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GOLD EXCITEMENT

     No doubt the desire for "gold" has been a main-spring of all progress and exertion in Washington county, from the beginning until the present time, and will so continue unto ages remote. But usually this desire has been made manifest only in the usual avenues of thrift, industry and enterprise.
    On two occasions, however, it has passed the bounds of reason, and assumed the character of a mania or delusion, which produced nothing- but evil effects. The desire for riches is a benefit only when it comes like II gentle and steady rain, sinking into the ground and refreshing the earth; but when it comes like a wild storm, it leaves only wreck and disaster in its path. Such is the moral easily drawn from the experience of Washington county.
     The first gold mania here dates back to the from of 1849, when stories first began to spread of the wondrous richness of the placer mines of California, The excitement grew daily, feeding on the marvelous reports that came from the Eldorado of the West, until at last nothing was talked of but the adventures and achievements of the Argonauts of '49.
Instead of dying out, the fever mounted higher and higher. It was too late that season to attempt to cross the plains, hut many of the Washing-ton county people began their preparations for starting early in the corning spring. The one great subject of discussion about the firesides of the log cabins of Washington county that winter was the gold of California. At one time nearly every man in the county was unsettled in mind, and seriously considering the project of starting for California. The more hardy and adventurous impatiently awaited the time when they should abandon the little property and comfortable homes already gained by honest thrift, and join the wild rush for California as soon as the weather and grass would permit. Even the most thoughtful and sober-minded men found it difficult to resist the infection.
     Wonderful sights were seen when this great emigration passed through sights that may never be again seen in the county, perhaps, Some of tile wagons were drawn by cows; other gold-hunters went on toot and hauled their worldly goods in hand-carts. The gold-hunters generally had left the moralities of life behind them, and were infested with a spirit of disorder and demoralization. The settlers breathed easier when they had passed.
     Early in the spring of 1850 the rush began, one line of the California trail passing directly through this county. It must have been a scene to beggar all description. There was one continuous line of wagons from east to west as far as the eye could reach, moving steadily westward, and, like a cyclone, drawing into its course on the right and left many of those along its pathway. The gold-hunters from Washington county crowded eagerly into the gaps in the wagon-trains, bidding farewell to their nearest and dearest friends, and many of them never to be seen again on earth. Sadder farewells were never spoken. Many of the gold-hunters left their quiet, peaceful homes only to find in the "Far West" utter disappointment and death, Very, very few of them ever gained anything, and the great majority lost everything, including even "their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor," The persons who really gained by the gold excitement were those who remained on their farms and sold their produce to the gold crazy emigrants, The rush continued until about the first of June, 1850, when the great tide began to abate, although belated gold-hunters kept passing through for some time. But the excitement began to die away, and those citizens who had judgment enough to resist the contagion now settled down in quiet to pursue the even tenor of their way.
     The scene along this line, through this vicinity, is thus described by one who was an eye-witness:

