Young Girls of
  A reunion of a group of several "young girls" of the eighties was held February 3, 1934 in the home of Mrs. S. F. Parker.
Most of the group were here before the railroad was built and Farnam was not on the map. With the coming of the homesteader, the free rangers were forced to drive their flocks to new pastures. An Easterner, or new comer in this country was called a Tenderfoot. Most of us had a sod house or even a dugout for a first home. At this time this section of Nebraska was in the making. When large flocks of wild geese, ducks and cranes were flying overhead, their honk, honk, filled the air instead of the honk of the automobile heard at the present time. We used to sing--
Out upon the prairie broad and wild and free,
O, the rolling prairie, is the home for me.
Many young men from the East were inspired by the slogan, "Go west young man and grow up with country." Several ladies of this group became wives of these ambitious young men who settled on their claims and after years of hardship and toil are now enjoying comfortable homes and broad acres.
Mrs. Dora Johnston, graciously consented to chaperone "The Girls." We might say that Mrs. Dora Johnston has the distinction of being the first bride in this community and Nora Crossgrove (Mrs. A. LaBounty) the first child born in the precinct.
Those in attendance were Sadie Shaw (Mrs. Harry Hall) of Pinedale, Wyo.,
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Delia Reed (Mrs. E. McKinney) of Cozad, Ida Bradshaw (Mrs. J. V. Dawson) of Farnam, May Hayden (Mrs. J. E. Brittain), Dolly Foote (Mrs. J. O. Tillotson), Minnie Tufts (Mrs. S. F. Parker), Laura Moore (Mrs. L. L. Stebbins), Nora Crossgrove (Mrs. A. LaBounty), Mrs. E. W. Crossgrove (a pioneer mother), Mrs. Dora Johnston and Emily Foote. All of Farnam and community. Those who were unable to attend were represented by letters. A letter from Mrs. W. L. Declow then of Cedar Rapids, Iowa but now of Findlay Lake, N. Y., was much appreciated as she took an active part in sponsoring classes and other activities. Her accomplishments made her a popular leader among the young folk. Mrs. Declow also came here a bride. Frederika Rolph (Mrs. Jay Stebbins), of Mishawaka, Indiana, recalled many amusing incidents of the early days. Letters were also received from Julia Balser (Mrs. Frank Hawkenberry) of Takoma, Wash., Agnes Whittaker (Mrs. Dagert) of Twin Falls, Idaho and Byrd Dunton (Mrs. Chas. Smith) of Chattam, Canada.
There was sadness as well as joy in this meeting after so many years, as some of our members have passed to the Beyond, among them Mary Dunton (Mrs. Watt), Julia Moore (Mrs. O. R. Stebbins), Agnes Agnew (Mrs. John Murphy) and Edith Grooms (Mrs. Chas. Brasch).
After spending the afternoon in memories of the past we were brought back to the modern days by a delicious covered lunch, which in the old days would have been called a "pan supper." As the evening shadows gathered we departed for our homes taking with us pleasant memories of by-gone days and of this happy afternoon reunion. -- Reprinted from The Farnam Echo dated February 8, 1934.
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