The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1894-05-30

Grief Almost Alone I'm the Forest.
I'm the year 1899 a steady stfsaln o.
immigration was flowing into the terri
tory of Michigan. The ever restless peo-
pie Of the east had heard wonderful sto-
ries Of the abundance Of game and great
fertility of soil to be found I'm the new
territory, and the sturdy, adventure
some farmers Of rocky New England
were pushing their way westward, with
the hope of finding the El Dorado Of
their dreams.
Detroit, at this time, was . sight to
behold. It's streets were thronged with
the covered wagons Of the immigrants
Hunters and Indians half breeds and
soldiers were mingled in achaotic mass.
Among the great throng OF home seek
ers that left Detroit On the I'd day Of
May, 1899, were James Harris, his wife
and year old baby. Young Harris had
put all of his earthly possessions into .
covered wagon, and bidding goodby TO
friends and relatives had Joined that
endless stream OF home seekers thas were
pushing their way into the wildernesa
Of Michigan. hoping by their eaaerRy
and perseverance 10 build up ahome for
themselves and an inheritancetfor heir
children. SO
The road westward from Detroit FOL
lowed an old Indian trail and by con-
slant travel the mud had become 30
deep that 10 wa almost impossible.
Many Of the pioneers left the old road
and struck or into the wilderness max
ing roads for themselves
Among this number was James Har-
ris, and all went well for Q few days
After camping one night the wind sud
denly shifted To the northwest, and q oold
rain set in. This was the eighth day
after leaving Detroit The company that
they had begun their journey with had
gradually dropped of, and for two days
they had travelled alone, alone in the
great wilderness, unprotected save what
protection the canvas covered wagons
gave them. Was it any wonder that as
they listened to the howl Of tho wolf
and the boot Of the owl they became a
little homesick? Harris had made a
great fire of dry brush, and while IL was
burning brightly the family had gone
TO sleep From this sleep the young
mother was aroused by q sharp, hoarse
cough from her baby. She immediately
awoke her husband, fresh fuel was
thrown ON the fire, and as IL blazed up
the young mother peered a~nxiously into
the face of baby Ruth One glance at
a. YsA4ln aa~r~ &c. ~n-Asn.~ No-~-~
and the mother knew that the baby had
that dread disease. the Group Every
thing was done for the little sufferer
that the distracted parents could DO
They were young and inexperienced,
and all night long they fought for shs
life Of their little one. but all In win.
Just a. the first giimmer OF light ~
peared In the east the spirit CT baby
Ruth took its fight The young mothsa.
wild with grief, pressed the form Of her
darling TO her breast. moaning and say.
ing oven and ver again, Baby Ii
deadr" She refused TO Let her husband
take the little one from her. She would
never give IL up; no. neverl All that day
they remained in camp Toward evening
the wife became calmer, and standing
near the wagon with the babe In hez
arms she saw her husband dig the little
grave, and when IL was finished q rude
box was made, and she tenderly laid her
baby to rest, with her own hands placs
ing it In the grave, and az the dirt rat.
tied down ON the lid she fell senseless
into her husbands arms
After filling the grave the young f.
ther took two little sprouts of Lombardy
poplar that he had In the wagon, see.
ting one at each end Of the grave, and
cutting the words baby Ruth ON a
piece Of board he placed IL 1.-THE he&d
Of the little mound, and then they re-
sumed their journey. Years passed. and
o road was laid near the spot The pop
lars grew and became o living monu.
ment. The piece OF board that had told
the little ones name was annually re-
placed by some kind hand
Time passed quickly, and May 10
had come and gone 35 times since baby
Ruth was laid 10 rest In the wilder
mess; the poplars had grown TO be
trees and stood In o cleared field near
the roadside; the surrounding forest had
long since disappeared. A board was
nailed TO the trees with the words "Ba.
by Ruth painted ON it. A carriage was
passing by when the driver, an elderly
man, glanced toward the trees and saw
the inscription. He looked at the trees
and at the sign, hitched his horse, made
inquiry OF q farmer near by ii 10 tbs
meaning OF the sign and was told thai
when he came to the country he found
the little grave marked with q rude
board, and that he had spared the treel
and nailed up anew board Bis inform.
ant wondered at the emotion OF thu
stranger, who staid with him overnight,
but his wonder ceased when he was toli
the story Of baby Ruth as I have writer
it. The wife and mother had died som,
two years before. Other children hai
come TO bless her, but she never forgo
her firstborn and the little grave in th,
wilderness. A beautiful monument nov
marks the spot where sleeps baby Ruth
Van Buren, County Republican.
A Years Work Of Pasteur Institute.
The annals OF the PaSteur institut