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     "It seemed that Bedlam itself had been let loose. A continuous line of wagons stretched away to the west as far as the eye could see. If a wagon was detained by being broken down, or by reason of a sick horse or ox, it was dropped out of line and the gap closed up immediately. If a poor mortal should sicken and die, the corpse was buried hurriedly by the wayside, without coffin or burial service. When night carne on, the line of wagons was turned aside, and their proprietors would go into camp. Very soon the sound of revelry would begin around the camp-fires thickly set on every hand, first to bottle and then to cards, to the echo of the most horrid oaths and imprecations that were ever conceived or uttered since the fall of man. These poor deluded votaries of Mammon scattered that dreadful scourge, small-pox, everywhere that they came in contact with the settlers on the way. Game cards were strewn all along the line of travel. Glass bottles, after being emptied of their nefarious contents down the throats of the men, were dashed against wagon wheels, pieces of which were thickly strewn all along the road, as if to mock the madness of the advancing column of these fervent janizaries of the golden calf.
     "At the time of the treaty of Gaudalope [Guadalope] Hidalgo, the population of California did not exceed thirty thousand, while at the time of which we are writing (1850) there were more than one hundred and fifty thousand people who had found their way thither, of which number at least one hundred thousand were gold hunters from the States. There had been taken from the auriferous beds of California, up to January, 1850, over $40,000,000 in gold.
     "The evil effects of this gold mania upon the moral status of the people of the United States is still seen and felt everywhere, and among all classes of society, and no man can see the end. It has popularized the worship of Mammon to an alarming extent throughout the country, and to this worship may be imputed, to a great extent, the moral declension of today."
     Years after, this county had another gold excitement, which, happily, was not so serious as the first, and did not produce the same evil effects. But it is an equally good illustration to show how quickly men will lose their senses when they hope to gain wealth more rapidly than by honest work and thrift.
     The excitement of the discovery of gold at Pike's Peak, in 1859, drew off a large number of the citizens of the county, many of whom returned poorer than they went, and glad and anxious to get home again from that land of high prices and small profits from mining. We have not been able to discover that any of the gold-seekers from the county ever became "bonanza kings."
     The editor of the Washington" Press" in his issue of June 1,1859, says: "We were rather surprised yesterday by the entrance into our sanctum of nine men who were returning together from Pike's Peak. They were out of money and provisions and seeking employment to enable them to reach their homes. 1'hey were from Illinois. They had been invoking the muses to enable them to express their notion of a golden humbug. At our request they sang the production. all joining in the chorus with a good deal of feeling, the [the] tears standing in one old man's eyes all the while. We append two or three verses as a sample:

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When gold was found in '59,
The people thought 'twas true,
And some of them were fools enough
To pack provisions though.

'Chorus-But now remember what you were told
When you started after gold,
That you never, never in this world
Would live to make your pile.

But before .they' d got into the mines,
They found they were mistaken;
And so with wheelbarrows and handcarts
The back track they had taken.

'Chorus-But now, etc.

' But the Illinois boys are good grit,
As sure as you are born;
They've been mighty badly humbugged,
And are willing to own the corn.

' Chorus-But now, etc.' "

     The editor promised to publish the rest next week, but it is hoped that the readers of his valuable paper were spared the infliction.
     When the leading men of the nation were bending all their energies toward the perfecting of arrangements whereby the one-hundredth anniversary of the nation might be creditably celebrated, and hundreds of people all over the western country were looking forward to the great "Centennial," when they should visit the home of their childhood, and, as they expressed it, "take in the Centennial," there were hundreds of others whose eyes were turned in the other direction.
     The Custer expedition, which, by order of the government, had made an examination of the rich hunting grounds of the Sioux Indians returned, and the official report of the expedition confirmed the former rumors with regard to the rich gold deposits of that region. The whole West was immediately ablaze with excitement, and although the government had not authorized the opening of that country for immigration, and although the savages were known to be numerous and hostile, yet from every quarter came the cry, "To the Black Hills! "
     The leading lines of railway leading across the State were taxed to furnish transportation for the thousands who sought to throng the trains, and upon every wagon route leading west and northwest might he seen mule teams, ox teams and teams of horses with their steps leading toward the Black Hills. From the West, too, came the gold-hunters. Hundreds of men who, in forty-nine and fifty, had crossed the plains to the Pacific in quest of the yellow treasure, now retraced their steps in search of the god which was supposed to be enshrined in the dominions of "Sitting Bull" This ruler of the dusky race did not invite into his dominions these worshipers of the golden god, but on the contrary most emphatically objected to this violation of sacred treaties; moreover he gave some very decided exhibitions of his displeasure, and from the belts of warriors soon dangled many a pale-face scalp; yet the multitude surged on, and the watch-word was, "To the Black Hills! Sitting Bull or no Sitting Bull." The opening of several rich mines, and the founding of the city of Deadwood was the result. While some made their fortunes, many thousands lost their all,

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and those who did not lose their lives on the plains returned poor, disheartened, and many broken down in health. Washington county furnished its full quota to the Black Hills army, and the Black Hills army furnished to Washington county its full quota of paupers, and thus has equilibrium again been restored.

