Arizona republican., 1921-05-08
500 TURN OUT FUR MISSOURI
 SOCIETY PICNIC
Reorganization Of Society, Lunch and Program Of Speeches and M u S i c Chief Events

More than 500 persons attended the first Missouri picnic held here since 1916 at Eastlake park yesterday and took part in the reorganization of the county Missouri society. A boun- teous basket picnic lunch, a number of interesting addresses and the cleo ton of officers were the principal events of the day.
 Though even a larger crowd would have been present had the sun been shining all morning, cool weather failed to have any noticeable effect on the picnic and former residents of the show me" state came from all parts of the city and valley to meet old acQuaintances and talk over "oId times back home" By 12:S0, when the picnic began. the tables at the park were the center of large throng.
 The luncheon proved a fitting be- ginning for the picnic program, for everyone had brought plenty of dain- ties and everyone was able to find friends and acquaintances with whom to eat. It was followed by the speak ing program and reorganizing of the Missouri state society, after which most of those present went over to see the ball game between the Meth odist and Cartwright teams on the Eastlake diamond.
 Music was provided throughout the afternoon by the high school band As a souvenir of the occasion, Mrs. Albert R. Smith presented each mem- Der of the band with a necktie.
 Seven Speakers on Program
 What Missourians have done and tn vi Nfl, was stressed in several of the speeches of the afternoon. The speakers were H. L. Eads, the Rev. c. M. Aker. Albert R. Smith, M. L. Stewart, w. E. Muldrow, Henry Wilky and J. Ben Gorrell. Ablet D. Leyhe, who took leading part in ar ranging the picnic, was chairman cf the day.
 Hunlor also had a part on the program, much merriment resulting from novel contest that was staged Harlan B. Barnes was adJu0ged the ugliest Missouri man present and Mrs. Clara E. Meister, formerly of Columbia, Mo, the best looking young woman. Mrs. Lucy Whitton, 75. won the distinction of being the oldest Missouri woman in attendance, while the honor of having lived in Arizona longest went to Mrs. Mary Fields, who has been here 40 years. She is 6S. c. $. Johnson was the oldest Mis- souri man present. He is 64. and has lived in the state 52 years. His father, M. R. Johnson, 605 North Six teenth street, also a former Missou- rian, is 9S, and has been here 53 years, but was unable to attend.
 Several generations of the same family were represented at the pie nj n "a tions at the park: Mrs Sarah Adams: her daughter, Mrs. Sarah Gentry the latter's daughter, Mrs. Mamie McAfee, and Mrs. McAfee's son. Leo McAfee.
 Society Elects Officers
 Perhaps the most important item on the days program, though not a part of the picnic proper, was the reorganization of the Missouri so- ciety with the following officers:
 President Albert D. Leyhe of Phoe- nix.
 Vice presidents. ". D. Baxter, Buckeye; w. J. Kingsbury, Mesa: J. H. Cummings, Tempe; J. W. Pat terson, Glendale; H. A. Hughes Phoenix; T. B. Stewart, Phoenix; L. L. Steward, Phoenix; Henry Wilky Phoenix.
 Secretary. Mrs. L. J. Swarens Treasurer, Albert R. Smith. | Executive committee, H. l.. Eads Roy Hockerey, Mrs. J. c. Newman. It was announced that the society now has 800 former Missourians reg. istered on it's books, and that monthly meetings probably will be held. An other big meeting will be held il September or October
 | Of interest to all present at tn, picnic was the invitation extended t. all former Missourians to attend tn, | Missouri Centennial exposition. to b, held at the state fair at Seladia Aug s to 21. The invitation was extended by J. Ben Gorre1l of Tempe on behal of the exposition committee. Thi mornings Republican will be sent t, the committee, that the account o the Missouri society picnic may b. filed in the state records with othe
 accounts of the activities of forme
 residents of the state. Pictures o
 Governor Campbell and the stat
 house here also will be sent the ex
 position committee by Mir Gorrel