The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-02-17
SOME GOOD TIMES AT MESA
The Visit of Latter Day Saints ir
Arizona
There Was a Grand Picnic, Some Good
Lunches, Speeches, and a Grand
Banquet at Night

On the Sd of February Mesa was visited
by two gentlemen from Utah, Professor
Carl G. Maeser and Professor George God
dard in the interest of the schools Sun
day Schools and Young People Improve
ment Associations of the Latter Day
Saints, or Mormons.
After several instructive meetings, it
was decided to hold picnic excursion
before they left, that they might have an
opportunity to enjoy the magnificent land
scapes clothed in verdure and the balmy
climate of our beloved Arizona, the most
choice and favored of all lands. Accord
ingly by nine o'clock Tuesday, February
5th, the streets were astir with vehicles
well loaded with people of all ages, pre-
pared to turn their backs upon Mesa for a
days outing.
The cavalcade, consisting of seventy
two vehicles and 552 people by actual
count proceeded east across the Highland
and then northeast to a rocky butte about
ten miles from Mesa. Here halt was
made upon green and level glade and
the starry flag was unfurled from the top
of Paloverde tree.
After a time spent in social converse
ton, the Mesa choir gave some choice
musical selections and the Mesa Brass
Band rendered some excellent 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 re-
marked that with all this number no
swearing WAS heard and not Whit of to-
bacco smoke tainted the atmosphere dur
ing 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, embraC ng sweep OF over
Il ,1o1 "a t, ,1aa .arfl
Mcdowell Mountain and to the southeast
the Superstition Mountains, where the
famous gold mines are located. AT our
feet the landscape, as far as the eye could
reach, was level and dotted with Arizona
landmarks, the giant or sentinel cactus.
All this immense area, when irrigated and
cultivated will be as fine fruit and agri-
cultural land as there is the world.
While about two hundred were on the
butte, Judge Hakes christened it Goddard
Maeser Butte, in honor of Professor Mae
ser and Professor Goddard, who are largely
interested in the educational advancement
of the rising generation. The christening
was sanctioned by three rousins cheers
and Professor Goddard sang Utah's Best
Crop, Our Girls and Boys.
On descending to the picnic grounds, six
teen little girls performed the doll drill
very prettily, 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 North and East to hear of a picnic
at this season of the year, and they would
be still more surprised if 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 spread
ing lunch the ladies regretted that they
had not taken parasols to shield them
from the warm sunshine, but in the en-
joyment of the occasion the discomfort of
the hot sun was forgotten and all enjoye.l
themselves to the utmost throughout the
day.
Professor Maeser Investigated a cholla,
or jumping cactus. He will investigate
from a little distance hereafter.