WASHINGTON AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

      This organization was instituted in 1853, and is therefore one of the oldest of the kind in the State. Of course at first it was rather a small affair, the facilities for holding annual exhibitions very limited and the amount offered for premiums very small. The organization, however, grew in wealth and influence from year to year, grounds were fitted up for the accommodation of exhibitors and visitors, and as each annual fair succeed each other, it became more largely attended and the inducements held out both to exhibitor and visitors became greater until 1858, when the fifth annual fair was held, which was an affair which would do credit to the enterprise and liberality of the present day, and would compare favorably with county fairs now held throughout the State. It was held at the fair grounds at Washington, on the 13th, 14th and 15th of October.
There were over two hundred entries made, and the premiums paid aggregated about $200. H. A. Ball received the first premium on his draft stallion, $3.00; F. Wolf second, $2.00; and D. F. Wilson a diploma as third premium. Morgan Hart received $2.00 as premium for best matched team, and C. Craven $3.00 for best jack. K. Clemmons was a breeder of blooded stock and received $4.00 as premium for best Durham bull, also $1.00 as second premium; the same gentleman received four other premiums on his cattle. F. H. Hutchinson took nearly all the premiums on sheep; and Wm. G. Stewart the first premium on hogs. Charles N. Stewart had the loudest quacking ducks; George Hayes' chickens laid the most eggs, while William Knox's could cackle loudest. Mrs. John Dawson made quilts with the greatest number and variety of patches; Jacob McFarland spun the best yarn, out of' which, or some other, Mrs. M. Palmer knit the best socks. Mrs. Will. Anderson baked the best cake, and Mrs. Morgan Hart carried off the palm for gooseberry jelly. Lot Hayden for making a premium hog trough got 50 cents, and E. Crawford, a diploma for a patent bee-hive. At the close of the fair the following officers were elected:
     President, Calvin Craven; secretary, N. P. Chipman; treasurer, J. R. Lewis.
Directors:-John Palmer, Washington township; Jesse Pierson, Oregon; F. T. Loveland, Dutch Creek; J. S. Reeves, Marion; Jas. Vincent, Franklin; H. Taylor, Lime Creek; Jason Thompson, Crawford; J. T. Sales, Brighton, Iowa; J. G. Melvin, D. R. Carnahan, Jackson; N. Littler, English River; S. E. Hawthorn, Seventy-six; F. H. Hutchinson, Clay; John S. Beaty, Cedar.
     The agricultural society of Washington county as at present constituted is not the same society as the one organized in 1853, but as it is its legitimate successor the two organizations may properly be considered as one organization. The society as now organized was formed in 1875, and has large and elegantly furnished grounds immediately west of the city of Washington where the [the] annual fairs are held. The last fair occurred during the second week in September and continued four days. The fol-

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lowing description of the fair which contains extracts from the "Press" report will give a good idea of the [the] exhibition:
     "The fair opened on the 9th, and continued four days, but really occupied public attention but two days. The ninth was devoted to making entries and getting ready. Oh the morning of the 10th the sky looked squally, and people staid at home. But on the 11th, in spite of Sahara roads and monsoons of dust, enough folks came to put some $800 into the treasury in the way of 15c. and 25c. gate ticket moneys. As they got ready to go home at five P.M., a tremendous storm came on. The dust being effectually laid, quite a large crowd came back on the last day. The managers feel as gay and jolly as Mark Tapley, because, while the fairs in Sigourney and Fairfield at the same time were pronounced failures, we took in enough silver to pay premiums in full.
     "And patrons got the worth of their money. The display of good stock was never before as large or as good as this year. The total entries foot up full one-third more than ever before. The show of short-horns, blooded horses, and hogs beat the State fair exhibit, and' there was nothing at Des Moines that was quite as pretty as the floral decorations.
     "On one side Pomona spread her fruits, - grapes, apples, pears, plums, etc., and kissed her fragrant fingers across the way to Ceres who emptied her apron full of grains, vegetables, etc., upon the groaning shelves. Everything, wheat, corn, potatoes, etc., has matured finely this year, and the average merit of exhibits by those mythological creatures was very high. "The women had not been behindhand. They came up smiling with dead loads of housewife products, bread, cake, canned fruits, etc., which illustrated their forenoons' work in kitchens: and across the aisle were needle and fancy work done in parlors or sitting rooms in afternoons when they had dressed and improved their complexions. The immemorial afghans which did duty in the Ark were not there this year, but there was no end to pretty and skillful crochet, tatting, patchwork quilts, cotton batting dogs, etc., - everything except their poems and the diaries or journals in which women are supposed to embody their aspirations, sentiments and the pilgrimages of their souls, God bless 'em. As usual, the 'Press' man did not succeed in getting on any of the tasting committees in the goody department odorous of the kitchen, and so did not get a smell, as it were. It may be difficult for those who are not among the initiated into the mysteries of the science, or art as yon may call it, of agriculture, to understand what an agricultural society has to do with the propagation and improvement of babies, but nevertheless the Washington agricultural society has in connection with its annual fair a babyshow..
     "Capt. Moreland did his best to get a committee of bachelors and spinsters, but they said 'pshaw!' 'la' and passed on, claiming exemption through inexperience. But Mesdames Alice White and L. Whitcomb and Mr., Denny accepted the trust, took the oath of office, swore to support the constitution and all the amendments, agreed to do the white thing by the babes, and said trot out your fine stock. There were four entries, Glenn McMillan, only son of Horace, Lloyd Terry, ditto of Me., James Madison Brockway, only son of the President, and May, daughter of Geo. W. Howe. The committee got the pedigrees, examined the rings on their fingers, the bells on their toes, kissed them a good deal, pawed over their clothes, toyed with their dimples and curls, gently pulled their noses, etc., and finally gave Glenn the $10 belt and J. M. B. the $5 ribbon.

