The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1908-12-25
HUNDRED TRAIL BLAZERS GATH.
ER AND TELLsToRiEa.
DAYS THAT WERE DEAR
Old Timers Of Eastern Montana and
Their Friends Join IN 4anqpuuet, song
and Mirth on Their Fifth Annivsr-
sary-A Fine Gathering.

The fifth annual meeting and ban.
quet. which occurred at the ODD rel
lows hall last night, of the Pioneer. Of
Eastern Montana, is today = matter
of history. But the reunion viii long
be remembered. There were those
who were kept away through sickness,
and those who found 1t impossible 10
.attend-but those who did attend had
an old fashioned dinner. met old
friends and some new ones and heard
stories Of early times in eastern Mon
tana, that wreathed their faces IN
smiles.
Thomas McGirl sat at the head 81
one table and Jean P. Decker, as
POSTMASTER headed the other. The
guests numbered about 100.
r. R. Crow, said grace, after which
the pioneers and their guests did
ample justice to an excellent repast
of the good old solids that ranged
from pork and beans to pumpkin pie.
1t was a we'll appointed dinner, more
than a banquet, and one in keeping
with the gathering.
The POSTMASTER stated that he had
taken a poll Of the vote Of the ladies
present and the vote stood In favor Of
smoking in moderation by those who
wished. The POSTMASTER also gave q
brief address of welcome and asked
for the first toast Of the evening,
why we Are Here which was re-.
sponded to by Henry A. Firth.
MI. Firth, as q secretary Of the as
ISOLATION stated that five years ago
last July Is men and women, who had
been in eastern Montana for 90 years
or more had placed their names to q
paper calling for a meeting for August
1, 1903, for the purpose Of forming the
Pioneer organization. The society
was formed somewhat after the socie-
ty Of Montana pioneers whose head
quarters is at Helena.
The organization of the Pioneers OF
Eastern Montana was completed
September 80, 1908, and more than
100 members signed the rolls. The
members came from the nine counties
Of Park, Fergus, Sweet Grass, Carbon,
Yellowstone, Rosebud, Custer, Daw-
sol and Meagher. There were two Gle
ments in the society, those who came
by the trail and those who came via
the Northern Pacific, trail blazers"
and palace car pioneers" There
was, however, enough diversion be
tween the two elements to secure q
well-balanced society.
He stated that during the last three
years three members had died,
namely: Peter Orren, Samuel D.
Church and w. T. Hamilton. He
recommended that In the future as
many pioneers as could attend the fun
erals of the pioneers in q Dody.
He also recommended the selection.
of a place in which to place relics.
of the society.
Mr.. Firth also read a letter from
VIM. s. Bell, librarian of the State
Historical society at Helena. advocat-
ing that an oil painting Of Uncle
Bill Hamilton be placed in the c0fec-8
ton of the historical society.
Judge James R. Goss followed with
a toast to the pioneers and trail
blazers, and early days in Montana,
in which he told some amusing incl
dents Of pioneer life in the northwest.
A letter was read from Paul McCor-
mick who stated that he vas kept
from attending by illness. but extend
ed to the guests assembled his best
wishes.
/. d. O'Donnell NEXT responded to
Pioneer Farming''-with special In
structions to leave out the alfalfa"
but he didn't. Mr.. O'Donnell made .
short but interesting talk on early life
in Montana and stated that In the
old days the .tspuds" were much bet
ter than now, that the farmers had.
.(Continued on Seventh Page.)