The Oskaloosa herald., 1917-03-08

ada, that was nearer the market, wa
the only thing that saved these trees
unearthed to us from countless age
ago. and great was the disappointment
among the promoters and owners 0
the scheme.
There are fourteen National Parks
which, considering their large area
would enable some to say there wai
ample space for playground for the
people of the United States. But
since there are more than one hun
bred million people, it is a good thin:
they do not all want to play at tht
same time There is no government
reservation of any size in the Mis-
sissippi Valley There are many peo
pie living in this region who could Wis
it place so accessible, but would
probably never take a trip to any OF
the other parks.
Reason For Preserving.
One of the most important reasons
for preserving this locality in Iowa, is
to provide a good sized game pre-
serve. 1t would form a haven for our
fast disappearing animals and birds.
The question of game protection has
only of late years aroused interest.
Our fore fathers found dense forests,
streams full of fish and game in abund-
ance, both large and small and for
more than 300 years the destruction of
all of these things was called improve
ment. 1t was long before the con
science of the people was awakened
but now the work of preserving and
restoring some of our wild life is not
looked upon as mere sentiment. There
was a generation that knew the game
of America was doomed, yet it was
with much difficulty and much OPP
position that the first protective game
law was enacted.
Col. Roosevelt in his african Game
Trails" tells OF game preserve along
the Uganda Railway to Nairobi. Let
me quote a passage from his book.
"All civilized governments are now
that it is their duty here and
there to preserve unframed tracts OF
wild nature with thereon the wild
things the destruction of which means
the destruction of half the charm of
wild nature. The English government
has made large game reserve or
much of the region on the way TO
stretching far to the south
and one mile north of the tracks. The
reserve swarms with game Col.
Roosevelt rode through most of this
on an improvised seat on the
of the locomotive. He
ellis of the many, many kinds OF ami
mails and birds He says it was like
passing through vast geological
GARDEN. Sometimes a herd of Zebras
would run across the track only
short way head of the train and stop
md turn to gaze. They felt no fear,
as he expressed 1.-THE wild crea.
lures were in their sanctuary and
they knew it,"
One of the last things Major Lacey
lid in congress was to assist in Great
ng in Oklahoma the Wichita National
Bison Range. which is now pro
bounced success. He had a great hope
hat the bison could yet be saved and
would not join the number of extinct
species of animals whose bones we.sec
II muueums. There were not more
han / 900 buffalo in the whole world
when with much opposition, he Sc
,ured an appropriation OF $l5,OO0, to
establish a herd in the Yellowstone
Park. So much for the buffalo.
Wild Creatures in Iowa.
We have some wild creatures in
Owa that would be happy with place
n which to live in safety without any
appropriation to move in more of
heir family. The delta of the Wis
:onsin and adjoining lowlands would
orm a great refuge for aquatic birds.
\ similar region near New Orleans
vas recently created a bird refuge.
Iowa will soon be so thoroughly cul-
ivated that if we do not have care,
here will not be so much as a rest
ng place for game of any kind. In our
ounty there are hardly a fourth of
he places in the woods for a picnic
'uting, that there we're some twenty
ears ago. We should save perman.
.ntly some of our beautiful trees be-
ore our state is given over entirely to
rain fields.
/ have a copy of the bill which
vas introduced in the House of Rep
February 2Srd, 1916, byl
dr. Haugen. 1t asks for the establish,
nent of the Mississippi Valley Ma
ional Park near Prairie du Crien.
Wis. and McGregor, Iowa. The bill
mentions less than 1000 acres. 1t,
that the secretary of the
Interior investigate the proposed place
or a park This has been done dur
ng the last two months. Mr.. Nj. L.
)orr, an Inspector from the depart
nent, was at McGregor number OF
weeks. While he was there, ! wrote
linn and will read you his reply, which
hows willingness to receive suggest
ons.
"McGregor. Iowa,
December 16. 1917
drs. Bernice Lacey Sawyer,
Ioxya