The Old Settlers' Meeting
August 28, 1885 - Madison Herald
The Old Settlers' meeting at Liberty Church yesterday was a huge affair. More old people were there than are often
seen together. It was computed that there were over three thousand persons on that grounds, and all appeared to be highly pleased. The
beautiful grove was about as full of vehicles and horses as it could comfortably hold.
The meeting was called to order at about half-past ten o'clock A.M. A beautiful song was sung by the choir, after
which Elder Rovert Stephenson of the Baptist Church, offered a very eloquent and appropriate prayer. Rev. T. A. Child then welcomed the old
settlers in a short and well chosen address, which was responded to by Elder L. H. Jameson in a very feeling manner. The minutes of last
year was read by the Secretary, and adopted, and the number that had died since the last meeting was mentioned, to wit: Jesse Custer, Anthony
Chambers, Wm. Robbins, Merit Johnson, James Gordon, John Ellis, James Kelly, James Herin, James Vawter, John Thorn, Ann Miles, Clara Robbins,
Eliza Smiths, Jane Wildman, Elizabeth Furstein and Sarah Craig. After more singing by the choir, and by Elder Jameson, all of which was greatly
enjoyed by the audience, an adjournment was had for refreshments.
At about 2 p.m. the audience reassembled at the stand. The choir sang a beautiful song and quite a number made remarks.
Elder Stephenson spoke beautifully about a Bible over one hundred years old which had been the comfort of his parents and grandparents, and
which he said he had read from his earliest recollection and whose precepts had influenced his life. It was quite a curiosity and a great
many availed themselves of the oppertunity of looking at it. A collection of poems printed in 1711 was shown. The book was well preserved
and the print very legible. Eldeer Stephenson then entertained the audience by presenting a number of relics of the old times in the shape
of tools and implements that the old settlers used, on that attracted a gread deal of attention was a wooden mould board of an old bar shear
plow. Zephaniah Lloyd showed a pair of pants that was one hundred and twelve years old. The cotton was raised on the farm, the seed picked
out, carding, dying, spinning and weaving all done by hand. The cloth was good but the fashion was very peculair. Some very pretty poems
were recited, one by Mrs. Craig, a daughter of Mr. Ison Ross's sister, and entitiled the 'Log School House', was quite descriptive of primitive
times. Other poems were recited that weree very amusssing. A number of short were made. Rev. Craven of College Hill spoke very eloquently
for about fifteen minutes and his remarks were very appropriate but a synopsis cannot be given. One of the incidennts was an old arm chair made
more than one hundred years ago and in which a very old and helpless lady was brought to the meeting. The chair was in a good state of
preservation and was exhibited on the stand and Elder Jameson made some remarks about it and sang in a masterly manner that famous song.
Singing by the choir and other interested exercises which cannot be mentioned here. The audience joined in singing the song 'O think of the
home over there' and were dismissed by prayer and benediction by Elder Jameson.
The number present was estimated by good judges to be between two and three thousand. The best of order prevailed
during the whole day.
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