TOLD by the PIONEERS - Washington Secretary of State

Tuld by the Pioneers
cient amount to make a generous bouquet for each, then kneeling on
one knee, with this bright collection to select from, he would begin
thos~ careIU11y anang'ed creations, to be bestowed on all respectful
and well mannered guests, regardless of age or distinction. What a
beautiful pIcture it IS to recall that dear old gentleman with his
broad visored cap, fringed by bright bl"O"wn curls, his knees all padded
to protect him from the dampness of the earth, for no matter what
help he had, Mr. Bennett had to get down and love and care for all
the plants, and listen to the small, still message from each. In a voice
in which was mingled manhood, intelligence, kindness, and music, (I
have never heard a voice like Mr. Bennett's beautiful Scotch accent)
he would tell us most interesting facts of his travels, of trees and
plants secured in various countries it haunts me still like some
beautiful melody. He was deeply appreciative of many fine specimens
sent by admiring friends who had partaken of his hospitality,
and lovingly he would point to various plants carried home from his
rougH tnp to lYlOUllt Baker; though tIll' route was hard and his pack
heavy Mr. Bennett could not pass a new or strange plant. In botany
and geology he was a great student, always keenly alert to discover
nature's secrets, and with an abiding love and tenderness assist her.
He was something of a wizard and created many valuable varieties
of fruits, flowers and shrubs. He made you feel the imminent pressence
of superhuman power in their creation. I wish I might have the
power to reproduce in other minds the impressions of those scenes
as I recall them, and make you duly conscious of the refining influence
of such a spot in the lives of pioneer boys and girls.
I was a very little girl, not able to climb without assistance, the littIe
path up from the beach landing to this spot, when all persons residing
on the Bay joined in a picnic party to celebrate the return of
Edmund T. Coleman, Thomas Stratton, and David Ogilvy from the
first successful ascent of Mount Baker.
By Mr. Bennett's invitation and his desire to do honor to their couro
age, he had arranged long tables between the rows of magnificent
cherry trees, with the fragrant clover thick and sweet underfoot. The
tables were bountifully spread, toasts were made and responded to
by many. I believe Mr. Eldridge was in charge. Lying out in the
hamor was th.e oeautiful ship. Lookout, commanded by Capt. Ackerson,
who, together with his wife and little daughter, were present. All
day long little Kittie and I played together for the last time, for they
sailed in a few days, with a cargo of coal, never to return, for all of
them were lost at sea. Their fate was never learned. Owing to the
recent Titanic disaster, it all came to me so vividly, as I look at her
photograph, taken with her mother.
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