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GRAND OVATION OF THE ASHLAND COUNTY PIONEERS AT MIFFLIN ON THURSDAY LAST

1,500 TO 2,000 PEOPLE ON THE GROUND

A GLORIOUS GALA DAY FOR THE OLD PIONEERS

A special picnic meeting of the Ashland Pioneer Association was held on the farm of John K. Stamen, in his beautiful maple grove, on Thursday, the 27th. of May, 1880, with President Josiah Thomas in the chair.

PROGRAMME

1.  After the meeting was called to order the old-time son "America" was sung by Major George W. Urie, E.T. Drayton, John Keller, Dr. S. Riddle and others;  a large number of ladies present joining in the song.

2.  Opening prayer by the Rev. Mr. Hall.

3.  Minutes of last meeting read by Dr. S. Riddle.

4.  Reception speech, an address of welcome by Dr. I.F. Markle.

RECEPTION SPEECH

Ladies and Gentlemen:  The occasion on which we meet here to-day is at once most beautiful and sublimely impressive;  not that it is the celebration of some important event of the past, but that it is the bringing together here many of those whose early days were the days of the history of our county, and many who have an interest in those pioneers whose sturdy strokes and the power of their brawny muscles, cleared from our beautiful hills and valleys the heavy forest, and drove westward the red man, but not without the price of blood.  Now, here on this historic ground, chosen for this assemblage, we, the people of Mifflin Township have occasion to express our sentiments toward you all and heartily greet you, and most cordially welcome you to all the pleasure it is within our power to give you.

Remembering those noble pioneers, with their wives, whose toils and sufferings wrought so much for us, and whose lives were often in danger.  But, there is a history before theirs, which science has unfurled page after page, written not by pen or pencil, but engraved on the rude stone implements of war or the chase, or stampede on the bracelets of copper or bronze that circled the wrist of some prehistoric beauty, or classed on the ornaments which fastened the mantle of some renowned but forgotten chief;  all from the mounds and graves which are found along our streams.  Of all these we are reminded here to-day, and again in behalf of the people of Mifflin Township, welcome you all.

5.  Report of Obituary Committee, by Dr. George W. Hill.

6.  Historical essay by Dr. G.W. Hill, read by Mr. Michael Godfrey, after which the audience was entertained by music by the band.

7.  Adjournment to dinner (While the tables were being prepared 13 new names were added to the constitution)

8.  Reassembling of the audience to listen to an eloquent address by the Hon. B. Burns of Mansfield.

9.  Music by the band.

10.  Remarks by Drs. Henderson of Newville, and Clark, of Ashland.

11.  Doxology played by the band, the audience joining in by singing.

12.  Exhibition of archæological, Indian and other relics.

A very large concourse of people attended the picnic, which was rendered pleasant by the extra effort made by the Mifflinites to anticipate every requirement that should be needed either for the pleasure or comfort of the crowd.  The Executive Committee have instructed me to publicly express their thanks to Charles F. Engle, Postmaster of Mifflin, for the tender of the use of his ice-house for the benefit of people during the day.  For his kindness and forethought the Society expresses their obligations, and it was only necessary to observe the use made of the ice-water to convince any one that the crowd fully appreciated it.

The following ladies constituted the committee on the table:  Mrs. D. Kauffman, Mrs. Joseph Doty, Mrs. J. Lemon, Mrs. E. Hart, Mrs. R. Keiffer, Mrs. H. Sweet and Mrs. N. Kietly.  The tables were spread with all the substantials and luxuries of the season, and thanks to the committee everything went off pleasantly and in "apple-pie order".  The Committee on grounds had erected a large and commodious stand for the speakers, and tables were prepared sufficient to accommodate the entire crowd.  It is desired that special mention should be made of Dr. I.F. Markle, John K. and C.C. Stamen, and D. Kauffman, as well as others, who contributed so liberally in order to make the day pass agreeably and thereby profitably to all.  The people of Mifflin Township contributed in labor and good-will, even more than was necessary to make the day pass agreeably, as well as to make it a day long to be remembered as an episode in passing time.  Mr. Godfrey, of the Ashland Press Office, has received many compliments for the able manner in which he read Dr. G.W. Hill's eloquent and interesting historical address, relating to past scenes in Mifflin, and adjoining townships.  Dr. Hill, of the Obituary Committee made the following report, giving the mortuary list with the ages of those who have died since our last regular meeting in August last.

REPORT

The following persons have deceased since our last regular meeting:  William Beer, aged 84;  Rev. W.A.G. Emerson, 63;  Mrs. J. Chamberlain, 84;  W.H. Morey, 68;  Aaron Whissemore, 81;  Baltzer Motter, 83;  Simeon Long, 78;  Peter Stentz, 74;  Hon. William Osborn, 57;  Robert F. Chandler, 85;  Mrs. William Irwin, 80;  Joseph Chandler, 82;  Robert Culbertson, 84;  Peter Burns, 98;  Mrs. E. Mason, 75;  Thomas Hamilton, 81;  Mrs. Thomas Beer, 73;  Martin H. Mansfield, 50;  E.C. Woodhouse, 43;  Mrs. E. Newkirk, 60;  Henry Brothers, 76;  Rev. Thomas Cole, 84;  Mrs. E. Luther, 72;  Levi Stahl, 63;  making in all twenty-three deaths.

The following are the names and ages of the new members:  Henry Keever, Milton, 77;  Levi Lambright, Mifflin, 70;  Robert Wilson, Vermillion, 64;  Samuel Robinson, Green, 70;  Jane B. Taylor, Mifflin, 70;  Elijah Hart, Mifflin, 67;  Nancy Black (widow of James Black), Mifflin, 72;  Joshua Campbell, Vermillion, 67;  Samuel Culler, Mifflin, 71;  John Scott, Mifflin, 63;  Samuel Moore, Mifflin, 75;  Mary Strickland, Vermillion, 75;  Jacob Mykrantz, Clear Creek, 71;  Andrew Eighinger, Vermillion, 66;  Margaret Eighinger, Vermillion, 67. 

The address by Hon. B. Burns was listened to with intense interest.  Among the relics exhibited was the table used on the stand, made over fifty years ago, an article of needle-work nearly a hundred years old, both belonging to John K. Staman.  A stuffed calf-monster was shown by Samuel Moore.  This calf had two heads, necks, shoulders, four front legs and two spinal columns running parallel along the back terminating with two tails.  The body was united back of the shoulders and was entirely normal behind this point of intersection, excepting the double spinal columns.  Dr. Samuel Riddle exhibited a nice collection of crystallized quartz of different characters and some were very pretty specimens.  Dr. I.F. Markle had a nice collection of Indian relics, large and small stone axes, a bronze mortar made in 1724, also a large variety of Indian arrows.  Luther Young exhibited a variety of Indian relics and archæological and mineral specimens.  C.C. Staman also exhibited Indian relics, bones and an old rusty gun barrel, all found on the Staman farm.

All present will be pleased to see the thanks of the audience expressed to the Mifflin band for discoursing sweet music to enliven and add variety to all assembled.  On motion the meeting adjourned, while all felt "it was good to be there".  -- JOSIAH THOMAS, President.