USA > California > San Francisco County > San Francisco > A souvenir of Pioneer and old settler's day, Panama-Pacific exposition, October 16, 1915 > Part 1
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GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01067 1862
R AND OLD SETTLERS Old, the Days of Gold,
PIONEER A The Days of
LERS' DAY the Days of 49"
ITION NAMA PACIFIC EXPOSIT OCT. 16, 1915
Official Badge Worn on Pioneer and Old Settler's Day
A Somsenir
of Pioneer and Old Settler's Day Panama-Pacific Exposition October 16, 1915
PIONEER AND OLD SETTLERS' DAY SOUVENIR
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CALIFORNIA PIONEERS OF SANTA CLARA
COUNTY
0cl.16
1915
Fac-simile of Plaque Presented
IN COMMEMORATION
PANAMA-PACIFIC INTERNATIONAL EXPOSITION
SAN FRANCISCO
Lester Roberto $7.50 6.14.6 6 No. 3337 P.O. 2396
Introduction
At the suggestion of the President of the California Pio- neers of Santa Clara County, that Society asked the Direc- tors of the Panama-Pacific International Exposition to set aside a day to be known as "Pioneer and Old Settlers' Day", which they did, and the Pioneer Society authorized its President to appoint a Committee and proceed to make arrangements to properly celebrate that day. The 16th of October was selected as the time, and after two months hard and earnest work, there was gathered together Pio- neers and Old Settlers from practically every County in the State.
The weather was ideal, made especially for the occasion. The people gathered at the Scott street entrance at 10:30 a. m., where the official photographer took a large picture of those present, a reproduction of which we publish in this book. The Pioneers and Old Settlers were met by the Expo- sition officials and band and escorted to the California Building, where the exercises of the day took place.
Hundreds of Pioneers who had not seen each other for years met again this day. All during the ceremonies in the California Building gray heads bobbed this way and that and necks were craned, then a happy smile would spread over the face of some man or woman as a friend of the years that are gone would be discovered. Scattered through the audience could be seen the bonnets and shawls which had been worn in the early days of the State. Some of them had cost as much as $500 in California gold.
The attendance far exceeded the fondest anticipation of those who worked so hard to make this a day of days. After the exercises the Chairman and Secretary received many compliments for the manner in which everything con- nected with the gathering was conducted.
The Committee wish to take this opportunity of thanking the Press of California for valuable assistance, and the fol- lowing persons who furnished the funds sufficient to make the day a success : Senator Jas. D. Phelan, Henry Curtner, Jas. F. Dunne, Society of California Pioneers, Exposition Directors, H. L. Middleton, W. H. Crocker, Mrs. P. A. Hearst, Edward Mclaughlin, Observatory Parlor, San Jose Parlor, Dolores Parlor N. S. G. W., Golden State Parlor, Linda Vista Parlor N. D. G. W., J. E. Richards, W. K. Beans, Wm. A. January, D. M. Burnett, Mrs. John Bidwell, Alden Anderson, S. T. Gage, Wm. T. Jeter, Miss Norma Ryland, S. J. Pioneers, J. F. Pyle, T. S. Montgomery, W. S. Clayton, A. B. Langford, Geo. C. Ross, H. C. Morrell, S. H. Wagener, W. C. Andrews, Reuben Hale, L. D. Stephens, J. H. Levy, A. R. Woodhams.
PIONEER AND OLD SETTLERS' DAY SOUVENIR
Alex. P. Murgotten Chairman
Andrew P. Hill Secretary
PIONEER AND OLD SETTLERS' DAY SOUVENIR
Andrew P. Hill Secretary California Pioneers of Santa Clara County
THE CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Andrew P. Hill, Secretary of the California Pioneers of Santa Clara County, and an earnest worker in all Pioneer matters, called the meeting to order. Mr. Hill is one of the Pioneer Landscape and Portrait Painters of California, whose painting, "Crossing the Plains," hanging in the California Building, is pronounced by judges to be the finest animal painting at the Exposition. A photo of the picture appears in this Book.
