_My Friends and Neighbors_:
I am very glad to see you all. I made up my mind that come what would
I would stop at Medora. I first came to Medora twenty years ago, so
I am a middling old settler. I meet boys, great big strapping men,
and mothers of families who were children about three feet high when
I knew them here. It is a very pleasant thing for me to see you. I
shall not try to make you more than a very short talk, because I want
to have the chance to shake hands with you. Most all of you are old
friends. I have stopped at your houses and shared your hospitality.
With some of the men I have ridden guard around the cattle at night,
worked with them in the round-up, and hunted with them, so that I know
them pretty well. It is the greatest possible pleasure to me to come
back and see how you are getting along, to see the progress made by
the State, to see the progress made up at this end in the place that I
know so well, and it does me good to come here and see you. There is
not a human being who is more proud of what you have done, and more
pleased with your welfare and progress, than I am.