The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-06-07
The Pioneers.
son law.

| OF Puget sound make merry in an an
! nual reunion. Having organized what
is now a fiourishing society. they
adopted the practice of meeting once
| a year, when they might renew their
youth by retelling the always interest
ing story Of early days Each succeed
ing year brings out the fact that In
numbers they are becoming fewer; but
the loss of old-time friends and COM
! rades serves only to draw those left
closer together by the strong bonds OF
sympathy which always exist between
people who have shared in pioneer
pleasures and privations.
There are few ties closer than those
formed by people who have had TO meet
hardships in common and to work out
the problems that confront those who
have separated themselves from the
buster world and are thrown upon their
own resources. Out OF these associa-
lions grow kindly relationships, which
with the fight of time become only the
the events OF that earlier period are
thrown far back into the dim and dis
tant past, those who saw and were a
part of them find that the memories
of other times are cherished all the
more The sentiment which draws such
people together is as natural as 1t is
worthy and sincere.
The pioneers of Puget sound did not
find their lines falling always in pleas
ant places. They came to country of
great possibilities but there were years
of discomfort and privation in store
for them before they could see their
hopes fulfilled. Homes had been left
far behind; a wide continent had been
crossed. and ait last their lot cast with
the few who had penetrated into what
was perhaps the most remote wilder
ness in all the country. THE new land
was sparsely settled, the means Of COM
munication were limited, and OF ne
cessity the newcomers were out OF
touch with the rest of the world. Iso-
lated by reason of the geographical
situation Of their new homes, even be-
yond what was then known as the
frontier. the pioneers of this section
were forced to rely upon themselves In
far greater degree than were those
who settled in that part OF the Western
country nearer to wealth, culture and
modern conveniences. They had pen
etrated into the heart of forest. and
TO hew out home and acquire the nee
essaries of life meant unremitting toll.
In a land which then produced little or
nothing they were dependent upon re-
mote points for scant supplies, and at
times their wants were provided for but
meagerly. For religion, education and
social recreation they were forced to
| rely upon their own efforts and ingenu-
ity, and what there was of early
growth and advancement was due
| wholly to their own energy and unas-
sisted endeavors.
But there was always a spirit in that
pioneer life which softened what would
otherwise have been harsh conditions.
They had an Astounding faith in the
country with which they had cast their
fortunes. They knew the future would
certainly bring rewards. They labored
fun OF hope and were confident that
they had undertaken the work OF build
ing up mighty community They APP
! preciated the natural wealth OF the
great Northwest. and they knew others
would in time estimate it's advantages
as they did. And now. half a century
after the first Corners gazed upon the
primeval forest, the early settler sees
that his predictions have been fulfilled.
Out OF a wilderness has risen a popu-
lcus state; from narrow clearings have
grown prosperous cities. few resouyA
advance settlers have been followed by
/ thousands OF earnest. eager. enterpris-
/ ing citizens, who make up some Of the
most progressive and substantial COM
munties in the land. The pioneers can
hook back and realize that they saw
| clearly They knew they had come
upon "a land Of promise. and they did
well In laying broad and deep the
! foundations Of the present splendid
! commonwealth.
The news Of trouble n China reaches
I this country "A bout the same time that