The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1912-06-10
WEDNESDAY is WILD ROSE DAY
Secretary Wrightn1an Urges Iowans
to Wear official Flower on
State Birthday.

Des Moines Register and Leader:
Iowa will celebrate her seventy-fourth
birthday next Wednesday, June r.
On June IL. 1888, President Van
Buren, signed the act that made Iowa
a territory. Since that day, the state
has enjoyed as great prosperity as
any in the union. Seventy-four years
after her birth, Iowa is now one OF
the wealthiest and most productive
areas of it's size on earth The sew
enty-fourths birthday is worthy of OBJ
servance.
Although no plans have been made
for elaborate demonstrations and cele-
brations. CT Iowa day" commercial
organizations of the state are urging
simple but effective observance of
the day. The plan has been suggest
ed by G. A. Wrightman, secretary of
the Iowa State Manufacturers asso-
citation, and seconded by the Iowa
League of Commercial clubs.
The observance of the day will con-
all true Iowans on Iowa day, similar
to the custom carried out by all true
sons of ireland of wearing shamrocks
on ST. Patrick's day.
Established by Law.
The wild rose is the official flower
of Iowa. The general assembly es-
tablished the official flower by con-
current resolution adopted on May I,
1897. At this time of the year the
wild rose is in bloom and the Iowa
boosters are promoting the idea of
having the flower worn on Iowa's ma
tai day.
G. A. Wrightman, secretary of the
Iowa State Manufacturers association,
is one of the leaders of the movement
He has communicated with all
branches of the association in the
state and urged that Iowa day be OBJ
served. o. R. Mcdonald, secretary of
the Iowa League of Commercial Clubs,
has sent letters to all clubs In the
league, reminding them of the fact
that June IL is Iowa's birthday, anu
asking them that the day be observed
ION May Z, 1897, the general as.
sembly OF Iowa, by concurrent resolu-
ton, officially adopted the Wild rose
as the state flower Of Iowa." said Mr.. |
Wrightman. This should rank among
the greatest things that our assembly
has ever done 1t may take worry and
wire pulling to get a law made on
taxes, railroads or highways: but it (
takes taste and refinement, much high (
er qualities, to make law on a STARE
flower.
No Better Choice.
NO better choice could have been 1
made; for, although the roses bloom |
III over the world, the dainty wild 1
'ose of the prairie is at home in our
slens and dells and on the broad /,
sweep of the upland meadows. 1t is
If good family, cousin to the apple,
King of fruits, little sister to the
treat red rose. queen of flowers. It
beautifully typifes Iowa.
Now Iowa was born on June 10.
$50. On that day President Van
3uren signed the act that made Iowa !
separate entity. gave it a local habi-
alton and a name. That day the ex-
stence OF Iowa was assured That is
he day that all Iowa should celebrate
ut Just happens that Iowa's natal
lay falls upon time when the wild
-ose is out in its bloom and beauty all
oyer Iowa. The dells End meadows
celebrate the Gay: shall We be less
rue to Iowa We wear shamrock
or st. Patrick. Shall we not wear
Wild rose for Iowa?
"a nuestinn has hnnn hre...i..