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     "It is only a step from the sublime to the ridiculous, and only one step from babies to poultry; so I go out to look at the coops. There were lordly roosters bragging over their harems or Mormon households, each having many wives sealed unto him and pluming himself on his superiority to the oppressed sex.
     "Close by, Ditmars displayed a large col1ection of beautiful vehicles, each a different pattern. He had not as many on exhibition as in some previous years, owing to his large sales this fall and to the orders which have kept his shops a busy place, a monument testifying to the good effects of resumption in the quickening of business; but his display was admirable.
     "Further on, Bell & Bro. gave a magnificent display of carriage and buggy work. This town can hold up its head proudly, and ask any other western city of twice or thrice its size to show as finished and excellent work in this line as we can boast, thanks to the two firms named above. The Bells made the finest, largest show they have yet achieved, and may well feel proud of their wares.
     "L. & W. Smouse made a large exhibit of wagons and farm implements, very creditable to that enterprising house. "Morton & Tripp put up a Hawkeye wind-mill, advertised elsewhere, which lays all other mills in the shade. They donated its use to pump water for the grounds. It is automatic in its action, readily adjusting itself to the wind and running on a hat-full of agitated air. It is the boss, and don't you forget it, farmers.
     "I can't find room to speak of the stock in detail, for it was a show as huge as it was excellent. The main home exhibitors of cattle were John G. Stewart, J. H. and I. N. Laughead, Crumpacker & Son, with others with smaller herds. J. P. McCully, of Henry county, had a fine herd. The short-horns in particular were much admired, and there was a better showing than at the State fair. The premium award tells the story in brief, in this department, as well as in those of horses, hogs and sheep. I never saw half so many horses on exhibition here before, and they were tip-top specimens. Hog's! my, 0 my! No end of Poland-Chinas and Berkshires, which have rooted out the other brands! The main showers of these were E. F. Brockway, Wm. Billingsly, J. H. Laughead, J. G. Stewart, J. B. Crooks, J. W. McCleary, and D. W. Miller, of Keokuk county. There were some miraclous [miraculous] boars, sows and pigs, in point of size, 'heft.' form, amiability and intelligence! The pigs were very precocious, and pretty and cute enough to serve as lap dogs for milady.
     "To sum up: The receipts were some $1,700; the premiums will be paid in full; about fifty shares of stock were sold; and altogether the society may congratulate itself on its success and on the gratification that all seemed to get out of' this fair."
     The following were the officers of the society for 1879:
     O. F. Brockway, president; Jno. J. Stewart, vice-president; Geo. G. Rodman, secretary; Jas. A. Thomson, treasurer; A. G. Duke, superintendent grounds; B. F. Brown, chief marshal.
     Subdirectors:-0regon township, D. Mickey; Highland township, Edward White; Crawford township, Finney McCall; Cedar township, B. F. Brown; Iowa township, A. R Rose; Marion township, M., Bradford; Washington township, R. O. Anderson; Jackson township, Jas. H. Laughead; English River township, Wm. Billingsby; Brighton township, S. E. Woodford; Clay township, H. Ingham; Franklin township, Hugh

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Draper; Seventy-six township, David Wilson; Lime Creek township, E. W. H. Ahsby; Dutch Creek township, Joseph Brockway; Washington City, Jas. A. Cunningham.

