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Show 1 . Old Folks at Richmond I Enjoy Occasion in their honor Tuesday.! ,H Program of Exceptional Merit Rendered. At the big dinner in the School building -more H than 400 Sat at the Tables. H TtiuiiMUNit, Utah. June 7th The old folks of Benson ward had a glorious glor-ious time In this city today, holding all day festivities at the meeting house. Hundreds of gray heads were gathered together to enjoy one moic day of pleasure and that they had It Is bej oud question. Exercises at the meeting house weie excellent, there being no cud of music, recitations, pleasant reminiscences, aud the kindliest, kind-liest, heartiest feeling Imaginable dls-plajed dls-plajed toward even one. Eveiy provision for the comfort and welfare of tho aged had been ananged so perfectly that nothing was lacking. Hay was furnished teams and at tcudants to care for the horses. The meeting house was decorated with hunting and flowers and was most charming. Over the door waslnscrlb-cd waslnscrlb-cd the word "Welcome," and once Inside In-side none could but feel that all were Indeed more than welcome. Over tho stand was the Inscription "Union Is Strength." The meeting house was tilled with thoso whoso joyous anticipations even more than realized ere the day closed. They came from every part of the Stake. Patriarch O. L. F.urcll acted as master of ceremonies and his genial coullalty and activity in carrying out the da 's program lent much to Its pel feet Ion. The exercises opened w Ith ,song,and piajer by Alma Mcrilllfollowed by a speech of welcome by Bishop T. H. Met rill, whoso cordial gieetlng was all that could have been deshed. Mr. Meirlll is alwajsmost happy In hlsex-piesslons hlsex-piesslons and was par excellence this t-me. He bade all enjoy the occasion and to led poifectly at home, advice that was accepted In all Its fullness. A selection by the Smlthflelq band followed. Andicw Hlgee, of Newton, gave a most excellent sketch of his trip across the plains, starting from Law-icnce, Law-icnce, Kansas, on Juno (Ith, lfj.7, and reaching Salt Lake on August 27. The party lost one child un the trip. Had excellent fortune and felt that they had ically reached .Ion. Ho said: "Though 1 pulled a hand cart across the plains, my salvation is not assured unless 1 endure to tho end. Mcmbcis of the Richmond choir rendeied a very excellent quaitette, "Tho Lord Is My Shepheid." Mrs. Wilson, of Lewlston, was superb su-perb in a German dialect lecitation. The story told was of a Dutchman betting a hen, was very humorous aud greeted with hearty applause. Mrs. McCracKcn aud Mis. Downs, of Smlthfield, sang a Scotch ballad that was appreciated very much, and weie followed by Mrs. Olson and Co. who sang a Scandinavian song to the delight de-light of the audience. Mr. Moroni Stock then read the following oilglnal poetry which met with hearty applause: Today Is for the old folks Our special care they claim For them wo planned this meeting To plcaso them Is our aim. Today wo do jou honor, For hardship jou cnduied, For settling up tills countiy God's blessing be assured. We love our aged fatheis, And patient mother's, too, God's blesslnes bo upon jou, Your heaits are kind and tine. You fought life's battles bravely, Been conqueiors all jour lives, I-ow est from all join labors, From sorrow, toll and strife. For you we've spread these tables With dainties licli aud rare, Feast then, we bid vou welcome Thrice welcome, do jour share. Take part In all amusements That aie given hero today, May life be long and happy For jou wo ever praj Bobcrt Thornlcy Sr. of Smlthfield, one of tho dearest eldeily gentlemen In Cache Valley, then gave askctch of his llrst tilp Into this valley In tho no's. Mr. Thornlcy got It olf In his orglnal way and kept the house In an H uproar. One instance of which he H spoke was the harnessing of himself H with an ox after one of his animals H died. He aud the other ox pulled tho H wagon fiom Hot Springs, Weber H county to Call's Fort, Box Elder H county, a distance or 15 miles and H there got relief from a man who in- H slsted on replacing his lost animal. HH Ilcuiy Ycates, of Clarkston, read a , HH highly instructive paper on tho lifo jH of a frontiersmen. This was appre- H elated by the young pcoplo very much. tHJ Patriarch Llua Farrell then sang a , HH song that Is credited as being tho best HJ thing on the morning's program. IHJ Hcuedictlon was offered by Moroni IHJ Stocks, and all were Invited to the lino brick school house to partake of a HJ sumptuous meal. 400 people sat IHJ down to the tables and for an hour (HJ spent one of the most delightful times HJ imaginable. There wasasupcrabund- HJ ance of everything good to rat, and HJ the heartiest feeling of good cheer. ' jHJ During the dinner hour the Smith- H field hand, under tho leadership of HJ Evan Hansen, rendered some splendid HJ concert pieces. Considering its age, HJ this band Is unquestionably the best HJ in the county. HJ |