This is a reproduction of a library book that was digitized by Google as part of an ongoing effort to preserve the information in books and make it universally accessible. http://books.google.com fen .Ob3 TRANSACTIONS OF THE Thirty-Fourth Annual Reunion OF THE Oregon Pioneer Association June 14, 1906 CONTAINING THE - Annual Address by Hon. Allen Weir of Olympia, Washington Ex-President of the Washington Pioneer Association AND Other Matters of Historic Interest TRANSACTIONS OF THE Thirty-Fourth Annual Reunion OF THE Oregon Pioneer Association June 14, 1906 CONTAINING THE Annual Address by Hon. Allen Weir of Olympia, Washington Ex-President of the Washington Pioneer Association AND Other Matters of Historic Interest PORTLAND, OREGON Peaslee Bros. (& Chausse, Printers 1907 Fa?i MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. Portland, Oregon, April 9, 190G. The Board of Directors of the Oregon Pioneer Associa tion met at the rooms of the Oregon Historical Society, at 3 P. M., to arrange for the Annual Reunion of 190(5 — the thirty-fourth. Present: John W. Minto, Portland, 1848, President: George H. Himes, 1853, Portland, Secretary; J. E. Magers, 1 «52, Portland, Corresponding Secretary ; Robert A. Miller, 1854. Portland, and William Galloway, 1852, McMinnville, by George H. Himes, proxy, Directors. The minutes of the last annual meeting were read and approved. An order of business was submitted and, upon motion of Mr. Himes, was adopted, as follows : 1. Selection of place of meeting. 2. Selection of speakers: (a) for the annual address; (b) for the occasional address. 3. Selection of Grand Chaplain. 4. Selection of Grand Marshal. 5. Appointment of Committees: (a) Committee of Ar rangements: (b) Finance Committee: (c) Committee on Building and Music; (d) Committee on Invitations: (e) OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION. Committee on Transportation; (f) Reception Committee; (g) selection of Chairman of Woman's Auxiliary Committee. The matter of the date was discussed at some length, and upon motion of J. E. Magers, seconded by George H. Himes, it was decided that June 14 should be fixed as the date., On motion of Director Alagers, seconded by Robert A. Miller, Portland was chosen as the place for holding the next reunion. On motion of George H. Himes, seconded by J. E. Magers, Hon. Allen Weir, of Olympia, Washington, ex- President of the Washington Pioneer Association, wr" selected to give the Annual Address. Rev. Andrew J. Hunsaker, 1847, McMinnville, wa^ clv ^eti as the Grand Chaplain. Joseph Buchtel, 1852, was selected as Grand Marshal, with power to choose his own aides. Mrs. Charlotte M. Cartwright, 1815, on motion oi - Himes, was selected as Chairman of the Woman's Auxiliary, with power to select her own assistants. On motion of Mr. Magers it was voted that Messrs. Cook, Ladd and Himes should be the Committee on Finance. All other matters, on motion, were referred to the Com mittee of Arrangements. On motion, it was voted that the Committee of Arrange ments should be composed of Mr. Himes, Mr. Magers, Mr. Minto and Mr. Miller. THIRTY-FOURTH ANNUAL SESSION. 5 It was voted that the Reception Committee should be made up of the full Board of Directors, the Marshal and such aides as he might select. Secretary Himes was appointed the Committee on Trans portation, also the Committee on Invitations. The matter of securing a place of meeting and suitable music was referred to the Committee of Arrangements. All other matters were referred to the Committee of Arrangements. The Secretary was authorized to have one thousand copies of the Annual Transactions of 1906 printed, and also such envelopes, letters, badges," programmes, announcements, etc., as in his judgment might be necessary. No further business appearing, the Board adjourned. George H. Himes, Secretary.' I 6 OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION. THIRTY-FOURTH ANNUAL REUNION. Portland, Oregon, Thursday, June 15, 1906. (From The Oregonian.) The white-haired host of state-builders gathered in Port land yesterday for the thirty-fourth time since the organiza tion of the Oregon Pioneer Association, and for the thirty- fourth time together lived over. the days when the beckoning hand of Fate called them from their Eastern homes to the then primeval forests of the "Oregon Country." Twelve hundred aged men and women grasped each others' hands — twelve hundred of the most honored citizens of this glorious state gathered at the banquet board, "broke bread" with hos pitable Portland, and exchanged "experiences" of those long gone but never-to-be-forgotten days on the plains. Eyes which had become dulled with the flight of years brightened, and limbs grown weary with the long march of