Gabfest and Grange Pups—Old Settlers Then and Now
Visiting with old friends and eating food that’s bad for you—what more could a person ask for in the waning days of summer? Such pleasures are major elements of the Old Settlers celebration, a September staple in Olathe for well over 100 years. As its name implies, the event began as a way to commemorate the pioneers of Johnson County’s early years and their hard work establishing new communities on the Kansas frontier. Since its beginnings in 1898, the Old Settlers Reunion has grown from a one-day gathering to a three-day festival that includes “the largest parade in the state,” free concerts, carnival rides and midway amusements, dozens of food and craft booths, and a variety of activities for young and old.
The idea for an Old Settlers association dates at least to the 1870s, less than twenty years after permanent settlers were first permitted in the county. Those interested in preserving and honoring that early history held an all-day gathering in September 1877. People came from all over the county to meet in a shady grove southwest of Olathe. After a picnic lunch, election of officers, and some musical entertainment, the group passed a resolution to form “The Pioneer Association of Johnson County, Kansas,” with membership open to any person who had resided in the county before January 29, 1861, when Kansas joined the Union. The appreciative crowd then listened to several speeches about the triumphs of the early days, adjourning in mid-afternoon due to the threat of rain, but resolving to meet annually thereafter.
Picnic in the Square
Despite the apparent enthusiasm, the gathering of early settlers failed to become a regular event for over two decades. In the spring of 1898, interested individuals again came together, this time in response to an invitation printed in the local newspapers. The group adopted the name “The Johnson County Old Settlers’ Association.” Any resident of the county could join, but members were classified according to how early they had arrived here—those who had come to the county in 1860 or earlier were “Grade A” members. The association was truly a countywide group, with three men from each township being appointed to plan the first annual meeting.
The long tradition of an Old Settlers’ event officially began on September 17, 1898, with the group’s first annual gathering on the courthouse square in Olathe. A bugle call launched the meeting at 11 o’clock, followed by an opening prayer, musical entertainment, and a basket dinner. After lunch the crowd heard a speech by Olathean and ex-governor John P. St. John, then listened to pioneer reminiscences delivered by representatives of Olathe Township engaged in oratory typical of the time in summing up his pioneer experience:
“These were the early days, this was the beginning; the rude conception of our present glorious consummation; a land where religious rights and privileges prevail and temperance precept and example reign triumphant; the fairest country on earth, with Johnson County the finest part of it, Olathe city the hub, and your humble servant the representative first old settler.”
This first gathering on the square apparently pleased one and all. Stores and houses decked out in red, white and blue bunting greeted those arriving for the second annual Old Settlers Reunion in September 1899. Over the next few years, the organizing committee began to add features that would appeal to young and old, and the reunion’s popularity grew. Those attending continued to enjoy visiting with old friends and neighbors during the noon picnic and listening to the historical orations of pioneers, but they also joined in the general hilarity of fireworks displays, foot races, and tug of war contests. Within a few years, the local press reported crowds in the thousands and declared that “These annual reunions of the old settlers of Johnson County are looked upon more and more as being among the most pleasant events of the county…”
History in the Making
Amidst the picnicking and general fun, the Old Settlers Association continued its mission to preserve and honor the early history of Johnson County. Speeches about experiences of the early pioneers were a standard part of the program, and at each reunion the group registered all actual old settlers in attendance. Publicity for the event invited not only people from all over the county, but also early residents who had moved on to other locations. The annual gathering was truly a Johnson County reunion.
The historical theme of the gathering was often accentuated by displays of pioneer items. One year local citizen C.R. Green, who had arrived in Kansas as a young man in 1867, presented an exhibit of various “antiquities,” that he had brought with him from back east. These family items included a flintlock gun, pieces of woolen bed quilts, candle molds, an 1846 wedding hat, and “Great Granddad Smith’s Sunday coat.”
The Old Settlers’ tenth annual meeting in 1907 was a very special one, as it marked the semi-centennial of the city of Olathe and of the beginnings of county government in Gum Springs (now Shawnee). The observance included the usual speeches, reminiscences, and an exhibit of “historical relics” in the courthouse. After the picnic, pioneers who had arrived in the county in 1857 posed on the courthouse steps for a commemorative photograph. Then came the biggest event of all—the dedication of the new Santa Fe Trail monument on the courthouse square.
Ad Astra Per Aspera
The Kansas state motto, translated as “to the Stars Through Difficulties” might apply to the Johnson County Old Settlers Association as well. Throughout its 107-year history, the annual Old Settlers event has been run by community volunteers who have battled a range of challenges. Attendance at the very first meeting in 1898 was reportedly limited by the bad condition of the rain-battered roads. The next year the fifth speech of the day was interrupted (perhaps mercifully) by a rain storm and bad weather limited the 1905 meeting to an indoor election and speeches. Organizers scheduled the 1909 event three weeks later than usual in the hope of avoiding the extreme heat that had marred the previous year’s get-together.
Human events also sometimes overshadowed the Old Settler’s Reunion. No record of a meeting survives from 1901, perhaps due to the assassination of President McKinley, a tragedy that monopolized the attention of all Americans that September. In 1919, organizers had trouble scheduling speakers because “it seemed that all wanted to go to the city to see and hear President Wilson.” (Woodrow Wilson spoke in Kansas City as part of his nationwide tour to enlist support for the League of Nations). The 1925 reunion was almost completely overshadowed by the events surrounding the September 12 dedication of the spectacular new brick highway connecting Olathe with Kansas City.
