The Chariton Leader, Chariton, Iowa Thursday, September 27, 1906 Saturday was Old Settlers Day at Russell. The celebration was held under the auspices of the local Fire company and if the organization conducts everything as well as they did on Saturday there will be no danger of disastrous conflagrations in our neighboring town. Things were done in the right way. The town was well decorated for the occasion and there was an appearance everywhere that visitors were expected and nobody was disappointed for by 10:00 o'clock the place was thronged by expectant citizens from the surrounding country and neighboring towns of Lucas, Monroe and Wayne Counties, many going down from Chariton. Also the Union Veterans seized upon the occasion to hold a sort of impromptu reunion and the Grand Army buttons were conspicuous in the crowds, where fraternal greetings made glorious the day and good fellowship of all reigned supreme. A tent had been erected in the open space just east of the smith building and siimple seating had been provided. A large room in the building was opened, long tables placed therein, free coffee given and here an elaborate picnic dinner was spread by those coming in from the country, surpassing even the feasts of old which we read about. In fact there was nothing spared by the Russell people in the way of entertainment and amusement. Several bands made the air redolent with melody, all representing the best local talent, and when it came to the program itself, song and instrument played their parts. The Merchant's Parade was one of the finest seen in many a day. The floats were artistic and suggestive. This feature was presented in the forenoon and was represented by the following business people: G.J. Ewald & Co., general merchandise; C.S. McKinley, general merchandise; A.J. Mettlin, drugs; A.J. Woodman, hardware; Futhey's Restaurant; P.F. Sprague & Co., drugs; William! Curtis, groceries; Enoch Louden, eggs and poultry; R.A. Plotts & Co., market; Onyx Cafe; G.W. Riker's apiary, with bees gathering honey from flowers and storing in their hives on the move; the M.W.A. session, with goat in their midst. T.H. Branham sat on one of the floats playing the fiddle and the more classically educated deducted from this that he was emulating Negro while rome burned until informed that this was a presentation of a pioneer "hoe down". There were log cabins in procession, household utensils and bric-a-brac of the olden days and a thousant and one things which beggars description, such as ox-yokes, spinning wheels, and looms -- but why particularize? A representation of the border days, a wild west performance was held in the street where wild and savage looking men, with much shooting and yelling, overtook the stage coach, robbed it and summarily dealt with the driver and passengers. In the afternoon assemblage was held in the tent. Col. W.P. Hepbur! n was announced to speak but was unable to be present, so he detailed his private secretary, J.F. Bryan, of Creston, to speak in his stead and right well did he acquit himself. He has a happy faculty of pleasing his audiences and his theme was so befitting a gathering of this character. J.H. Cook was president of the day and called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m., announcing invocation by Rev. Rusk of the M.E. Church. Mayor A.F. Jenkins, in a few well chosen words, extended a welcome to the visiting hosts and a responsive speech was made by H.W. Gittinger, a native of the township, and then came the address of Mr. Bryan. After the speaking the two ball teams, Russell and Derby, headed by the band, marched to the ball ground, followed by a host of fans to battle on the diamond for the days championship. The boys played one of the best games played this season, the Russell boys won the game by the close score of 3 to 2. The game was a tie, 2 to 2, up the last half of the ninth inning, when John Baker, of Chariton, who was playing with the Russell team, knocked a three bagger, and was brought home by a lucky hit by Sprague, winning the game. In the hundred yard foot race, Gail Brown came out ahead, getting first money, while the second was a tie between two other sprinters. The fat men's race was a contest between Col. Wes. Wright of Confidence, and a gentleman from Derby, in which the Col. came under the wire second. ---------------------------- The Fire Company at Russell, were conspicuous in the parade on Saturday, in their fire fighting paraphernalia, and hose car, hook and ladder brigade, fire engine, etc. They made a formidable appearance and had there been such things in the pioneer days the "old settlers" are quite sure there would have been no devastations from prairie fires. ---------------------------- There were three relic displays, in P.F. Sprague & Co.'s window, at A.J. Woodman's and at C.S. McKinley's. Had the people generally known it, a large museum could have been collected. 