The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-05-12
OLD TINE BOYS NET
HAPPY GATHERING OF MEN AT
THE MERCHANTS WHO WE'RE
HERE
WHEN THIS WAS A TERRITORY.
MOVEMENT TO ORGANIZE A SOCI-
ETY. MEETS WITH AN UNEA-
PECTED SUCCESS.
"REMINISCENCES of EARLY DAYS
Stories of the Times When st. Paul
Was But a ViIlnge-HOyt's rest
of Membership.

Two score years ago Nne HdHuluA VI
doughty pioneers who got along very
well in ST. Paul without SUCH modeil
attractions as base ball games ana
census rows gathered lovingly arouI q
the little log hotel of Mr.. Bass, baskeo
in the warm spring sun, swapped
stories about the hardships OF the
winter, or gossipped about the 1ur
trades Louis Robert was making with
the Indians block or two away at the
foot of jackson street. Last night, on
the spot where the Bass hotel stood.
were gathered in the parlors OF the
Merchants hotel over a: hundred OF the
hardy settlers, now many OF them .pent
with years, who made up the bone ana
sinew of the old territorial government,
brought to the historic spot to ceie-
brate the thirty-ninth anniversary OF
| the admission of Minnesota to the
Union. 1t was a sight which gladden.
! ed the hearts of the old fellows, as
they saw again faces which recalled
old associations of happiness and good
fellowship, faces which old age and in
creasing infirmity do not allow to come
| together as often as in the days gone
by A number of veteran Minnesotans
| had conceived the notion that it would
| be appropriate at this time to form an
organization of men whose records are
| linked with the history of the state
| from the time of her admission to the
sisterhood, and the first steps were
! taken at the gathering.
| Not only Ramsey county was repre-
scented by the patriarchal men who
stood for the best interests of the North
Star state in it's infancy, but venerable
citizens from various parts Of the COM
monwea1th were on hand, and num-
| Der of those who could not be present
wrote to the association announcing
! their desire to join in any organization
| of pioneers. AS seemed most appropr1-
| ate, Col Alvaren Allen, whose name
is familiar to all old timers, as well as
| the younger generation, presided over
| the meeting. J. f. Hoyt was made
secretary.
| The matter Of an organization was
| Informally discussed after the presi-
dent had put an end to the little groups
of men who so readily fell to reminis-
cling. Some of the pioneers felt that
! if possible the old Ramsey County Pho
| neers' association, which has rather
uISlIttGSIdt0o SlHCe Tile uCdLu u d.
Fletcher Williams, should be revived.
| Col. Bevans thought committee Of
five should be named to get UP bylaws,
constitution, a name and arrange
| other necessary details. The question
| arose as to whether the man who was
in the territory before it was admitted
| to statehood, or, the man who had at
| tanned his majority at that time was
| to be made eligible, and it seemed to
| be the consensus of opinion that those
who were residents Of the territory
were eligible, no matter what part of
| the state they may now live in. Mr..
Bevans motion was passed, and Presi-
dent Allen will name the committee
some time this week. W. H. Hoyt, who
has worked for the meeting which was
held last night, explained briefly it's
| general purpose, and referred to the
association Of old settlers which was
organized in 1850, and the members Of
| which he added were nearly all passed
| away. The new one should be, he
| thought, similar organization, and
| for a name he suggested that the new
| association be called "Old Time Boys
| Of Territorial Days" Mr.. Hoyt then
read the following, which pleased the
audience immensely:
| Should you ask me why this meeting.
| What the reason for this powwow,
| How and whence the inspiration
That has caused this goodly gathering
| That has brought US here together
| | would answer 1 would tell you
| Of the days now gone forever
| Days that live but in our memory
| Each oak shena" (boy) now before me,
| Turn the pages of your memory
| Backward, turn the pages over
| Till you reach the year you came here
Be it '5S or 80. Were you one year old OF
| twenty.
| Let me ask you all one question.
| Then depends upon your answer
| Whether you join this aggregation.
| Did you ever know Indian
| Of the feminine persuasion.
| Member of the great Sioux nation,
| Who was wont from morn till evening,
| From each sunrise to the sunset,
! To importune each pale face
| She might meet in her meanderings,
| For she was the great receiver,
| Self-appointed, self-instructed
Lazy. lousy leading lady
| OF the much abused Sioux nation?
| If you never heard her MARBLE
Like the parrot eappy eyappy (talk TALK
| AS she made her daily roundup
| If you never had her ask you:
Gimme ten cents, one eoshpoppy!"
| Then you cannot join this order.
Then said Mr.. Hoyt: "All who can't
give the name of this ancient dusky