The Pioneers
Juneau Co. Sun, Mauston, WI
18 June 1890
The celebration of the old settlers at the fair grounds on June 14 was a success. The weather was against them, as it rained constantly nearly all the forenoon and only about 200 or 300 people who came early could get on the grounds; in the afternoon, however, an immense crowd gathered and enjoyed themselves until the supper hour when the grounds were deserted. About dusk the merry dancers assembled in the main building and tripped the light fantastic, to good music until nearly midnight. The rains demoralized the plans to raise funds for prizes in their games and pastimes, but the City of Mauston, will help them out of any financial straight and they will be free from debt. The rain also prevented many of their races as the track was too slippery for foot racing. Had the day been fine the meeting would have been a financial success, as it was in every other particular. The interest taken by the Old Settlers and people in these meetings is yearly increasing and we predict that one year from now when they hold their next meeting, if the weather is fine the grounds will be crowded.
Early on Saturday morning the people began to gather on teh Fair Grounds and the pioneers had a social visit in the building commencing at 10 a.m., at 11 a.m. exercises commenced with songs and prayers. Mayor Alsbacher delivered an address of welcome which was appropriate and was responded to by Judge Winsor and Rev. M. Bennett, other addresses were made by pioneers, among whom we noticed Mr. Leffingwell, 90 years of age, who looked hale and hearty and bids fair to see 100 or more. The address of Judge Winsor was peculiarly appropriate for the occasion, was listened to with marked attention, and greeted with applause, its only draw-back was its shortness, the pioneers wanted to hear more of it. In the afternoon several games of baseball and football were played. The mule race was a success and laughable in the extreme. Some scrub races and walking matches came off, but the track was in no condition for foot races. At the baby show Bessie Pigott carried off the first prize, and Ethel Rich 2d prize.
A the business meeting in the afternoon the following were elected officers for the ensuing year: President J. B. Potter; Vice Presidents: Town of Kingston, F. Antis Canfield; Armenia, O. B. Chester; Necedah, J. T. Kingston; Orange, J. L. Beadle; Clearfield G. W. Fish; Germantown, Fred Webkin; Fountain, Noah Clark; Lisbon, Joseph Nuttall; Plymouth, W. S. Davis; Lindina, S. W. Smith; Lemonweir, Wm. McEvoy; Marion, Martin Masterson; Kildare, Patrick Smyth; Wonewoc, Alva Phoenix; Summit, Samuel Leffingwell; Seven Mile Creek, Roswell Covey; Lyndon, Louis Dupless; Village of Necedah, J. W. Tarbox; Wonewoc, George WIllard; Lyndon, Lewis Ashley; City of New Lisbon, Elias Boynton; Mauston, S. Phillps; Elroy, Daniel Fowler; Secretary and Historian, J. T. Hanson; Treasurer, I. C. Baldwin; Executive Committee, H. G. Anderson, G. W. Walker, Frank Wilcox, I. H. Stewart and S. C. Plummer.