In the summer of 1929, a group of Swiss gathered together at the

Jake Kaech farm for a picnic. At this time, they made plans to meet again

for another picnic in 1930. Konrad Huber offered a piece of his land,

saying that it was a nice shady spot along the Willapa River. This location

is part of our present Swiss Park.

The August 10, 1930 picnic was held on the property which Konrad

Huber had suggested would be an ideal location. It was here that the

groundwork for an organization was begun. After much discussion, the

officers were elected.

It was decided that the dues for a life membership would be fifty

cents. After much talk and "gemutlichkeit", a decision was made to name

the club "Lewis-Pacific Swiss Verein" as the officers were from both

counties. Verein was later changed to Society, hence L.P.S.S.

After their business had been finished, the evening was spent

dancing in the old, vacant Huber house situated across from Hermina

Huber's house. Louie Muller remembers that all the footstomping of the

crowd scared out the moths and bats.

An open dancefloor was built on the picnic grounds for the 1931 and

1932 picnics. The following year, 1933, a dance hall was built. Electricity

was obtained from lines and poles on the Jake Kaech farm.

A beautiful float was entered in the All-Nations Day Parade in

Raymond on July 4, 1933. The float was designed by Fred Hubscher and

with much help from members was erected on the bed of a log truck. On

one side were thirteen girls representing the original colonies and on the

other side were thirteen girls representing the original Swiss cantons. The

float was awarded first place.

The first Masquerade Dance was held on Feb. 3, 1934 in the Frances

(Grange) Hall. The Grange Hall actually belonged to the Catholic Church,

from whom the Swiss Society rented it.

A special committee meeting was held at Joe Huber's house on

March 5, 1934, necessitated due to two vacancies which had arisen.

Elizabeth Kaech and Conrad Muller had moved away. Fred Hubscher

was appointed as Secretary and Louie Muller was chosen to fill Conrad

Muller's position as trustee.

In 1936, Fred Hubscher resigned as Secretary and Hedwig Kaech

was elected. Of interest is the fact that Fred Hubscher made the Charter

plaque and is also responsible for the plaque listing all the members of the

L.P.S.S. at that time. The two plaques are on display in our present hall.

Notations from the original minute book state that gate admission

for the annual Picnic in 1936 was .10i. Dance admission was .15¢ for the

ladies and .35¢ for the gents. Music was provided by the Studer Bros. and

Fritz Wolfisbarger at the cost of $35.00. The charge for rental of the picnic

grounds at $15.00 was voted on and passed.

All officers were retained, with the exception of two of the trustees

at the June 9, 1940 annual meeting. Clem Ulrich resigned and was

replaced by Fred Rengel. Martin Imhof had moved out of the area, so

John Moseman was elected to his position.

A discussion arose as whether to continue having Swiss dances

since the last dances had not been very successful. It was decided to

continue the dances to keep up the Swiss spirit.

In 1941 a decision was made to have free beer at the annual

meetings. One of the ladies suggested that since the men were getting

free beer and the children were getting free ice cream, why shouldn't

the ladies be entitled to a free bratwurst. After a lengthy and amusing

discussion, the men agreed that they would buy their ladies' bratwurst.

At the annual meeting on July 4, 1945, the L.P.S:.S. membership fee was

raised to $2.00.

The enlargement of the dance hall at the picnic grounds was

discussed in 1948. Mr. Fred Hubscher, Sr. offered to donate the lumber

for a 20' extension, provided the labor would be donated by the members.

This was agreeable.

The following year the committee had drawn up a set of bylaws. A

motion was made and carried that they be accepted. Under these new

by-laws, the officers would serve three-year terms. In the past the officers

had been elected yearly.

In 1952 a motion was carried to purchase the Frances Grange Hall

from the Catholic Church for the sum of $600.00. A slight discussion

followed about a lease to the picnic property. More information will be

gathered.

A special meeting was held Sept. 3, 1952 at the Charles Kaufman

residence for the purpose of perfecting the incorporation of the Lewis-

Pacific Swiss Society. In attendance were Ed Zumbuhl, ,Mary Ulrich,

Louis Kuttel, Jr., Werner Kaech, Louie Muller and Charles Kaufman. The

articles of the agreement were filed on Jan. 8, 1953 at the Lewis County

Courthouse.

At the annual meeting in 1938, Jake Kaech refused the renomination

for President, as did the Treasurer, John Moseman. Hedwig Kaech

moved away and the trustees wished to retire. A complete new board

was required. Louie Muller was elected President. Lena Kaech Hudziak

became Secretary and Mary Ulrich was elected Treasurer. The trustees

elected were Clem Ulrich, Charles Kaufman and Martin Imhof. The new

board vowed to continue the fine work of the former officers. A motion was

made and carried that the President should appoint a committee to write a

Constitution for the Lewis-Pacific Swiss Society.

At the suggestion of trustee, Martin Imhof, the first Bowling Picnic

was held on Sept. 3, 1939. This became an annual event until 19 when it

began to be held in conjunction with the present Oktoberfest. At the first

bowling picnic, there was only one alley which consisted of a 12" wide

plank. More alleys were later added and improved. There are now six

concrete alleys under cover.

Since there was no refrigeration and other facilities at the hall and

the picnic grounds, Louie Muller would purchase much of the food, pop,

etc. and store it in the milk cooler overnight. The morning of the event,

Louie and Bennie would load the supplies into the cattle truck and haul

it to Frances. At the end of the event whatever that had not been used,

containers, etc. had to again be loaded and hauled back to Pe Ell. This

procedure went on for many years.

The annual Swiss Picnic continued on the first Sat. in Aug. Throughout

the year, several dances were held. An occasional card party and a

Christmas Party each year were also enjoyed.

At the committee meeting on June 24, 1939, it was noted that there

were some who worked hard whose names were not on the membership

list. The committee agreed that they had more than earned their

membership fee. They were automatically made members.

The membership fee was raised to $5.00 in 1953. After being in

the red for some time due to the purchase and remodeling of the hall in

"downtown" Frances, the treasurer's report showed a balance of $224.05

in 1957. Again the subject or the sad looking outhouses at the picnic

grounds was mentioned. It was assured that they would be repaired.

On May 31, 1958 Louie Muller, who had held the position of President

for 20 years, stated that he felt that it was time for a change. He refused the