Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-07-26
BANQUET AND PRESENTATION.
An Evening with Sacramento Society of
California Pioneers.


California Pioneers.
The Sacramento Association Of Califor-
MIA Pioneers is particularly nol1d for the
fraternal feeling that exists among its men,
| bers. The remnant of that band of adven-
turous men who sought these western
shores in quest of fame and fortune in the
historic days of 49, love TO have frequent
reunions, where they can gather around
the banquet board and recount the adven-
lures they were engaged in. the trials they
endured, the dangers they braved thirty
seven years ago, when they were boys, and
young men who had just arrived at their
majority. Their anecdotes, adventures, the
tragic scenes they witnessed, are ever en-
tertaining, and have lost nothing of minor
details by their frequent repeating. Satur-
day evening the Pioneers held one of these
frequent reunions in their banquet hall,
which was marked with an unusual
amount of good fellowship. With the excep-
ton of single invited guest, all pres
ent were members of the association
The President of the association. G.. w.
Chesley, presided, and with such a man at
the head of the table no banquet could fail
to be of interest; the toasts and responses
under such leadership are always inter-
tanning After all were seated, the Presi-
dent made few complimentary remarks
in Pickwickian style, compllmenting all
upon their good looks, their enviable repu-
tations as men of wisdom, men who had
honors innumerabIy thrust upon them
and, above all, he congratulated the Asso-
citation upon the fact that their President
had all the qualities of good looks and
greatness in a marked degree his elo-
quence had become proverbial, and if they
were not, they should be proud of him.
Laughter After this Introduction the
President addressed himself to Colonel
James McNasser, an honorary member of
the society and said that tlis banquet had
been given in his honor. The honorary
membership of the society, he said, con-
tanned the names of many of Americas
most illustrious sons - the immortal
Ulysses S. Grant, the silent man" who
has just passed over the river into that I'M
known country, the silent land
from whose bourne no traveller re-
turns, honored and revered not only
In his own country, but throughout the
civilized world wherever the English Ian
guage is spoken; Gen. VIM. T. Sherman,
another of Americas most distinguished
heroes, whom the society had the pleasure
of honOring in this city only a few days
ago, and others, perhaps not SO renowned
for deeds of valor upon the battle field, or
wise directions in councils of war, but who
were equally distinguished for their pure
lives, their manifestations of generosity,
their love and affection for their fellow
man. Mr.. Chesley concluded as follows
" The Association of California Pion-
GERS of Sacramento, desiring to express in
a slight manner their appreciation of you,
sir, Colonel McNasser, as an honorary
member OF this organization, as gentle
man for whom they entertain the highest
regard as friend and neighbOr, a generous
and public spirited citizen, one who, upon
every occasion, has manifested his love,
admiration of, and esteem for this society
and its membership, has imposed upon me
the pleasant duty Of presenting you with
this emblem of their organization-a star
of pure gold, which carries with it the
thoughts of the pure motives that actuate
your brothers in presenting it and the pure
life of the gentleman they honor with its
presentation. 1t is beautifully chased and
engraved. Upon the face Sacramento,
California, Association of Pioneers, 1S49.'
On the reverse side, Presented to Colonel
James McNasser, by his friends, July oath,
1886 Take it, sir, and may its reception
give you as much pleasure as we expert
ence in its presentation"
COI hC.NdSScI W DIS ldheil ny sur
prise and so overcome was he by the kind
words spoken, and their evident endorse
ment by all present, evinced by the fire.
quent applause, he for a few moments was
at loss to find language with which to
make suitable response. He thanked the
President and the society for this mark of
their confidence, esteem and respect, and
assured them that it gave him more pleas
IRE than any gift he had ever received. He
then gave brief sketch of his early life in
California and amongst other incidents re
counted in most interesting details the
wreck of the steamer Yankee Blade, on
which he was a passenger, off Point Con-
ception on October LIST, 1851.
Speeches were made by Judge J. NJ Nc
Kune John S. Miller, w. +. Knox, A. II.
Powers James MCGUIRE n. d. Goodell, +.
F. Akin, Henry Treichler, VIM. Ii. Luther,
Edward Twitchell, c. X. Daugherty and
Robert Allen.