E have with us today the pioneeers from every county of California, probably the The Day largest assemblage of early Californians NO DA ONEE ya of yo that has ever been brought together in this State. I will not touch upon the 16. 1915 PAC deeds of the pioneers, because there are more able speakers who will follow me with the requisite data, covering them with that glory which they are entitled to. Among those pioneers who came to Cal- ifornia there is one with whom I have been intimately associ- ated for more than forty years, and I am familiar with his enthusiasm in the interest that he has taken in the California pioneer. For more than twenty years this man published "The Pioneer" of California. I refer to my co-worker and associate, Alexander P. Murgotten, President of the Califor- nia Pioneers of Santa Clara county, and Chairman of the Pioneer and Old Settlers' Day, one who more than any other has taken an interest in bringing together this vast assem- blage for today's celebration.
Ladies and gentlemen, there is a great deal about the pioneers that I would like to say to you, but they won't let me. I would like to tell you how James Lick, and others of the big pioneers, came from San Jose, where they made their money, but they won't let me. As there are many to appear before you today, I will simply introduce to you the President of the day, Alexander P. Murgotten of Santa Clara county.
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Alex. P. Murgotten
President California Pioneers of Santa Clara County
Chairman of the Day
Mr. Secretary, Ladies and Gentlemen, Pioneers and Old Settlers and Friends: Of course I am not on the program for a speech. I am here simply as an introducer. As the secretary has said, I, too, could tell many stories of the pio- neers, as I was their historian for twenty years or more. I could tell you about Mr. and Mrs. Stanford, who endowed one of the finest colleges in the world. I could tell you of James Lick, with whom I was very intimate, and there are very many others that I could tell you about. I could tell you about the railroad pioneers, the five men whose brains conceived and carried out the building of Central Pacific Railroad across the Sierras and the deserts. We have on the stage today a man who was the assistant of Mr. Stan- ford for many years. He is not on the program to talk, but I thought I should tell you that he is here, and that he handled a great deal of the business of that road. In fact, he had as high as three hundred steamships on the seas at one time, loaded with coal for the road. This man is the Hon. Stephen T. Gage. Many other interesting people are here today and other things could be told of the boys and girls, time permitting.
I want to thank you on behalf of myself and my society. We have all worked hard to make this gathering the suc- cess it is, and we feel highly honored that you are here to help us and listen to talks on the early days. The first thing on the program will be a song, "I Love You, California," sung by Miss Clare Hester Harrington, the granddaughter of Judge Hester of San Jose, a forty-niner whom many of you knew, one of the first jurists of San Jose. I regret that I have to say so much of San Jose, but it happens to be the center of the universe, and I cannot help noticing it.
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Miss Clare Hester Harrington
PIONEER AND OLD SETTLERS' DAY SOUVENIR
" I LOVE YOU CALIFORNIA "
Words by A. F. Frankenstein + Music by F. B. Silverwood
Sung by Miss Clare Hester Harrington of San Francisco
I love you California, you're the greatest state of all. I love you in the winter, summer, spring and in the fall. I love your fertile valleys, your dear mountains I adore. I love your grand old ocean and I love her rugged shore. CHORUS:
Where the snow crowned Golden Sierras Keep their watch o'er the valleys bloom, It is there I would be in our land by the sea, Every breeze bearing rich perfume. It is here nature gives of her rarest. It is the Home Sweet Home to me, And I know when I die, I shall breathe my last sigh, For my sunny California.
I love your redwood forests, love your fields of yellow grain. I love your summer breezes and I love your winter rain. I love you, land of flowers ; land of honey, fruit and wine. I love you, California, you have won this heart of mine.
I love your old gray Missions, love your vineyards stretch- ing far. I love you, California, with your Golden Gate ajar. I love your purple sunsets, love your skies of azure blue. I love you, California, I just can't help loving you.
I love you, Catalina, you are very dear to me. I love you, Tamalpais, and I love Yosemite. I love you, Land of Sunshine, half your beauties are untold. I loved you in my childhood, and I'll love you when I'm old.
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r
PIONEER AND OLD SETTLERS' DAY SOUVENIR
1846
CALIFORNIA,REPUBLIC
The Original Bear Flag Now the State Flag of California
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PIONEER AND OLD SETTLERS' DAY SOUVENIR
Hon. Charles C. Moore
PIONEER AND OLD SETTLERS' DAY SOUVENIR
Hon. Charles C. Moore
President Panama-Pacific Exposition
ADDRESS
Chairman: It certainly gives me great pleasure to present to you the man whose brains and ability, executive, social and otherwise, has brought this great Exposition to a head and made it the wonder of the world. No one has yet been found who has had the courage to question its greatness. It is indeed an honor to introduce to you the man of men, Hon. Chas. C. Moore, President of the Exposition.
