, 1889-06-13
The Pioneer Anniversary Meeting nj
Olympia

Inc misunderstanding OccaSlOned by
the announcement, 4 month ago, that the
IIoneer meeting would be held on the
Fourth OF July, instead of the first Tues.
day in June, according to the bylaws OF
the society, caused a very slim attend
ance at the gathering on Tuesday last, in
Columbia hall, Olympia. OF the lower
sound counties, besides myself, were Mr..
Kinneth, OF Coupeville; John Izette, OF
Oak Harbor; E. Q. Ferguson, of Snoho-
mish; David Denny and II. G. Struve, OF
Seattle; a goodly number from Thurston
county helped to make up collection OF
some forty or fifty altogether. The meet
ing was called to order by first vice-presl-
dent A. J. Chambers at 10 a. m. and there
being barely quorum present 1t was
decided TO adjourn till p. m.
passed the time looking up old friends
and suddenly ran against Jack Baldwin,
who was seated in chair having his
shoes BACKED, a thing he never did in
former days, but looked upon blackened
boots, boiled shirts and plug hats with
1
told Jack it was an evidence of civiliza-
ton, and that he has experienced a
change OF heart. Baldwin had been re-
ported dead two years ago and an affect
friend Elwood Evans and published in
the papers, but he assured me he wasn't
dead and believed him. The next was
Uncle Benny Morrill,, looking as gay as
lark and as fresh as peacock. Uncle
Ben said that the highest honor he as
pires to, is to be caterer for the Pioneers
at their next reunion and furnish them
with regulation baKed beans and fegtive
clans. Brother Doane agreed to produce
the Geoduk clans OF 10 pounds weight,
and the President OF the association is ex-
pected to eat one on tho half shell.
next met Wesley B. Gosnell, who
have not seen since 1857, when he was
Indian agccnnt On the squaxon reservation.
He and 1 walked up he street and met
Sidney S. Ford just starting out ..""F hls
home on the Chehalis; he and l were
glad to meet and talked over the fun we
had way back in the fifties, when We as
sisted Governor Stevens making treaties
with the Indians, and our weeks camp
where now Montesano stands. We had
gay time; his father, Judge Ford, WAS
there with Col. Nike Simmons, Col. b.
F. Shaw, Devil Cushman, Henry d.
Cock, Tom Ford, George Gibbs, DIR.
Cooper, Agent Russell, Green McCafferty
and others whose names cont just now
recall, but I never can forget that week.
Next met Robert Frost, Judge Hewitt,
Uncle David Shelton, A. J. Chambers
and lots OF others.
At Up. my'w again met to elect officers
for the ensuing year. There were
great many more present than in the
morning and among them several ladies.
| A communication from Col. G.. o. Haller,
the president, was read but no action
was taken, first Vice-P President Chambers
evidently considering the letter personal
one TO himself. The election OF officers
was the next thing in order and III. G.
Struve and Z. o. Ferguson were put in
nomination. \ lady said: 81 shall not
vote for Mr.. Struve, he has too much
! business to attend to;h so when the vote
was counted Ferguson OF Snohomish,
was declared elected president for the
ensuing year. 1t was then decided that
our next reunion be held in Seattle;
David T. Denny of King county, and
James G. Swan of Jefferson county were
elected first and second vice-presidents;
Ii. q. Struve and P f. Ruth were NOM
mated and elected directors, but on the
vote being declared the same lady OBJ
iected to Mr.. Struve, whereupon Jack
Baldwin announced that he would vote
for Mr.. Struve, 81 am the oldest black
smith in the territory" said he, "but l
don't call myself learned blacksmith or
a parliamentarian but know something
about Jefferson's manual and think it
is not according to Hoyle to, choose two
persons at once so | move we reconsider
the last vote and elect each one sep
arate." The president told Mr.. Baldwin
/ L4lC NOlC DSCA NCSlrt1Cuy eAhN
his favorite candidate elected. All, is
that so? well, wasp't laying attention,
was thinking of Elw66d Evans and my
obituary notice. but it's all right; and 1
waive my objections" The election pro-
ceeded and Francis Henry was reelected
secretary, and George A. Barnes re-
elected treasurer.
Frank Henry was then called upon to
explain about the misunderstanding re-
garding the meeting. He said it had
| been agreed upon by all the board OF Of
ficers, except President Col. Haller, to
hold the meeting on the 4th of July, so
as to meet the delegates to the constitu-
tional convention, but it had been found
to conflict with the bylaws and had to
be abandoped, and it was so late that
proper notice could not be given. Jack
Baldwin moved that the association
apologize to Frank Henry for making
such mistake, and Frank declared his
| readiness to accept the apology, amid
! shouts of laughter at Jacks parliament
ary blunder.
While this was going on, Mr.. Struve,
who had been attending court, come in
and took a seat near the lady who had
been objecting to him. As soon as she
observed him she was all broke up,
and declared that now no was elected
she had not another word to say; a re-
mark in (which Mr. Struve calamity de-
clared he fully concurred.
The meeting then adjourned until ten
O'Clock the next day.
! started out for a walk and turning
a corner ran up against old Sol Thomp-
SOD, 90 old pioneer hunter who in old
times uted to roam the forests back oi