"Political whitewash, the seeking of coal mines and the passing of two-gallon demijohns are out of place at a pioneers' reunion. Last year we had all three, this year I trust we will have none. I believed last year, when I made my farewell address, that I would not live to be present at this meeting, but I am here, and I feel twenty years younger than a year ago."
Mr. Rader carried his remarks into a prohibition talk, and reviewed the focal situation, stating he believed that the votes of women might change affairs. Doctor Blalock then stated that he believed it the duty of all women to vote and that the pioneer woman should be first of all to cast her ballot. He introduced Mrs. Lulu Crandall of The Dalles, who spoke on "How We Preserve History at The Dalles."
She told of the acquisition of the old surgeons' quarters of the old Fort Dalles, how they had been furnished, and how the relics of pioneer days were preserved there. An historical society has been organized, which is supported by three classes of members: Active, who are members of the state historical society; associate, who are not members of the state organization; and honorary, those who made history in early days. The first two classes of members pay annual dues of $2. The plan, stated Mrs. Crandall, is working nicely.
C. R. Frazier of Dixie was called upon, and his address, read by the secretary, follows:
"Fellow members and friends of the Walla Walla County Pioneer Association:
"As a member of the Walla Walla Pioneer Association I appreciate very much the fact that I again have the privilege to attend another one of this society's annual meetings and to meet with fellow members and friends of our association. To meet old pioneer friends and to talk over old times with them is something that affords me genuine pleasure. Certainly as long as I am able to get about you'll always find me in attendance at the annual meetings of this association.
"The few brief things I wish to say at this gathering I have had written out for when I attempt to talk at such gatherings as this one I find that my memory is not as good as it used to be and it is hard for me to say anything in a connected way.
"For forty-seven years I have been a resident of the Walla Walla Valley. As I have expressed myself many times before I think our valley, its climate and resources considered, is one of the greatest countries in the world. For years on my farm at Dixie I have been a producer of a varied line of farm products, not the least of which was much choice fruit and also several varieties of nuts. My orchards were not purchased ready made and I might say that I was the original planter of every tree on my place. During late years a picture of one of my apple trees has appeared in many newspapers and magazines throughout the world because it is a tree that holds a record for producing in one season as much as 126 boxes of fine apples. I will admit that I am proud of that old apple tree.
"While I have always been a hard worker I feel that the Walla Walla Valley has been kind to me and mine. I first made the trip across the plains from the east in 1853. This time, as a boy driving cattle, I made California. After spending a short time in California I returned east to my old home in Sullivan County, Mo. In 1863, with my earthly possessions consisting of my young wife and two children, a team of oxen and a somewhat delapidated vehicle that might be called a wagon I left Nebraska for the old Oregon country. Travelling over the old well known trails it was a long journey before we reached the Walla Walla Valley. On the trip across one of my children was born; other mishaps, more or less the result of fording streams and hitting the rough spots on the trail, also fell to our lot, but with us all such accidents were accepted as a matter of course and we didn't waste much time grieving about them. Our little caravan on its journey west was headed for Vancouver, but when it hit Meacham Mountains one fine fall day in the year 1864 and we had an opportunity to see the beautiful Walla Walla Valley I decided right there and then that I would travel no farther and that the Walla Walla Valley would be quite good enough for me.
"Reaching Walla Walla we found a town of some eight hundred people; I moved on up to the Dayton country and soon had located a claim near Dixie. I'll never forget such families as Longs, Lambs and Locks whom we came up with in our new home. Right from the start they were kind to us and helped us to get started in a country that was new to us. After we once got a start with a cow and some chickens the rest was comparatively easy. In the old pioneer days in this valley neighbors were very kind to one another.