Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1905-04-25

place-have observed this anniversary
day of death deiverance from death and
Death Valley. Those not coming send
ing letters to be read. They have met
in Col. Colton's elegant residence in
Kansas City, in John Grosscups min
ers cabin on California's mountain
side, in Deacon Richards farm
house in Nebraska, in Comrade
Mecums cottage home fifty miles from
u railroad in Baker City, oregon, Col.
Coltom's has been the charmed spirit
which has bridged the chasm of the
years. interchangeable in efforts to keep
track of these comrades of the trail,
this youngest boy has secured the con-
tinent in following the faintest clue of
his older brothers. After twenty years
search, for one. a sailor. he at last
reached his home a few weeks after
his death This sailor had left be-
hind him, however, the one written ac-
count of this journey, his sailors log
book, a priceless relic to the JayhaWer
band, and proudly among the Jay
hawker's historic records, Col Cotton
has each year sent an invitation sim
liar to this of 1905, to every survivor
of this remarkable expedition:
"The Jayhawers of 40, Headduart-
ers, Kansas City. Mo, Jan. TO- 1905
Dear Comlade February 4th is COM
ing in view much more rapidly than
i'm the year 1850, when without Its
knowledge our lost party was within
q short distance from the Pacific
coast, but our five or six miles daily
march, approached very slowly the
ranch San Francisquito and the land
of our desperate trails. We will COM
memorate that event this year at the
home of Coomrade Charles b. Mecum,
Mt. Vernon, Iowa. Our remaining
few being widely apart If you are pre-
vented from coming write a longer
letter than ever before for those pres
ent to enjoy.
''Fraternally,
John b. Cotton"
The invitation list has each year les
sened until but three Jayhawers boys
beside himself could claim the right.
Less than a month after this historic
meeting In our village, Charles b.
Mecum, passed away, leaving John B.
Cotton, the one survivor this side of
the Sierra Nevada John Grosscup
still lives in his little miners cabin
near Laytonville, Cal, and L. Dow
Stephens at San Jose, two feeble old
men. whose voices will soon be 81
fenced.
Col. CoIton's Work.
Col. Cotton as a stalwart figure OF
those rugged pioneer days, has been
prominently before the American peo-
pie for years. A personal friend of
Gen. Fremont, Jessie Benton Fremont.
Kit Carson, Jim Bridger, Jim Baker.
and many other noble figures OF his
/ life and times, his one greatest life
purpose has been to bring to these IL
lustrious pioneers the glory due their
majestic gifts to the American people.
| In December he assisted Gen. Dodge
of the Union Pacific in placing a mon
ument to Jim Bridger In beautiful Mt.
| Washington cemetery in Kansas CITY.
He has worked with increasing ardor
each year to obtain the ear of congress
| to the story of the neglect of Gen. FIRE.
mont's last resting place. He has
given President Roosevelt an original
picture of Kit Carson to place In the
capital at Albany, and, has worked
INCREASINGLY to get permission to place
the picture Of his friend in at his own
expense in the Denver capitol, In place
of the gentlemanly figure now there
which does injustice to this man or
steel and sinew. He has record upon
record to prove the "Jayhawker, band
the unwilling discoveries of Death
Valley and when his voice is silenced,
history will speak for him the true
story Of these Jayhawkers of 40, and
every dautless pioneer who blazed the
trail to the new west with all it's pow
er and privilege.