The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-08-29
SCHOOL OF PIONEER DAYS
TRIBUTE TO EARLY EDUCATORS BY
SENATOR c. w. FAIRBANKS.
Presentation of Roberts SchooIhouse
Address-Chautauqu Is Opened.
,ecial to the Indianapolis Journal.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
RICHMOND, Ind, Aug. 2S.-The Rich
mond Chautauqua opened this afternoon.
Just previous to the opening. and incidental
to it. the old Roberts schoolhouse, which
was the first one in Wayne county, was
formally presented TO the city. Albert w.
Reed recently had the building removed
from the old Roberts homestead and placed
in the city park. Ii was put into good
condition and a bronze tablet on IL an
nounces that it is dedicated to the memory
of the early educators and the friends OF
education. The presentation speech was
made by Captain t. w. o. Braffett. w.
E. jenkins spoke in behalf OF the Park
Board. DR.. l. s. Harold, whose mother
was born in the old building when it was
used as dwelling, gave short history OF
it. The chief speech was made by Senator
Charles w. Fairbanks. who said In part:
THE old log schoolhouse possesses a fas-
and preserve it. Why? Because Of its as
ISOLATION with the pioneers who laid the
foundation or this county and the State. 1t
links the splendid present with a noble
past; the present-a day OF large things,
with the pasta day or small beginnings.
We pay tribute to il because ii tells us OF
the love or the pioneers for education.
With the log dwelling our fathers erected
the log church and the log schoolhouse.
They loved the home and they had &
quenchless love Of religion and education.
III We would have the secret OF our present
eminence and fame. we Will find IL in the
adherence to these great influences, which
inspired the pioneers and which abide to-
day in their children. That community
which is built upon the church and the
schoolhouse rests as upon rock, and will
abide.
"Ninety-one years have come and gone
since the boys and girls Of the pioneer
times CLEANED knowledge and acquired
strength for the duties of citizenship in this
| modest, storm beaten log house. How
things have changed in that long, and yet
brief period OF time. In 1872 Indiana. ma
jestic State that she is. had not taken her
place among the great sisterhood of States.
Then Napoleon was In the full meridian OF
his power; that year he made his fateful
march TO Moscow, and few years later his
| sun set at Waterloo.
This venerable structure saw the close
of the second. and we hope the last, war
with Great Britain, and it has witnessed
| the overthrow OF the curse Of human slav-
cry in the United States. II 1t could speak
| what a splendid story il could tell OF the
| arduous work Of building a republic.
Those who erected this venerable build
| the equality of all men before the law;
| they mad a firm unyielding faith in our
| republican institutions, and while they
loved peace. they would give their lives 10
uphold the national honor.
| I'VE do well TO pay the tribute Of our
/ love and affection TO those who so splendid
ly laid the foundation Of our present civili-
| cation in the early days of the last century.
| How noble and how self-sacrincing the
| pioneers were who faced the perils and
| hardships of the wilderness In Wayne coun-
| ty a century agoi We look upon her pres
ent growth and development with pride
and satisfaction. There is no better civili-
| cation anywhere than We find here. To
what and to whom are we indebted for
it? To many influences; but to none more
| than to the patriotic, virtuous. self-sacrific-
ing, God-fearing people who erected the log
| cabin in the wilderness and who placed be-
| side it the log church and the log school
| house."