Old Settler's Association of Grayson County, Vol. 1. Page: 66 of 322 (Transcription)

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Aug. [abbr: August] 28 - 1884 See Printed Program Page 64

The Old Settlers Reunion.

People began to arrive at the Park early this morning from all parts of the county, and at 2 o'clock it was estimated that about 2 o'clock it was estimated that about two thousand souls were present. It is expected that there will be double this number present tomorrow.
At about 10:30 o'clock the meeting was called to order. Judge Cooke made the opening speech to the Old Settlers, which was original, flowery and touched on past days and times of Grayson county, bringing back to the memory of the old settlers scenes that were still verdent in their memory.
Following Judge Cooke, Capt. [abbr: Captain] J.D. Woods made a stirring and appropraite speech, which was applauded by all present.
After speaking all partook of a hearty dinner and recreation, until half past one, when Jesse Loving introduced to the asssembly [corr: assembly] Rev. [abbr: Reverend] A. Despain, who lived in Sherman thirty-one years ago and was a school boy with Mr. Loving. Rev. DeSpain after a few remarks on general subjects, followed out with an exhortation on temperance and morality. His speech was a good one and will long be remembered by many of those present.
After music by the band the crowd resorted to pleasure seeking. A game of base ball was commenced at three o'clock, which drew quite a crowd.
There were amusements of different kinds upon the ground, such as swinging, croquet playing, and watching Punch and Judy and like sights.
Tonight at 8 o'clock, Parson Binkley will adress the Old Settlers at the Park.
The following named persons, who are present, are said to be the oldest settlers of Grayson county:
Judge James Porter,
Mrs. Sophia Porter,
Andrew Thomas,
John Hendricks,
John Hanning,
W. W. Wheat,
S. B. Sivills,
J. V. Stark,
L. w. Conner,
Mrs. Martha J. Thompson is the oldest lady inhabitant.
The following is the programme mapped out for tomorrow:
Second Day--Friday Aug. 29, 1884.
Speech by Rev. [abbr: Reverend] John Connelly of Ky. [abbr: Kentucky]
Town at 11 a.m.
Basket Dinner.
The evening to be occupied in games of various kinds and social amusements, for old and young.
Speech by Jarrett Finney, of White Mound, at 8 p.m.
Valedictory Address by B. F. Christian, of Whitesboro.

Old Settlers.

The Second And Last Day of the Reunion.

A Day Spent in Delightful Reminiscences of the Past.

A fine race between two Sherman favorites, Base Ball, Dancing, Etc.

As was confidently expected by every one the attendance at the grounds was far in excess of that of Thursday.
All night Thursday wagons were rolling in from every direction, and by the opening of the morning exercises the ground was crowed to its fullest extent. The Cornet band gathered the crowd around the speakers stand with one of their excellent pieces. Several of the speakers who were expected to make addresses were absent.
Uncle Jack Jennings, as he is familiarly known, was called to the stand and told the audience what he knew of Texas in the long ago when trees stood on the site of some of the most imposing structures in this city. Many bright and many sad rememberances were recalled during Mr. Jenning's remarks, and when he urged on the young men of the State the necessity of upholding and preserving what their forefathers had bought for them with the price of their blood, the force of his remarks could not help but have its weight.
Col. Terrel, an old pioneer who has been tinged with frost beneath Texas skies, followed Mr. Jennings. In his accounts of the early days when the shrill whoop of the Commanche resounded where the busy hum of commerce is now heard, was an oral picture of the reality of the past. Mr. Terrel has been here a number of years and the love of liberty and home that bade him spend his younger days in an almost wilderness still lives within his breast, as could be seen by thye manner in which he delivered his short and well pointed address.
Immediately following Col. Terrell, Rev. [abbr: Reverend] W. F. Clarke of the Willow street Methodist church, was introduced by Jesse Loving. Mr. Clarke, although taken somewhat by surprise, fell heartily into the spirit of the occasion and made a good and wholesome address to an interested audience. Mr. Clarke stated that while he was not an old Texan his sympathies were with them, and the memory of what they had accomplished for this now populous and prosperous state, would ever remain fresh and green in his heart.
After the conclusion of Mr. Clarke's remarks some time elapsed before another speaker was called to the stand. During this recess the Sherman Silver Cornet Band furnished several beautiful strains.
Ridley Dean, everybody knows Ridley, or at least they ought to, was next called to the stand. Although Mr. Deans' remarks were rather brief and impromptu, they were well adapted to the occasion, and were well appreciated by the audience.
After the conclusion of the speaking the dinner hour was announced and all adjourned to the pleasant shade of the stately post oaks, among which the cool and inviting tables were spread. All of the substantial edibles of the season together with a plentiful supply of delicacies, were seen in abundance, and with such open-handed hospitality on every hand there was no need of anyone going hungry. During the recess between dinner hour and half-past two, the hour set apart for the reorganization of the Old Settlers of Grayson county, the reprter improved the time in talking to some of the oldest members of the association. The narrations of some of the memories of Uncle Andy Thomas, the oldest pioneer present, were full of hair-breadth escapes and hand to hand encounters with the Comanches, the enemies of the early Texan Settlers. The reporter could have listened to them all the afternoon and never have tired of the interesting details had he not been summarily summoned away to the grand stand to catch the proceedings of the reorganization, which the members have deemed it best to make an account of the number of deaths which have taken place in the last few years. The list of names have also become rather mixed up in some particulars and it was thought best to straighten it out to a certain degree.
Promptly at 2:30 p.m. the old settlers were called to the grand stand by Jesse P. Loving, Secretary and treasurer, and immediately went into executive session. It was moved and unanimously carried that the association hold its next regular meeting in the city of Sherman on Thursday and Friday before full moon August, 1885. The meeting then went into election of officers for the ensuing year with the following result:
J.D. Woods, President; W. S. Terrel, Vice-President; Jesse Loving, Secretary and Treasurer; Capt. J. H. Lea, Marshal; Wm. [abbr: William] S. Holt, Assistant Marshal.
The following were appointed on the executive committee for the ensuing year:
Jno. Stewart, Riddly Dean, R.E. Shannon, Ben DeSpain, M.D.S. Webster.
It was moved and unanimously carried that the president and secretary be added to the executive committee. There being no further business before the meeting they adjourned.
Tmmediately following the close of the adjournment of the executive meeting, the band gave a selection of their choice pieces which were well appreciated by all within hearing. Master Guy Button the smallest snare drummer in Texas, drew better than a circus and a crowd of admiring spectators watched his every movement. Guy is well drilled, as are all members of the band, and didn't let the gaze of the large crowd direct him from his work for a movement. Taken as a whole the boys did much better than what was expected of them and were one of the chief attractions of the occasion. Dancing was kept up on the upper floor of the amphitheatre from about three in the afternoon until the supper hour was called, when recess was taken. A good string band furnished the requisite music for the terpsichorean amusements. Good behavior has been universal from the first and nothing rowdyish has occurred to disturb the tranquility of the gathering. At about 3 p.m. the race between Jerome Turner and Jim Trumble took place.
First Heat.
After on or two ineffectual attempts to get a good start they made it in splendid shape. "Old Jim" led off in grand style and was fully a length ahead at the quarter pole, and half that distance at the half mile pole. About half way between the three quarter pole and the

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Old Settlers Association (Grayson County, Tex.). Old Settler's Association of Grayson County, Vol. 1., book, [1879..1899]; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth11279/m1/66/transcription/: accessed March 28, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Old Settler's Association of Grayson County.

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