Omaha daily bee., 1899-10-06
PIONEERS ARE REMINISCENT
Recount Tales Of Thsir Early Experiences in
This Stats.
GEN. THhYtR PAYS TRIBUTE TO SOLDIERS
Denounces as Wrong the Attempt to
Wrcst Honors from Nebraskn's
civil wnr RcHimcnts-Jurists
Speak of Early Days.

Never before in the history Of their ca !
reers did the pioneers Of Nebraska enjoy |
themselves more genuinely than on Thurs |
day. On this occasion they met together in
the Auditorium of the Greater America Ex-
position In a specially called semi-annuai
gathering. They discussed with each other 1
the events OF the early days, recalled old
memories OF the time when Nebraska was
struggling young territory and the smiles OF
gray-ha men and women-old, yet
youthful in their vigor and energy-were
good to behold Only one shadow overcast
the pleasant memories and recollections or
the early years of pioneer life in Nebraska,
and that was the absence Of so many OF
the early settlers who have departed this
life and yet left behind them the results
of their early energies in the growing,
prosperous state, in whose foundation they
played so important part 1t was day
OF rejoicing and gadness, and the presence
OF many men who have attained distinction
In the various walks OF life was convincing
evidence of the stamina and character OF
Nebraska's pioneers.
Thursdays meeting was the second days
session and was made rnuch more ENJOYABLE
by reason OF the larger attendance OF mem
bers of the society. For an hour or more
before the meeting was called formally to
order the pioneers enjoyed themselves i'm
mensely in social converse, in greetings be-
tween those who, because of their advanced
age, see each other but seldom. In his in
troductory remarks to the society President
Furnas repeated, as Wednesday, that the
meeting was designed to be entirely an in
formal one, its principal object being to
collect important historical data arising
from the discussion of the "reminiscences OF
early days.
A pleasing feature OF the opening session
was Dr. George l.. Miller's introduction OF
General John M. Thayer one of Nebraska's
foremost citizens, who has been active In
aus advancement since the days OF it's first
settlement He stated that the incident OF
governor ThayeTs presence was Of itself
ample reward for the holding of the meet
ing.
Thnyer Speaks.
General Thayer was visibly affected by
the splendid ovation which was given him
when he arose to address the meeting His
voice was the least bit tremulous as he re-
turned the compliments Just paid to him
by speaking in the highest terms of Dr.
Miller, whom he had known intimately
aor many, many years. He spoke but briefly
OF his earlier experiences in Nebraska but
expanded into general, interesting and in
structive discussion of the events just prior
(which Nehra.,,o - ,-n' ". 'n,' o'yI war III
t,nt 90 hia pa, 49, - ne ieiateu the
coIn ne - ni,i , s'"en' Lin
mentioned the conspiracy which was formed
to defeat him in securing the commission.
Because OF this opposition the senate
failed to confirm the nomination. but the
no Irs.ont,r 80, W .ne p'1siuen. anu
n,ant 49, ~, Wv, aii A'tei
rrba,or ..I 80 ''. sD,'I', 80 u ,',
,,ra.ant, y. my va ~ iehu, Di, Nililer'
dosn,no, % h,. ., I' n. VIC i'o's III tne oase'
snirao,, ~, nnsi i ie1S'ne % ioi .he con
~ ,b Iii, ~, ., -. :. W 'ne tiu'n
for,,,ns ~ tou - ss,n S, pe my soou
oshtiny sor tba honn ~ 'u ~, o' ] o"se, Willy ..,
that is now -, roattar - tha ,orN IT,. -t
and 7 would not mar tbis occas,on h., -
tioning the names Of those who consniraa
against me-
81 thank God that | have lived until this
day to meet you pioneers at this happy time
1t brings to mind the early days of Nebraska
1t recalls vividy to my memory that first
winter which we passed togNther in 1885,
when the last steamer had left the landing
at omaha and passed down the river. We
were smut III LOT lohs mohths, almost sep
ara'eu from the outside world, Tor the
'io"hs vi u'ieot communication was CLOSED
,N' Sle'',lo' ' ~ St''' teu away alon tne
% %."n'iie' No "io were neie 'paL hrst WIN
ana - ,I,os indood on' ~, -. INC
s,I saosora - nv, to- We 80 81
sortohIe hocarse u,o had 1aid IN an 49,
dant SUNNY or nrovisions and we mat To-
gether often in social fellowship The win
ter rolled by and spring came. With IL
the settlers began to pour in and towns We're
established Men worked harmonlously to-
gether sad by their efforts in those early
days the great state of Nebraska had its
birth. Those who came in from year to
year united with us ana soon prosperous
communities were lorheu Throughout the
eH.>e ~ o"s's,n se.,,n. pa VI .ne s.ate'