The Oskaloosa herald., 1917-03-08
THE PROPOSED PARK
MRS. SAWYER READS VALUABLE
PAPER ON SUBJECT.

ing of the Domestic Science Depart
ment of the Oskaloosa Woman's Club
Mrs. Sawyer is a member of the Con
seryation Committee of the State Fed
Grafton of Woman's Clubs. The paper
contains much of historic value am
is OF general interest.
The Proposed Park.
'At the request of our Secretary OF
the Iowa Forestry and Conservative
Association, | am to tell something
OF our proposed National Park for
Iowa.
AT the last meeting here, one year
ago, there was ably presented TO us
by two gentlemen from McGregor, the
plan for . park, and a discussion also
by Mrs. Whitley, President of the
Iowa Federation OF Woman's Clubs.
This was the beginning of the work
OF this association in its behalf. Since
then work has been started in many
directions to accomplish our aim, that
OF National Park along the banks
Of the Mississippi River near McGreg-
or, Iowa, and we are all hoping for
its ultimate success. Its location and
wondrous beauty have been pictured
By others much more conversant with
its interesting features than ] am,
bat ! wish TO say a few words and
perhaps add one or two new thoughts.
Some of the facts about this region in
the Mississippi that every one should
know are, just its historical interest.
Pixies Peak was the first land in the
northwest to he seen by the white
nan. Father Marquette and Louis
Joliet. nearly $50 years ago went to
explore new countries, by the order
of the Governor of Canada, and com
ing into the Mississippi from the Wis
consin River, the priest lifted the
gold cross in his hand toward the new
land and breathed a prayer of Thanks
giving. He later told King Louis the
siTht was 'inexpressibly grand" Our
government might well recognize this
important event by park as a
to these discoveries. II
was also on Pixies Peak that the first
American flag was raised over the
northwest territory 1t was placed
there by General Pike in 1905. 1t has
really a prior claim TO its name than
Colorado's well known mountain. The
view from this point is as beautiful
water scene as can be seen anywhere
in America. Our former townsman,
Major S. III. NJ. Byers. who has spent
so many years abroad, SAYS there is
nothing more enhancing in all Eu-
rope
Prehistoric Mounds.
There are remarkable prehistoric
mounds in the hills that great scien-
lists have carefully examined and ex.
pressed wonder that the Government
has not already preserved them from
The Pictured Rocks"
are solid cliffs 200 feet high, of color
ed sandstone. verging from ivory
white TO brilliant orange and scarlet.
There are beautiful waterfalls; acres
Of loveliost water lilies in the lakes
and bayous. Here is a real forest pri-
meval Oaks standing there as they
we're when the white man came TO
Iowa. 1t has ever been the policy OF
The owners that no timber should be
cut. There is a location undisturbed
other than by the forces OF nature,
since the glacial period.
We should all know the beginning
Of the town of McGregor. Opposite,
had been established the famous Fort
Crawford at Prairie de Chen, the
scene of many historical events. There
fook place Indian conferences; there,
traders. trapperS and hunters congre-
gated in those early days, and as i'm
migration came west. a road was built
opposite the Fort and a ferry operated
and connected the two. The two
brothers sold their eighty
acres of land in the heart of Chicago
% buy this Ferry site, believing it
vas to be the great city of the west.
During the few years following, these
men bought hills and valleys for ten
miles around, and the property has
ever belonged to the heirs of this es-
late. A few weeks ago. Mrs. Mum, !
one of the heirs living in New York
City, offered to donate her portion OF
The land. If the park were established.
We all realize that no matter how
positive we are, that our object is ,
good and worthy, and though it seems
TO us, that we should con-
vince others of its desirability, yet
now often are We disappointed 1t is
not an easy matter to influence con-
gress.
He Finally Won Out.
! would like to tell you an experience
1f my father, Major Lacey, in CON
sress, between the years OF 1896 and
1902. He endeayored during these six
years. to secure the enactment OF a !
aw creating National Park of the
y wonderful Petrified Forest of Arizona.
His bill passed the house three times
but was not acted upon in the senate. .
In 1892 he secured he passage of a
bill in congress for the preservation to !
The public of aboriginal ruins and
places of scenic and scientific inter-
est, creating at that time about ZOO
as they were designed. |
Il