The Saint Paul globe., 1899-01-13
OLD SETTLERS MEET
FIVE HUNDRED TERRITORIAL PIO-
NEERS ATTEND THE SECOND
ANNUAL REUNION
WILL LONG BE REMEMBERED

WILL LONG BE REMEMBERED
state Capitol Last Night Was the
Scene of One of the Most Memor-
The Reception Held by Gov. and
Mrs. Lind Was One of the Pleas
ing Features.
Five hundred territorial pioneers.
from all parts Of the state gathered
on common ground at the state house
last evening and exchanged greetings,
In many cases the first in many years.
The occasion was the second annual
reunion of the Minnesota Territorial
Pioneers association. The crowds of
old settlers. not alone territorial set
tiers, but many Of a more recent date,
filled the corridors of the state capital,
the state offices and legislative halls.
Not since the Merriam inaugural re-
cept1on in 1889 has as large a crowd
of people gathered in the hall of repre-
sentatives in attendance upon a social
function.
Pleasingly appropriate was the re-
ception held by Gov. and Mrs. John
Lind in the executive chambers during
the early part Of the evening. Assist
ing the governor and his wife were
Lieut. Gov. and Mrs. Smith, A. L.
Larpentur, Mr.. and Mrs. c. D. Gilfllan,
Mrs. Sarah Moffit Mabon, Judge Loren
w. Collins and Rev. Robert Forbes.
The details of this part Of the pro-
gramme went off with smoothness
that rarely characterizes such an oc-
casion, especially when attended by so
large number Of people.
Gov. and Mrs. Lind occupied posi-
tionS in the governors second private
office. and those assisting were strung
along through the outer private office.
The guests were admitted by the small
door TO the governors private Office
opening upon the main corridor at the
Wabasha street entrance, where they
were announced and presented to the
governor and his wife and the others
in the receiving party. There was no
delay. and each person was given
chance to greet the governor, then
passing out through the main office.
This reception continued for an hour
and a half and fully half Of the ter
ritorial pioneers present attended. In
keeping with simple Democratic meth
DDS it will be remembered by those
participating as one of the pleasant
functions of Gov. Linds administra-
ton. On the governors large square
desk was set huge bunch Of carna-
tions and around the Office were set
| jardinens Of palms. Other than this
there were no decorations.
CAPITOL WAS CROWDED.
By O'Clock the capitol corridors
| were crowded with people. Venerable
old gentlemen with locks Of snow, and
matronly old ladies, of Minnesota as a
territory, were gathered in groups
around the halls and offices, chatting
and relating "reminiscences Of the cher
ished past when the redskins tepee
occupied the grounds of the capitol
building. Where the wheels of COM
merce rolled through the day was the
Indians favorite hunting ground.
Carving out Of the wilderness a home
for their children and their children's
hCme, in a yet untrodden forest they
laid the foundation for Western civ
iliZation, and it was Of these days that
they chatted, laughed and even wept
Many reunions occurred during the
evening. -Four members Of the Mid
dleton family, who came here in 1845,
met for the first time in fifteen years
in the governors office being the sur
viving members of a family of eight
who came here four years before the
territory of Minnesota was organized.
They were Mrs A. MaStermaIl: eighty
Hattie, seyenty-two years of age; Mrs.
John N. McHattie, seventy-five years
Of age, and James Middleton, sixty-six
years of age.
Distinctly last nights gathering was
the largest meeting of old settlers ever
held in the state. The roster of those
present, published in another column.
comprises names Of prominent statesE
men, jurists and commercialists from
all over the state. many who are known
in almost every household, and also
tEose of national reputation.
The time was far too short to enable
those present to meet their early asso-
c1ates, and perhaps the only criticism
which can be made of the programme
was that it was a little too lengthy
and not enough time given to the So
c1al function. However, this was lost
sight of by those who came early In
the evening and attended the govern
ors reception and participated in some
OF the frollickmg' in the halls of the
old state house.
PRESIDENT COLLINS PRESIDED.
AS many people were crowded into
the hall Of representatives as was pos
s1ble. and when President Collins call.
ed the meeting to order every seat in
the house was taken, the aisles filled
with chairs and every inch Of available
room was occupied.
Rev. Cyrus Brooks, who was to have
offered the prayer. sent word that he
was unable to attend, as he had pass
ed eighty-eight years and asked to be
excused. Rev. Robert Forbes, Of Du-
luth. acted in his place.
Among the conspicuous figures near
the hall were Ignatius Donnelly and
his wife, Mr.. and Mrs c. D. GilflIan
and John S. Pillsbury.
The first speaker was Judge Loren
w. Collins. the president Of the asso-
citation. He spoke Of the virgin soil
which was titled by the first settlers
of the state, its early products. and Of
long line Of successful commercial
achievements which added from year
to year to the states wealth and i'm
portance. The iron industry and the
state as farming center. When the
territory was organized not a mile of
railroad spanned the states vast
prairies and hills and today her agri-
cultural, mineral and industrial prod
ucts We're hauled over 6,27O miles of
railroad.
Henry L. Moss was next introduced
He said it was with hearts full of in
terest that the territorial settlers gath
cred. and no Roman was ever prouder
OF his birth than a Minnesotian To
be called a Roman was to be greater