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'It was only this high' When Annie Scarlett moved into her house near Pea Green 60 years ago, the cottonwood which now towers behind her was barely a foot high. She has seen a lot of Delta history since then and will help make history Saturday as she participates in the Deltarado Days Parade as the Delta Centennial Senior Queen.

Parade spotlights Native royalty

Spectators at the Deltarado Days Parade Saturday will be treated to two sets of royalty in the Centennial year procession. Miss Delta and her attendants, who were crowned Friday night, will reign over the festivities this weekend and, of course ride in the parade. (see story page 5). 

This year, however, a special pair - dubbed the Delta Centennial Senior King and Queen - will grace the parade and be honored as the oldest natives still living in the area.

SENIOR KING

he Delta Centennial Senior King is 98-year old Frank Ryan of Austin. He was born in Paonia on April 26, 1884, but while still an infant, moved with his parents to the Surface Creek area.

In fact, the entire Ryan family converged on Delta County to homestead: Mr. Ryan's great-grandparents are buried at Cory.

Mr. Ryan was a cattleman in the county for many years; he worked on the Figure 4, the Bar I and 7X ranches. A true pioneer, he also farmed the valley and mesa country -on Cedar Mesa, Dry Creek and the Gunnison Valley.

In his long, full life, Mr. Ryan has raised 14 children, five of his own, and nine step-children. Mr. Ryan's children are: Bill, Walter and Harry Ryan and Beulah Smith, from his first marriage in 1911 to Emma Turner, and Jerry Ryan, from his marriage in 1934 to Sadie Goodman.

Mr. Ryan has enjoyed hunting and fishing most of his life.

The Ryan clan boasts 14 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and 11 great-great-grandchildren.

SENIOR QUEEN

Annie Scarlett, the Delta Centennial Senior Queen for the 100th anniversary parade, was born in Delta on Jan 10, 1893. She has lived in the area her entire life.

Although her eyesight isn't good, she is a spry 89 years old, and still quilts a good deal. She tends a rose garden, which, according to her son Clyde, attracts "people from all over who come to get flowers." 

She and her sister, 93-year-old Jennie Sumner, both attended Pea Green School, as did their late brothers and sisters. Mrs. Sumner and Mrs. Scarlett are neighbors, both living alone but assisted by a daughter and a son, respectively. 

The sisters are the daughters of Haddie [Hattie] Elizabeth and J.J. Marsh. One sister, Margaret, married the brother of Jennie's husband, E.L. Sumner. The eldest sibling was Ella Green, the youngest were the brothers: Joe and Henry.

Annie married Harland Scarlett in 1912. They had three children: Benny, Donna (Moormann) and Clyde. Mrs. Scarlett is the grandmother of six and the great-grandmother of 12.

Annie Scarlett was chosen as the Delta Centennial Senior Queen, even though two other Delta area natives are older. One, 95-year-old Cecil McKnight, lives at Bethesda care Center and is unable to take part in the parade. The other is Mrs. Scarlett's sister Jennie Sumner, who recently suffered a slight stroke. However, Mrs. Sumner, 93, is feeling much better as of press time Wednesday, and may still ride in the parade with Senior king and queen.

transcribed by Betty Baker, March 2002.