ELLOW Pioneers, in spirit and in fact: OL ne Days of Gold Some way, looking this audience over, I the see few who appear to me to have any- ONEER thing but the pioneer brand on them. I PANE hope that some are brought here from OCT. 16, 1915 PACIFIC curiosity, that they may feel and touch the California spirit. But those of us who come here, come for the love of California, and the love of the pioneer accomplishments.
The chairman said that I had much to do with what has been brought about. Well, I don't know that I am in the business of denying any such statement, but in truth, why we were simply, I and my associates, the pawns of oppor- tunity. It is that pioneer spirit of California that pro- duced this Exposition. We were simply the humble instru- ments of those qualities in you that bring you here this morning to burn incense on the altar of the pioneer spirit, those qualities in you and your kind, responsible for the state's arising as one and saying this Exposition must be, it shall be-and it was.
I have attended many, many gatherings of this kind since the Exposition opened, and my associate, State Com- missioner Arlett has also been to very, very many. We don't go to all by a very great deal, that make demands on us. But I want to ask you if you think it possible to have kept Mr. Arlett and me away from this meeting this morning. I would not have been right in my heart
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and my mind if I should have permitted anything arising whereby I would have failed to come forward at this opportunity to make some little tribute to the spirit that we all love, and the accomplishments that are our pride, and to the men and women that are enthroned in our affections. I have possibly a little extra reason, because this badge of the Pioneers and Old Settlers is worn by right. My good old father, as a boy of nineteen, left Boston in a little boat, so small that today I would scarcely like to ven- ture out the Heads in it, and was nine months through the Straits of Magellan, leaving in the winter of '48-'49. And his part of that triumph is to me one of the glories of this state, to me one of my cherished ideals. And that is what brings us here this morning. For we all know what the pioneer has done. We all know the conditions under which the old settlers operated. We know that the accomplish- ments that have been done by that splendid, selected body of men cannot be increased or enlarged by words, but, just the same, words or no words, we like to come and touch the spirit of it all. And that is what brings me and brings you.
I can not attempt to describe my feelings in words, any more than any of you can. But it has builded that struc- ture of sentiment, built on the foundation of respect, of pride, and the further feeling that we are custodians of those qualities that made the state, and we should cherish them continually for the greatness and the goodness and the might of California.
I shall now, in line with the procedure adopted by the Exposition, present this commemorative medal. We have gathered; we disperse. The Exposition wants something to be a reminder for all time of this day, this event, and the purpose that brings us here. And, therefore, I will give to the presiding officer this commemorative medal. There are few words on it, but, good friends, it is rich with sen- timent, it is strong with affection, yours and mine. Mr. Chairman, please take it and preserve it.
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Judge John E. Richards
PIONEER AND OLD SETTLERS' DAY SOUVENIR
Hon. John E. Richards
Appellate Court Justice State of California
RESPONSE
Chairman: I will call on a gentleman, who is eloquent in words, poetic in thought and now one of the Judges of the Appellate Court of this State, Judge John E. Richards, who will respond on behalf of the California Pioneers of Santa Clara County.
he Days
the
R. Chairman, Mr. President of the Expo- sition, Fellow Pioneers and Friends :
I have been selected to receive from the officials of the Panama-Pacific In- 49 ternational Exposition this simple sym- bol in the spirit and sentiment in which it has been presented. And that we may fully realize what that spirit and sentiment is, I will recall to your minds an episode of the opening day of this great Exposition. The Secretary of the Interior of the United States, an adopted son of California of whose achievements and standing we are very proud, in making one of the addresses of the day, referred to the fact that to his mind the most eloquent, the most impressive figure among all the symbols and statuary of this vast and varied display was yonder equestrian statue of the Pioneer; and that to his mind that work of genius fittingly represented the sublime courage and unconquerable will of the California Pioneer, to which this Exposition owed its origin, and is indebted for its success.
