The Evening dispatch. [volume] (Provo, City, Utah) 1891-1895, 1894-09-01
A PIONEER SKETCH.
A TOUCHING TALE OF A BURIAL IN
THE WILDERNESS.


Grief Almost Alone In the Forest.
In the year 1929 a steady stream o
immigration was flowing into the terri
tory of Michigan. The ever restless PEG
pie of the east had heard wonderful sto
ries of the abundance of game and grea
fertility Of soil to be found in the new
territory, and the sturdy, adventure
some farmers of rocky New England
were pushing their way westward, with
the hope of finding the Ell Dorado @
their dreams.
Petroit, at this time, was a sight ia
behold. Its streets were thronged with
the covered wagons Of the immigrants.
Hunters and Indians, half breeds and
soldiers were mingled in chaotic mass
Among the great throng of home seek
ers that left Detroit on the I'd day OF
| May, 1929, were James Harris, his wife
and year old baby. Young Harris had
put all of his earthly possessions into a
covered wagon, and bidding goodby to
friends and relatives had joined that
endless stream of home seekers that were
pushing their way into tia wilderness
of Michigan, hoping by their energy
and perseverance to build up home for
themselves and an inheritance for theiI
children.
The road westward from Detroit fol.
lowed an old Indian trail, and by con.
slant travel the mud had become SO
deep that it was almost impossible.
Many of the pioneers left the old road
and struck off into the wilderness, max.
ing roads for themselves.
Among this number was James Har-
rs, aud all went well for few days.
After camping one night the wind sud,
denly shifted to the northwest, and cold
rain set in. This was the eighth day
after leaving Detroit The company that
they had begun their journey with had
gradually dropped OFF, and for two daye
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 the wolf
and the boot of the owl they became a
little homesick? Harris had made a
great fire of dry brush, and while it was
burning brightly the family had gone
to sleep. From this sleep the young
mother was aroused by a sharp, hoarse
cough from her baby. She Immediately
awoke her husband, fresh fuel was
thrown on the fire, and as it blazed up
the young mother peered anxiously into
the face Of baby Ruth. One glance at
the little drawn face resting on her arm,
and the mother knew that the baby had
chat 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 the
life Of their little one, but all in vain
Just as the first glimmer Of light ap.
peared in the east the spirit of baby
Ruth took its fight. The young mother,
wild With grief, pressed the form cf he.
darling 10 her breast, moaning and say.
ing over and over again, Baby is
dead' She refused to let her husband
take tho little one from her. She would
never give it up; no, neverl All that day
they remained in camp. Toward evening
the wife became calmer, and standinA
near the wagon with the babe in he,
arms she saw her husband dig the little
grave, and when it was finished rude |
box was made, and she tenderly laid Ler
baby to rest, with her own hands plae |
ing it in the grave, and as the dirt rat
tied down on the lid she fell senseless
INT Inv
After filing the grave the young ia
ther took two little sprouts of Lolnbardy
poplar that he had in the wagon, set. |
ting one NJ each end of the grave, and |
cutting the words "Baby Ruth" on
piece of board ne placed it at the head
of the little mound, and then they re
sumed their journey. Years passed, and
q road was laid near the spot, The pop
lars grew and became living monu-
lnent. 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 So times since baby
Ruth was laid to rest in the wilder
ness; the poplars had grown to be
trees and stood in 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 farmer near by as to the
meaning of the sign and was told that
when he came to the country he found
the little grave marked with a rude
board, and that he had spared the trees
and nailed up a new board. His inform
ant wondered at the emotion of the
stranger, who staid with him owe, might
put his wonder ceased when he was told
The story of baby Ruth as have written
it. The wife and mother had died some
5wo years before. Other children had
come to bless her, but she never forgot
ler firstborn and the little grave in the
wilderness, A beautiful monument now
marks the spot where sleeps baby Ruth.
Van Buren, County Republican.
Pious wish,
The emperor once stood before the
tomb of the Duke Rudolph
Z Swabia Some of his courtiers were
# the opinion that he ought not to al
wv his mortal enemy to have so SPLEEN
I'd monument, but that he should
AVE his body exhumed and buried else
where.
"Oh, let him lie where he is, F." said
he emperor. 81 only wish all my en-
,mies were as splendidly buried. ALLIE
leiten und Landen.
A Fortunate Selection.
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