The Mena weekly star., 1908-01-02

THE NEW YEAR.

llliS lS Jllc udJ WilCil iio dciiJ PG- per is supposed to be complete with out an editorial on the New Year. In undertaking to conform to GUS tom the thought will intrnde that for eleven years past another hand, impelled by another heart, and guided by another brain, has written the New Year editorials for The Star.
 One year ago on New Years day A. w. St. John had just returned to his home from visit of two weeks in three cities with those of his own blood. We who are left know now that he knew when he reached home that he would probably never again with earthly eyes see the ones he had travelled to visit. As we look back and remember the lingering look, the loving, clinging hand clasp, we marvel that we too did not realize more clearly the thought that was in his mind.
 We who were blessed by being closest to him know him first as a man of love. His love of his family was such that no sacrifice was weighed as against the welfare and happiness of it's members. He loved humanity and his great regret was his inability to do more and yet more for its uplifting.
 And he loved Mena and it's insti;u- tions, and it's people. His work for it's good was his way of expressing that love. A blow at Mena was a blow at his heart.
 So clearly was his life interwoven with that of the Beautiful City of the Ozarks, as he loved to call it, that when it was so sorely threatt ned year ago he found the load of anxiety very trying to his strength. But he did not falter; he worked and prayed and hoped for the best to the end, and while yet in the full strength of his usefulness, passed from this to another world-before the load was lifted.
 The event of the past year that will always stand out as the great upward turning point in the history of Mena was the decision Of the directors of the Kansas City South ern that there could be found no better route for that road through the Ozark mountains than that through this city. That start d the tide of prosperity back toward Mena, vacant houses were re-occupied, new houses and business blocks were constructed, business took up it's old healthy stride and smiles of easy contentment replaced lines of worry and dispair.
 After that there were number of good things that helped. The selection of Mena for the big rail- road hospital, and the addition or miles of new trackage and thous- -nds of dollars in other permanent im- provements in the railroad yards here. And these things gave greater impetus to other movements of pub lie nature, such as the building of churches, the improvement of parks and the building of sidewalks. Probably at no time in the history of Mena has so much money been given to public and charitable causes as during the past twelve months. The people have shown their faith in and their love for Mena by freely contributing of their means to make | it greater, and better, and more beautiful. The tHtal amount thus given would amount to considerably more than $l0 for every man in the city. But the men did not do all. The women and the children were ever ready to do their full part. With all these things Mena has grown in vitality, in strength and in
 eauty.
 But we are, at the entrance to the New Year. but at the beginning As our strength and power to do has developed, so, too, have our obliga- | tions. Our little city must go on in 1 ;to orrouyth Wa ponct loOk upon if