This symbol, presented in eloquent words by the Presi- dent of the Exposition, is today an official recognition of the fact that all that has been here achieved in the way of artistic and material display is, after all, only the con- summate flower, the perfected fruit of that prophetic vision, that dauntless will and that indomitable spirit which moved
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the California Pioneer. It is because of that fact that this symbol, comparatively valueless in itself, becomes a repre- sentative of, an idea of great and increasing value in the his- tory of our beloved state. The Pioneers of California, I as- sure you, will treasure this symbol among their possessions so long as a single member of their original body remains; so long, in fact, as the history of this Exposition and of this day of happy reunions is written in golden and imperish- able words.
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Hon. Arthur Arlett
PIONEER AND OLD SETTLERS' DAY SOUVENIR
Hon. Arthur Arlett
State Commissioner to the Panama-Pacific Exposition
CALIFORNIA AND THE PIONEERS
Chairman: Among the brilliant as well as eloquent speakers of California, none stands higher or speaks more eloquently when it comes to talking of the olden times than the next speaker. I have the extreme pleasure of presenting to you Hon. Arthur Arlett, Com- missioner of the State of California at the Exposition, who will address you on "California and the Pioneers."
OL R. Chairman, Mothers and Fathers in Israel, and Brethren All: You know that Days of there are times and circumstances, there are personal contacts and experiences, that make one appreciate to the fullest 10.6 how poverty-stricken phrases are; how absolutely impotent speech becomes. And as I have sat on the platform this morning, surrounded by these noble men and women and friends, you who have meant so much in the making of the commonwealth, I have been impressed by the fact that there are emotions and sentiments that crowd so hard for expression that they really break through language and escape. And I say, if I shall be inadequate, as I must, to the suggested topic, will you bear with me as I remind you that those sentiments and feelings which most deeply stir, that live most inti- mately with the spirit, seek not the phrase or the speech, but rather the communion of spirit with spirit.
Suggestion and reference has already been made to that which has animated this great Exposition. How we rejoice in the sentiment which we have not yet been able to gather into words, not even in such rich expression as that of the wonderful speech of Lane, on opening day. And I have been wondering since, just what we mean, we Californians, as we speak of the Spirit of the Pioneer. What is that
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quality of soul that made you men and women the type of forbears that you are, and that has left to us younger men and women the challenge of a great state's commanding opportunity.
May I suggest-and for more reasons than one I will make it brief-two or three things that link your lives and ours in God's great plan for this, our loved state?
First, it would seem to me that those of us who in spirit and in truth are entering into the legacy of the years, must remember and appreciate that those men and women who dared the fastness of this remote country, this new and unknown territory, were possessed of a challenging cour- age. I do not stop to enlarge on the thought that I bring to you, but leave it for your consideration. For is there not needed today, just as much as in those days when you men first determined to front the Golden West, that quality of the pioneer that said, "Come what may, we shall go for- ward with every courage and high spirit." Is there not here in the state today great unsolved questions? Is there not here in our gathering complexities of social existence such as challenge that same spirit that made your own lives memorable, that challenge us to bring anew that same life and determination to meet these same problems? We shall win for California that place in the economy of God that she deserves and must have, if we are possessed of the same courage which you men and women have exampled for us.
May I suggest, in the second place, that that wonderful spirit of fellowship, that appreciation of real values and not extraneous conditions that so marked conditions in those early days must be revived and brought back, if we enter into possession of the land, as our fathers desired we should? Second, then, I should name as the element that goes to make that pioneer spirit, essential democracy. You knew each other then. Rough clad, strong limbed, without appreciation or knowledge, perhaps, of former conditions of parenthood, you labeled and measured men by standards of real worth, with no fictitious measuring rods. You sought to know the quality of spirit, the essential worth of man-
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hood. God give us grace to know today that money, that possessions, that place in society, shall not name the value of a man, and that there shall come to us the understanding that manhood is an attitude of spirit, an aspiration of the soul, and he succeeds in the sight of the Most High who strives for his highest ideals. And whether or no the clear- ing house shall rate him high or low, whether or not the assessor's books shall find him large in possessions, shall we not want to know first, how does he react on these social questions of the day? And how does he view life-as a getting proposition or a giving opportunity ? Shall we not come to your point of view again with renewed conseera tion, to the appreciation that your spirit judged first of all the man. "A man's a man for a' that."
