Iowa Old Press
VAN BUREN PEOPLE RENEW ACQUAINTANCE
Large Crowd Attends Picnic Gathering at Old Settlers Park--
Honor Miss McMillin.
Fairfield, June 16th -
The picnic of former and present Van Buren county people,
held at Old Settlers' park yesterday, was attended by a large crowd of about
three hundred. The threatening weather cut the attendance and caused many to
depart for their homes before the close of the festivities. Every minute of the
time was full of interesting events and it was a joyous renewing of
acquaintances.
At noon long tables were spread upon the grass and a feast of
good things partaken of. Hot coffee, ice cream, strawberries and delicious
apples were included in the menu. H. Heaton pronounced the invocation.
After dinner the threatening clouds caused the company to
seek the shelter of the cabin porch and in the autos, which had been driven up
in front of it, where the program was carried out, J.P. Starr acting as
toastmaster.
Prof. J.W. Wolf, who for many years conducted the Birmingham
Academy, responded to the toast, "My Old Pupils." He said he taught
his first term of school at Rabbit Ridge in 1862, among his first pupils being
Caroline Hyatt and the Seeley children. He came to Birmingham in 1869 and taught
in the public school and in 1871 founded the Birmingham academy.
Mr. Wolf spoke feelingly of the former school days, of the
successes of his scholars, among whom was Judge Seneca Cornell of Ottumwa, Alan
H.C. Raney, who is deceased. After the large brick building in which the
Academy was conducted was destroyed by fire, the school was moved to a frame
building just west of the old site, where for many years it enjoyed a large
enrollment. In his review of the years he brought out many interesting points
and his talk was very much enjoyed.
[Several lines cannot be read].
?????? of Birmingham spoke on "Jefferson and Van Buren
Counties." He said that while he was not born in Van Buren county, he could
not wish for a better birth place. Coming from Polk county, he discovered Van
Buren county in 1894. Through the agency of John Topping he purchased a piece of
land in that county, in the "Garden of Eden," as Mr. Topping called
it. He spoke entertainingly of his introduction to Van Buren county people in
the Presbyterian church near Mt. Zion.
Mr. Bauman said Jefferson county was the overflow for Van
Buren county, that it had sent some of its best people, in point of knowledge
and ability, to Jefferson county and that he had nine grandchildren and a number
of other grandpaps were training new recruits to join the ranks. He spoke of the
excellent citizenship of both counties, of the fine farms and buildings and
prophesized great advancement in the years to come. With the utilizing of Van
Buren county's natural power-the Des Moines river-the already started Skunk
river development in Jefferson county would surely mean an north and south
railway before many more years elapse. The railway would mean the opening of
many of Van Buren county's resources, the principal one of which would be the
great marble quarries near Pittsburg. His address was very entertaining and held
the closest attention of all.
Will Hastings responded to "Van Buren County
Anecdotes" and with his natural wit held the closest attention of all. He
said that while Jefferson county had secured some of the "cream" of
Van Buren, there was still some left. That he could not understand why he had
been assigned to "Anecdotes" as his topic, as a more deep subject
would have been better fitting for him. He said he was a graduate of Owl Point
Seminary, at the Lick Creek forks, V.C., which he attended with John C.
Thorne and Doc. Fordyce. The latter gentlemen were O.K. with the one
exception-they were Republicans. In school each were model pupils, being held as
examples by all parents. Mr. Hastings said that while Jim Starr did not attend
Owl Point, if there was an honest lawyer Jim was one. He reviewed the good
qualities of several citizens who had removed to Jefferson county and said Van
Buren county had furnished an able assistant for almost every branch of business
in Fairfield and there were lots left. He also said that Van Buren county had
loaned Jefferson Secretary of State W.S. Allen and had sent out other men of
prominence.
Mr. Hastings intermingled his address with amusing incidents
and witicisms which kept his hearers in a constant good humor.
Miss Gladys Hastings of Birmingham then favored the assembly
with two readings which were excellently rendered and thoroughly enjoyed.
Mat E. Harlan, whose name appeared next on the program to
respond to the toast "Fairfield As A Home," was not present at this
time, James Goodson was asked to respond and said that he had not resided here
long enough to form a permanent opinion, while Mrs. Goodson said she could state
for the rest of the family that they were thoroughly satisfied.
James Starr, as toastmaster, stated that while he was
scheduled to respond to the subject "Great Men of Van Buren County, he had
endeavored to have Ed. Harlan of Des Moines ...[unable to read lines]...better
able to speak on this subject but he was unable to be present. He would there
fore call on Hiram Heaton, whom he understood was acquainted with the history of
the days when steamboats plied up and down the Des Moines river as well as the
history of some of the early great men.
Mr. Heaton opened his address with a few remarks regarding
the history of the log cabin at Old Settler's Park for the benefit for those who
were not acquainted with it. He said the first wedding in Jefferson county was
performed in the log cabin in 1844, that the cabin was also the first postoffice
in the county and that old Lockridge was Jefferson's first county seat. Mr.
Heaton said that he first resided in Van Buren county in 1853 where his father
was a minister. He told of many of his boyhood experiences there, among them
being his instruction in the school presided over by Horace Dibble. He told of
the steamboat days on the Des Moines river, of the "Michigan," a side
wheeler ,and the "Des Moines Valley," the "Badger," and the
"Skipper," stern wheelers. In 1856 Mr. Heaton resided at Pittsburg and
remembered seeing the cornice material for the old state house at Des Moines
going up the river via one of those steamers. He spoke of Dr. Elbert, John
Spencer, Capt. Mills and Capt. Woods, as being great men in the early history of
the county. He reviewed the army experience of Capt. V.P. Twadly at Fort
Donaldson when Twadly carried the flag victoriously into the Fort after it had
been shot down repeatedly and over countless difficulties. He said Mr. Twadly
was one of the really great men of Van Buren county. His address was extremely
interesting and had close attention.
Messrs Henry Pumphry and Heaton of the Old Settlers Quartette
favored the assembly with a selection.
The spelling school at the close of the program was one of
the most enjoyable features of the day. The school was conducted by Miss
Elizabeth McMillen of Birmingham, and her class was composed of twenty-five of
her former pupils and others. Miss McMillen stated that it gave her great
pleasure to meet her former scholars, some of whom she had not seen for many
years, and reviewed her school experience. She conducted her school in the way
of former years, pronouncing the words from the "blue book" and
having them spelled in syllables.
Three generations were represented in the school, all having
been instructed by Miss McMillen. They were Mr. and Mrs. J.D. Ebert, of this
city, their daughter, Mrs. Danley of Ft. Madison, and her daughter.
Miss McMillen has taught school for fifty-five years,
fifty-three of them being at Birmingham. So greatly do the people at the
neighboring town esteem her instruction that, she feeling unable to fill her
usual duties, they have appointed her assistant primary teacher of the schools
there, which position she will doubtless fill as long as she cares to teach.
Miss McMillen was presented with a Jefferson County Old Settlers' badge by H.F.
Pumphrey, on which was engraved her name. Mr. Pumphrey stated in presenting it
that it could neither be bought or sold and a record was kept of all who were so
honored. Miss McMillen will prize it very highly.
The only thing to mar the joyousness of the occasion was the
accident to Mrs. Louisa. Hale who, when alighting from an auto, stepped into a
hole which was covered with grass and broke a bone in her ankle.
Submitted by C.J.L., Aug 2006