The Bozeman courier., 1927-01-14
A HOME FOR PIONEERS


Following the annual convention of the Society
of Montana Pioneers at Fort Benton last sum-
mer friends of the organization started a move
ment for the obtaining from the legislature of
an appropriation for the erection, on some suitable
site, of statue commemorating the lives and
achievements of the early pioneers of the Treasure
state.
Since the general assembly convened at Helena
January there has been a revival of discussion
of the plan, and some tentative steps have been
taken to draw up bill and have it presented to
the legislature for action.
With the idea of ascertaining the sentiment of
the pioneers organization on this project, we
interviewed Al Orton of this city, president of
the Society of Montana Pioneers. Mr.. Orton was
emphatic in declaring that the movement, while
a worthy one and much appreciated, fell far Short
in its present form, of it's possibilities He sug-
gested an alternative proposal which strikes us
as having merit, in that it combines sentiment
and practical service to high degree
"It is a fine idea, and one much appreciated by
the pioneers,' said Mr.. Orton, ''to suggest the
erection of memorial of any kind But if it is
to be done, why not do something that will not
only fill all commemorative requirements and at
the same time be of great practical benefit to
the pioneers?
II believe that no more fitting memorial could
be provided than home for aged pioneers am
certain that any city in Montana would be glad
to donate a site. If the legislature would make
an appropriation for such purpose, it would at
once honor the pioneers, satisfy long-felt need,
and bring to the commonwealth the thanks and
gratitude of all the oldtimers and their friends.
'"The ranks of the pioneers are thinning it is
true, but there are many of them left. Would
it not be splendid thing for those of them who
are wOefully lacking in worldly goods and who
are at an age when good home is most necessary,
if they could go to such home, at least during
the winters, and at the same time feel that they
were the welcome and honored guests of all the
people of this state?
eve have homes of various kinds-public and
fraternal. But home such as I suggest would
be different. 1t would not be an institution erect
ed solely in fulfillment of civic duty. It would
be something more-a gift, made voluntarily and
with pride and affection, to the grand old men
and women who, more than any others, made pos
sible the advantages and opportunities the present
generation enjoys-the Montana of today.
practical details of a plan for locating and
building such a home could easily be worked
out, and some means for it's maintenance pro
vided I feel certain that if bill embodyins
these features were presented to the legislature
it would meet with unanimous approval"
To anyone acquainted with Montana's history
and with the part taken therein by those nov
known as pioneers, the appropriateness and prac
tlcability Of Mr.. OrtOn's suggestion should an
peal, we believe, with great force We earnestly
recommend it to the people who are behind tn
movement to erect a memorial to the pioneers
and to the members of the present legislative as
sembly