Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1914-05-04
HISTORIC CHAMPOEG IS
THRONGED WITH PEOPLE
Saturday Celebration of Founders
Day" Recalls Many Stirring
! Scenes.
MEMORIAL SERVICES FOR
T. x. MATTHEW ARE HELD
Salem Residents Journey to Grounds in
Autos, Trains and by Other
Means.

Historic Champoeg was the scene
Saturday, May 2, of the list anniver.
sary Of the convention held there on
May 2, 1S43, when the little band of
pioneers who had braved the perils of
a journey across the plains, over the
wild and trailless mountains, to settle
in a wilderness, gathered to determine
whether or not government should
be established in the "Oregon coun.
try" Over 1000 pioneers, children of
pioneers, and men and women inter.
ested in keeping sacred the memory of
those who wrought an empire out of
the wilderness, were present on Sat.
urday, which was n day ideal in every
respect for such a celebration.
In addition TO the regular anniver.
sary celebration, memorial services for
Hon. +. X. Matthieu, the last survivor
or the l02 men who assembled at
"Champooick" on That eventful day,
who died February Of this year, were
held.
Pictures Of F. x. Matthieu were. in
evidence on badges worn by the
throngs. A printed souvenir. contain
ing pictures of Matthieu, the seal Of
the provisional government-three
sheaves OF wheat and salmon-the
names Of the men who took part in
the convention Of lS43, biographs of
Matthieu and Sam Simpson, 'fBeauti-
ful Willamette" by sam Simpson, and
otner interesting historical data, was
distributed by the Oregon Pioneer as
Eociation and the Oregon Historical So
ciety under the supervision Of George
II. Hines.
Judge Peter H. Darcy, early in the
afternoon, as president of the day, call
ed the assembly to order. Rev. G.. w.
Kennedy, pioneer Of '53, invoked
the blessing. Judge Darcy first in
troduced Hon. Joseph Buehtel, of Port.
land, who talked on the services rem
dered by both darcy and himself in
securing an appropriation from the
state to purchase 12 acres Of land.
The principal speaker of the day was
Charles B, Moores, of Portland, who
gave an eulogy and biography of the
departed pioneer.
Other speakers on tho program were
Ex-Governor T. T. Geer, Mrs. Jose De-
Wore Johnson, John Manning, Hon.
Alfred s. Bennett of the Dalles, Judge
II. j. Cleeton of Portland, Judge Grant
B. Dimick, of Oregon City. Much com.
ment has been made concerning the
speech made by Joha Manningeon this
occasion. y
One Of the features Of the program
was the love song sun in real Chinook
by Mrs. Aplin, who was born near
Champoeg in 1887.
Mrs. McCann, who was born on the
donation land claim upon which this
celebration Was held, and upon the
claim where is erected monument to
the l02 persons, made short talk
She was born in 1910. C. Mcknight
Sain of southern Oregon spoke for ten
minutes. Mrs. Mary Post read an
original poem as a tribute to +. X.
: Matthieu. Mrs. o. N. Denny, a pio.
neer Of 1S47, and survivor of the
Whitman massacre, spoke for five min.
ntes. Sol Durbin, a pioneer of 1s47,
was introduced and offered his trib.
ute to Mr.. Matthew. Rev. c. f.
Cline of Portland made patriotic
talk upon the valor displayed by the
men who participated in tho 1S43
meeting at Champoeg.
Among those from Salem in tho
large crowd were the following, which