The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1894-05-24
A PIONEER SKETCH.
A TOUCHING TALE OF A BURIAL IN
THE WILDERNESS.

Tho Lonely Grave OF Littlo Ruth, Which
Was Cared For by somo Kindly Hand
For Thirty-lvc Years-A Mothers Awful
Grief Almost Alone III tho Forest.
In tho year 1899 steady stream Of
Immigration was flowing into the terri.
tory Of Michigan. Tho over restless peo-
pie of the east had heard wonderful sto.
rics of the abundance Of gamo and great
Fertility of soil to be found in tho now
territory, and the sturdy, adventure
somo farmers Of rocky New England
were pushing their way westward, with
tho hope of finding the El Dorado Of
thoir dreams.
Detroit, Mt this time, was sight to
behold. Its streets wcro thronged with
tho covered wagons of tho immigrants
Hunters and Indians, half breeds and
soldiers were mingled in chaotic mass
Among the great throng of home seek
ers that left Detroit Oh the I'd day of
May, 1929, We're James Harris, his wife
and year old baby. Young Harris had
put all Of his earthly possessions into q
covered wagon, and bidding goodby to
friends and relatives had Joined that
ondlcss stream of home seekers that wero
pushing their way into the Wilderness
OF Michigan, hoping by their energy
| and perseverance to build up a home for
themselves and an inheritance for their
children.
The road westward from Detroit fol-
lowed all old Indian trail, and by con-
slant travel the mud haa become SO
| deep that it was almost impassablc.
| 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-
ris, and oil went well for few DAYS.
After camping one night tho wind sud
denly shifted to the northwest, and a 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 day
they had travelled alone, alone in tho
great Wilderness, unprotected save what
protection the canvas covered wagons
gave them. Was it any wonder that rs
they listened to the howl of the wolf
and tho hoot of the owl they became q
little homcsick? Harris had mado q
great fro Of dry brush, and while it was
burning brightly tho family had gonc
to sleep. From this sleep tho young
mother was aroused by Il sharp, hoarso
cough from her baby. She Immediately
awolle her husband, fresh fuel was
| thrown Oh the fire, and as it blazcd up
| the young mothcr pccrcd anxiously into
the face Of baby Ruth. One glance at
the little drawn face resting OH her arm,
| l,,l>
that dread disease, the Group. Every.
thing was done for the little sufferer
that tho distracted parents could do.
They were young and inexperienced,
and all night long they fought for the
life Of their littlo one, but all In vain.
Just as the first glimmer Of light ap-
peared in the cast the spirit of baby
Ruth took it's flight. Tho young mother,
wild with grief, pressed the form of her
DAZZLING to her breast, moaning and say
| ing over and nver again, "Baby is
| deadP' She refused to let her husband
take the little one from her. She would
never give It up; no, ncveri All that day
they remained in camp. Toward evening
tho wife became calmer, and standing
hear the wagon with tho babe in her
arms she saw her husband dig the little
grave, and when it was finished a rudo
box was made, and she tenderly laid her
baby to rest, with her own hands plac-
ing 1T in tho grave, and rs tho dirt rat,
tied down OH tho lid she fell senseless
into her husbands arms.
After filling the grave tho young IA
thcr took two little sprouts of Lombardy
poplar that he had in tho wagon, sot-
ting ono at each end of tho grave, and
cutting the words "Baby Ruth" Oh a
pieco of board he placed it at the head
Of the little mound, and then they re-
sumed their journey. Years passed, and
road was laid near the spot. Tho pop
lars grew and became living monu-
ment. The pieco of board that had told
tho little ones name was annually re-
placed by somo kind hand
Time passed quickly, and May 10
had come and gone 35 times since baby
Ruth was laid to rest in the wilder
ness; tho poplars had grown to DO
trees and stood i'll q cleared field near
the roadside; the surrounding forest had
long since disappeared. A board was
nailed to tho treos with tho words "Ba-
by Ruth" painted Oh It, a carriage was
| pt1SoAhfo W NIlSlI Viz lllfClJ lll clNtcl
man, glanced toward tho trees and saw
tho inscription. He looked at. tho trees
and at the sign, hitched his horse made
inquiry Of farmer near by as to the
meaning of tho sign and was told that
whom he camo to tho country ho found
tho little grave marked with rude
board, and that he had spared the trees
ana nailed up anew board. His inform
ant wondered at tho emotion Of tho
stranger, who staid with him overnight,
but his wonder ceased when ho was told
the story Of baby Ruth as have written
it, The wife and mother had died some
two years before. Other children had
come to bless her, but sho never forgot
her frstborm and the little grave in tho
wilderness. A beautiful monument now
marks the spot where sleeps baby Ruth.
Van Buren, County Republican.
| A Years WOrlt of the Pastcur Institute.
fVhn o,nn1o oP tbn Docfanr tn