Some things never change
Old timers know that some things never change, but people do. Example: a fellow said "kids are more destructive" than they used to be, but the OT knows that's not true. They were just as destructive back then, but didn't get caught.
One thing that doesn't change is Old Settlers' Day, the Marion fall festival that's held the last Saturday of each September and used to be held on Thursdays in the summer.
Old Settlers' Day started long ago, nobody knows when, as the Ohio Reunion. It is speculated it was in the 1870s. A glance at the 100 year column in last week's Marion County Record mentions the reunion that year, 1903. In 1912 they changed the name to Old Settlers' Picnic. Evidently folks from states other than Ohio wanted a more all inclusive name.
When your Ol' Editor came to town in '48 the big events of the day were a parade, picnic in the park at noon, games for kids, and an afternoon speaker. A highly successful native who made good in the outside world was called on. And Old Settlers in the audience, like the late Nodie Baker, would relate tales of the early days — usually punctuated by an Indian story or two.
Over the years, folks quit listening to famous speakers — they'd rather listen to each other — and the park crowd dwindled.
To revive the park program (and the day) it was decided to feature various graduating classes of Marion High School. That change was responsible for OSD continuing to be the festival it is.
Looking forward, we'd predict that OSD will be a highly popular and enjoyable festival for decades to come.
Looking back, we share with you some information columnist Norma Hannaford found in her attic. Norma's late husband, the popular Mike Hannaford (active Kiwanian who served as secretary and lieutenant governor), had kept a sheet which summarized OSD, the report of the 1934 chairman (who went unnamed). The day was referred to as Old Settlers' Picnic.
Nearly 150 contributors were listed on a printed sheet. Banks and larger stores gave $7.50 each, major businesses gave $5.00, smaller businesses and individuals gave from $1 to $2.50. Attorneys, the postmaster, physicians, barbers, county and city officials and other contributors were listed by name.
The sheet was printed and evidently distributed for all to use for comparison.
Expenditures included a dance orchestra for $15, contest prizes totaling $12.75, refreshments $16.79, advertising $22, and 4-H prizes and ribbons $63.11 (which was the highest expenditure of all). Total expenditures came to $238 and money raised was $384 which produced a balance in the black during that Depression year.
Home Ice Co. donated ice of drinking water; Herman Raleigh, Jess West, Ray Selvy, Elmer Scott, and Jim Conyers donated cream and milk; Marion County donated the use of a truck and prisoners to assist; and the City of Marion donated services of "relief workers" and lights for the street dance.
Some of the business names on the list included Marion Lumber Co., Marion National Bank, Elgin Hotel, Marion Pharmacy, Duckwall's, Case and Son, and Marion Record.
Some things never change.
— BILL MEYER
