The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1909-03-01
TREE PRIDE OF IOWA
AGED ELM AT LIZ 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 IA
nous old trees in Iowa, but none more
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 II
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. Ii stood there
long before that, for It has place
in the traditions of the red men Of
the Mississippi valley.
This old tree could not help being a
conspicuous landmark. 1t is not as tall
as trees grow, but it spreads far.
From circumference to circumference
1t measures more than a hundred feet,
and 1t would take a line more than 800
feet long to measure around it's outer
most branches. 1t is an elm and re-
markably well preserved. 1t has stood
probably for several centuries, and it
looks good for another century or two.
In the days of the fifties, before Le
Claire had the title of city, the tree
was favorite resort for the boys,
and their old swimming hole was I'M
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 trafflc was
at its height, the tree was a home for
tramps and buns, and also river men
who were broke and waiting to catch
n boat either mp or down the river. it
often making little difference which.
1t was by these men given the name
Of The Green Tree hotel" hence the
name Green Tree" and 1t Is now
known as such from one end Of the
Mississippi 10 the other. If the old
tree could talk it doubtless could re-
veal many a 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 or which the tree
stands is surrounded by fence, and
the trunk of the tree Is protected by
fence also, so no one can approach
close enough 10 mar or deface 1t.
When the promoters Of the D., II, l.
G. n. w. railroad were asking for
franchise from the city and property
on which to locate their depot and
switches It was fAt thought that the
tree would have tphe removed In or
der to provide the required amount of
room. But the council refused to vote
for the franchise II the tree had to be
sacrificed. Fortunately the plans We're
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 a 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.
Ruckmasl post. with the understanding
that it be placed beneath the branches
Of the old tree, there to remain until
they cease TO be green. r. the dark
days of the rebellion this cannon as
sisted in protecting the Stars and
Stripes Now it is keeping guard over
the famous odd Green Tree of the
Mississippi River"