The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1894-04-26
MEE AND WOMEN
PIONEERS OF BOISE.
FRANK r.. COFFIN's TRIBUTE TO
THE DEAD AND LIVING.
An Occasion That VIII Never Be
Forgotten by Those Who Partici-
pated-There Were over One Hun
dred Present at the Banquet.

The pioneers of Boise, numbering
nearly all Of those who arrived prior to
December 81, 1866, ranging in age from
thirty to ninety-two years, and in
GLIDING the best people of the capital
city, will never forget the reunion
held in the old adobe building, corner
of Main and Eighth, on Thursday af-
ternoon last, says the Democrat. Frank
r. Coffin, who with a large force of
assistants had worked hard during the
previous two weeks in moving out
goods, had all preparations made in
time for the reception, and at l o'clock
the ladies and gentlemen assembled.
After twenty minutes spent in eat
ing and pleasant talk, attention was
called and Frank r. Coffin, standing at
the head of the tables and.in well modu-
lated voice pronounced the following
appropriate, beautiful and most touch
ing little grafton:
MY old pioneer friends: The building
you have honored with your presence
today and the contemplated removal Of
which is the occasion of our reunion
under its roof, is the oldest business
building in Boise City.
Built in the summer of 1868, it has
stood a prominent landmark for
y
placing of the old and dilapidated with
the new and more useful, is a subject
of congratulation, but [ am sure you
will indulge me in a feeling of tender
ness for these old walls, for this has
been my business home for twenty
seven years, and in the rooms above,
my wife and 1 commenced our house
keeping.
1.-THE house was built by Captain
Hughes of the United States army,
and when completed was occupied by
B. NJ. Durell & Co. for general mer-
camille purposes. Mr.. DureIl was the
founder of the First National Bank,
and that concern opened its business
career on one side of this room in 1866.
Mr. Durell also built the Overland
hotel, and established the Great Fast
Freight Line between this place and
Umatilla landing, on the Columbia
river. Over this freight line he accom-
plished the wonderful feat of trans
porting heavy goods. a distance OF
nearly three hundred miles, in four
days. He was man of dauntless
courage and daring in business enter
prise.
Mr. Dureu sold his interest in Idaho
in 1868 and went to Salt Lake, where,
in the vicissitudes of fortune, he lost
his money. When gold was discovered
in the Occur d'Alene country he
started to go there, was taken sick on
the road, and died penniless and heart
broken.
There is a mixture of sadness and
pleasure to me in this reunion. 1t is
pleasant to greet you here today, my
o-d friends and neighbors of thirty
years, but looking into your faces
am saddened with the reflection when
l recall the long list of the missing
ones The pioneers, like the old
houses are passing away, and will
soon be but a gentle memory.
AS L followed the remains of nv cd
TREND W. II. Nye, few days ago to
MS last home, and stood in the GENE
terry by his open grave, a long line of
Old friends who are sleeping within
that sacred enclosure rose on M. mem
ory Ihere was the brave and genial
captain Griffin, and Aunt lilly. his
WlIe' ana the gentle-hearted Bert. their
son; ana General Cartee, whose manly
inquire was familiar on these streets for
many long year; and the big-hearted
Co4onel tlouTnoy and the dear and
loVaole lady, the mother of his chill.
dren, by his side; there were Judges
Prlckett. Kelly and Glidden, and their
wives; Robie Henly, Post, Curry. Gas
ser, oluh old Ben Anderson and the
PRIME prllllant young Ned Curtis whom we ali
ioVed so well. Alasi my friends the
ilne IS frightening, Iengthening wear
by year, and will soon include MS al
And now, my friends, if you viii rise
to your feet, 1 will propose this toast
70 De drank in silence: To the absent
Pr GERS. OF Idaho, wherever they may
De- health, happiness and prosperity
and to the departed ones. map eil ~
grass grow fresh and green and the the
mowers bloom sweetly above theil
| graves forever
Before Mr. Coffin had completed tvc
! sentences every eye moistened. anG
such was the effect of his pathetiC
0N,;tI mat when he had finished it was
clses was continued.