St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-11-15

many of them are still among us, and in
the foremost rank of our most hOnora-
bic business men. Iho first question 1
am unable to answer WillSOme one of
the old Pioneer organization answer?
In perGsing the files Of the Minnesota
Historical society, find the records of
q Weil-OrgahiZed Ramsey County Pho
neer association. with their cOnSttu-
ton. bylaws and list of officers names,
together with a list of 1900 names, all
OF whom resided in Ramsey county in
1897. Or course. they were not all mem
berS OF the association. This list was
prepared by their worthy secretary, j.
Fletcher Williams, secretary OF The Min
neSOta Historical society, for the gem
eral information of its members. 1t,
perhaps, is not generally known that
the first organization OF early settlers is
the Old Settlers Association of Mime
sofa. Incorporated by an act of the
legislative assembly of the territory of
Minnesota, approved May %. 1879
No person could become member of
this association who was not a resident
OF the territory OF Minnesota prior 10
the first day Of January, 1850. 1t is per-
hapS proper to state that many Of the
members OF this organization were the
founders Of our Minnesota Historical
society. OF which we now should all he
proud, when we take into consideration
the little support and encouragement
1t has received from our legislative
authorities. 1t is hoped the time is not
far distant when the Legislature Will
realize tie necessity of more appropriate
Or adequate quarters than those at pres
ent occupied 10y the society. They are
disgrace TO our state, and only secre-
tary like the one 1t row has. with his
assistant, could keep it in as pasSable
condition as we ROW find it. 1t is graf
flying to say this same Old Settlers
association Is still active, and holds its
annual social and business gatherings.
The roster as published in 1872 shows a
membership OF 81 then residents of tie
state. Of this number there are but
about tWentY-nine Tow residents of st.
Paul.
The next organization of old settlers
Is the Pioneers of Ramsey County, or
ganiZed Dec. q, 1871, Of which mention
has heretofore been made. The exact
number of members have no means of
aScertalnlng. as most of their records
we're burned when our capitol was de-
;trOyed by fire in 1881. OF the l 800
male names or those who appear TO have
resided here in 1857, | estimate there
are about 193 now residents OF Ramsey
county, who would be eligible to mem
OC1 Sil p y tlQ Will Sucu NOlInN ana
prominent citizens as Hon. w. b. Dean,
William a. Van Slyke, J. A. Wheelock,
w. Il. Murray, a. l.. Larpenteur and
dozens of others, many Of whom are
members Of the pioneer association,
why do they not keep it alive, and fol-
low the example set them 10y the '49erS?
Certainly their object is a good one.
The second article of their constitution
says: Its objects shall be: TO per-
petrate the memory of our city and
county: to keep alive the friendship Of
Aud Lang Syne' by frequent social
reunions; to preserve the history of
the early times in this locality, and of
the persons who bore 4 share in the
struggles, hardships and privatlons of
frontier life; and TO properly honor the
memory of Our deceased pioneers, and
TO assist those of our members who may
be III want or distress"
The Junior Pioneers feel great in
tereSt in these Older organizations, and
think better example should be shown
them by their seniors: in fact, they are
the parents of the juniors, and know well
that the scene, as portrayed on the seal
OF the Old Settlers association designed
10y the late Aaron Goodrich, will be
realized only too soon. That being true,
why not continue these social reunions,
opportunity to meet at least once year
and from memory's tablet recite their
experience while fighting the battle of
frontier life, thus spirit of emulation
and loyalty to Ramsey county, and the
preservation OF It's history and its peO-
pie?
l would suggest that some concerted
action be taken among the three organ
iZations herein mentioned toward the
securing Of a suitable location for the
erection OF a permanent building for
meetings and such other purposes as
may be thought best, to be known as
The Pioneer, or Pioneers block. or some
other appropriate name as might be de-
termined later. This certainly would
be movement that our city would he
proud OF. as well as our children to fol
low u.s.
1t may be thought by some that am
eXtravagant IN my suggestions; it should
not be SO considered. as this same SUBJ
Ject has been practically realized in 10
calitles where their numbers were nc
greater than ours; and their members
possessed no more wealth than we do
Such building, if properly constructed
and rightly managed. could be made
seif-sustaining. Let us hear from the
pioneers. even though they may moi
agree with us in our views. The writ
er's aim and object is unity; in unity
there is strength. and when the Old
Settlers association and the Pioneer
Association of Ramsey County unite
with the Junior Pioneer Association OF
Ramsey County the last link will be
welded in the golden chain that viii
preserve and perpetuate the history Of
Ramsey county and its pioneers.
ID II