The record-union., 1892-04-22
new ENGLAND PIONEERS.
They Gather About the Festive Board
in Boston,
And Talk Over the Events of Their
Recent Visit to California-Their
Annual Reunions.

Under the auspices of the Society of
California Pioneers of New England a
large excursion party started from Bos-
ton April 10, 1890, for California. On
Monday, the llth of this month, the
second anniversary of that excursion was
commemorated by reunion Of pioneers
and their ladies and of those who went on
that delightful trip, in the United States
Hotel, Boston, Mass, where, from P. NJ,
an hour of pleasant social intercourse was
enjoyed in renewing old acquaintance
ship and friendships, and in comparing
personal experiences.
At o'clock the party marched to the
spacious dining hall, where, according to
the Salem Register, 1S4 ladies and gentle
men sat down at the tables; Hon. Freder
lex Pease of East Boston, President of
the society, called to order and invited
Rev. DIR. P. NJ. Macdonald to invoke the
divine blessing. The menu was en-
bellished with appropriate California
illustrations and the food was varied, de-
licious, abundant and promptly served.
The hall was decorated in exquisite taste,
and there was an abundance of flowers
upon the tables.
Among the veteran pioneers present
were Captain Peter Peterson of South
Boston, who first went out in 1894, and
again in 1912 in company with eX-Presi-
dent William III. Thomes, who was also
present on this OCCASION; Mrs. Sinclair
Davis of RoX bury, who crossed the plains
in lS43, and was the only lady among the
pioneers for about a year, living at SUIT
ter's Fort, and Hon. John Conness of
Mattapan, who was long a resident of
California, and for six years represented
the State in the United States Senate. Sa-
lem had quite delegation present at the
reunion.
After due attention had been devoted
to the banquet, President Pease opened
the speaking with an Introductory ad-
dress. He expressed pleasure at seeing
so many familiar faces az the festive
board. Some were entire strangers to US
until the excursion of 1890, but after leav-
ing the Fitchburg depot on that memor-
able trip it was remarkable how rapidly
acquaintances were made and friend
ships formed; but those friendships are
enduring and will last while we live.
Extended alluSion was made to the COR
dial receptions that were extended to the
party at different points.
Captain William IL. Thomes made a
stirring address, in which he gave inter
esting "reminiscences of the excursion of
1880, and drew amusing contrasts be-
tween the California that the pioneers
found in 1S49 and the California the eX-
cursionists found forty years later. The
pioneers feel a just pride at the share they
had in laying the foundations Of the State
on a firm basis of freedom.
Hon. John Conness made brief ad-
dress, and paid tender tribute to General
Samuel A. Chaplin, a member of the eX-
cursion party, who died at San Bernar-
dino April II, 1890, and closed with an
appreciative sentiment to his memory,
and the company arose to their feet and
drank the toast IN Impressive silence.
DR.. V. j. Owen of Springfield spoke of
the old friendships of the pioneers which
were revived and renewed by meeting to-
gether in California III 1890, after long
years of separation.
Eben \. Walton of Salem, in response
to an invitation from the chair, said few
words upon the far-reaching influence of
the noble stand taken by the early pio-
neers, who, in establishing the Pacific
States, 'builded better than they knew"
and the world is better to-day for what
they did.
Rev. DIR. Macdonald made an excellent
speech, showing that California had pro-
duced something grander and more sub
lime than the gold that first attracted at
tention to the Pacific shore.
Mrs. Mary A. Davis said she had gone
to California when only Is years of age !;
at that time it was a very rare matter to
nnd women among the pioneers, but in
1890 the ladies of the excursion party had
no cause to feel lonesome on their visit to
the Golden State.
Captain Thomes submitted report
recommending that the regular meetings
be hereafter held at the United States
Hotel on the last Wednesday of each
month at l P. NJ, with dinner at O'Clock,
and on motion of Mr.. Conness the report
was accepted and it's recommendation
adopted
Much credit for the very admirable
manner in which the arrangements were
carried out is due to the committee, con-
sisting of Richard Harrington, William
ID. Thomes, William II. Browne, E. ID.
WadSwOrth and Josiah HAYWARD