'AT SPRAGUE'S' Tongs and shovel 60 years old, double barrelled shot gun, flint lock made in Dublin, Ireland 200 years old, rifle brought from Virginia 100 years old, pair of harness hames 60 years old, tea pot bought in 1851, hymn book printed in 1814, Old Philadelphia speller and introduction to reader used 80 years ago, copy of Missouri Weekly Republican published May 1, 1855, looking glass purchased in 1827, candle stick over 100 years old, pipe made from stone at Chattanooga 1864, bit stock 100 years old, Bible published in 1825, pitcher one of Mother Bailey's over 100 years old, Coopers shave, candle snuffers used in England 150 years ago, brass candle stick holder 110 years old, elk horn from England 1857, letter file used in 1843, Mexican knife age not known, flax hackle age unknown, pewter plate from Germany 150 years old, weaving reed 120 years, Crow Indian relics from Washington, History of Puritans from Ireland published 1731, Bible age 159 years, harness hame 60 years old, wood! en shoes, candle stick from England over 100 years old, crown of wedding cap made in 1827, arithmetic Cobb's edition printed in 1834, shell from rapid firing gun, rifle over 100 years old, musket over 110 years old, buffalo horns age unknown, cane once owned by Prince Albert of England and presented to Sproule Irvine a soldier in the queen's life guard, sword of a fish taken from the coast of Conn, black glass vases over 75 years old, shovel and tongs in use 60 years, powder horn 70 years old, coffee mill 122 years old, Ready Reckoner published 1794, hard tack issued as ration in 1864 to Wm. Larimer, wooden hame made by Joel Adams 74 years ago, hand hammered silver spoons 125 years old, needle book made in 1806, entelope horse from Col, bullet molds age unknown, wreath of hair of 70 people finished in 1875, brass knobs for ox horns brought from Indiana, picture of Spraule Irvine painted in England in 1843, old clock age unknown, deer head from Montana, half crown bill issue! d in 1776 No. 1097 signed by Wm. Kinley and Wm. Griffin, needle work b y a 12 year old girl Eliza Bartley consisting of the Lord's Prayer etc., hand painted picture made in 1804, collection of old coins from different persons, saddle bags 75 years old, ox yoke brought from Indiana in 1855 by John Goltry, old tin lantern and old glass square lantern, old wool cards, old hand sickle, pocket book about 100 years old, piece of old shwl about 150 years old, wedding gloves used in 1832, old German book printed in 1812, old German Bible printed in 1802, button box, gun vice and glass dish each about 85 years old, hand work on pillow slip made 50 years ago, piece of lace collar about 80 years old, ear rings and breast pin made from American coins 50 years old, vest 100 years old, piece of wedding shawl made in 1820, Allen's patent pepper box revolver six shooter, log chain 115 years old made in Tennessee on the old Daniel Boone farm, broad ax over 125 years old old, old spice box 75 years old, pair of old silver bowed glasses, sugar bowl 100 years old,! flask made in 1830, English grammar 75 years old, two volumes of dictionary of the Bible printed in 1813, geography used in school before Illinois was admitted into the union as a state, brandy flask taken from the table of Jefferson Davis during the Civil War, German book no date, clock wooden works made in 1831, spinning wheel and reel about 84 years old, Indian pipe tomahawk, tongs and shovel 86 years old, bed spread made in a loom in Deaverton Ohio 64 years old, bed spread 75 years old, relics of the Civil War, cartridges, caps, rings and bras buttons, uniform helmet worn by the first Russell Cornett Band, Sioux Indian relics, copy of Chariton Patriot April 20, 1865 issued to Hugh Larimer, photographs of Grandfather and Grandmother Maple, photograph of Grandmother Larimer, hickory bottom chair 62 years old. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 'AT MCKINLEY'S' Trunk used by Joshua Wayland, great grandfather of Newt Wayland, during Revolutionary War, hand-made petticoat work done by Lydia Holmes of Ohio, property of Effie Howell, quilt hand-made at least 100 years old, owned by Oliver Murray, History published in 1798 owned by Oliver Murray, letter written in 1815 before envelopes were used owned by Oliver Murray, Bible published in 1795 owned by Oliver Murray, hand irons or dog irons and fire tongs 96 years old owned by Oliver Murray, copy of Ohio Independent published 1854 owned by Oliver Murray, History of U.S. 65 years old owned by John Dixon, hoe with which John Dixon made his first 25c 65 years ago, deer head brought from Brigham Young's settlement in Utah, age unknown, owned by C.S. McKinley, corn grater, old fashioned trundle bed, spinning wheel, candle mould all owned by Mrs. Mercella Threlkeld and used by her during her first years in Iowa in the early 50x on her homestead north of Russell, also the land warrants direct f! rom the U.S. (for that land) bearing the signature of Millard Filmore as presdient of U.S., dish part of a small set owned by the A.S. Beals family. No doubt the oldest relic exhibited today, brought to this country in the Mayflower in 1620, now owned by Mrs. Laura Clinton, hand-made baby dress made in 1859 owned by Mrs. Laura Clinton, two dolls purchased in 1851, baby dress 40 years old both owned by Mrs. R.T. Huston, pair oxen yoke used by T.D. McKinley in the early settlement of Iowa, trowel used in Civil War and in seige of New Orleans owned by T.D. McKinley, Bailey's dictionary age 117 years present owner Aura Palmer, the great great granddaughter of Dr. Robt. Palmer, fire pot lid 100 years old owned by Tilghman Lawrence, family Bible 110 years old of the White family owned by John White, botany published 1837 owned by John White, copy of first prayer in congress owned by John White. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 'AT WOODMAN'S' Old deed, 1728, Phillip Hodgkins to Edward Woodman, old paper giving account of Boston Massacre, 1770, copy of Chariton Patriot with account of Lincoln's assassination, old paper with account of the execution of President Lincoln's assassins, old deed before the State of Maine was admitted into the union, old paper, account battle Pittsburg Landing, and one having account of President Lincoln's inaugural address, 1861, ye coffee pot, ye olden time 100 years, old paper account and bombardment of Ft. Sumpter, old paper capture Jefferson Davis, Jeff in woman's clothes, old paper of 1776. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert October 19, 2004 [email protected]