The daily sentinel., 1905-07-05
The Pioneers Picnic.

| The Pioneers Picnic.
One of the most enjoyable gather
/ ings of social nature held in Grand
| junction in Il good long while was
| the iirst annual picnic of the Mesa
County Pioneers Association, given
at the City park in this city yester-
day.
For several months, or since tie
organization of the association.
which has for its purposes the bring
| ing together of the old settlers OF
the city and county, the members
have looked forward with pleasure
to the day of the picnic. The enter
tainment committee left nothing un-
done toward the making of the oc-
casion one of the keenest pleasure
for all who attended the picnic and
the day was one long to be remem-
bered by the pioneers and their fam
lilies.
There were perhaps 200 people
present when, at 1l:30 am, Pres
ident Henry Nichols of the associ-
alton called the gathering to order
for short business meeting and to
listen to the addresses.
j. w. Bucklin, one of the pioneer
residents of the city. was introduced
by Mr.. Nichols, and for 20 minutes
Mr.. Bucklin spoke of the early days
and the early residents of the city
and valley. His remarks were high
| ly interesting and entertaining and
the many "reminiscences We're delight
full and refreshing.
Following Mr. Bucklin, George
Smith, who also ranks among the
pioneer residents, made a brief talk.
and his address proved very enjoy
able His remarks brought to light
many a pleasant memory of bygone
| days
The annual election of officers was
then held. Nearly all of the old Of
ficials were reelected. Henry Nj
chols remains as president; w. p.
Ella, senior vice president; Frank ID.
Kiefer, junior vice president George
! w. Caldwell secretary, and Robert
A. Orr, treasurer.
| No material changes were made in
| the committees. with the exception
| of the historical committee, which
was reorganized and is now com
posed of the following members:
Edwin Price, A. j. McCune, d. f.
Kiefer, Mrs. Mary Corcoran and Mrs.
j. w. Buclllin.
Mrs. j. w. Bucklin read the poem
written by w E. Pabor, the founder
of Fruita and the poet laureate of
the National Editorial Association,
a man well known to all the old pio-
neers of the valley. The poem Is en-
! titled "Pioneer Rhymes for the Grand
| Valley Pioneers" II is beautifully
composed and the sentiment eX-
pressed is truly beautiful. The poem
and its reading proved one of the
choicest features of the day. Mrs.
| Bucklin gave the poem correct and
splendid Interpretation. The poem
| a
doubtless be read with great inter
est. but lack of space prevents us
from using it today.
At l o'clock dinner was served on
the lawns, and the feast was sump-
tuous one. All the good things OF
the season, prepared in the daintiest
manner, were there, and that full
justice was done to the dinner there
is no doubt.
a large dancing floor had been
laid on the north side Of the band
stand, and shortly after dinner the
dancing began Boyer's orchestra
had been engaged and did good ser
vice. While the older people min
gled together and related incidents
OF the days that have long gone. the
young people reveled in the pleasures
of the dance. Lawn swings and
comfortable seats had been scat
tered over the park, and every com
fort that could add to an afternoon
of pure pleasure was afforded.
The merry-malting continued un-
I'll about o'clock, and then the hap
py throng disbanded. and the first
annual picnic of the Mesa County
Pioneers Association was thing OF
the past, but its many pleasures will
ever be held in sweet memory by
those who were so fortunate as tC
be present.
The Mesa County Pioneers Asso.
citation was organized about five
months ago. and from time TO time
new members have been added tC
the membership rolls. Only those
who were residents of the valley prior
to the year 1855 are qualified fol-
membership. The total number OF
members is not far from 200
Through this splendid organization
the old friendships of 20 years age
will be kept aglow, and the many
pleasant memories of the days wher