The Spanish Fork press. [volume] (Spanish Fork, Utah) 1902-current, 1909-02-18
TREE PRIDE OF IOWA
AGED ELM AT LIE CLAIRE VENEER
ATED BY CITIZENS.
Sturdy Forest King That Has Seen
Generations Grow Up Measures
More Than 100 Feet in
Circumference.

lie Claire, Ia.-There are many fa
venerated or more interesting than the
"Old Green Tree of the Mississippi
valley 1t stands near the banks of
the river in lie Claire. How long 1t
has stood there nobody knows II
was there when the first white men
came to this section, spreading its
branches wide and inviting the weary
wanderer in the wilderness to rest
himself in their shade 1t stood there
long before that, for it has a place
in the traditions of the red men of
the Mississippi valley.
This old tree could not help being
conspicuous landmark. 1t is not as tall
as trees grow. but 1t spreads far.
From circumference to circumference
Ii measures more than hundred feet.
and 1t would take line more than 300
feet long to measure around its outer.
most branches. 1t is an elm and re
markably well preserved. 1t has stood
probably for several centuries, and il
looks good for another century or two.
In the days of the fifties, before lie
Claire had the title of city, the tree
was a favorite resort for the boys.
and their old swimming hole was un.
der its shade. Few of those boys are
left today. Some we're killed or died
in the civil war, some emigrated to the
land of gold and never returned while
others have been dropping off one by
one.
In more recent years, and during the
time that rafting and river traffic was
at its height. the tree was home for
tramps and buns. and also river men
who were broke and waiting to catch
boat either up or down the river, 1t
often making little difference which.
1t was by these men given the name
of THE Green Tree hotel" hence the
name Green Tree" and it is now
known as such from one end of the
Mississippi to the other. If the old
tree could talk 1t doubtless could re-
veal many dark and deep-laid plot
to crack a safe or hold up a train, for
all kinds of men have found rest and
shelter under its broad and protecting
branches.
The devotion of the people is obvi-
Gus. The grass plot on which the tree
stands is surrounded by a fence, and
the trunk of the tree is protected by a
fence Also so no one can approach
close enough to mar or deface it.
When the promoters of the d., r. /.
& N w. railroad were asking for
franchise from the city and property
on which to locate their depot and
switches 1t was first thought that the
tree would have to be removed in or.
der to provide the required amount of
room. But the council refused to vote
for the franchise If the tree had to be
sacrificed. Fortunately the plans were
changed, and when Frank p. Blair. the
principal promoter, gave them a guar
antee that not single bough should
ever be molested so long as branch
remained alive, then, and only then,
the council voted for the franchise.
A cannon stands near the base of
the tree. This piece of artillery was
presented to the city by the John r.
Ruckman post, with the understanding
that it be placed beneath the branches
of the old tree, there to remain until
they cease to be green In the dark
days of the rebellion this cannon as
sisted in protecting the Stars and
Stripes. Now ii is keeping guard over
the famous "Old Green Tree of the
mississippi River"