The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1908-12-18
COLORADO'S BIRTHDAY
The Denver Republican Has Some
Excellent Words For a For
mer Resident.

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We clip the following article from
the Denver Republican as it refers par
ticularly to an aged couple who will be
well remembered by our pioneers. The
gentleman Mr. Boutwell, is brother of
Mrs. Marian Dickinson Of this city and
10 company with his brother, Reed, made
the overland trip to California in the
early days.
Colorado was born into the sister
hood OF states, August /, 1876. Yester-
day Colorado celebrated her 3lst birth
day. 1t was the first birthday party
Colorado ever had and all her loyal sub
jects Joined hands to do the occasion
full Justice.
Denver was the Mecca toward which
all footsteps turned, for here the chief
celebration was held Thousands OF
people flocked into the city, watched the
splendid historic pageant of the morning,
heard the stirring patriotic speeches at
the city park in the afternoon and saw
the day close with gorgeous display Of
fire orks.
The parade was an essential feature
OF the day 1t was witnessed by
thousands who gathered along the line
and cheered themselves hoarse as page
after page Of history unrolled itself be-
fore their eyes. 1t was largely historic
in it's nature, showing by actual repro
duction scenes of pioneer days, or by
contrast, the tremendous strides the
state has made 10 the 81 ears since it
was admitted into the urion.
Like nothing Denver had ever seen
was the parade. 1t was more than an
hour passing a given point and was re.
viewed by state officials and prominent
citizens.
The interest was concentrated in the
pioneers who took part. Their trappings
were little more rickety than they used
to be, but the gray heads were held
none the less high Oh that account.
Many gathered around the old, weather
beaten, hundred times repaired wagon
Of Col James Boutwell,, custodian Of the
state capitol and a veteran of '5S. On
the wagon we're hung pots, kettles and
pans with generous bundle of bedding.
His wife, attired in calico dress and
"slat" sunbonnet like the dress, drove
the team and he walked beside with
gun over his shoulder on the outlook for
Indians.
This was the first of six schooners and
riding in it with Mrs. Boutwell, were Mr..
and Mrs. La Brie and three of the Bout
wells and one of the La Brie grand
children. Everybody knows and loves
Mrs Boutwell,, a gritty pioneer woman
who knows what il is TO cross the plains.
endure frontier hardships, protect her
family from the Indians and at last come
into peace and quiet maturity which
has only enhanced her gIrlsh, charms.
Save for few traces OF time upon Der
face, she looked exactly like the pretty
bride that Col. Jim brought over the
trail nearly half fury ago.
Everyone who saw the parade and re-
membered the perilous journeys across
the plains in the early days, said that the
Boutwell's outfit was true to1ithe times
He easily walked away with the first
prize, $50 in gold.
picturesque aid to the grand mar
shall Of the day was Thomas.P. Boutwell,,
son of James Boutwell, He was clad in
a gaily ornamcnted buckskin suit with
leather leggins and big scout hat. Bout
we'll is strong and heroic character, an
excellent counterpart Of his father who
helped to blaze the trail into Colorado.
AS a type for heroic figure to sur
mount pioneer monument to be erect
ed 10 Denver, the picture OF Thomas
Boutwell, was carried away by Frederic
Macmonnies the world famous sculptor,
who has been engaged TO make the
memorial Three Rivers Evening Com
mercal.