OLD SETTLERS' ASSOOIATION.

     It has already been stated that the hardships and trials of the pioneers were calculated to make the first settlers of this county unusually friendly and sociable with one another. In those early times it was frequently the case that Mr. A. was out of provisions, and having undergone the bitter experience of want, his heart melted toward, Mr. X. whose ox team had just arrived from the far east, and immediately lights his cob pipe and saunters over to the place where the latter is encamped and inquires if there is anything he can do for him. X. in the course of a few years gets comfortably fixed, and when Mr. W. arrives from Indiana he remembers the kindness of Mr. A., and prompted by that philanthropy which is common to humanity, when humanity, is called upon to assert itself, Mr. X. calls upon Mr. W. and renders all the encouragement and help he can. And thus was laid the foundation of a friendship which by the force of circumstances was strengthened from year to year. A., X. and W. are practically communists for what one has, that has the other also. They grind their coffee on the same mill, hull their corn on the same hominy block, and when the new man with money attempts to jump A's claim X and W. are on hand with the tar and feathers. In future years when by rigid economy, industry and patience each is comfortably fixed and surrounded with all the luxuries of life we would naturally expect to find a close bond of union between them and while there is no vain show of friendship, no hypocritical display of attachment: yet the tie remains unbroken and is strengthened by age. When A. dies and is buried in the old graveyard the bond of friendship becomes still more binding on the two remaining members of this confederacy. And thus as time goes all the early settlers of the county become more closely united, and thus it is that during recent years in many counties have been formed old settlers' societies.
     The Old Settlers' Association of Washington county was formed in 1877. The constitution is simple and brief, embracing only such points as are necessary to form a basis of action. It is as follows:

ARTICLE I.

This organization shall be called the Washington , County Old Settlers' Association.

ARTICLE II.

     The officers shall consist of a president, vice-president, a secretary, a treasurer and an executive committee of five. The committee to be chosen from among the youngest members of the association, and whose duty it shall be to provide places of meeting for .the association; to see that members needing care shall receive the same, and to have the general management of the affairs of the association. The duty of the officers shall be those usually devolving upon such officers.

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ARTICLE III.

     All old settlers who came to the county prior to 1850, and who are now residents of the county, may become members of the association by signing the constitution.

ARTICLE IV.

     The secretary sha11 keep a record of the name, age and residence of each member, together with the year in which he or she came to Iowa; and upon the death of a member he shall enter in a book - kept for that purpose - a suitable obituary notice, and report such death to the meeting at the next annual meeting.

ARTICLE V.

     The actual expenses of the association shall he defrayed by a pro rata assessment upon its members, and by voulntary contributions.

ARTICLE VI.

     There shall be an annual meeting of the association, and such called meetings as the executive committee may deem necessary, and at each annual meeting the association shall determine ,the time and place of the next annual meeting.

ARTICLE VII.

