HARVEYSBURG.

     The annual reunion of the Collett and McKay families occurred last Saturday at the usual place. The attendance was not so large as last year, owing perhaps not so much to the absence of relatives as to invited guests. The usual number of the two numerous families were present and used every moment of time in visiting one an other. These two families are very numerous and closely connected by intermarriage. They are so numerous and widely scattered over this part of the State that it would be almost if quite impossible for them to see one another oftener than a space of many years. Hence, this unusual picnic or reunion method was established in order that they might see one another once every year and review and strengthen the recollection of those old family ties which doubtless are a source of exquisite pleasure and profit. These families have manifested a disposition of careful solicitude and anxiety for the pleasure and welfare of one another that is truly commendable. They have ever taken pride in establishing a high standard of honor by inculcating throughout the common-sense, practical principles of every-day honesty and right. Though whilst they are a people related in every sense and love to keep the family lines in sight, they are not by any means clannishly selfish. To this the large numbers who have attended these picnic occasions, and in fact enjoyed the kind and generously extended hospitality at their homes, can testify. There is one marked and commendable feature in the program of these picnics, namely, no speech-making. It has ever been the "American Idea" to ruthlessly inflict on an innocent, defendless people, on all occasions where a half-dozen or more gather together with one purpose, a stupid, senseless, harrangue, with the bottle "busted" and all the stoping specific spilt and call it a speech or a toast There is scarce occasion that entirely escapes this modern incubus. However the foregoing occasions are exceptions to the general rule. It is generally understood as the unwritten law of these reunions that speech-making will not be tolerated, and if any ambitious member of the family allows ambition to actuate him or herself to violates the law of writing a little cut-and-dry and fetching upon the ground, on the sight of that little "talk" in MS., or the conviction thereof as harboring or possessing such an incubus is deemed a criminal and at once fired from the ground. Because of a peculiarity of action and look Mr. Bob Collett was strongly suspected of having about his person a few little notes of a "talk" all about the beautiful groves and the Nation's bird and that sort of thing. There was one sad feature remarked by every one present this year, namely, the absence of the late Moses Collett. He was ever a kind-hearted, hospitable man, who took much pains to assure the pleasure and happiness about him.
     Mrs. H. L. Carr and two sons, of Elizabeth, N. J., are visiting Mrs. Ellen Collett and family, near this place. Mrs. Carr attended the picnic. She is a daughter of Mrs. Ellen Collett.
     Mr. and Mrs. E. Little, of Norwalk, are visiting Mrs. Ellen Collett and family, also. Mrs. Little is also a daughter of Mrs. Collett's.
     Miss Mary McKibben, of Lima, and her brother, J. H. McKibbon, of Xenia, are also the guests of Mrs. Ellen Collett and family. They attended the picnic.
     Miss Fannie Farman, of Akron, attended the picnic and was the guest of Mrs. Will Collett, of this place.
     Will Goodall, of Cincinnati, took in the picnic last week.
     Miss Ella Hershey, of Massilon, and Mrs. Futman, of Columbus, are visiting at Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Antram's.
     Wm. Ham, a pioneer citizen of this place, died very suddenly whilst sitting in a chair. Mr. Ham had not been feeling just right for several days previous to his death, but he was not confined to his bed. He was sitting at his usual place in front part of the house. Mrs. Ham was in the back part. Somebody passing saw him sitting dead in the chair. He died of heart disease, and was a very hardy, stout man, and disease or sickness was a thing wholly unknown to him two weeks before he died.
     Mrs. Martha McKay and family, of Indianapolis, Ind., is visiting friends here. Mrs. Mc attended the picnic.
     A. Jay and wife, of Earlham College, Richmond, Ind., are visiting at T. M. Wales.
     Wm. B. Hadley and daughter, of Richmond, Ind., are visiting near this place.
     Mr. and Mrs. P. R. Eyche, of Washington, are visiting here.
     Miss Laura Tichenor, of Lebanon, attended the C. and McK. picnic.
     Miss Hannah Vanderburg returned to Van Wert last week after visiting relatives here for the past few weeks.