National Republican., 1888-05-18
4 GLORIOUS REUNION
The California Pioneers Annual S"s-
sinn IL MnNsIall Hnll.

sion vt Marshall Hail.
Tie bow Of the steamer CorcOran was
yesterday crowded with q body Of scdatc,
gray bearded, substantial looking men,
whose appearances indicated they had for
the day thrown of all business restraints
and were of for holiday. The arrival nf
each ear, previous to the departure of the
steamer. was eagerly watched, and when
any gentleman who had passed middle age
aligltcd, and had not the appearance OF u
minister, the CUtcric would Immediately fire
a volloy Of questions To establish his ilcn-
tity until some Of the party would settle
doubts by recognizing him. As the new
conner would cross the gang plank hcwould
bc cordially greeted.
The Society Of California Pioneers selected
yesterday rs the date Of their annual re-.
union at Marshall Hall, aud most Of the
visitors to the Baptist conference chose the
same day for pilgrimage To Mount Yer
non. The consequence was rush aud
crowd which OvcrtaNcd the capacity oi tho
steamer, nGccssitating its leaving tile wharf
u few minutes before its regular hour other
wise the United States officials might have
done something toward earning their sala
rics.
Like all other trips down the beautiful
Potomac the sail to Marshall Hall landing
was delightful. At the wharf Col. Joe Me-
II
extended n cordial greeting. Three photog-
raphers, armed with their sombcr and dan
| gcrOus looking apparati, accompanied the
| party and had selected advantageous lOca-
tions about the grounds. even before the
main body had fairly tested the elegant
| punch which had been brewed for their de-
| lcctation. 4 group was arranged and the
party photographed three separate times.
Then they were escorted to tile spot where
| arrangement sfor cooking the planlicd shnd
were made. They were initiated into this
culinary mystery and photographed again.
| Within few minutes the announcement
was made that dinner was ready The
| pioneers seated themselve, at tables artiSu-
| cally arranged under the trees. The snowy
| linen, shining glassware, and bright table
ornaments glistened in the sun. George G..
Gorhum presided, and at the tables were
seated the following named pioneers Of the
carly days Of the golden state. Admiral
Allny, Gen. II. {. Gibson Col. J. G. Me-
kibbcn, {. c. Kimboll, j. ?. llohrbac.k,
Thomas Cavanaugh. l. Saks, +, Is. Me
s@% G@TS''y $ N ,,I,lsyy I,Sy' T. y u Hill, iIiI,
DR.. j. 5. Bealilcy, Mich. Wcigand, Il. L.
Scmon W. II. Barstow, Joseph Newman,
Martin Newman. |. 5. Tichcnor j. +,
Mottcr, c. Van Wagner, j. A. Adams,
George II. Miller, Edward McGowan, Dr.
VI. H. n. Kendig, j, u. Darden, Henry
Brock, George T. Jones, Mai Taylof, H. II.
Will,tt, Thomas F. Hatch, W. +. Dowson,
Vernon Dorsey, lIallett kilbourn, aud Frank
Schcll. The guests Of the Forty miners were
Admiral Claggett, cNSccrctary Belknap,
John W. BOtelCr, John Kcyworth, W. Scott
Towers, and W. j. hampton.
An excellent dinner was served OF all
the dishes fit for the most delicate taste and
fastidous cpicurc the planked shad AS pre-
| pared and served at Marshall Hall Is easily
the chief. II is superb
After dinner the pioneers scattered II
groups, rcCOunting experiences OF theil
early days on the coast. The old alcalde
Edward McGowan, had an ineNhaustibl,
fund Of personal exploits, which he told tt
the delight of his compatriots. Many other
had spicy and interesting narratives to re
late and all We're well told.
At meeting held in the pavilion, George
G. Gorham was elected president Of the as
sCciation, Gen. II c. Gibson, vice president
| llallett Kilbourn, secretary, and Col. Joscpl
G. McKibben, treasurer. The Ulcers, will
ii. {. McGrotty, were chosen an eXecutiv,
committee. and instructed TO procurea suit
able badge for the members.
The second boat load arrived at 5:la
which brought down about forty of tn
pioneers, who were unable to get down i
the morning. Among the late arrivals wGr
Maj. II. II. sylvester, John Corson, Surgeol
General Browne, Daniel Scales, and G.. NJ
ogden, Of the California Press Association
Another excellent planked shad dinner VA
served, after which entertaining addresses !
early daysin California were made by 40
miral Almy, Gen. Gibson, Col. j. G. Mo
, Kibben, Col Tchenor, and Surgeon Geners
, Browne. Ex-Sccrctary Bellnap, in humo
Gus little talk, In which very approprat
. anecdotc was interspcrsed, told why he di
not 20 to California. Toasts were drank
, Commodore Stockton, California, Gel
( Fremont, Gen. Suter, and Col. j. &. Nj
| Kibhcn. The homcward trip was enlivene
with plantation melodies hy coteric I
| cOlorcd singers.
/ j. W. Boteler and John Kcyworth misse
the early boat, but chartered tug an
, reached the hall almost as soon as the Co
| COran.
Gen. Gibson, as compliment to IL
| fofty-niners, had the artillery band scrcnad
The boat on the downward trip.
1t was n glorious reunion and cveybod
had royal good time.