The Progress., 1894-05-12

A TOUCHING TA-E OF A BURIAL y
THE WILDERNESS.

Grief Almost Alone In the Forest.
In the year 1929 steady stream OF {
was flowing into the terri :
tory Of Nichigan. 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 III 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 OF
their dreams.
Detroit, at this time, was sight to
behold. Its streets were thronged with
the covered wagons Of the immigrants
Hunters and Indians, half breeds and
soldiers were mingled in achaotlc mass.
Among the great thrOng Of home seek
ers that left Detroit Oh 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
covered wagon, and bidding goodby to |
friends and relatives had joined that |
endless stream Of home seekers that were
pushing their way into the wilderness
Of Michigan, hoping BY their energy
and perseverance to build up q homo tor
themselves and an inheritance for their
children.
The road westward from Detroit fol
lowed an old Indian trail, and by con
slant travel the mud had become SO
deem that it was almost lmpasSablc
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 all went we'll for q few days.
After camping one night the wind sud
denlv 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 days
they had travelled alone, alone III the
great wilderness, unprotected save what
6 protection the canvas covered wagons
gave them. Was it any wonder that as
+ they listened to the howl Of the wolf
E and the boot of the owl they became a
, little homesick? Harris had made q
great fire Of dry brush, and while it was
burning brightly the family had gone
4 to sleep. From this sleep the young
, mother was aroused by sharp, hoarsG
I cough from her baby. She Immediately
+ awoke her husband, fresh fuel was
r, thrown on the fire, and as it blazed VI
4 the young mother peered anxiously int
!. the face of baby Ruth. One glance a
;s the little drawn face resting on her arm
- and the mother knew that the baby hat
II that dread disease, the Group. Every
h thing was done for the little sut1ere
~ that the distracted parents could DO
IN They were young and inexperienced
and all night long they fought for tn
life of their little one, but all in vain
Just as the first glimmer Of light az
So peared in the east the spirit OF bah
va Ruth took its flight. The young mother
as wild with grief, pressed the form OF ne
IT, darling to her breast, moaning and say
de ing over and over again, baby
Of deadr' She refused to let her husban
,st take the little one from her. She Woul
n never give it up; no, never! All that ola
X. they remained in camp Toward evenlr
cd the wife became calmer, and standl1
,xt near the wagon with the babe III h
+ arms she saw her husband dig the lit
he grave, and when it was finished ru'
cal box was made, and she tenderly laid h
re- baby to rest, with her own hands pla
ras ING it in the grave, and as the dirt re-
ocs tied down on the lid she fell sensele
into her husbands arms
es After filling the grave the young
avs ther took two little sprouts OF Lombar
ore poplar that ne had in the wagon, St
-ith TING one at each end Of the grave, a
Of cutting the words "Baby Ruth" OF
ex- piece Of board he placed it at the he
rle of the little mound, and then they
was sumed their journey. Years passed, a
low a road was laid near the spot. The p
7th- lars grew and became q living MOI
cor ment. The piece Of board that had t.
-ant the little GOES name was annually
n in placed by some kind hand
Time passed quickly, and May
had come and gone 80 times since bi
Ruth was laid to rest i'll the WHO
has. ness; the poplars had grown to
.o,,, trens and stood in a cleared field L
,trv. the roadside; the surrounding forest
ere long since disappeared A board
Pms. nailed to the trees with the words >
al bv Ruth" painted on it. A carriage
cred passing by when the driver, an eld
very man, glanced toward the trees and
made the inscription, He looked at the t
the and at the sign, hitChed his horse, n
nm. inquiry of farmer near by as to
cting meaning Of the sign and was told
oven when he came to the country he &c
and the little grave marked with a
: div board, and that he had spared the
into and nailed up anew board. His inf
iclns ant wondered at the emotion OF
worn stranger, who staid with him overnl
obooo Init his wonder ceased when he was
wool, the story of baby Ruth as have WI
GRANT il. The wife and mother had died
,onse two years before. Other children
,ls - come to bless her, but she never +
her firstborn and the little grave i
wilderness. A beautiful monument