life again / took on the vigor of youth as the friends of the score of years from 1839 to 1859 met and recalled the hardships of those early days, and the happiness which followed in meeting even under the most primitive conditions. For Oregon's early settlers had that sturdy quality which made it possible for happiness and hardship to go hand-in- hand, and to this is due in great measure the wonderful progress which civilization has made in this still new coun try. Those of this later generation looked on with love and veneration and wondered at the great courage and strength of character which enabled these heroes and heroines — for that is what they are — to raise and dedicate this structure of civilization in the heart of the trackless wilderness to which they came — and which they subdued. THIRTY-FOURTH ANNUAL SESSION. 7 But the pathetic note of the harmonious day could not be overlooked. It was sounded in the great number of vacant chairs. Nearly fifty of the dear souls who mingled with the great gray army last year have gone to the front, for the serried hosts pass rapidly. But to those who are left, to those who will pass on before another June rolls 'round. there is the consolation that the passing is to yet another new land, the possession of which means all comfort, all hap piness, all rest and love. There will be no endless forest, no savages, no striving of years for the goal. All that is past for the pioneers of Oregon, and the white hairs which crown their weather-beaten heads are to us who are enjoying the fruit of their lifelong toil, earthly halos. GATHER AT THE ARMORY. Time was when the pioneers gathered down town and marched in line to the Armory, where their celebration is held, but that is over now. Each year Father Time lays his hand more heavily upon their shoulders, and the way. now seems too long. Instead of proudly bearing the banners pro claiming the year of arrival in Oregon, in the march, they now have only the badge to tell this story, and all gathered at the Armory yesterday at 1 o'clock to hear the annual ad dress, to retell the old, old stories, and to partake of the generous hospitality which always awaits them and which it is Portland's greatest pleasure to extend. It was an inspiring sight which greeted all comers to the Armory. It was an occasion for pioneers alone and no others. The committees which served the sumptuous ban quet were the only outsiders admitted. Curious citizens, children and even relatives of the Association members were 8 OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION. barred, for it was Pioneer Day and the pioneers needed every foot of space in the great Armory. They were there to meet and greet each other — to renew old acquaintances, to live over the cabin days of half a century ago, to refight the In dian battles, so the day and the hall were theirs alone. GREETING THE GUESTS. Portland's Mayor, Dr. Harry Lane, himself a grandson of a pioneer Governor who has passed into that same new country, welcomed them to the city and spoke tender words which touched every heart. A veteran pioneer made the annual address and a pioneer minister offered the prayer. At the door of the banquet hall they were greeted by one of Oregon's most beloved pioneer women, and the daughters and grand-daughters of pioneer citizens served them with loving hands. The magnificent floral decorations brought smiles to withered faces and joy to loyal hearts. When the ox-carts of fifty years ago stopped on the banks of the Wil lamette there was only, the wild growth of the wilderness, but that has given way to the relentless hand of civilization, and the beautiful flowers which adorned the table yesterday represented some of that toil — some of the results. And it was mentioned many times, "We didn't have such flowers then !" Upon assembling at the Armory, the Pioneers were re ceived by Grand Marshal Joseph Buchtel and his aides— E. J-. Jeffery, James F. Failing, C. S. Silver, N. H. Bird, E. D. White, J. D. Lee, H. W. Prettyman, R. A. Miller, J. C. Carson, G. L. Story, A. B. Stuart, J. W. Partlow and L. B. Geer. There was an hour of greetings and renewal of old acquaintances before President John W. Minto called the THIRTY-FOURTH ANNUAL SESSION. 9 meeting to order at two o'clock, and the following pro gramme was followed : Music, Brown's Orchestra. Prayer by the Chaplain, Rev. A. J. Himsaker, 1847, Mc- Minnville. Address of welcome by Hon. Harry Lane, Mayor of Port land. Response by the President. Appointment of Committee on Resolutions by the President. Music, Brown's Orchestra. Annual address, Hon. Allen Weir, Olympia, ex-President Washington Pioneer Association. Solo, (a) "Old Folks at Home" ; (b) "Dear Little One" '(words of latter by Mrs.