The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1914-06-05
INLAND EMPIRE
PIONEERS MEET
OVER I5O GATHER AT WHITMAN
COLLEGE WEDNESDAY.
Business Session, a Banquet
and Talkfest Enjoyed BY All
In Attendance.

Over $50 of the early settlers of the
Walla Whlla valley and surrounding
territory, attended the annual reunion
of the Inland Empire Pioneers asso
citation. held at Whitman college,
Walla Walla, Tuesday. The meeting
consisted of morning business session
aud an afternoon dinner and talk
fest, the feature of the latter being
the "reminiscences of two of the val
ley's earliest pioneers. DR.. John Tenn
pany and Michael Kinney.
The dinner was served by the din
ing room staff of Reynolds hall and
was in the nature of an oldfashioned
country dinner at request of President
Ben BuTgunder, who acted as toast
master. There were over $50 persons
seated at the tables, most of whom
we're gray haired pioneers.
Prof. W. d. Lyman, historian of the
association, was the first speaker. Mr..
Lyman brought up the matter of a
memorial to the late DR.. N. @. Bla-
lock. former president of the associa-
tion. He favored the establishment
of Blalock Professorship at Whit
man as a living memorial to his mem
ory and steps to this end will probably
be taken.
The hardships Of the pioneers in
crossing the plains; their desolation
10 unknown valleys and forests; and
the gradual upbuilding of the West,
were touched upon, in his speech on
the army of possession for America.
DR.. John Tempany briefly reviewed
bis first experience in this country.
He said that be came to the Walla
Walla valley first in October, 1858,
"a young cub from New York, who
did not know good farm land when
he saw it," He came by way of the
Isthmus and then up the Columbit
river, to The Dalles and overland tt
Fort Walla Walla. He we'll remem
tered his first view of the valley il
company with military command
the commander of which warned thu
men not to waste bullets on jaokrab
hits, for an encounter with the In
dams was highly probable. Ihi
news was received with misgiving by
the men. but they oteyed the order
Later he was in several engagement
with the tribes, all Of which be vivid
ly remembered.
Mike Kinney told of his first arriva
at WaIla Walla in July. 1857. ant
ha also had plain recolleotions Of hi
first view of this country. which b
said reminded him of Salt Lake. 81
oamped on Dry Greek and after linger
ing for awhile, went to Vancouver
Later be came baoR with Captail
Taylor and command. with whom b
saw many fights with the Indians an
had several thrilling experiences an
narrow escapes. Mr.. Kinney Iecalle
! these old scenes with remarkable mem
4 ory and grew intensely interested i
N his subject as be progressed at length
a The last speakers were DR., e. L
Van Patten of Dayton, and Presidef
Il Penrose of Whitman College.
Weston Reports CIOudburst.
N A cloudburst struck Friday aftel
n noon of last week, on Weston mour
tain, according to the Leader, abor
midway between the church an
4 school house and did considerab
damage to the fields. Some fenoir
and woodpiles were washed away ar
a few chickens were drowned. 1t
reported that the worst damage vi
sustained by the MoKinnon and Ra
born places. and that Mr.. Raybol
+ may be compelled to resow part of b
crop. Rolling walls of water rush
h down Pine and Dry creeks, causiI
+ much astonishment. 1t is said II Il
cloud burst had struck single ca
yon entering Pine creek. instead
scattering itself along the watershe
part of Weston would likely ha
H. Loan abad amou