Activities in  Eckley
Old Settlers' Day




1893 " A picnic! A real live picnic in eastern Colorado is a rarity indeed. To most minds, they are associated with leafy groves, babbling brooks and other natural accessories, but that held last Thursday, just over the line in Yuma county, some twenty miles southwest of Holyoke, was so well managed in all its details and so fraught with pleasure to the assembled throng, that leafy grove and bubbling brook wero unnecessary factors in the day's enjoyment. The stream of humanity began to arrive at the hospitable home of Mr. John Eckman by nine o'clock and by noon it was estimated that between three and four hundred had assembled from Phillips and Yuma counties to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the old settlers' picnic. Cordial greetings and merriment ruled the hour while the contents of big box, little box and basket were spread upon two rows of tables running the entire length of the 14 x 75 foot pavilion. Talk of "hard times." No evidence of it was perceptable in that well dressed, orderly throng, gathered around the festal board and partaking of a feast fit for the gods, in which the luckless, basketless stranger within the gates was invited to share. Great boilers of hot coffee and gallons of ice cream had been provided by our thoughtful entertainers and were dealt out with lavish hand, Base ball entertained young America near by and dinner over the ubiquitous Power "took" the crowd and then began the "feast of reason and flow of soul," without which no modern assemnlage is complete. Time and space forbid an extended report of the witty and wise things said in the speeches of Prof. Timberlake, Quitman Brown, Esq., P. B. Reynolds, Henry Holder and Mrs. Timberlake. Suggice it to say, all were encouraged to stay by the county and hope for brighter days to come. The exercises were interspersed with excellent music by a local choir, a solo by Mrs. Meloy being especially effective. Too much praise can not be awarded Mr. Eckman and his estimable wife, also to the local committee, who spared no pains to render the affair a grand success, and at night fall all departed homeward, hoping for many more reunions with these "Old Settlers" upon the old picnic ground."
L. M. R.

August 1895 Holyoke State Herald

September 3, 1898 - Wray Rattler

The Old Settlers' Picnic at Eckley was attended by a large crowd from Yuma, Wray, Robb and Eckley and the country adjacent to each.  The picnic dinner was spread upon the lawn by the section house, where the large cottonwood trees afforded a most welcome shade from the glaring rays of the August sun.  Seats were improvised from lumber furnished by D. A. Clark, and in the afternoon the company assembnled to listen to a number of short after dinner speeches from some of the honored pioneers of Yuma Co. John Spiers, president of the Old Settlers' Association, acted as chairman and the following officers were elected for the ensuing year:  President, J.P. Speirs, vice presidents, Laird precinct, B.D. Prentice; Wray, J.A.  Kimber; Eckley, N.B. Meek, Yuma, G.W. Dabney; Magee, Mrs. McNichols; treasurer, J.W. Cloyd; secretary J.A. Conley.  After the election of officers, speeches were made by J.P. Speirs, G.W. Dobler, Hon. E.L. Sechrist, M.W. Haver, J.A. Kimber, and others.  Among the chief attractions of the day, were the two match games of base ball between the Yuma and Wray clubs in the forenoon and Yuma and Eckley in the afternoon.  The game in the morning scored about 16 to 1 in favor of Yuma.  The game between Eckley and Yuma resulted in a tie.

The Yuma Pioneer had a different score.

1899

"Hungry people come and be filled.  good meals 25c.  Eckley section houe September 1."

1900

 

 

1903

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2909 "For the girls - Free gum at the Old Settlers' picnic, August 26, furnished by George Haver."

1911

1914

1915

1918

The Annual Old Settlers Picnic at Eckley, which must have been the 28th or 30th, was held last Thursday, and the same interest and zest was manifested by the assembled throngs that always characterizes these affairs.  Many who were in attendance at the first were in attendance at the last one held.  As usual with Eckley, universal open-house was kept and everyone made welcome.  Speaking, music, amusements of various sorts rounded out a most pleasant day for all.

1923


1929

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