     This constitution may be altered or amended by a two-thirds vote at any annual meeting of the association.
     The first annual meeting was held at Washington, September, 1877, and was the occasion of calling together one of the largest crowds ever assembled in the city. It is estimated that there were, in the procession alone, twelve hundred vehicles averaging seven persons to the vehicle. The procession was five miles long and required an hour and a-half to pass a given point.
     The first pioneers in this county who came in 1836, viz.: Adam Ritchey, Richard Moore, and David Goble. Sr., were represented at this meeting - the Gobles by the sons George and Simpson; the Moores by Amos, Wm. and Jesse; the Ritcheys by Mrs. Sarah McCully, the now oldest white female settler in the county., dating from May, 1826, and her sister Mrs. Elizabeth Williams.
     Some very old people were here, viz: . Father Ashby (88), John McMaken (87), Mrs. Baalam Anderson (81), Mrs. Peebler, Father D. H, Drake (each 84;), and Mr. Geo. W. Devecman,(80}.
     It has been a custom at these annual meetings to have a sort of a fair or exhibition of relics and antiques. At this meeting there was on exhibition a bed quilt 52 years old shown by H. J. Allard; also two beautiful glasses owned by H. F. Johnson, 150 years old, once in the possession of John Hancock; he also showed two fancy iron fruit dishes 50 years old; W. B. Mann had a fire shovel ("slice"), all battered in the fires of half a century, and a two cent piece dating 1442 (English); Mrs. Mary Barnes showed a flax scutching wooden knife; J. B. Anderson, a well-bound book, "Edwards on Original Sin," printed in 1768". It has been in his family since they left Ireland, his wife's great grandmother having brought it thence.

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Israel Wildes was present, the oldest white child born in Sandy Hook. Don't know the date. Also, Wm. Disbury, born in Clay township, Feb, 25, 1840, with continuous residence here; indeed, Ed. Deeds writes that William has never been out of the State and lives within 400 yards of where he was born; also Chas. Risk, son of Robert, born about the same time, but now a resident of Fairfield.
     The dinner was an immense affair and with special reference to represent a feast in olden times a long old-settler table was spread for outside guests, and was loaded with antique fare: johnny cake, honey, pie, chicken, roast ham, pot-pie, biscuit, slices of bread 8 inches long and 2 inches thick, pickles a foot long, and one johnny cake measured 17 inches,
      Prof. S. W. Mountz sang "Auld Lang Syne" to the accompaniment of the band, and Rev. Wm, Poston offered prayer, when Hon. Sam. A. Russell made the oration,
     He told a story on some fellow who always liked to have "Brown" preach for he could go to sleep, knowing that what Brown might say would be all right, but he disliked the itinerants, because these strange fellows need watching. You may not be sharp enough to see the application, he said, but it is this: those in this crowd who cannot hear me have known me long enough to be assured that I am saying the right thing. He referred to the organization of this society in March last; it was formed by men of intelligence and virtue, and many had there met for the first time since the township was the school district and the county was the neighborhood. And now they come up here to fraternize and live over the past. I bid you welcome! and on behalf of the mayor and city council give you the freedom of the city, Go, then, where you please; visit our theaters, museums, colleges and parks; our barber shops and saloons; play bi1liards and drink beer, without money and without price, anywhere in the corporation; don't offer to pay; all is free, wherever you find them inside the city limits; climb a tree; do anything yon like; Marshal Haynes has special orders not to put in the pound any old settler found meandering before 9 P. M., provided he got his inspiration inside the corporation.
      We are not authors, historians, artists, etc., but simply men and women who, a quarter of a century or more ago, left our homes in the East and came to this new land. We journeyed thousands of miles in wagons, consuming weeks in the passage, encountering storm, heat, cold, bridgeless streams, and threading bridgeless country, rough and wild. But not on account of our sufferings did we claim the right to organize as an old settler band. We base the right to be honored in the fact that we were of those who founded this great State of Iowa. In all ages the founders of cities and States have been recognized as benefactors of their race. Altars and temples were erected to perpetuate their memory in ancient days, and their names were inscribed as heroes and heroines on the brilliant pages of the world's history.
     The honor of an act often depends more on the time and circumstances of the act than the act itself: The first locomotive was a rude, awkward thing, but the names of Watt, Stephenson, and those who developed the principles and applied steam, as a motor in crude mechanical forms, still shine in the galaxy of genius, Why is not the marvelous skilled workman of to-day equally honored with Arkwright, Fulton, Stephenson, etc.? Because the latter were the old settlers in invention.
     He recited the history of Columbus begging at the doors of crowned