Years later, preoccupation with the war effort led to the decision to dispense with all amusements during the 1942 Old Settlers event. The meeting was limited to a simple gathering where attendees listened to speeches on the early history of communities throughout the county. In 1946 events were cancelled entirely due to the epidemic of polio, a disease that seemed to thrive on hot weather. Fear of the crippling illness also led officials to delay the start of school in the county that year.
More recently, organizers faced catastrophe when the city of Olathe proposed charging them $10,000 to cover overtime costs for city police covering the event. The city council was able to resolve the budget problem, however, and the city force continues to provide security. In recent memory, too, the weather has cooperated and only once in twenty years has the affair been temporarily halted due to severe weather.
From “Reunion” to “Celebration”
Despite occasional difficulties, Old Settler’s Days has retained its public appeal for over 100 years. The event now is spread over three days and attracts between 100,000 and 150,000 people. Since the Reunion’s beginnings as a one day picnic-and-program, organizers have added or eliminated many elements of the event in order to maintain its appeal to a broad audience.
Live music was a part of the Old Settlers’ Reunion from the beginning, as were free coffee and drinking water. Within a few years entertaining competitions such as bicycle races and rope climbing were added to the program. A baby show and display of farm produce were also often part of the afternoon’s entertainment. In 1909, the reunion committee spiced things up by offering (although no one stepped forward) to pay for the license and fees for any couple volunteering to be married on the balcony of the courthouse at the close of the day’s program.
By the ‘teens, the Olathe band regularly met out-of-town visitors at the train station in the morning. Following a band concert, picnic lunch and a number of speeches, the entertainment committee would begin its part of the program, usually including various types of races for different age groups.
In 1912, entertainment also included a two-wagon run around the courthouse square by the Olathe Fire Department to put out a fire fueled by a huge pile of boxes in the middle of the street. Unfortunately, other planned attractions did not materialize as hoped. The Olathe Register reported that, “The damage to the airplane made necessary the calling off of the sham battle in the air…but who cares anyhow? The real object of Old Settlers’ day is to renew acquaintance with old friends and to make new ones and there were so many people in town that everyone could do that.” Despite all the hitches in the program, the newspaper estimated the crowd that day at 7,000 to 8,000 people. Revelers at the evening’s street dance finally called it a day only when the orchestra packed up their instruments at midnight.
The Old Settlers’ Reunion of 1917 was declared the best ever. In the morning, Olatheans volunteered 40 private vehicles in which to give out-of-towners a tour of the community. The crowd of almost 10,000 enjoyed musical entertainments and were treated to a carload of 1200 free watermelons during the noon picnic. The afternoon’s events included two baby shows (one “white,” one “colored”) and free merry-go-round rides. A vaudeville show launched the evening’s fun, followed by an outdoor showing of a seven-reel movie, interspersed with projected images of the old settlers in attendance. Immediately after the movie, all electricity around the courthouse square suddenly went out and the crowd headed for home, “leaving behind a trail of watermelon rinds and very pleasant memories.”
By the 1920s, the population of original old settlers had begun to fall off. The event was apparently becoming more of a community event for the city of Olathe than a celebration of the entire county’s heritage. To reinvigorate interest, publicity urged visitors from all over the county to attend. Event planners staged an evening show in 1929 to showcase talent from all communities in the count, and Olathe citizens were excluded. Baseball games between teams from Olathe and other Johnson County towns were organized too. Other events were added including a flower show and a bathing beauty contest for girls six years old and under. A girls’ doll buggy parade and a boy and dog parade also proved popular and soon grew into a large annual parade of marching bands, horses and floats.
The depression years of the 1930s brought ups and downs for the annual reunion. Attendance in 1932 was estimated at only 2500. Organizers of the reunion began to expand the definition of “Old Settlers,” registering all those who had lived in the county prior to 1901. In 1936, 547 of these older residents signed the books at the Reunion. Within a few years, the event began to regain its appeal.
In 1941, a new feature was added — a reception at which natives of the county could chat with old friends and neighbors. By the 1950s, this get-together was known as the Gab Fest, a name it retains today. By 1945, almost all of the original “old settlers’ were gone. Only 14 people who registered had come to the county before 1865. The frontier days had begun to seem far away, and the public attending the reunion in 1945 were urged to wear pioneer costumes. Another feature added about this time was the carnival midway, which proved to be hugely popular and remains as a major part of the festivities today.
Through the years since World War II, the Old Settlers organizing committee has kept the crowds coming by continuing to schedule something for everyone. In the 1950s, food booths run by various non-profit organizations have nourished the multitudes. Arts and crafts booths were added in the mid 1970s. Historical features continue to play a role, with registration of “Old Settlers” (now anyone who has lived here 45 years or longer), socializing at the Gabfest, and the annual presentation of a slide show entitled “Olathe Then and Now.” The event, now called the “Old Settlers Celebration,” has now expanded over three days, beginning Thursday evening with the “Ride-a-rama” — unlimited carnival rides all evening for a set fee — and ending Saturday evening with the second of two free concerts by nationally-known musicians. The Old Settlers gathering shows no signs of fading away.
--ALBUM vol. 18, no. 3 (summer 2005)