The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1912-08-21
GREATEST ATTENDANCE EVER
IS AT THE OPENING SESSION
OF THE MONTANA PIONEERS
Over Five Hundred Of the
4 States Trailblazers and
Their Sons and Daughters
Are Royalty Welcomed to
Deer ! Lodge, "The Little
Village. on the Trail to
observation-disclosures Are
Popular.

Deer Lodge, Aug 20.--(Staff Cor
respondence.)--rhe pioneers of Mon
tana tonight own the city which
sprang into life after the first dis
covery OF gold In the state. over so
years ago. The sons and daughters
OF these same pioneers are "a privil-
eyed crowd and may do what they
Gike with the city tonight. Deer Lodge
today extended a welcome to the So
ciety Of Montana Pioneers which was
expressive In every action of its pe,-
pie and as sincere as II was evident.
While nothing OF moment had been
arranged for the program of tha
opening day. every hour had been
busy for the visitors since they COM
meEced to arrive on early morning
trains. They came from all sections
Of this state and from other states.
and when the books of Secretary j.
u. Sanders were closed tonight he es-
timated that $50 pioneers we're In
rendezvous In the city which dates its
settlement back SO years. This mum
Der Is exclusive or the sons and
daughters Of the pioneers, Of which
there are probably 200 present
Great Gathering.
1t IL the greatest gathering I'm the
history OF the society and the 1912
meeting. the 50th anniversary OF the
settlement OF the city of Deer Lodge.
promises to be the most significant
which the pioneers will ever hold.
Each year takes many from the ranks
and probably the attendance at any
future meeting will fail to equal that
OF the present session. The reception
committee. which really means every
citizen of Deer Lodge who could be
spared from his home or his business,
met the trains as they arrived this
morning; automobiles We're waiting
and the guests were carried away to
their hotels or to the homes which
had been opened for their accommo-
dation. Every hotel and rooming
house Is occupied to the limit of It's
capacity tonight. but there was no
trouble or confusion in finding pleas
ant places for all. The largest crowd
of the day came on the special rain
from Butte, which arrived shortly be-
fore noon. This train was arran,.ed
for and all expenses of the trip were
paid by w. A. Clark. Jr., In memory
Of his father, himself n pioneer of
Deer Lodge, but who was unable to
be present. as he is In France. Be-
sides the pioneers from Butte and its
community the special train ca ried
the Boston 4 Montana band, shrsc
splendid music made pleasant the
afternoon aAd evening for all who
have an ear for music. The o,d folks
appreciated the band very much and
when II broke into the ragtimc "F,v-
erybodys Doin' It." II required the
combined efforts Of relatives and
friends to prevent some of the old
boys from executing "A stag dane
right out on the street.
The Opening seesio,.
The opening meeting was held at
the Milwaukee hall at 3 D. IN. In tne
absence of President Rod d. Leggat
OF Butte of the society. who was un-
avoidably detained. NJ. II. Lott of
Twin Bridges, vice president at large.
presided. He called upon General
Charles Warren Of Butte. who first
came to Deer Lodge. 46 years ago. to
welcome the visitors to Deer Lodge,
and Mr.. Warren responded eloqucntly.
He was followed by Maurice Eiscn-
berg. guest Of honor from Butte,
who spoke more for the people at
lnige OF the state and expressed their
sentiment towards the pioneers of
Montana. w. J. Paul of this city gave
the old-timers a hearty Deer Lodge
welcome and was followed by Judge
IT, II. Woody OF Missoula. who cx-
pressed for the pioneers their appre-
citation OF all that had been done to
make their stay In erhe Little VIZ
lage on the Trail to Bear" pleasant.
DR. ID. W. Whitford of Butte was the
last speaker and spoke at consider
able length OF the coming and the life
OF those pioneers who founded the in
stitutions of the Treasure state. A
short business session when Secretary
j. y. Sanders called the roll by coun-
ties was held and then the meeting