Mesa free press., 1895-02-08
A Winter Picnic i'm Arizona.

4 n
On the 3rd of February Mesa was
visited by two gentlemen from Utah,
Prof Carl G., Mae>er and Prof. Geo.
!Goldard, in the interest of the schools,
Sunday Schools and Young Peoples
Improvement Associations Of the
Latter Day Saints, or Mormons.
After several instructive meetings
it was decided to hold a picnic ex-
cursion before they left, that they
might have an opportunity to enjoy
the magnificent landscapes clothed
in verdure and the balmy climate OF
our beloved Arizona, the most choice
and favored of all lands. According
ly, by 9 o'clock Tuesday February 9Th
the streets were astir with vehicles
we'll loaded with people OF all ages
prepared to turn their backs upon
Mesa for days outing.
The cavalcade consisting of seven
|ty two vehicles and $50 people by
actual couns, proceeded east across
the Highland and then northeast to
a rocky Butte about ten miles from
Mesa. Here halt was made upon a
green and level glade and the starry
f1ao was unfurled from the top of
Paloverde tree.
After time spent in social con-
versation, the Mesa choir gave some
choice musical selections and the
Mesa Brass Band rendered some ex-
cellent music. Bountiful lunches
were then spread upon the grass and
all partook thereof with a keen relish.
The banquet concluded, the people
were numbered and there were found
to be 552 present, and it was remark
ed that with all this number no swear
ing was heard and not Whit of to-.
bacco smoke tainted the atmosphere
during the entire day.
All present then climbed to the
summit of the butte, from which was
viewed one of the most charming
landscapes to be seen anywhere, en-
bracing sweep OF over hundred
miles. A few miles north was Nc
Dowell mountain and to the south
east the Superstition mountains where
the famous gold mines are located.
At our feet the landscape as far as
the eye could reach was tevel and
dotted with Arizona's landmarks, the
giant or sentinel cactus. All this i'm
mense area, when irrigated and cul-
tivated will be as fine fruit and agri-
cultural land as there is In the world.
While about 200 were on the butte,
Judge Hakes christcned it Goddard
Maeser Butte in honor of Prof. Mae
ser and Prof. Goddard who are largely
interested in the educational advance
ment of the rising generation. The
christening was sanctioned by three
rousing cheers and Prof. Goddard
sang ''Utah's Best Crop" our girls
and boys.
On descending to the picnic grounds,
16 little girls performed the doll drill
very prettlly, and was followed by
more music and remarks from the
visitors who expressed themselves as
charmed with the country and climate.
No doubt it will seem strange to
those in the norlh and east to hear OF
a picnic at this season of the year and
they would be still more surprised ii
they could have been on the ground
to see for themselves. There were
calico dresses and sunbonnets, boys in
their shirt sleeves and babies and
little girls without wraps. While
spreading lunch the ladies regretted
that they had not took parasols to
shield them from the warm sunshine
f but in the enjoyment of the occasion
, the discomforts of the hot sun was
forgotten and all enjoyed themselves
to the utmost throughout the day.
i Prof. Maeser investigated cholla,
or jumping cactus. He will inyesti-
gate from little distance hereafter.
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