The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1914-09-18

should by any chance any misfortune
overcome any of those early pioneers.
all the neighbors were ready and will
ing to extend to them helping hand
and to assist them until such times
as they should again become self-sus-
timing. It is different now.
county's Patrlarchs Did Their Part.
Lee county's early pioneers greatly
aided and assisted and did their full
share in developing and opening up
the then great western wilderness.
which at that early date was known
as wisconsin territory, later on as
Iowa territory and afterwards. in the
year 1916, was admitted into the gal
axy OF states. as Iowa.
Those early pioneers blazed and
opened up trails and wagon roads
through dense woods and trackless
prairies which were then bowling
wilderness only populated with fero-
cious wild animals and large and
small game OF nearly every species
known in this country, that were only
occasionally disturbed by the WILD
men Of the forest on their annual
hunts or forays against the settlers
or other tribes of Indins.
Aid In coionlzing West.
Our early pioneers pushed out from
the great Mississippi river further
into the interior. built houses, opened
up small farms, which made stopping
places for new corners, and by this
means made 1t possible for emigra-
tioE to gradually push on further in
to the interior to open up new farms
further west, start new towns, also
to place ferries across streams, open
up new trails and roads; and It was
by this means of our hardy early pio-
neers that first crossed the great
Father Of Waters" between Keokuk
and st. Paul and radiated west be-
tween these various points across the
state Of Iowa, which has in few
short years, and within the memory
of our older citizens now living, be-
come one Of the greatest and grand
est states In the union.
Many of these early, fearless, hardy
pioneers, becoming restless and want
ing more elbow room. we're among
those who sold out their claims in
Iowa at an early date and pushed on
and on further westward into the will
derness, opening up new ranches. put
ting in new ferries, blazing roads or
trails, which formed stepping stones
by which means the plains and the
Rocky mountains were crossed, the
Pacific ocean reached, the fierce red
men OF the continent conquered and
a continent out Of a bowling wilder
ness reclaimed to civilization, and the
states and territories carved out OF
this wild wilderness are now an en-
pire, peopled with many million Of
our most progressive, prosperous and
enterprising citizens Of the United
States or the world, and who have de-
veloped the country; and many hun
dreds OF their citizens have, in few
short years and in the memory Of our
old pioneers still living. become lead
ers Of men in wealth and progress.
Craig Makes Speech.
When it was found that Miller Ham
ilton could not be present because OF
his sudden attack OF illness, o. c..
Herminghausen was selected to fill
his place on the program. Justice
Horace e. Deemer was unable to at
tend the reunion and speak, as had
been arranged, and his place was TAX
en- by the Hon. John E. Craig of this
city. Both men very acceptably sub
stituted for the original speakers.
At the election Of officers held fol-
lowing the exercises, the Hon. j. p.
Cruikshank was elected president. The
other officers will remain the same
for the coming year.