Washtenaw's Pioneers

The animal meeting of the pioneers of Washtenaw County was held in the Methodist church in Dexter yesterday. There were nearly 300 of the oíd residente in attendance, and a most enjoyable time was had. The people, especially the ladies of Dexter, were nntiring in their efforts to make the old folks enjoy themselves and in this they were eminently successful. The meeting was called to order at 10:30a. m. by the president, Mr. Isaac Terry, of Webster. The meeting was opened by singing ■America," not a few of the old folks joining in just as if they were as young as they were fifty years ago. The address of welcome, on behalf of the citizens of Dexter, was delivered by Mr. Wirt Newkirk in a witty and taking speech, The necrologisfs report for the past year was read by Mr. Lay, of Ypsilanti. The following are some of the most interesting items in his report : The deaths this year were 198 as compared with 205 during the preceding year. The total of the ages of the deeeased amounts to 13,391 years. The average age of those who died during the past year was 12 years as compared with 73 1-3 for the previous year. The oldest pioneer, who passed away since the last meeting of the society,was Mrs. Thomas Dziriscki, born in Poland 102 years before. She resided in Augusta and made her home with her great great grand niece, the fourth generation. The person who had resided for the longest time in the county was Reuben Kimmell, of Superior. He died April 14, having lived in the county just 70 years. Of the deaths, one was over 100. eleven were over 90, fu-ty-two were over 80, sixty-four were over 70, thirty-six were over 60, and eighteen between 50 and 60 years of age. Tfiis left 13 of the total number who were under 50 years old. Following the report of the necrologist, Mr. Cyrus M. Starks, of Dexter, road an interesting paper, taking for his subject, "The Pioneers of Webster. " This was a carefully prepared paper and was highly enjoyed by all. This closed the morning program and the meeting adjourned for dinner which was served by the ladies of Dexter. There can be no question that the latter know just how to attend to the wants of the inner man. At the afternoon session the committee on place of holding the next meeting and ou noinination of officers for thê next year made its report. An invitation haring been received from Chelsea, it was acoepted. The following officers werd placed in nomination by the committee and elected by the society : President- Rev. Thos. Holmes. Secretary- J. Q. A. Sessions. Treasurer- R. C. Ree ves. Necrologist- Wm. H. Lay. Exesutive Committee, C. M. Starks- Webster. E. A. Nordman - Lima. Wm. H. Glenn- Dexter. J. W. Wing- Scio. Vice-Presidents, v. Ann Arbor City- Daniel Hiscock. " " Town - I. N. S. Poster. Augusta- Wm. Dansingburg. Bridgewater - George Rawson. Dexter- W. D. Smith. Lima- E. A. Nordman. Lodi- G. S. Wood. Lyndon- H. M. Twamley. Manchester- L. D. Watkins. Northfield- E. E. Leiand. Pittsfield- H. Preston. Salem- Geo. S. Wheeler. Saline- H. W. Bassett. Srio - Geo. A. Peters. Superior- Xelson Fowler. Sylvan - C. H. Kempf. Webster- Isaac Terry. York- John VV. Blakesley. Ypsilanti City- Erastus Sampson. " Town - A. R. Graves. .Mis. Julia Dexter Stannard thenread a paper more than usual interest, giving an account of the early days and experienoes in her father's family. Next Week's Register will contain this Paper in full. Following this the president called upon a number of well known pioneers who made brief but very interesting impromptu addresses. Atnong these were Florian S. Finlay, Wm. Campbell, Chas. Kingsley, Dennis Warner, and a few others. The meeting then closed vvith a carefully written and very interesting paper on "Michigan as aterritoi'y-"Musicwasfurnished 'j' two young lady vocalists. The music as highly praised by one of the speake's who said that he had not heard any singing at the May Festival that was ketter and he had attended all the concerts on this occasion.