Arizona republican., 1908-02-14
A LARGE COLONY
 FROM COLES COUNTY
An illustration of How Immigration From One Spot Grows When Once Started.


 Started.
 A Phoenix correspondent to the Charleston Ulls) Daily Courier has word of praise for Arizona couched in the story of a recent Coles county pie nic. This suggests that it would be an excellent idea for any one who can do so, to neglect no opportunity to have published in their home papers articles of this nature, and along sim liar lines It will be a great influence to draw .colonists to this valley. As Mir Sea graves recently said while in the city there is nothing so convinc- ing and of so great influence as word of testimony from an old neighbor and friend. to clinch the argument in fla vor of Arizona for hOmeseekerS. Coles county, Illinois. is notable instance.
 A few years ago it was scarcely rep resented. Later, a Coles county man came here and located. He wrote to his friends of the country, he wrote to his home papers, and one after another the families began the migration to this valley, each one leading others to follow till today it is said there are over 100 former residents of that cOun- ty located here. doing well, many own ing property and all delighted with the new home. The personal letter. or the general letter in the paper back home" reaches a spot by the fireside that the generalities of advertising lit erature can not quite touch. A num- ber of Illinoians, thinking along this line with the same end in view, We'd nesday signified their intention of con- tributing something on the Illinois pie mic with suggestions on the valleys progress and it's possibilities, to the paper back home" It is a not too arduous task, well worth the time and effort
 Under the caption Coles County Colony, in Sun Kissed Arizona has Pleasant Reunion,' the correspondent writes as follows in the Courier above mentioned:
 on January 22 the Coles county peo- pie who are in the valley, met at the beautiful orange grove where MT. and Mrs. H. r. Ritchey reside, and enjoyed a January picnic in sunny Arizona. State picnics in Phoenix are quite com mon occurrences, but this was the first county picnic ever held in the valley, as there are more residents here from Coles county than from any other county in the United States.
 The day ot the picnic was perfec- tion-just like an Illinois May day. Everyone went with well filled bas- kots. such as Illinois women knew how to prepare Mrs Ritchey had roasted three large turkeys and pre- pared many other dainties. among 4 special favor A large screened porch Was converted into a dining room. a table long enough to seat the entire company had been previously con- structed. The center piece was d large cake with Coles County" frosted on it. The dining room was beautiful ly decorated with sprays. blossoms and berries from the pepper trees, and the general effect reminded us of our fern decorations at home
 When all were seated. thanks were returned in an impressive manner by Mrs. Charles Olmstead, and all our Coles county friends were remembered 1 and could our wishes have been req lized our friends from home would all have been with us on this occasion. i The music also had not been forgotten and while the crowd feasted. Amer 1 ica'.' Illinois" and many other selec- i tions were sung and played.
 After the dinner was served the 1 company went out into the orange 1 grove, and everyone present can testi- ! to the sweetness of Arizona oranges. 1 Oranges from Salt River valley are l appreciated everywhere as they always ! bring from S2 to $2.50 a box more than !! the California fruit.
 After the visit to the grove, we all | gathered together under the palms and ' Mr. George Crawford took the pictures | of the company In the background, | under the palm trees, was an immense ' pile of lemons, about three car loads. 1 So0,0o0 in all, boxed ready to be haul ! ed to the packing house. This is about ! one half the seasons crop of lemons | un ten acres of ground.
 Among the Coles county people now . in the valley are: MT and Mrs. Chas. . olmFcad. NIT. and Mrs Fl. F. Ritchey . and four children. R J. Cartright and ! family. Mir. and Mrs. J. M. Fudge. Mir. . and Mrs. James Parkison and four children. Mir, and Mrs. Charles Mar shall and two children. Mir and Mrs. Geo. Crawford and three children, MT. l. and Mrs. Frank Baum. Danyille, Mir. | and Mrs. John Higgins and two chil- dren, Miss Mahala White Miss Mary Sublettc, Miss Eva Love. Carl Love, MT and Mrs. l.. c. Barnes and daugh- ter Mrs. Honnold. Mrs Rebecca Will son, MT. and Mrs. George R. Hallock. MT and Mrs. Ora Kennels and baby, MT. and Mrs. E. J. Flock and baby MT and Mrs John L. Gaiser.