Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1890-04-15
A HOST OF FORTY-N MINERS,
Pleasant Memories Revived by Their
visit To-day Their Reception IN
the Historic City,

bearing tne members OF LIle society Ol
California Pioneers. The excursion is
under the direction of Capt. William II.
Themes and in chargeof F. E. Aver, of
Boston.
The party which numbers about 200,
left Boston last Thursday, April 10, aud
expects to reach Los Angeles about the
18th. 1t is made up largely of '40ers,
many of whom are accompanied by their
wives and daughters. The gentlemen,
although their locks are silvered DER with
gray, are many OF them stalwart in APP
pearance robust, hale and hearty. The
very idea of once more treading upon
grounds which were the scenes of their
pioneer days, nearly a half CEN
fury ago, seems to have restored them to
youth, one OF the number remarking:
IL feel fifty years younger than when we
| left the Hub"
All arrangements had been made for a
reception the governor Of Massachusetts
| having informed Gov. Prince some days
previous what time the party would arrive.
! The excursiOnistS were met at the depot
and escorted to the governors palace,
where at 10 O'Clock Gov. Prince welcomed
| the arrival OF the guests in the city OF the
| Holy Faith. Among other things the
governor i'll very happy manner related
few of the incidents OF western life since
the discovery of gold in California. He
said:
II am more than pleased to meet you
here within the walls of this palace,
winch has for nearly three centuries borne
the distinction of being the leading build
Ing in the United States with respect to
historic interest. | am glad that you
have an opportunity to view our magntl-
| cent country-the country whose resourc-
rs are more varied than those OF any
other-N here there is no end to gold and
silver, and where the herds craze upon
a thousand hills. am very much at
tached to New England, having lived
there in former years, but believe this Is
the best portion OF the United States
| emphasizing very strongly the latter as
sertiUn). only regret that your stay in
our city is limited and that our climatic
advantages have slightly gone back on US
this morning."
Capt. VIM. II. Themes, president Of
the soriety IN New England, responded
in eloquent terms, paying high tribute
| to New Mexico. He has travelled, in
times gone by, all over the west and is
quite familiar with its history incident to
It's early settlement. Capt Themes said
81 shall never forget the time when
crossed the plains with OK teams, and the
hardships experienced 10y my fellow men
who we're bent on securing fortune. |
1 \ D.,
ernor in this ancient palace, where more
deviltry has been committed than in any
other place in the union (but making
haste TO assure the governor that he re-
| ierred only to late adnllhistralions). am
glad to see the marked improvement in
the government OF this land of gold and
silver" The captain said hewas especial
" proud to know that only two literary
| men were present, and, with knowing
wink at the governor, remarked 1--WE have
each written hook, and | claim fellow
ship with you as a literary man. | have
written poem after poem, all of which
were rejected when presented for publlca-
! ton"
Hon. B. F. Whitmore, secretary OF the
society, then made short address which
was chock iull OF spice. He played even
with the president by announcing that
he had been appointed to arrest Capt
Themes for deeds committed Oh the coast
and that after forty years he now had
him under arrest. Mr.. Whtmore has
been a member of congress, and is well
known throughout the west. He could
write volumes Oh what he knows of the
early history of the west; has been in
Santa Fe number of times and travelled
all over New Mexico at gives me great
pleasure" said Mr.. Whilmore, ito listen
here i'll this historic building to the
Stories of our early days. it gives me
pleasure to once more gaze and walk
upon your mountains and valleys and
brt athe your invigorating air, which seems
almost to restore my youth.
Now, your territory is tapping for ad-
mission into the union. Let me express
the hope that he may soon join the grand
galaxy OF states, which 90 to the makeup
OF the grandest and most glorious nation
on earth. New Mexico deserves this
honor and should be entitled 10 full fel-
loWship with Ler sister COmmOnwealths.'
The closing speech was made by Judge
Axtell, than whom probably DO man is
betleT pOsleu Oh tile IlntoIy Va VIC "es'.
The Judge made brief talk in which he
reviewed the western country from lS49
up to the present He referred to the
adventures of Gen. Pike, his being taken
TO Old Mexico captive and the subse-
quent sprlnging up OF red-headed children
along the line of his travels. lie spoke
in high terms OF New England, her free
schools and free people, and assured his
auditors that New Mexico is making rapid
advancement.
The governor then submitted himself
to the handshsking process, after which
the party repaired to the plaza, where
they v ere treated to several choice selec-
tons from the 10th U. s. infantry band.
Through the courtesy of Col. Snyder
the band was allowed to play at II O'Clock
in honor of the excursionists. The party
left al l'ocIock for Los Angeles.