Durango semi-weekly herald. (Durango, Colo.) 1899-1907, 1903-09-28


wears himself out making the way
easy for others 10 follow" He closed
with a euIogy for the pioneer woman,
without whose aid and comfort and
cheering companionship. man could
never have accomplished what he did.
After the close OF Judge Wilson's
speech letters OF regret were read
from Gov. Peabody, Senator Teller and
Alya Adams. and 1t was announced
that others from distinguished men
had been received expressing regret
at their inability to attend the meet
ing
SIR. Mcconnell then announced that
he would call on few OF the moss
backs" for two-minute talks and
warned them that If any refused to re-
spond when called upon they would
have to pay fine of 81. And while
they all ayowed a dislnclination to
make speeches. each and everyone
plead that he did not have the price
and would have TO say something. He
first called upon Dan Newcomb and
explained that MIR Newcomb was the
pioneer teacher of Del Norte, and that
the first job he had was for 500
month. that after blistering his hands
he quit the school business and took
to the branding iron and soon became
one OF the cattle kings OF the San
Luis valley.
Mr. Newcomb. in responding ex-
pressed himself as glad to see at the
meeting some OF the pupils he had
TAUGHT in tho aarIv Tava and afsn IN
see some OF the parents of children
he had taught. He was glad 10 note
that the school system had steadily
kept apace with the advancement OF
the country. and now no land can
point with more pride to their schools
than we can to ours. The only way
to have good citizens is TO have good
schools. and as we have the latter.
We are bound to have the former.
Squire Watson was then called up
on. the chairman remarking that the
squire was hearty. loyal and little
older than he was 80 years ago. The
squire lost no time in refuting the in
situations made By Charley johnson
about his dancing. Why" said he,
every lady | danced with said ! was
fine dancer" He recalled some of
the old times in Del Norte, where he
knew Judge Wilson when the latter
was young lawyer and ran the Del
Norle Prospector as a side issue, and
one Of the first cases to come before
the squire was one in which Adair
Wilson appeared as attorney.
"A leading spirit of the town and an
old bachelor, Tom Graden." was called
upon but had lett the hall temporarily.
sam Herr, characterized as one OF
the young men. was next called. He
responded In a neat little speech. He
said: MY breast swells with pride
when | contemplate addressing this
large gathering of pioneers" MIR.
Herr had started out as boy with
government surveying party in 1876,
and for six months. spent on the
plains. he had seen neither house nor
woman. In that same year he arrived
at Pueblo. He intended going TO the
Black Hills, but hearing OF the Silvery
San Juan. he changed his mind and
came here He followed red wagon
TO Del Norte, and early in June. in
company with his old friend. Mr.. Puck
EFT, wearing u pair OF high-top boots
and armed with big six-shooter and
a Henry rife. came up the Rio Grande
and over the range and down Cunning
ham gulch, arriving at the Highland
Mary mine after dark There he met
the first white woman he saw in the
San Juan. Going to the boarding
cd
andlady appeared, Mr.. Pickett slip
ped on the ice and fell, while Mr. Herr
stood bareheaded, his hat blowing off
and rolling down the hill. 1t was a
queer-looking pair that the old lady
saw as she opened the door Mr.
Herr soon obtained some stock in the
Little Giant, which he has to this day
He recounted some of his experiences
as mail carrier, and closed with the
declaration that the men who blazed
the trails into the distant mountains
were deserving of pensions no less
than the old soldiers who fought for
the Union.
j. b. Sanford was the last speaker
called upon. AS the time allotted for
speaking was getting short. Mr.. San
ford spoke briefly upon that other
pioneer, the burro," and told of get
ting one of the meek little animals of
Squire Watson once 10 pack his stuff
to Silvcrton. He inquired the way
and was told to just follow the burro
and he would take him to SilyertoD
all right. So he followed the burru
and at night arrived at cabin. A
man whose face looked familiar came
out and asked what the traveller %asi
doing there Il am on my way to
Silyerton," said Mr.. Sanford. why,
you left here at 6 o'clock this morn.
ing said the other.
AT the conclusion of the speaking
refreshments were announced and for
the next two hours tables seating 46
at n time were surrounded. Sand
witches, coffee, pickles and ice cream
satisfied the wants of the hungry.
While refreshments were being served
dancing continued, many of the old
timers taking part, especially in the
quadrilles. II was O'Clock when the
Home, Sweet Home waltz was played
The Herald reporter was unable to
obtain complete list of those attend