Sayler-Clodfelter Reunion - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

Source: Unknown newspaper (probably Crawfordsville Journal) hand dated Aug 18, 1912 - thanks so much to cousin Alison and husband, Fred. Greatly appreciated

The Sayler Brothers, whose mother was a Clodfelter, seven years ago conceived the idea of holding a great family reunion of the reslatives of those two families annually, and proceeded at once to put the thought into effect. The boys are prosperous farmers of Scott Township and, in addition, Col. H.B. and Capt. Charles Sayler are leading auctioneers of this part of the state. The spot selected for this reunion was the beautiful grove on the 200 acre farm of Milbert, the oldest son of William Sayler, deceased. The mother of this remarkable family is a first cousin of Attorney M.E. Clodfelter of this city.

By 11 o'clock a.m. more than 300 of the relatives were present shaking hands and getting ready for the dinner that was spread in the gove near by. A business meeting was held in the forenoon, Captain HB Sayler, president, called the meeting to order and in his auctioneer style, furnished amusement for the audience to aking's taste. New officer were elected for the coming year as follows: Jesse Clodfelter of Union TOwnship, this county, was elected president; Clarence Sayler, VP; Miss Elva Sayler, secretary; Miss Stella I. Clodfelter, corresponding secretary, Fern Busenbar, treasuere. .

Miss Maurine Ballard gave one of her amusing readings, which elicited much merited applause. These recitations were interspersed with songs and instrumental music. Fern Busenbark sang, "Life's Railway" in a most impressive manner. Mr. Alexander also sang several songs which were highly appreciated. M.E. Clodfelter, who returned Saturday from the national reunion of the Clodfelter family, held at York, Pa, made an address entitled, "Our Eastern Relatives." He showed that the eastern and western branches sprang from the same ancestry, who left their home at Glatfelten, canton of Zurick, Switzerland and settled in America in 1743. The national reunion was held on the old farm of Capar Glatfelter and it is the intention of the National Association to open a park and erect a monument to this ancient forefather, beautify the grounds and perpetuate the name throughout coming ages. The gorund selected is upon the mountain side, with a natural terrace or bench of about 5 acres, sloping toward the old homestead, with the beautiful Cadorus River, wending its way at the foot of the mountains. Springs bubble forth from the sides of the mountain and traverse this bench. A most beautiful spot - the Switzerland of America.

Short talks were also made by others. Mis Stella Clodfelter showed photographs taken at the old homestaed of our ancestry in Switzerland; of th epeople, of their homes and the scenery, and in a clear and effective manner drew comparison between these and the homes and people in America. One striking fact was that the location of the old homesteadon the Cadorus in America, so nearly resembles th eold homestead in Switzerland that the picture of th eone may readily be taken for the other. Short impromptu asddresses were made by Emerson E. Ballard, William and Charles Dowden one of Terre Haute.

It was decided to hold the reunion on the third Sunday in August, at the same place next year. The business meeting being over, the relatives and friends assembled around the dinner table, more than 100' in length with side wings, on which every delicacy to tempt and appease the appetite, had been places. A more magnificent apread of toothsome viands, prepared by the hands of expert wives and daughters, is rarely found upon the table on an occasion of this kind. All agree that the women of these two families excel in the culinary art.

Jackson Clodfelter, one of the older members of the Clodfelter family, in a beautiful and impressive manner, invoked the Divine blessing.

After dinner, the usual program, in charge of Mrs. Emerson E. Ballard, as chairman of the committee was carried out.

The meeting was opened by singing the Swiss National hymn, which was sung at the national reunion at York, Pa on the 10th. This hymn has been translated from the German into the English language. Recitations were given by Bertha Sayler, Dorothy Sayler, Mina Sayler, Dulcina Ratcliff, Beulah Corigan, Opal Sayler, and other interesting and intellectual little tots. These recitations were all well received.