The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1910-10-14
BEMIDjl SEES THE PASSING OF Thu
LUMBER.JACK.

The dollars which started through
her marts of trade came all from the
stake of the lumberjack. But the
jacks are becoming scarce. From
personages who were rendered the
keys of the City" in the old days
the remaining few must now have a
care for the rules and conventions
of more complex circles as they
60.
Cement has driven the hob-nails
and the spikes from our walks and
the building pavement will soon give
poor Jack sore footing in the streets.
He is no longer a familiar figure in
our midst. The passing trains of
logs and yearly drives have sent
him farther west, for your true
lack" heeds no call save that of
woods. He is going for he has
done his work.
We have fought hard for a New
Bemidji'', and we are pleased with
the result, though we Still have a
corner in our hearts for the old.
How easy to close the eyes-and
looking back over the vista of a few
short years see big Bemidg" in all
her after dark glory. The lights are
bright all along "Whiskey Row.
From the numerous thirst parlors
come sounds of boisterous talk and
the tramp of heavy feet. Riddles
scrape-aud there is loud voiced
laughter and much of ribald song.
An occasional splinter Ays from the
pine floor as some bibulous celebrant
steps a jig. Yes,-and we can hear
the call of numbers and the roll of
the ivory ball: "Seventeen-the
black wins. Green? You lose. Cent
er column-two for one." There is
the rattle of poker chips; and the
droning voice of dealer tell of a
vacant seat in the "gentleman's
game" From the brilliantly lighted
corner across the street comes the
strains of an electric piano, the
crank of slot machines, and at in
tervals the whistle of an artificial
bird. Over there at times the play
runs high, there is the sring of coin,
the clink of glass, and the night is
on
But Bemidji has seen the parting
of the ways. Gambling is a thing
of the past. When we gaze at her
buildings of brick, her wide walks,
her paved streets, and her beautiful
homes; see her schools and hear the
ringing of her Sabbath bells,-when
we see her wealth, her responsibility
and her thrift-let US feel proud, but
let US stop and give a passing thought
to the lacks" who helped US on our
way.
A reckless, daring, improvident
type, always, your true lumber
Jack-few responsibilities that he
will realize or which recognize him;
with line of traditions for honesty,
loyalty and generosity which he never
bellies, he is filled with the red blood
of the great vanguard of civilization,
and leads a life that lisa pictur-
esque responsibility. Seldom with
domestic ties, he is off to the woods
in the Fall, down river again in the
Spring, strong and vigorous in his
health, rich in pocket, and with a
lust for the game which finds him
only too easy prey. Back to the
drive, the town, and a twice told
tale.
Confident in his strength, proud
of his casts, rough,-mayhap too
rough in his speech, yet he scorns
the ways of his more effete brethren
in the East and cares not a whit for
the propaganda of polite society.
But his task is a task for the strong.
His work is a mans and it is well
done; for it is not the part of a weak.
ling to battle with the logs. 1t is
for the lumber-jack to blaze the trails
and open the way for the gentlel
work,-if such work indeed may be
termed gentle,-of the plow. And
for this achievement of his prime