Weekly journal-miner., 1915-11-24
PIONEER GREETS
 FRIENDS OF LONG AGO
(Fron1 Wednesdays Daily.)

] (frOn1 WedneSdayS Dally.J | Walking into the main sales room of the Bashford-Burmister Co. yester- day forenoon, J. C. Swearingen of | Pittsburg, Pa, made himself known to H. D .Aitken of the firm and intro duced himself as follows:
 MT. Aitken, on May 16 1869, or 46 years and six months ago to a day, 1 was on these premises when the house bore the name of L. Bashford & Co.,, and 1 want to deal in a short reminiscence of a very interesting transaction of the long ago. At that time Levi Bashford was the head of the firm and 1 timidIy advanced to- ward his desk without cent in my pocket to ask favor.
 Well, young man, what can we do for you was his greeting.
 "Mr. Bashford," said Swearingen, T am the head of Kansas City party that arrived in town today, on foot we want something to eat, and we haven't cent to our names. We are going to prospect and 1 will agree to pay you back for any assistance given"
 "'Well, well, that's all right Swear ingen, you seem to have an honest face, and turning to Bert Foster, chief clerk, Bashford said: Bert, give this man small amount of credit to help him and friends along
 What do you mean by a small credit said Foster.
 "'Oh, about $500 said Mir. Bash ford"
 MT. Swearingen then delved into the shadowy past in other commercial channels affecting this old Hassay- amper business house, and stated ne cherished sweet memories of early days and that was the reason why he entered the place to greet those who remain to serve the public as of yore.
 Of course time has changed all, and will you carry me for another $500, MT. Aitken?"
 Boys Then; Men Now.
 MT. Swearingen during his few days visit will be a guest of Judge and Mrs. E. w. Wells. The visitor says he comes back over the old trail to mingle probably for the last time with his Hassayampa chum, Eddie Wells, as he fondly calls him. The two were inseparable during the eos, and the strong chain of friendship has endur. ed for nearly half a century. That is one reason why 1 am here in Pres colt today" he informed many friends. Of course l want to see the old boys who are left, and to refresh my mem ory as to familiar landmarks, but these mostly nave faded away"
 Memorable Pilgrimage.
 The visitor says his party was com posed of % hardy men and they or ganized in Kansas City early in 1869. The treking started on foot and wound up in the same pace, all arriv- ing with their pack mules after Derllous trip across the MogolIons during the thrilling days of the Apa- che warfare then at its heighth. "The only fresh meat we mad for several days was the crow and the jack rab- bit, and the latter were in poor condi- ton and full Of worms" he recalled. We had terrible time, and when we arrived in Prescott there was not enough food to feed a canary bird. and to make bad job worse, our f. nanclal resources were an even Sl .5O."
 Has Prospered.
 MT. Swearingen admitted, however, that since leaving Prescott in 1874, he has been favored with good fortune, and IS now travelling 1ife's trail with a meal ticket blazing ahead of him to the top of the divide. He is the presi- dent and principal shareholder of the Swearingen Ink Co. of Pittsburg, and Is en route to the San Francisco ex- position. Thence he goes to Cuba where he has large land interests. and will spend the winter as usual at his Florida home. He is overjoyed in visiting the old white mans town" of Arizona, and is given a cordial wei come by many brother Hassayampers lie was a revenue collector in early days, as well as deputy assessor. His memory is as keen as in boyhood days, and his physical vigor attracts admiration.