Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1918-06-29
old Timers CONE
BY HUNDREDS TO
CAPITAL CITY TODAY
Home Coming Picnic In Salem
Shows That Old Home
Ties Are Strong

When it comes to holding pioneers
meetings and home-eemings Salem can
easily elsim the henors Of the state
for at the annual homecoming held
this afternoon in Wilson park. hun
dreds Of the old timers who were born
here more than half a century ago were
glad to come to the capital city and
renew the aequaintances Of pioneer
days.
They came from all directions and
by train and by auto until by the
luncheon hour fully 500 pioneers were
seated at the tables in the park adj
joinino the state house.
Perhaps the oldest visitor was Joseph
Hoberg Of MeMinnville, age 80 years,
who was so busy working on a plate
full of fried chicken that he noticed
little of his surroundings.
The first white child born in Salem
was called to the scenes of her early
days. Mrs. Maria Campbell Smith Of
Portland holds this honor and she was
born here in 1S41.
Former Governor 7. T. Geer and wife
were among those talking of the time
of the big flood, the biggest Of all
floods in December of 1861.
Two judges of the supreme court of
the state of Washington were on hand
to talk of boyhood days, Judge Chad.
wick spent his boyhood days in Salem,
and Judge Mark Fullerton was born
near the city.
George Moeye of Oregon City, and
wife MARY Gilmore) were talking it
over, as Mrs. Hoeye was born in Salem
in 1856, although Mr.. Hoeye was not
here until 1881.
Dan Bass came from Seattle to see
how things looked. He is proprietor of
the Hotel Freye. F. e. Hodgekin, who
worked with the Statesman away back
in 1872, came from Vancouver.
George Piper and Fred Piper of the
well-known Piper family travelled from
Seattle to see their boyhood friends,
and John D. Belt of Willamina, after
living one year in Missouri, began to
become familiar with Salem, along
about 1850. Ha
b. f. Swick, who came to French
Prairie in 1853 remembered his days
at the Willamette University when
there was only wooden buildings. He
now lives at Dayton, Oregon. W. H..
Savage and wife of Corvallis date their
residence here back in 1850.
G. B. Moores and, wife Sarah
Chamberlin) came from Portland. His
memory of the city goes back to 1858.
Glen Holman of Dallas was one of the
pioneers of 1850. He also was partak-
ing of the homecoming dinner.
Miss Ella Chamberlih of Berkeley,
Calf, was born in Salem in the early
SOS and she also came to bring to
memory the early days of the capital
city. Mrs. Olive Chamberlin Belt, born
1857, came especially to sing some OF
the days of long ago.
Mr.. and Mrs. j. d. McCully drove
from Hood River. Her maiden name
was Lillian Patton. u. X. Gill, the
well knowa stationery man Of Portland
is entitled to the pioneer membership
as he married the oldest daughter Of
the founder of Salem. Her name was
Frances Wilson.
Mrs. f. w. Benson, wife Of form
er governor of Oregon came from
Bridgeport. Mr.. and Mrs. B. H. Bow
man Of Portland were among those
familiar with the earliest days OF
Salem. She was here in 1850 and he
came in 1860. Her name was Aurora
Watt. Mrs. Clara Watt Morton, sis
ter, is also here from Portland.
Emlhitt Williams, an attorney Of
Portland, is entitled to the rank of O
Salem pioneer as he was born in Salem
in 1853. He was eight years old al
the time Of the big flood.
Mr.. and Mrs. A. B. Croasman Of
Portland are old timers. she was Lin
ME McCrlly and was born here il
1856. Mrs. Alice McCully Crane, a
sister Of Mrs. Croasman, also came
from Portland to visit her pioneer
friends. She was born here in 1852.
Whitney. i. Boise, brother of R. p.
Boise of Salem, came from Portland
He was born about one year after tht
big flood, dating his birthday bac, tC
1852.
Upon the arrival Of the Homecomers
dozens Of autos were at their service
for tours of the city and state institu
tions. After the dinner so well served
at Wilson Park, the pioneers were left
to enjoy themselves in "reminiscences
following the address by former Cover
nor 7. I. Geer.