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heads for an outfit of a fleet, and the difficulties of his voyage, But now that voyage is but a holiday trip, the fitting prelude to a wedding tour, and Capt. Crapo has crossed in a boat 20x8 feet; yet Crapo is not honored, for he is an imitator, while Columbus, the founder, lives in the counterfeit presentment of statues and on the page of history. Columbus was the oldest kind of an old settler, and if he were here we'd have him get up here and tell us all about this country when it was new.
     Why is Forefathers' Day still universally observed in the East, and the memory of the Puritans honored? Colonization is not new; put the Massachusetts colony was the first; those colonists were the founders of New England; they, too, were old settlers, and if they were here, we should set them besides Columbus, and Miles Standish should tell us all about it; how they burned witches, persecuted the Quakers, and slit the noses of boys and girls for kissing on Sunday, contrary to the statute in such cases made and provided.
He might speak of Daniel Boone and many other old settlers, but fore-bore. Henceforth, no one will refuse to tip his beaver to an O. S. whenever he meets one.
     Dr. A. N. Miller recited a poem on the flax scutcher, written by a Quaker girl of Salem during the war of the rebellion.
     Father Drake sang one of his songs, written about the above date, There were only 16 verses of it, 8 lines to the verse. His voice was too weak to reach the crowd.
     James Dawson rose to remark that the essentials of a new country are good soil, industry, morality, temperance, and pure and undefiled religion. Where you find churches and school-houses, you find also fine farms.
     Uncle Billy Moore made the most taking speech of the day. He has been here over 41 years. By the way, Norman Everson, J. P., married William. It happened thus: Friends were visiting him, and wanted to see the ceremony before they left for the East on Monday. No clergyman would tie the knot on Sunday, and so they sent for the squire who seemed to think the better the day the better the deed. He spliced them strong. This is a strange sight. When he came on to Crooked creek, there were only 20 to 25 people in the county; now, 20,000 to 25,000, and about half of them around me. When he came, there was no neighborhood of whites. His father built the first cabin on that creek, except an Indian one. Prairie grass was so high you couldn't see a man 2OO feet away. They had one "neighbor" at Ainsworth, and one beyond Crawfordsville, They came in September, 1836; Indians drove them away; it was eight months before any one came. Baker came but the Indians drove him off and burned his cabin May 1st. The night before, the chief stayed at his father's and said they would drive B. off but they might stay. In two or three days they came to his brother plowing, and told him to git, but he wouldn't go. They tried to turn the sod back, but were not successful agriculturists. They jerked him from the plow. A week later they came to father's, and to my brother and me, and said we must "puckachee" (git) or they would "nippoo" (kill) us. "We won't"; "you must." They showed by signs how they would lift our hair. In half an hour 25 more came, armed with clubs. We took the hint, hitched the oxen to the wagon and drove off leaving the contents of the house and the stock. The next day, friends (Ritcheys, on the east fork of the creek came back and got our plunder. He told how they lived that winter. They had a house to build and hay to make for

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their 'stock of" all kinds. Fat hogs gave them meat, but they had no meal or Hour, though they had corn. Snow was so deep, they could not haul. No mills, so they extemporized hand mills from butts of sycamore logs fitted up with rough burrs. The mill was such a decided success that the Indians came to use it. The squaws did the grinding, and the bucks squatted and looked on.
     At the close of the exercises at the stand, a committee of five was appointed to select officers of the association for the ensuing year the following were nominated and elected: President, J. H. Wilson; vice-presidents, J. S. Mapel, Dr. O. H. Prizer, W. J. Eyestone; secretary, N, Littler; treasurer, James Dawson; executive committee, J. L, L. Terry, Ed. Deeds, J. S. Reeves, C. C. Hasty and William Moore.
     The second annual meeting of the Association was held at Brighton. It is estimated that there were about 4,OOO people present, two car-loads going from Washington. An address was delivered by Gen. A. C. Dodge, William Moore and J. S. Reeves following with short speeches. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year: President, J, L. L. Terry; vice-president, S. E. Woodford; treasurer, James Dawson; secretary, N. Littler.
     The third meeting was held at the fair grounds at Washington, August 28, 1879. There were about 2,000 people present, and the address was delivered by Hon, C. W. Slagle. William Moore was elected president of the Association for the ensuing year, and consequently is now at the head of the organization, The old settlers have lost none of their interest in these annual reunions, but as they become an annua1 occurrence the novelty wears off, and the large crowd of spectators and visitors from abroad gradually decreases.

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