During 1922 a meeting of old time residents who had lived in Salem since the 1872 gathered to share their memories of Salem. These community patriarchs of Salem history had their remarks memorialized. One of these respected Salem residents was a Chinese American, George Sun. His remembrances and remarks are quoted below:

"George Sun: I am very glad to be here tonight to see all my friends. I look all over. I tell you when I first come to ‘Chiney’ - come to Salem in 1868 - when I come to Salem, this was a small town, not many stores, but a good many empty and streets awful muddy. Then I stay here so long. I get acquainted with everybody. When I come here I know Cooke Patton, Hal but little child about that big (illustrates) but I know him velly well. I have a store and he come to my place often and I like him and he like me and good friend. Then I been here in Salem so long; then I go back to ‘Chiney’ twice and first time I been back to ‘Chiney’ I get married. I not bring my wife over because I not have certificate. I have to go back over again. Then I make certificate before I go back home to bring my wife back over here. My wife come over’ here about thirty-five years. Then raise all my children in Salem. My children all go to school; all go through high school, some through college, and I like Salem because all people treat me nicely. Then my children all grow up. They can vote but I have been here so long, for fifty-four years next June, I ought to be citizen. I ought to be voting too. I see some country-man come over to this country; he stay not velly long, three or four years; he can vote. Why I be here fifty-four years altogether, why I cannot vote. I ought to be citizen too. They must make mistake’ something wrong. Well excuse. (Great applause)"

Bibliography:
Hal D. Patton’s Fiftieth Anniversary, 1922, Marion County Historical Society.