Omaha daily bee., 1889-04-28
THE FATHER OF ARBOR DAY
Fittingly Honored at His Home in
Nebraska City.
MANY DISTINGUISHED GUESTS
The Celebration the Most Elaborate
Ever Held Therc-Tree Planting
in Morton Park-Eloquent
Speeches..
MANY DISTINGUISHED GUESTS
The Home of Arbor Day.

NEBRASKA CITY, Ncb., April 81 Especial
to TIE BEE. 1.-The scrlptural aphorism that
prophet is not without honor save in his
own country" has no local application to
Nebraska City and the Hon. J. Sterling Nor
ton. The gayly decorated streets of last
Monday, the brightly dressed school children
in line with flags and banners, the home or
CARNATIONS, military and civic, the great
outpourlng of citizens and of neighbors from
the surrounding country were all no less sub
stantial witnesses to the enthusiasm with
which Arbor day is celebrated in the city,
where the idea was born than to the CRATE
ful regard in which its founder is held by
those among whom he has lived and moved
TO r more than thirty years.
The celebration WAS the most elaborate
ever held in Nebraska City. Distinguished
visitors were present from abroad as in vteo
guests OF the city and with much appropri-
ateness, the invitations were given with,
but few exceptions to old friends of MIR.
Morton and old residents of the state.
Among them were Hon. James M. Wool
worth and DR.. George l.. Miller, each of
whom dates his intimacy with j. Sterling
Morton TO "thc days Of the tifties," Lyman
Richardson, esq, of Omaha, and Major j.
w. Paddock, of the Nebraska pioneers, and
Hon. a. j. sawyer MAYOR OF Lincoln, who
delivered the principal address. The oc-
cason was one of double interest. 1t IN
voIved the commcmoration of Arbor day and nd
tho first public planting of trees in the beau
tiful park, the magnificent gift OF Mr.. Nor
ton TO his ncPhbors and fellow citizens.
Business was generally suspended, the city
was gay with bunting. the schools took
twenty-four hours recess, and children,
teachers and parents joined in the ies-
tivities.
AT 2 O'Clock the procession, which was
over mile in length, started through
crowded streets in the direction of Morton
park, preceded by the line Bruce Comman-
derry band of Red Oak, la. Arriving at the
park, ranks were broken and the cclebyants
gathered around the stand Which had been
erected on q slightly lmo,l TO accommodate The
speakers, and which commanded a sweeping
view of the grounds. Hon. james M. Wool
worth was the Iirsl speaker. His remarks
were largely os retrospective and per
soRal nature. lie referred feelngly to tho
occasion, which ne pronounced Il tribute To
an idea and 10 a man. He touched in grace
tul language upon the long and pleasant in
timacy between Mr. Morton aud himself,
spoke OF the importance OF the idea which he
had evolved and which, unlike many origin
ators of ideas, Mr. Morton had lived to see
geacrally adopted rs public benefaction
and in glowing terms eulogzed, the hand
some gift which he had presented TO Ne
braska city.
Hon. 4. J. Sawyer. OF Lincoln, followed
with scholarly snj carefully prepared ora.
ton upou Arbcr i)ay aud Tree Planting
which occupied an 5our It's delivery, but
which was full Of interest from the ex-
ordsrm 10 :he close. He was followed by
DR., George l.. MILLER, of Omaha. who was
crested VERY warmly and sincerely by both
platform guests and spectators. Dr, Miller's
remarks, which were evidently largely inn
prolGptu called forth by the occasion, were
delivered with much feeling He spoke OF
The seYcn years which had elapsed since he
had last beon N Nebraska City, and Of the
feni'.3 Of sadness which came over hin as
lie iookcG across the teids into the cemetery