Show THE OLD FOLKS EXCURSION IT is a pleasing annual task to chronicle the events of one of the best beat days in calendar old folks day is honored now by all ajl classes and commended by every creed and party in this territory it has grown in importance as well as favor as time has passed and the fifteenth anniversary brought the biggest and best of the trips enjoyed by the aged and provided by the benevolent the weather was splendid although the dust and the beat together made it rather fatiguing but complaints were made of these by the young more frequently than by the veterans of the party at on thursday a train of nineteen cars pulled out of the utah central depot with a merry old crowd on board conductors john acomb and john chugg were in charge the old folks committee were on hand to take care of the people and the old folks choir were ready to make music for the company they were E beesley W H foster T C griggs J B R morgan mrs julia silverwood and misses lizzle lizzie thomas zina reid and millie foster the old people were in high spirits and enjoyed the run to ogan hugely to look upon their timeworn time worn and in many cases weather beaten countenances was a grand sight in view of their eventful experiences and their near approach to the line that divides the material and spiritual spheres the run to ogden was made in good time stops being had at woods cross p and the mandrid sandridge the dry farming attracted considerable attention the grain now ripening raised without irrigation being the principal feature at ogden a band saluted the visitors and carriages were in readiness to convey them to lestor lester park on the bench where they were soon ensconced under the shade of the trees and seated at long tables loaded with food each of the five wards made separ ate provision for guests and there was waa ni no lack of delicacies to tempt the appetite the generosity of the ogder ogden people was waa fully displayed in these creature comforts the quantity of food supplied was astonishing and no less jess astonishing was its rapid disappearance the appetite of the old mies ladies and gentlemen was either unduly sharpened by the trip or by the sight and scent of the viands k perhaps by both for their punishment I 1 of the provender was something prodigious but there was enough and to spare and a cordial welcome to all it was an animated spectacle and the number of beautiful girls and smart active men w waiting on the aged was one of the most noticeable features of the scene flowers too were provided in PrOfus profusion lOny and lester park was made pleasant and gay for the delec tation of re its aged guests about three hundred people from weber county were added to the throng from salt lake city the Pa papillion pavillion Pavil llon is a spacious building erected in the park for public assemblies shortly after 2 p m it was filled to its utmost capacity with the oldest of the veterans and others but a tremendous host remained on the outside as many people besides the visitors had gathered to look upon the scene on the stand were seated president wilford woodruff governor arthur L thomas presiding bishop W B preston mayor P F J klesel kiesel president angus M cannon the committee and several other gentlemen the old folks were arranged so that those over 90 years of age with a white rosette and the aps with a blue ribbon were seated in front while be hind them were the aps with a red ribbon forming the greater part of tae the assemblage C R savage esq called the meeting to order and introduced the governor hon A L thomas who responded in a neat and pleasant speech commending honor to father and mother applauding respect to the aged and expressing edg his hearty sympathy with this movement mayor P F J klesel kiesel was the next speaker the only fault he could find fifth this arrangement was that ogden was not made the permanent place for holding this old folksy entertainment he spoke of the achievements of celebrated old people and the vigor of mind and body of some living aged celebrities he complimented the present company and warned them not to indulge in too many youthful pranks while on their excursion elder george goddard asked those who had seen him before to say aye when a tremendous aye and a shout ashout of laughter shook the building brother goddard expressed his pleasure at the remarks made and the occasion and invited the company to salt bait lake next year auld lang syne was then sung by the company and they were addressed by president wilford woodruff who congratulated the aged on their having reached their present years with so good a degree of health and prosperity and hoped they would not forget their duty to god and man so that when they passed to the other side of the vall vail they might be satisfied with their experience in this life and their reward in in the next neat T A lyne the veteran actor and the oldest tragedian in utah if not in america recited the seven ages of man with ith great vigor and excellence of elocution and was loudly applauded bishop W B preston followed with a brief speech and the prizes were distributed tri buted A gold medal for the oldest man was left in the hands of bishop stevens Ste of ogden as there were two claimants selina williams of salt lake 92 took the gold medal for the oldest lady judge aaron F farr the pioneer 71 was given a silver cake basket alex brown of lynne who turned the first furrow in weber county took a gold medal nine rocking chairs were left with president L W shurtliff for old people of different wards in the county A watch was given to wm emmett leader of the ogden band which has always enlivened visitors with music on these occasions A number number of prizes were distria buted to different aged people amid much laughter at the humorous remarks ma ka of savage and naylor the gifts consisted of dress patterns bonnets satchels hats hate pants handkerchiefs fans parasols purses canes clocks lunch baskets etc etc A number of these were left with the ogden committee foo fo distribution trib ution to weber county people captain J B johnsonel speaker of the house of representatives in kansas made a splendid and happy speech he considered the present a gathering of notables greater than that of france he had heard of these people in the east the trouble was people at a distance had not dot heard enough about them it was an inspiration to look at them in contemplating what they had done he recognized a greater power than that of manthai man that had been over tt all he bid all present godspeed god speed and hoped they would enjoy more than their highest anticipations other prizes were then distributed the old folks choir sang the continental railroad chorus brother goddard pronounced the benediction A hearty repast was partaken partaker par taken of and the old folks were conveyed in carriages to the depot and were safely placed on the train on the wabby wayby way by actual aunt there were found to be persons over 90 years of age three over 80 seventy nine over 70 49 committee nine aides thirty dx 8 choir eight other passengers one hundred and sixty nine total 79 the trip home was enjoyed by all on the train lemonade cakes and d candy were profusely districted distributed as they were during the morning horning trip and the choir sang some pleasing melodies the city was wag reached at and WO the old folks were safely taken to their respective pec tive homes the excursion was successful in every ery sense the committee have worked like beavers and they am ar all entitled to praise they rhey are william B preston george goddard C B R savage bavage win eddington wm wil naylor mm m L binder john kirkman ananew jensen nels A empey their names will be had in honor ble remembrance for their kindness to the aged all who have contributed to this worthy endeavor will feel rewarded for their good deedwin deed sin knowing have gratified these sires and dames who are nearly done one with earthly life may the feeling of veneration for the grey cited and wrinkled which is exhibited in these efforts for their happiness Pil less abide and increase in the landl land |