AARON GRAHAM SCOTT FAMILY REUNION IN 1911

Kenneth's recollection of the first Scott family reunion
Grandfather Scott was very fond of his family. With the help of my father, he arranged the first reunion of his family at the farm about 5 miles north of Ridgeway. Uncle Charlie and his family came from Chicago, Oat and family came in an old Ford from Tourner, Colorado. Aunt Minnie, Ruthy, and family came from western Kansas. Zene and family came from Washington, D.C. and all others from nearby. Tents were provided for sleeping quarters (with the teenage boys including myself sleeping on blankets in the barn with hay as a mattress). There was a regular rifle target shooting gallery, ball games, kite making and flying contests, foot races, and croquet games. A wagon load of ripe watermelons was available to all. One day friends of the family were invited from the countryside. That made a big crowd and several brought their band instruments resulting in a brass band being formed. As the oldest grandson, I ran a race with my great aunt, Rachael Robb, Grandfather Scott's older sister--a great story teller--who could from the first time in our memory, tell stories about Grandfather Scott, to the joy of us children. This was the first of several Scott family reunions.

Aaron Graham Scott Family Reunion, 31 Aug 1911

The Scott Family Reunion, August 31, 1911
We have a delightful account of this reunion, though unfortunately we don't know who wrote it.  We feel confident the photo above is from this reunion, as the account below states "there were sixteen of us"--the same number of children in the photo.  The woman to the left of Aaron Graham Scott (center) is Eva Alice Eyerly, whom he married in 1898 after his first wife, Ann Eliza Bandy, died in 1897. Aaron Graham and Ann Eliza had 13 children (to his left and standing behind him), two of whom died as children.  The children to the right of Eva are the five children that she bore Aaron Graham. Elzumer, Kenneth's father, is standing in back just to the right of the tree.

Here's the account written shortly after the reunion took place:

    On Thursday and Friday of last week there was a reunion of the A. G. Scott family that will be remembered, by Graham and the children at least, for many years to come.  All the children were present, some not having been home for seven years, and it was the first time they were all together since fourteen years ago.  Six states were represented, as it were, by those who came from a distance.  There was Charley from Chicago, Illinois; Ota from Towner, Colorado: Minnie from Chase, Nebraska: Zenith from Washington, D.C.: Edna from Indianapolis, Indiana: and Eva from Topeka, Kansas; the balance of the family living here.  There are sixteen in all and every one is enjoying the best of health.  It was quite a treat to meet on the old farm again.  Other relatives who came from a distance were Mr. Jerome Traupel with his wife and daughter from Van Wert, Iowa, and Mrs. Rachel Robb, whose home is in Hoyt, Kansas.

    Eva was the last of the children to arrive.  She was met by the others on Wednesday, at Blythedale, from which place they all went to the cemetery to place flowers upon the grave of the dear mother who had left them just fourteen years before.

    On the following day they were at the farm home where every preparation had been made for the pleasure and comfort of all.  Tents were stretched upon the shady lawn; a large swing, a shooting gallery and games for both young and old.  Just before noon the children presented Mr. Scott with a large rocking chair with the wish that it might not only be useful to himself but to his wife also who had done so much to make the reunion a happy one.  At dinner time the table was filled with everything good, and for the first time in many years all were once more assembled at their father's table.  In the evening the boys played the fife and drums and marched up and down the road just as they used to do so long ago.  Every one enjoyed it immensely, especially Graham, who seemed to be the youngest of the bunch.  When the music began he stepped upon the porch and did an old time dancing stunt with surprising spryness.

    The next day, Friday, relatives and neighbors from far and near, gathered in, bringing well- filled baskets with them.  About 140 were present.  In the yard a long table heaped with all manner of good things to eat; great platters of fried chicken, meats, salads, pies, cakes, fruit, etc.  As a side issue there was a wagon load of ripe melons furnished by Oliver Scott.  Ample justice having been done to the sumptuous repast, the attention of the crowd was directed to the ball game which took place in the pasture just south of the house.  Players were quickly chosen and the game was on.  Battery for one side: Roy Scott and Hugh Brinigar.  The other: Less Bandy, Ruthy Jacobs and Guy Crosby.  Umpire E. Scott.  Our space will not permit of a detailed description of the marvelous and sensational plays which were made (to say nothing of the rank decisions of the umpire), but Ol Scott, in a heart-rending effort to make a home-rum, went down on all fours between third and home, his wind about gone.  He made a brave effort to reach the goal on his hands and knees but put out ten feet from the plate.  Omer Hutton played all over the field, his main object being to keep out of the way of the ball, and at bat the same motive prevailed.  Bill Loy completed a famous home run by sliding the last fifteen feet on his head.  Score 16 to 5.

    After the game a large crowd gathered in the house to join in the singing, and then came martial music.  In the midst of the fife and drum music, Uncle Bill Graham could remain silent no longer, and told the boys how he had marched into the battle of Gettysburg to the tune of “Smithton” which they had just played, and while he was now growing old, if another call was made for volunteers and he was to hear the strains of that music he would certainly have to “fall in” and shoulder arms in the defense of his country.  There were many other features of entertainment during the day, one of which was an interesting foot-race between Aunt Rachel Robb, age 82, and Kenneth Scott, age 12; Mrs. Robb easily won, and undoubtedly holds the record for one of her age.

    The reunion was an event that will long be remembered, not only by the children, but by all who were present.  A series of splendid pictures were taken during the two days by L. J. Wight and J. R. Day.  In a few days the children will have returned to their respective homes, and will carry with them a memory of that home-coming which years cannot efface.

    Charlie Scott returned to his home in Chicago Saturday after attending the family reunion at the home of his father, A. G. Scott, northeast of town.

A. G. Scott Family Reunion, circa 1917.  Elzumer and Carrie Mae are behind and to the right of Aaron Graham (center).