The Delta independent., 1923-08-24
FIRST DELTA COUNTY
PIONEER PICNIC WAS
HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL

Friday morning dawned bright and
clear and all through the day the sun
shone benevolently upon the Delta
County pioneers assembled on the
court house grounds for their first an
nual Pioneer Picnic. The crowd was
not extremely large but it was very
representative gathering and good
percentage Of the pioneers of the
county we're present. All enjoyed the
outing and the pleasure of meeting
old friends and neighbors who had
weathered through the storms of the
early days.
The program was carried out as
planned with the exception of a few
numbers which were omitted on
account OF some not being able to be
present. The morning session was
called to order by the president, I. M.
McMurray, and opened with the sing
ing Of America, followed by the in
vocation by Rev. B. F. Stallings. Mayor
Penney gave an address of welcome,
which was followed by most inter.
esting address, THE History of the
North Fork Valley, by E. G. Wade; in
which many entertaining bits OF in
terest wore related.
Judge A. ]. Hotchkiss delivered an
unusually fine address in which he
stressed the duties and privileges Of
the American citizen. and paid tribute
to the pie eers for the part they have
played in&lhe building of Colorado. He
made h4toint that they were all for
C4r
'hyphenltbs."
The nft1ic dinner at noon was the
star number on the program and was
an event that was entered into with
zest by AZ present. 1t is said that
one test Of a true pioneer is his ability
to eat 4vesything put before him and
II that bt true everybody on the
grounds s4klified for the title.
In the, 8bsence of W. H. Mathers,
Mr.. McMufray acted as postmaster,
calling on several pioneers, all OF
whom responded with stories OF pio-
neer days that will ind place
OF honor in the annals Of the
county. W. S. Reynolds of Hotchkiss
spoke entertainingfy on the subject
Difficulties and Triumphs OF the
Early Settiers" Mrs. w. A. Shepherd
spohs on ss:PioAssr Days in Delta" ani
told many atofiee OF the long ago II
our city that proved OF great interes,
to the listeners. Mrs. Artibee Of
Cedaredge gave an extremely good
! paper on subject, Early History
Progress, and Accomplishment of the
Public Schools of Delta County" The
schools Of country are not only an
but are always OF vital interest and
Mrs. Artibee's account was very well
done and much enjoyed
Judge Milton R. Welch in his ad
dress told stories Of the early days in
Delta County. pointing out the many
difficulties with which the settlers ha6
to contend and showing how much
better are present conditions and tina,
We should. look back upon the condi
tions which prevailed years ago and
in comparing them with the present
should appreciate the comforts and
the comparative ease which we enjoy
Honorable John C. Bell, OF Mont
rose, also gave a splendid address II
the afternoon in which he reminisced
all over the Western Slope, telling Of
early occurrences in Hinsdale and
Montrose counties, in Ouray, Telluride
and Gunnison and other points that
figured in the early history Of the
Slope.
Blackburn's Boy Band played at in
tervals all through the day and show
ed the older generation what the
younger generation can do.
The Pioneer Quartette consisting Of
Arthur Wade. John Davis, Oliver B
Cook and ]. Welland Jeffers sang dur
ing the afternoon program two mum
bers which were highly appreciated
First they sang Garry Me Back tc
Old Virginny," which was heartily en-
cored. Then then sang an Original
song written by Arthur Wade which
was also much enjoyed.
At the business session which fol
lowed Ezra Wade OF Paonia, was elect
ed president; L. w. Sweitzer, Delta
vice-president; Frank Childs of Cedar
edge was reelected secretary an6
Delta was again represented In the
person OF James Zaninetti. who was
elected treasurer. The committee was
well pleased with the results OF this
years picnic and with the enthusiasm
and interest displayed and simialr
gathering for next year is planned
The place of meeting was not decided
upon. that matter being left in the
hands OF the executive committee.