Imperial Valley press., 1928-05-07
VALLEY PIONEERS
SWAP MEMORIES
AT GALA REUNION
"Old Timers" Renew Old
Friendships of Early
Days Here.

Imperial Valley pioneers, united
b. bonds of friendship forged dur
ing the first decade of the twenti-
eth century, gathered at the Ed
/ orrester ranch on Saturday. Three
hundred strong these pioneers,
their children, and children 8 child
ron, made their way to the tree
shaded home Of one of their number
for day of "reminiscences, pleasure
and good fellowship.
I'nofficially it was a day of happy
>ociability, with men and women,
some of whom had not met for 20
Years, clasping hands as they re-
called the laughter and heartaches
OF pioneering u desert. Officially it
was the first meeting of the newly
organized society, the " Associa-
tion of Imperial Valley Pioneers. .
Following bountiful picnic
lunch with "eats' plenty for all,
I. d. Mccall, president of the as
sGciation and its originator, address,
cd the assembled gathering. Sum
ming up the meaning of the oc-
casion, and telling of the plans of
the association, Mccall then called
ON different pioneers for talks.
Speaking first was DR.. w. T.
IIeffernan of Calexico. pioneer
who during the course Of Satur-
day program received full credit
for helping to make the valley S de-
vclopment a reality. He made it
possible. . SAID one pioneer, in point
ing out that it was DR.. Heffernan
who personally financed the work
of c. h. lockwood at critical
time, and also purchased the land
where Hanlon Heading was built.
Names Society
To DIR. Heffernan also goes the
honor of giving the organization
the name which was accepted in the
contest to find suitable title for
the pioneer association.
Acting in ID most able manner as
master of ceremonies, Mr.. Mccall
then introduced such we'll known
pioneers as d. l.. "Scotty' Russell,
Il ID. McPherrin, whose talk was
specially fine and was filled with
sentiment, Leroy Holt, Elmer For
reSter and one of the famous For
roster sons, Sheriff Charles l.. Gill
lett, Mrs. w. NJ. Orick, Mrs. Leroy
Holt, Miss Estella Falla, and l.. +.
Cooley.
Much credit for the success of the
picnic is due Arthur Edgar, who act
ed as quartermaster general, 4"
capably assisted by such "desert
rats as F. r. c. Fenton and 9th
ers. Seats were built, coffee made
and other details arranged by the
ok. p. 50 under Mr.. Edgar. Dona-
tions of coffee from Zurcher Broth
ers, lumber from the Valley Lum-
Der company, ice from the Imperial
lee and Development company,
sugar from the NJ. o. King company
and large tank from John Kuhn
are acknowledged with thanks by
the committee.
The generous and friendly hospi
tality of Mr.. and Mrs. Ed Forester
was particularly appreciated
Emblems of the association,
canteen to be worn as a stick pin,
bar pin or pendant, We're available,
and were ordered by many of the
pioneers.
Over 100 signed the "Great Reg
lister of the Imperial Valley Pho
neers,' under the direction of Mrs.
Leroy Holt, secretary of the associ-
alton. Every person signing in ac-
cordance with the requirements of
the society, was a resident of I'M
perial Valley prior to January I,
1910.
Such enthusiasm marked the day
that a meeting was planned for next
fall, probably some time in Novem-
Der, which will be held at the Ira
Aten ranch.
Names of those signing the great
register will be printed in tomor-
row s issue of the Press.