The Roswell daily record. [volume] (Roswell, N.M.) 1903-current, 1905-09-11
Address of G. A. richardson.

Address OF G. A. Richardson.
Whatever may be said of the ear
ly days, and so much has bee so
well said today that we Who stand
as the tie or link between the early
with all of US, 1 think. the "early day"
pioneer period with one hand, and
the tenderfoot period wiz the 9th
Ier, must stamp with approval the
last days" as the best days, and
with us all, think, the "early day"
is the best as it rests in memory, a
mere recollection of the things the
old settler did, the hardships he en-
dured, the trials he experienced. You
leo, that which you undertook to do.
The memory of what you did is sweet
however bitter the experience of ear
ly days may a been to you. The
early days were natures days; full
of hope and expectancy; a new
try, a new life, full of peril, yet not
without it's charms.
You haye passed, many of you,
the twentieth mile post as residents
Of New Mexico. "a Century is but a
Moment Of History" So the twenty
xroo rC NJ horn cnonf In Rnru Movi.
CO building homes, opening and es-
tablishing highways, ~path-inding for
the coming generations, or latter
day disciples" is but a second of
time in the worlds great work, a
mere point compared to all that per
iod wherein men have recorded their
acts and doings.
But, 1 am to spak to you today as
a "tenderfoot", because by your ed
let, which went forth some weeks
ago, you announced that only those
who had resided In New Mexico TWEEN
ty years be members of your society.
I am one year short. 1t was not my
fault; I started early and came just
as fast as 1 could after l discovered
where New Mexico was located. I do
not complain of the condition hat
has confronted me in this respect, for
it is a charmed circle, in which you
unite today, and really a society in
which no one should be admitted who
has not had some of the hardships
and experiences of which come as
a natural part of pioneer life. There
fore, as a tenderfoot, 1 am invited to
speak to you of later days.
1 would invite your attention, brief
ly, to some of the conditions that
have resulted from your efforts and
labors as old settlers in New Mexico.
Take the period of twenty years
two decades-what has transpired in
that time? First, the Indians have
been driven bach to their reserva-
lions, OF have gone to their Happy
Hunting Grounds; the "rustler'' mas
disappeared from the ranges; the wa
tiers of the beautiful streams in his
valley, and elsewhere in this terri
tory, have been, by the efforts of the
early settler, turned from their ma
tural channels upon the parched earth
and. the result, BEHOLD. In these
days, as a result Of those efforts, and
the efforts of some who have follow
ed in the wake, beautiful farms, beau
tiful Ina comfortable homes are
about you. Cities are growing UP in
our midst, Inc the valley or empire,
If o please. of the Pecos, has be
come the Valley or Empire of the red
apple. The railroads have extended
their lines; the telephone and tele-
graph put you in close communica
ton with your neighbour; the electric
light adds comfort and beauty to
your home; the camp has given way !
to the palace; the road wagon to the
automobile; the prairie schooner to
the palace car and everywhere, and
pom every hand. you see the advance
n progress of civilization, nome
building. happiness and prosperity.
But in these later days. its this