The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-06-18

knows what old Tuolumne means. He
knows that it is one of the banner pioneer
counties, and that when the greater part
of the State was wilderness, untrodden
by any save the native Indians and wild
beasts, Tuolumne's tawnv hills and scanned
canyons were yielding up the precious yell
low metal in abundance to the hardy men
who had braved the dangers of the plains
or passed safely through the stormy trip
around the Horn in their search for the
golden fleece in the new Ell Dorado of the
West
And how the old Tuolumne people love
their county. Although the old settlers
came from homes far distant across the
Eastern mountains, and even beyond the
sea, their warmest recollections and
cherished memories in the sunset years of
life are not Of their early hours, but of the
county where they made their struggle
for fortune. Although many saw rough
times, underwent hardships, and were not
dealt with kindly within their adopted
home, they have only feelings of affection
for "old Tuolumne," and will continue to
have until memory lapses through the
twilight of life and into the dark shadows
of the valley of death.
There were no shadows of past mis-.
fortunes or disappointments thrown over
yesterdays gathering. Every one started
out with buoyant spirits and exuberant
feelings. From the old gray-haired pio-
neer OF 1S47 to the youngest child who had
been first baptized in the sunbeams that
were thrown over Tuolumne's hills the
joyous feeling was predominant. All
things seemed to be fitting for the occa-
sion. The date was one which commence
rated the battle where the first gun for
liberty was fired 120 years ago at Bunker
Hill, and then the Key monument over
looked their gathering, an emblem in it.
self of memorable event-as memorable
in the nations history as the forming of a
nucleus by the old pioneers of colony
in the center of the State which has
spread and made its influence felt through
out it's borders. In addition to all, nature
added her most pleasing charIns-genial
sunlight, balmy breezes and vistas of
blossoms-to grace the occasion. 1t was
no wonder that "old Tuolumne'' was ram
pant with ioyousness.
1t was 10 O clock when the first party of
celebrants arrived upon the scene and
from that time on they came in droves.
The old graybearded men of the noun
tains with their wives and children saun-
tered in smiling and pleased as a youngster
attending his first picnic. At IL o'clock L..
L. Nelson called the meeting to order and
announced that before the enjoyment of
the day began short business meeting
would be held for the election of directors.
The following were elected:
Mrs. NJ Crane, Mrs C. f. Ford, Mrs. I. M.
Kalloch, Mrs. Sarah Massey, Mrs. F. bryant,
James i. Homer, Alexander Stair, L. L. Nelson,
Jeff Hurd, w. NJ Cannon and L. jacob.
L. L. Nelson afterward delivered an ad-
dress. He referred to the organization of
the Tuolumne Reunion Association, and
its purpose of encouraging and promoting
greater social interests among the former
and present residents of Tuolumne County
by holding annual picnics. He spoke in
feeling words of those members who had
departed this life since the society was or
ganized, and mentioned especially r. c..
("Bobby'') Patton and John Cannon, VINO
had died since the last reunion.
At the conclusion of his remarks lunch
was declared in order and the party adj
journed to the children's playground.
where they were Hospitality entertained by
the superintendent of those grounds.
They were loud in their praises of his
efforts to make them comfortable.
The afternoon was spent in and around
their first camping grounds. and between
songs and remarks by G. B. Rutherford,
Daniel Sewell, James Homer and others
the old folks snapped "reminiscences of
early days while the younger people in
dulged in games. Even as the sun began
to near the western horizon the older folks
found it difficult to adjourn so interested
were they in comparing notes about
fumes, bitches and bridges which had been
constructed by so-and-so in such-and such
year, and as to when certain Flats were