And third-and you see I am brief, for I know the feast of good things that follows-you men and women who came here without the dress-up of much of so-called civilization, without many of the extraneous things that help at times, that so often and frequently seem to warp and change our vision, you men and women have taught us, if you have taught us nothing else, that down at the bottom, down where foundations are really laid that shall abide and re- main eternal, is the fundamental appreciation that the things of the spirit shall live. So I say, in the presence of this great Exposition that in another forty-nine days closes its doors and in a few months, save here and there a cher- ished relic, shall be nothing but a memory, I say to you that this Exposition represents probably a better example of the pioneer spirit in its real expression than anything that has come to my notice. If the building of these buildings, the laying out of these grounds, and the conventions of all the peoples of the world were all that there is to it, then the expenditure of personality and finance would hardly be worth while. But behind it, shot through and through, there is a spirit, something not made of hands, that we be- lieve is eternal in the heavens. But we are learning, oh too slowly, the lessons that you tried to teach that, after all, those things that make for love and devotion, reverenee
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and pariotism, are not possible of weighing or measuring, that these fundamental traditions of the spirit will abide.
And to you men and to you women in whose presence I feel as though I am in holy place, on sacred ground; to you, as representing in myself your children, may we on this day, your day, pledge to you and offer in consecration whatever of earnest, of devotion, of ability, we have for the making here and now of that dream of yours that our state shall see continually a growing and a better civilization of brotherly men, because we have caught your vision and have seen your dream.
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U. S. Senator James D. Phelan
PIONEER AND OLD SETTLERS' DAY SOUVENIR
Hon. James D. Phelan
United States Senator
OUR PIONEER FATHERS
Chairman: Senator Phelan was to have delivered an address on "Our Pioneer Fathers," but owing to four different previous engage- ments on the Exposition grounds he was unable to be present in time to deliver the address. Owing to the great disappointment felt by all present in the absence of Mr. Phelan, who is very popular with the Pioneers and Old Settlers, as well as all Californians, we have obtained from him an expression of sentiment on the subject assigned.
UR Pioneer fathers are entitled to honor e Days of Gold for their vision, their courage and their enterprise. They saw the future Cali- PIONEER fornia, and trod the wilderness, incurred the dangers of the trail or the perils of The De OCT IG, 1916 AMA PACIFIC the sea, to reach the haven of their dreams. With courage they met every obstacle, and on the foundations of their faith, their enter- prise builded a Commonwealth. The supreme moment in their careers was their decision to go ahead, and with them to decide was to act.
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We who come after owe it to their memory to perpetuate their work and to maintain with honor and industry the high standards which they established. As "one star dif- fereth from another in brilliancy," so California shines with a brighter luster in the galaxy of the States. There can be no prouder privilege than to be a Californian, and by such a test, we can measure fittingly our debt of gratitude to the Pioneers. Theirs is the glory; ours the guerdon. Let us possess it in humbleness, but not be silent in praise.
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"COME TO CALIFORNIA"
Words and Music by Leila France Author of " '49 " and " Old Glory Forever "
Sung by Nell Macfarland
Let us all our voices raise
In our California's praise ;
Sing of "Sunshine, fruit and flowers" In this Golden State of ours.
Refrain :
Sing a song of invitation, Sing it loud and sing it clear,
Let is reach to every nation Telling, telling of their welcome here. Chorus :
California, sing of California, "sunshine, fruit and flower State";
California, come to California, nineteen fifteen is the date.
Sunshine's touch is everywhere, Orange groves and gardens fair. Sunshine turns our fields to gold When our poppies we behold.
Fruit and flowers all the year In our California dear. All these pleasures we would share When we have our great World's fair.
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Mr. James R. Taylor
PIONEER AND OLD SETTLERS' DAY SOUVENIR
James P. Taylor President The Society of California Pioneers
ADDRESS
Chairman: "The Society of California Pioneers" has always held an honored place in all matters relative to California and its history. It is richly endowed in money and brilliant men, among whom is its honored President, who will now address you, Mr. James P. Taylor, a worthy pioneer of '49.
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