One banner read, "Dod blame it, boys, come on," being a very familiar
expression
of Capt. Andrew J. Edwards, an old homesteader, an old soldier and captain in
the Civil War and ex-county auditor, 1872-1876. Another read, "How far is it to
Paine's store," so many years standing on the treeless prairie in Highland. One
large banner read, "In this (s) Wheat Bye and Bye," and was represented by two
grasshoppers sitting on the fence looking over into a wheat field, one playing a
musical instrument, while the other was doing the singing. A banner from Carroll
read "1889 Prosperity and Friendship." Another read, "1880 Turn of the
Tide."
Another, "Common Schools the Hope of Our Country." Another, "1876, They
Took It
All, Still We Stay." As this last banner moved along, scores of spectators who
lived here in 1876 could be seen wiping away the tears, for they knew too well
what it meant; the days when prayers were offered to take from them the
grasshopper plague came fresh to their memories. The mother recalled to her mind
those days of distress; that little boy or girl she could see again, with
nothing scarcely to eat and less to wear; she beheld them clustering around on
the boxes used for chairs endeavoring to keep warm by the old hay stove; she saw
the labor of herself and husband vanish in a day before this unconquerable foe,
the hopper, and in this affliction the parents' affection for their little ones
became stronger and the child's for the parent, as they entwined themselves in
actual embrace around papa or mama, even as the delicate tendrils of the ivy
wound around the protecting and sheltering limbs of the sturdy oak. Those were
indeed days of trial and desolation, and now, this August 31, 1889, the panorama
was passing by yes, mother and father beheld it in all its meaning. The plague
was here, the earth was parched, distress was inevitable, the clouds of misery
were enveloping them with its wrapper in stern reality; courage must hold out,
and to withstand the storm was the only hope. What gave them hope? We will tell
you. As the dew of early morning most refreshes and benefits the summer
blossoms, so the sweet, trusting confidence and sublime simplicity of these
children keep fresh the flowers of affection, and prevent the father's heart
from becoming like a parched and sandy desert. But victory came at last.
Charles Slack, one of the oldest settlers from Grant, carried in the
procession a beautiful fruit banner, upon which were many different kinds of
fruit, all from his farm. Nothing "slack" about that. The Omega township
delegation had a beautiful banner made entirely from the grasses and wild
prairie flowers. As the procession passed sixteen guns were fired, one for each
township. Gust Kirchner, the first settler in Clay county, was in the
procession, and also Mr. Phipps, though not the first, one of the first from
Cherokee county. The procession was one hour and thirty minutes passing a given
point. It was claimed that the procession was between five and six miles long,
besides which hundreds of teams did not get into it at all. It was said by many
here from the other counties that no parade ever held in northwestern Iowa
equaled it. At the stand two other banners found a place, "We came to see the
father and mother of the county," and "We want to see the Old Folks, Pap and
Mam." Prof. W. S. Wilson, for so many years head of the public schools at
Sheldon, was chairman of the day. The address of welcome was deliverey [sic] by
J. L. E. Peck. D. A. W. Perkins was scheduled to deliver the main address, but
failed to arrive, sending a letter instead which was read.
O'BRIEN COUNTY RELICS.
During the old settlers' reunion held August 31, 1889, the following relics
were exhibited that related to O'Brien county people:
Canes secured by Capt. Robert C. Tifft (Primghar) during his sea voyages.
Mariner's compass, by Capt. Robert C. Tifft.
War relics, by William Church.
Cedar knot from cedar tree on Waterman, by Mrs. Roma W. Woods.
Chair fifty-five years old, by Mrs. Hannah Waterman, used in their family.
Piece of first house built in county by Hannibal H. Waterman.
Indian mauls or war axes, by A. W. H. Stone and C. West.
Cluster of buffalo, antelope and deer horns, by Mr. Wells, of Highland.
Hog trough thirty-two years old, by H. H. Waterman.
Deer horns, by William King, of Highland.
Baby carriage used for Frank Tifft, of Primghar, when a baby.
Pocket book made in 1660, used in family of Capt. Robert C. Tifft.
Captain Kane's panoramic views in the Arctic, by Captain Tifft.
Picture frame and spoon carved by N. Remington in grasshopper times.
Spinning wheel used in family of Henry Buse seventy-five years.
Spike and brick taken from old school house in Grant. A brick made for same.
Sample of oak, walnut and cotton wood cut on Waterman creek and sawed at
Peterson in 1870.
Silk dress, one hundred years old handed down in family to Mrs. C. F. Albright.
Photographs of early settlers, contributed by John Walters.
Photograph of first court house (log), contributed by Clark Green.
Letter head used by Arichbald [sic] Murray.
Knife used by John McCormack in killing and dressing over two hundred deer
in O'Brien county.
Early maps of O'Brien county, by W. H. Gunsul.
Additional Comments:
Extracted from:
PAST AND PRESENT OF
O'Brien and Osceola Counties, Iowa
BY
HON. J. L. E. PECK and HON. O. H. MONTZHEIMER
For O'Brien County
AND
HON. WILLIAM J. MILLER
For Osceola County
VOL. I
ILLUSTRATED
1914
B. F. BOWEN & COMPANY, Inc. Indianapolis, Indiana
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