Vashon Island news-record. [volume] (Vashon, Wash.) 1919-1954, 1923-05-25
(By Frances Scott Cliff.

The response to the call by the
Ellisport Woman's club for a pio-
neers' meeting on Saturday, May
19, was greater than even the most
Optimistic member of the club had
dared hope for, and the result was
all that the sponsors of the idea
could desire.
Miss Ella j. Caughey's beautiful
h me had been made ready for any
who might come, but the cool and
cloudy morning threatened only
rain and small attendance,
and, perhaps death, to the pet
plan of the club that had fostered
| it. But by 10 100 O'Clock the pio-
neers began to arrive and before
noon the spacious living room,
with its cheerful open fire, was
crowded with pioneers and their
families were welcomed by the
hostesses of the Ellisport club.
Every one brought well filled
lunch baskets which the Ellisport
ladies took charg; of, and the con
tents were placed upon the tables
while the pioneers, many Of whom
had not met in years, renewed old
acquaintance and recalled old
times until they were summoned
to lunch.
When all were seated al the
tah.es, c. A. Barton, one of the
carry pioneers, asked a Blessing
that touched every heart with its
tesutiful trust and the pathos of
the hour. The memories Of the
past and the dear ones who had
shared the joys and hardsh;ps of
lpioneer days, and now await their
comrades on the other shore.
Thanks for countless blessings re-
ceived in the past, hope for the
future, and an humble rec gnition
of the God of all, made the NOM
ent a sacred one and one not to
be forgotten by those who were
privileged to be present.
The luncheon was in fact a
banquet which was enlivened with
many wise and witty sayings.
One conundrum, "Who can beat
a pioneer?" was responded to in
so many witty ways that the
the writer is still in doubt as to
whether any adequate reply was
accepted unless it was, "his
wife -
After the tables were cleared.
Mrs. Furbrush, the president of
the Ellisport club, called the
meeting to order and read the fol
lowing address of welcome, which
was cordially received:
To the pioneers Of Vashon-
Maury island:
On behalf of the Ellisport
Woman S club, | bid you a most
hearty welcome. We who have
taken up our residence here in
later years, consider it a great
privilege to meet with you today
and listen to "reminiscences of
early days on the island which we
think such beautiful spot.
| am afraid we cannot realize
the hardships and inccnveniences
through which you went nor your
labors in making this pleasant
community in which to live. We
think today that a trip to one of
the nearby cities, measured al
most in minutes, is a task. What
must have it been with you, when
many, many hours Of hard physi-
cal effort were requiredP Today
we think that our splendid gravel
ed roads are not sufficient, we
must have the smooth concrete
pavements, but how if you, with
your trails and cowpaths through
the forests, lodging a stump or a
tree here and humping over a
root thereY
But thanks to your courage and
determination and your willing,
ness to to undergo hardships
Vashon-Maury has won from a
wilderness, and it is to pay HON.
age to you and those of your nun.
bere who have gone before, and
to perpetuate the memory Of youl
deeds that we are gathered here