The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1907-09-27

f.SAeIS 41AhS 11S1A W<S SAUWASU ~ Aeh'
utmost capacity when the first bust
ness session Of the Society Of Pioneers
Of Montana was called to order yester-
day. Grizzled veterans OF Indian
skirmishes sat side by side with the
women of those stirring times, and
who, although they cannot be included
in the same class as these empire
makers, were undoubtedly the factors
who stimulated the courage and grit
of the men who carved out Of the west
the great state Of Montana
The trains coming in were crowded
with delegates from many parts OF the
state. Hon. Paul Mccormick, presi-
dent Of the society, called the meet
ing to order, with Hon. James Sand
iers Of Helena as secretary. Among
those present we're Gen. Charles War
rem, the noted ex-police judge Of Butte,
whose decisions in cases tried before
him have made him famous through
out the United States; Henry +. Ed
gar, the discoverer Of Alder Guleh;
Mrs. Collins, the cattle queen of Nom
tana; John Vanderbilt, one Of the two
surviving members of the famous
Stuart expedition down the Yellow
stone, and Edgar A. Lewis Of Cascade
county who came to this state IN '57 /.
When Secretary Sanders called the
roll, it was found that there were
lis members bf the society present,
and with the crowds which the late
train Of yesterday brought in, It is ex-
pected that there will be at least 800
members present at today's session.
The principal business transacted
yesterday was the announcement made
by General Charles Warren that on
Saturday he would introduce a mo-
tion to extend the time of residence
for eligibility to membership from
December 81. 1868, to July 4, 1875, the
day on which the pioneers learned or
the massacre of Custer and his valiant
band on the Little Big Horn.
Address Of Mayor Foster.
Mayor Foster, himself a pioneer Of
the early days, welcomed the old tim
ers to Billings in brilliant and we'll
worded address. R%z. Nj vi
In behalf of the city Of Billings, /
have the honor, and it affords me
pleasure to bid you welcome to this
corner OF. your vineyard which you cul-s
.tiyated yourselves, but kindly left to
tbs tend derfeet to show what he could
Id y II adding the beauty and great
aSsis4 af this state," said Mayor Fos-
Of visitors this valley has had
~. Lewis and Clarke, Astor and
eas traders, Bonneville, Bridger.
aaaeman and Stuart, and some of
n 6wn good selves; a president or
sa8sW aad all the best of big and little
41sN4S no have come in palace cars to
sssSgt The paradise from which you
s6a5e the veil. But of them all, the
salloWstone is proudest to vel
#s{isn he pioneers of Montana. %
5#ss5sHsasslg88nEike ND the rest. you passed not by
8ssssj nseeing eyes and unbelieving
slsahss You held to the trails you
t,ttasas with untiinching courage and
ilS ills you forced the unwilling
Btfs 10 disclose the treasures they
ttt lid so long; and from these
tain tops proclaimed to all the
SRtsalE that here, who SO cared could
ailisg the golden apples sof prosperity,
ssiG 8Sho SO toiled could earn the ran
5sa 81 q king. "A g.4
We are proud to show you what
94tlEsases we have wrought in the
S9sA v of sagebrush and cactus and
.al$s;SlES over which you passed on your
Nh D Alder Gulch and Last Chance
sfta tne Gallatin, proud of our focks
III nerds, our farms and orchards,
saissls and mills and coal and Oil
proud of our stores and banks
satss buildings, our homes and busy
stfassss; proud OF the first beet sugar
sa city in the states; proud Of our
Is and churches; proud Of the
M. G. A. building in the state; 4
Es1f's9ts1 est of all, think, Of our wives