MAPLEHURST FARM PICNIC

WEMPLE, MCKIBBEN, METIER, SULLIVAN, WRIGHT, GREEN, ROYAL, EVANS, GORDON, SKIDMORE, BRUCE, WILLEY

Posted By: Stacey McDowell Dietiker (email)
Date: 3/11/2004 at 12:32:11

Garden Grove Express
July 6, 1893
Garden Grove, Iowa

MAPLEHURST FARM PICNIC.

The following assembled at the home of L. W. SULLIVAN, 1 1/2 miles south of
Garden Grove, to enjoy the many good things which belong to a 4th of July
picnic and to indulge in that patriotism becoming to citizens:

Dr. and Mrs. M. WEMPLE, Mr. and Mrs. John MCKIBBEN, Mr. and Mrs. METIER, Mr.
and Mrs. L. W. SULLIVAN, Mrs. Geo. F. WRIGHT, Miss Mary GREEN, Miss Lois
ROYAL, Miss Claire WEMPLE, Miss Mamie EVANS, Miss Jet GORDON, Miss Orilla SKIDMORE,
Miss Libbie MCKIBBEN, Miss Mattie MCKIBBEN, Mr. Orman MCKIBBEN, Mr. Wallace
BRUCE, Mr. J. E. VAIL, Mr. Tommy ROYAL, Master Harvey WILLEY, Masters Leo and
Ray SULLIVAN, Lucy SULLIVAN and Irma WEMPLE.

To say that a pleasant time was enjoyed but half expresses it. To be sure
the rain threatened to entirely spoil all planning and did delay the meeting
hour until nearly 12 o'clock. The crowd arrived at nearly the same moment, and
the ladies promptly set to work unpacking well laden baskets, while the younger
element proceeded to put up hammocks, set of fire crackers, and indulge in
games, while the elder gentlemen - well, they sat in an out of the way corner
and we presume talked of farming and other matters which only they could find
interest in, and watching, until at last the company were invited to the tables
fairly groaning under the weight of the repast, and all for a short, half hour
was lost to the affairs of state and government while sampling fired chicken,
snowy buns, cold ham, pies, cakes, ice cream, lemonade and watermelon. After
dinner Miss Mattie MCKIBBEN favored the company with songs, Dr. and Mrs.
WEMPLE read from Carleton's Farm Ballads, and Miss Clair WEMPLE rendered
appropriate instrumental music.

No one tired, no accidents, and without exception every one passing an
enjoyable day and one long to be remembered. With a general feeling of thanks to
Mr. and Mrs. SULLIVAN for their kind hospitality, and an unspoken thought that
we were under obligations to the wives and girls who arranged the culinary part
of the program, the company dispersed to their several homes.
ONE WHO WAS THERE.

Copied by Stacey McDowell Dietiker
February 21, 2004