The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1911-02-18
M. LUTHER WEST
VISITS BATTLEFIELD

Continued from Page
forever" Winding around the Hills
and over the valleys between these
lines of dead sentinels, the govern
ment has constructed permanent
roads. has cleared away all unsightIy
buildings, and fences no under
brush LETT standing, but tall shape
ly trees cover nearly the entire
park. In one instance ! noticed an
almost impregnable pine forest, and
thought to myself its the only place
could be induced to go into battle,
I'd ratherbe a coward for five min
utes than a corpse the rest of my
lite, a living coward rather than a
dead hero. No war for me- thank you.
There is not sufficient honor for the
dead, TO justify rushing iuto the Jaws
of battle ms with all due regard
for those who did.
The defeated army, with its de-
pleted treasury. have set up large
limestone markers, six feetx high
the only reminders of a lost cause,
while to the fallen, Of the success
full army have been erected hundreds,
in marble and bronze as costly as
money can buy Illinois, Ohio ana
New York, sparing no limit. AT the
north and south ends of an open so
acre field, appears to have occurred
the deadliest conflict Some fifteen
or twenty mounted cannons, at eth
er end in original position, are plac'
ed on large limestone footings, fac
ing each other, causes a shade OF
fear for one to pass between them.
So enthusiastic did many become,
in order to perpetuate the occasion,
costly and beautiful private monu-
ments, towers, and tablets have
been erected all over the park Gen.
eral Wilder's tower. Of 160 steps,
costing over $4,000, which is sit
uated on a knoll in this open field
referred to, ana from which much
Of the great park can be seen, being
one OF the most striking. Near this
| tower is what was known as the
Bloody Pond being the only water
accessible for the well or wounsoi
soldier
Great pyramls of cannon balls
mark tho headquarters Of the dir,
e1t comma 1ding off rs: Widow
Glens Cottage, Snodgrass House
the old tannery and the blacksmith
shop, are the only building left as
a mark of 'Befo de Wah.' It was
IN this historic park that $4,000 OF
the Spanish American soldiers were
encamped and yet with all our mod
ern methods, pure food, and santa
tiOn, it is recorded the per cent O
sickness and death from natura
causes was greater than experience
| by the sturdy sons of The sixties.
All that remains visible of the ma
terial cost of this awful war is th,
scores of cold gray shaft emblemi
and markers Of every war SYMBOL
costing perhaps many millions-o
less value than the blades of grass O
withered leaves upon which they fell
n comparison to the cost OF human
souls
visit to the National cemeter.
confirms the awful result that follow
ed from this fe arful fighting Thos
Of our army who gave up their live
on that open eighty, and it is sal,
not vacant yard square but bor
the dead form of a yesterday
brave hero, was buried in grea
bitches by the hundreds. -Sixtee
years later all that remained O
their sacred forms were transferre
to this beautifully wooded cemetery
where they now repose in long lon
rows, reaching on and on and Cl
and the end is not yet, for that po
tiOn thus covered reaches from hi
to hill in similar formation to th
one they occupied while In defena
Of the country they died to save
Their silent markers bearing ii
known. unknown, they speak nuc
but say little To our enemy the
became known. to our country III
known.
Unfurl the white banner high in tn
air
Arbitration" the motto be sung e
erywhere
BY all nations forever cruel fghtiu
shall cease
Oh welcome, thrice welcome, broa
day of peace"
Nj LUTHER WEST