The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-05-13
A PIONEER SKETCH.
A TOUCHING TALE OF A BURIAL IN
THE WILDERNESS.


Tho Lonely Grave OF Little Ruth, Which
Was Cared For by Some Kindly HIND
For Thirty-fve Years-A Mothers Awful
Grief Almost Alone In tho Forest.
In the year 1920 steady stream of
immigration was flowing into the terri
tory Of Michigan Tho ever restless poo
pie Of the east had heard wonderful sto-
ries Of the abundance of game and great
fertility Of soil to be found in the now
territory, and the sturdy, adventure
some farmers Of rocky New England
were pushing their way westward, with
the hope Of finding the FL 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 aud Indians, half breeds and
soldiers were mingled In a chaotic mass.
Among tho great throng Of homo seek
ers that left Detroit on the 3D. 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 homo seekers that were
pushing their way into the wilderness
of Michigan, hoping by their energy
and perseverance, to build up homo for
themselves and ON inheritance for their
children.
The road westward from Detroit fol-
lowed ON old Indian trail, and by con-
slant travel tho 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-
ris, and oil went well for few days.
After camping ono night the wind sud-
denly shifted to tho nor thwest and q cold
rain set In This was the eighth day
after leaving Detroit. Tho company that
they had begun their Journey with had
gradually dropped off. and for two days
they had travelled alone, alone in the
great Wilderness, unprotected savo what
protection the canvas covered wagons
gave them Was 1t any wonder that as
they listened to tho howl of tho wolf
and the boot Of tho owl they became a
little homesick? Harris had rlado a
great fire Of dry brush, and whilo it was
burning brightly the family had gone
to sleep From this sleep tho young
mother was aroused by sharp, hoarse
cough from her baby She Immediately
awoko her husband, fresh fuel was
thrown on the fire, and as 1t blazed up
the young mother peerod anxiously into
the face Of baby Ruth Ono glance ut
the littlo drawn face resting on her arm,
and the mother knew that the baby had
that dread disease, tho Group Every
thing was done for the little sufferer
that tho distracted parents could do.
They werc young and inexperienced,
and all night long they fought for the
life Of their little one, but all In vain.
Just as tho first glimmcr of light ap-
peared III the east the spirit of baby
Ruth took its flight The young mother,
wild with grief, pressed the form Of her
darling to 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, never! All that day
they remained in camp. Toward evening
the vito became calmcr, and standing
near tho wagon with the babe in her
arms she saw her husband dig the little
grave, and when it was finished rude
box was made, and she tenderly laid her
baby to rest, with her own hands plac-
ing 1t In the grave, and as the dirt rat
tied down Oh the lid she fell scnscless
into her husbands arms.
After filling the grave tho young ia
ther took two little sprouts of Lombardy
poplar that he had in the wagon, set
ting ono-at each end of the grave, and
cutting tho words Baby Ruth" OH
piece of board he placed it at tho head
OF the little mound, and then they re
sumcd their journey. Years passed, and
road was laid near tho spot. The pop
lars grew and became a living monu-
mcnt. 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 como and gono 35 times since baby
Ruth was laid to rest In the wilder
ness; the poplars had grown to be
trees and stood in q 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 OH 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 a farmer near by as to the
meaning of the sign and was told that