The record-union., 1893-04-27
THB OLD SUFFER- FORT
Restored to the Coming Gen
eFationS Of California.
ITS DEDICATORY EXERCISES.
Pioneers, Native Sons and Daughters
and Citizens Assembled There.
ADDRESSES BY THE PIONEERS.
The Stars and Stripes Thrown to the Breeze
Amid the Booming Of Cannon-One
Of the States HaIOwed Spots.

If General Sutter could have stepped
up out OF the grave yesterday and wit
messed unseen the demonstration in this
city, which he founded some forty-five
years ago, it would have made the old
pioneers heart throb with emotion to sec
the people of three generations doing
such honor to his name.
Yesterday was the day set apart for the
Pioneers, the Native Sons and Daughters,
and citizens generally, to visit the old
fort which the State is now redeeming
from the corroding effects cf nearly half
century of neglect and restoring it to
its original form, there to dedicate anew
the historic spot that was once the
friendly haven sought by the thronging
immigrants who crossed the dreary prai-
ries and deserts and mountains in search
of the sunset land.
The occasion was happily chosen. The
presence here of representatives of the
Native Sons OF all portions of the State,
in attendance on the Grand Parlor, af-
forded many of the members of that or
der their first opportunity of visiting the
spot where their fathers had found rest
and shelter after the long and weary jour
ney across the continent in the days of
gold-seeking.
The day was a delightful one, cool
fresh breeze from the south making the
march to the fort anything but weary
one. Indeed, it was more of an enjoy
ment than otherwise, for the visitors had
an opportunity of seeing more of the city
than had before been afforded them,
while the throngs of pretty girls along the
route, the inspiriting music, the bright
uniforms and cleaning muskets of the
military, and the thousands of men,
women and children moving toward the
old fort, were features full of interest to
all.
FORMING THE PROCESSION.
At o'clock the members of Sacra-
mento and Sunset Parlors assembled at
Armory Hall, where the four local mill
tary companies of the First Artillery
Regiment and the Bersaglieri Guard
Qtalian) were in readiness to act as escort
to the Grand ParIor. These bodies
marched to the Capitol, where the mem
bers of the Grand Parlor were formed in
procession.
Under. the marshalship of Louis f.
Breuner, with Robert E. Greer as aid,
the entire column was soon under way
led by the Artillery Band. First came
Companies G., A and + of the First Ar
tillery Regiment, commanded by Colonel
Guthrie; then the Bersaglierl Guard, fol-
lowed by some thirty members OF the
Pioneer Society, in carriages; delega-
ton from the San Francisco Pioneers,
comprising c. y: s. Gibbs, the President,
Niles Searls, Nathan Holland and Cap
tain Samuel Deal; then carriages con-
tanning citizens.
The second section was headed by the
Past Grand Presidents of the Grand Par
lor, escorted by Sacramento and Sunset
Parlors, and then the officers of the Grand
Parlor, followed by the delegates.
The procession, which was five blocks
long, moved out of the iIleventh-street
entrance and proceeded up l. street to the
fort, AS the column passed the Protest
ant Orphan Asylum the children greeted
it with cheers, and waved tiny flags,
while they sang America"
AT THE FORT.
Battery B had preceded the other COM
panies and was already in possession OF
the fort. while in and about the grounds
had gathered several thousand people,
awaiting the coming of the procession
As the latter neared the fort the artillery
company greeted the Pioneers and Ma
tive Sons with a salute-the first time in
upward of forty years that the echoes OF
the old fort had been awakened by the
report of a cannon.
The sight was truly a beautiful one.
The knoll on which the fort and it's
buildings stand was alive with we'll
dressed men, women and children, while
for blocks around the streets were lined
with carriages and vehicles of every de-
scription filled with people who had as
sembled to witness the proceeCiinpS
Above the fort and from all the buildings
in the vicinity the stars and stripes hoated
gaily in the breeze.
Within the inclosure a platform had
been erected, to which the Pioneers and
Native Daughters were escorted and pro-
vided with seats.
The exercises commenced by the First
Artillery Band playing the quickstep,
1.-THE American Guard.'
Ex-Mayor Eugene j. Gregory, Presi-
dent of the Sutter Fort Trustees, con-
Quoted the exercises, and after a few
words of introduction he presented Rev.
r. NJ. Stevenson. who offered an earnest
prayer, appropriately worded and elo-
quently delivered.
\ PIONEERS ADDRESS.
The band played America" after
which Mr.. Gregory introduced j. NJ.
Stephenson, President of the Society OF
Pioneers, who addressed the assem- blape
as follows:
lfl-. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen. In
behalf the Sacramento Society of California
Pioneers, l tender the Grand Parlor OF the
Native Sons of the Golden West a cordial
welcome. On the spot where we now stand
began the iAlbSl enterprises which
mark the later prosperity of our State; for
this was the central point where the California
pioneers congregated, and from which they
spread out 10 the various portions of the
State. OF this historic ground, which is dear
to the heart OF every pioneer, many things
can be said.
The first piece of gold discovered in Cali.
for,1ia was examined by Marshall General
Sutrer and John Bidwell in this very build
INC while the tools and implements of the
SiiScoverer. the late lamented Marshall are
now shown 10 the world as the primitive
method of mining which was used by him
and his fellow pioneers.
Many i'm porIant events connected with the
history of the state began in direct connection
TINS famous property, while those who lived
1vithin its walls during the palmy days oi
Is4a and later years have since been identi
ned with the most important history of the
State.
The ravares of time and the weight of the
unseen hand have fallen on scores of the faith
mi pioneers, until to-day the vast army o.
resolute ana determined souls who ventured
INTO the wiids of an unknown ana newly dis
covered country, have been reduced 10 com
nsrative few Although few in numbers, II
may be truthfully said that the fire OF loyalty
bnrns as strongly in the heart OF every mem
Ser OF our fraternity as it did In 1S49.