The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-08-27
THE FOUNDATIONS.
The Seventh Session Of the Society
Of Montana Pioneers a
Grand Success.
Representative Gathering OF Old
Timers From All Sections Of
This Great State.
Col. Samuel Word Is Honored with tn.
Presidency-The Business Meeting
and tho Banquet NJ Night.

and tho Banquet Ut Night.
When the seventh annual meeting Of the
society of Montana's pioneers was called to
order at 10 O'Clock yesterday morning In
tho district court room about fifty OF the
men who laid the foundation O which the
great state of Montana now rests, were pre-
sent. President Clark being absent his
duties fell to Vics-President Charles d.
Curtis. An address which President Clark
had prepared was read by Secretary Hedges.
In it Mr.. Clark, after referring to his in
ability to be present and his regrets, urged
a more complete organization and the ex-
tension of the membership. Reference was
also made to a resolution passed ut tho last
session looking to the organization of ''The
Pioneers Mutual Aid Association of Mon
tana," and the hope expressed that the
ideas embodied in the measure had been
carried out. In. conclusion the address
says:
Our society has sustained an irreparable
loss in the death of Mr.. Robert s. Kelly,
vice-president for Deer Lodge county, and
one Of our most interested and active men,
bers. This noble man was stricken down
in the prime of vigorous manhood. His
brave and generous nature was widely
known and his memory will be long rev
cred. A meeting of the pioneers present at
the funeral was held and resolutions adopt
cd that will hRve a place in our records.
"Another worthy member, the chairman
of the committee that drafted the resolu-
tions; Mr.. Caleb Irvine, has also passed
away. He was Of our members perhaps the
in the Bitter Root valley, / believe, in 1851.
"Mr. George Cleveland is also gone and
no doubt others of whom I am not advised.
l think it advisable to preserve as full a
record of dates and circumstances relative
to deceased members as may be obtainable
for the purpose Of reference"
Mr.. Clark also sent a letter to Samuel
Word regretting his inability to be present
and wishing the pioneers an enjoyable time
at the banquet. To further this object he
enclosed a check for 800, thinking the old
timers would like some wet goods in the
shape of Pommery or other wines. The
reading of the letter was received with ap-
plause. Col. Word spoke of the happy
in which the retiring president had
laid down the reins of his Office and ex-
PlCbSOu JIG II puuU la buSSCb6ol WOul0
follow the example set.
There was considerable discussion over
the question of what sum should be assessed
each member when a death occurred, the
proceeds to be devoted to the ornamental
tion of the graves of pioneers. Finally a
ment 81 a month. This plan is to be tried
for. a year and in the meantime a committee
of five will further consider the matter.
When the time came for the nomination
and election of officers, John II. Shober.
referring to Mr.. Words comments on
President Clark's donation said he would
place in nomination a gentleman who had
defined his position, go he named Hon.
Saml. Word for president. This was the
only nomination made. Mr.. Word was
unanimously elected. On relieving Col.
Curtis, he said he had been caught il his
own trap: nevertheless he was profoundly
grateful for the honor conferred, and would
do everything in his power to increase the
membership and usefulness of the society.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Words remarks
the other officers were elected as follows:
Secrstary-Cornelius Hedges.
Assistant Secretary-R. f. Wilkinson.
Treasurer-T. H. Kleinschmidt.
Auditing Committee-A. M. Esler, Gran
Vile Stuart, W. ii. Sutherlin.
Homer Hewins and G. ID. Curtis were ap-
pointed members of the executive commit
tee 20 act in conjunction with the presi-
dent, secretary and treasurer.
Vice-presidents for each county in the
state were chosen as follows:
observation-disclosures A. Brown.
Choteau-A Hamilton.
Fergus-Andtew Fergus.
Deer Lodge-Sam Scott.
Gallatin-W. w. Anderson.
Jefferson-Edwin Ryan.
Lewis and Clarke-John H. Shober.
Madison. L. Conner.
Meagher-Henry Whaley.
Silver BOW. Y. Pemberton.
Yellowstone-Paul Mccormick.
Park-W. M. Wright.
o Cascade, Missoula, Custer and Dawson
are vet to be heard from.
The following were elected members Of
the society: John E. Kelly, Patrick Moran
DeForest Hedges, Dwight Harding, Chas
Tripplett, |. N. Buck, T. ]. Connor. A re.
port was received from Vice-President
Blakely, of Gallatin county, containing 6
list of 100 pioneers. The report was re,
ceived with a hurrah and the names ordered
engrossed on the rolls. 1t is estimated thai
there arc now more than 500 names enrolled
upon the books of the society.
At noon a recess was taken till eight p. m
the members to meet at that hour at Childs
ranch.
The executive committee had made all ar
rangements for the meeting and in conse-
quence matters went along finely. Librar-
AeA va VAN 'pS ASoA SAp ~
nished for the association portraits of VIM.
Fairweather, the discoverer of gold il
Alder guloh, X. Beedler, A. M. HolteI
n Andrew Fergus. They were placed
on the wall in the rear of tn,
presidents desk. The members before nd
iourning formed in a group at the nortl
end of the court house, and we're 80 photo.
graphed. Five Grow chiefs. now in tn,
city in charge of =. +. Prando, S.. j., wer,
placed in the front rank and taken with tn,
pioneers.
Az seven p. m. about 300 pioneers, many
OF them accompanied by ladies'. met at thu
Northern Pacific depot. A train was i,
waiting, II the party proceeded to Child
ranch, where an elegant banquet had beer
prepared. The executive committee hat
made lavish Preparations, Mrs. N. Fret,
had done her best, and q most enioyabl,
time was had. The pioneers will long re.
msmbe the seventh session and banquet.
Geo. IL. Taylor, dentist, Denver block.