Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1893-01-12

human nature The wild deer were
chased by wolves, and the beaver and
the bear hibernated unmoIested through
the long and dreary winter. The
smoke of rude wigwams hung like dark
clouds over dense forests that needed
only the spirit of the white man to
make them yield golden fruitage from
the deep fragrant heart of the pines, and
nectar from the NAPLES life blood. But
change came. Now and then white
man with Indian guide, III search of new
worlds Of commerce would traverse the
wilderness. With prophetic vision
they would read the marvellous story,
of the time when the white mans skill
should transform the wilderness, and
guide the rushing waters of this mighty
river to obey their mandates. Bye and
I bye a little band of brave hearted
pioneers among them A. B. Sampson,
Reuben Lyons, Geo. a. Neeves, E. K.
Smith, Lem Kroner, Ira Purdy, T..
LaNigne, F. X. Biron, John Edwards
came seeking arcadian homes and
rested here. The pine trees murmured
softly, stay! the wild birds trilled a
welcome, stay! The river laughed, and
sang and kept calling, stay! stay
and the promise of the future won
them. Then the rude wigwams were
replaced by log houses, and gradually
i there arose a city with mills, factories,
l stores and warehouses, stately homes
crown the hills and dot the banks along
the grand old river whose murmurs
! now are tuned to the echo Of the loco
motive or machinery Of trade. The
| trees Whereon were swung rude ham
mocks, in which the pappoose was
lulled to sleep by Crock a bye baby
on the tree tops" IN uncouth Indian
language, have been pruned to grace
the homes of their successors.
The pioneers grew and multiplied and
the red man sought the deeper heart of
the forests. The bride who came in a
canoe, over dangerous rapids and
through dense forests, long since passed
away, while the husband still waits for
the message calling" The children,
and the children's children now carry
on the work they planned, and those
who were men and women then are
aged now, and the boy and girl of then
have many gray hairs now to tell the
story of times passing. Every year we
are growing older and every year some
answer to the message calling, and eject
long shOd for the silent way, stand by
the river waiting, Waiting;;" not in shin
ing robes with harps in their hands,
but in the dear old likeness of well
remembered days, with radiant faces,
and hands Outstretchedi in glad welcome.
On the roster of the Old Settlers Asso-
citation are a long list of names that
ought to be written Oh vellum paper in
letters Of shining gold" The stories
they tell us seem like legends Of some
far away past, or the romance of the
/ imagination. Let us gather up, and
keep these.reminiscence6 while we may,
to leave them as heritage to those who
will pelpetuate the memory of the
brave founders of our fair city. Mrs
Sampson, Mother Baker, Mrs Z. K
Smith, the Mennetts, Rablins, CARR
sous, Woods, Rossiers, Dutriuts, Fon-
taines, CQmptoms, list too long to
mention still live to tell US of the print
tive days, Scott, Scarf, Pierce, Grace,
PhilleO, Zenier, ah, so many names are
engraved on the walls of memory's
chamber. Some have homes in other
cities; some have been brought back
with. pulseless hands, folded over pulse
less hearts, in LONG boxes to be laid in
oJlr city of the dead, where their carved
names are mute reminders Of the DAYS
of "Auld lang syne." Not alone on
! marble slab, or heavenward pointing
shafts in our city on the hill, are these
monumental records. The pride of our
city, the Howe High School, is a monu-
ment to one of our pioneer citizens,
! Lyman Howe; the beautiful memorial
church with its stained glass memorial
window, records the love of one of our
] noblest pioneer women, Mrs. Eliza A.
Scott; our public library, where the
soul finds food for thought, is monu-
ment more enduring than tomb or
sculptured urn. I. B. Scott gave wise
| ly his memorial gift. Side by side, the
living and the dead have their names
engraved on our memories in this most
worthy gift. J. D. Witter has added to
and helped upbuild the library. To-day
he can see and feel the good it brings to
hundreds of firesides. In-every public
Improvement where individual gener-
osity has helped, we find monumental
records and the list grows and grows,
summer and winter. In the Joy of
reunion let us give one thought tonight
to the memory of those who, one wear
| ago, answered to the roll call of the
! living. We honor them tonight; we
revere their memory; we eulogize their
| virtues; We name them in reverent,
loving affection.
| 20. B. HAMILTON.
Aged 20, mason, an honorable citi-
zen, a well beloved friend, identified
for years with our city, was the first to
| journey on to Beulah land in 1892
MRS. LOUISE zENIER.
Aged y years, heard the message
/ calling and crossed the river where on
the other side, mid flowers that bloom
| for ave, some loved ones waited.