The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1918-08-29
THURSDAY, AUGUST 80, 1918.
The Pioneers.

Go out to Paddocks Lake tomorrow
and attend the annual reunion Of the
Old Settlers. Take day off from the
busy events of war rent world and
go back with these old men to the
beginnings of Kenosha county. 1t will
be worth while to you and it will bring
a new cheer into lives where the shad-
ows are all falling toward the east.
We have been overlooking the ven
Grafton that we owe to the old men
and the old women. The new class of
heroes, the men who fought at the
Marine, at ChateauT hierry and in Al
SAGE are claiming all Of our attention
and we have let slip a lot of that veneer
alton which we felt for these old men,
just as the boys to-day are fighting
on the pioneer lines Of world freedom,
these men fought years ago ON the out
skirts Of civilization. it's long ways
back to 1885, but it is an easy path if
you can get into touch with the old
men and the old women,
Their story is one that is worth hear
and over in your mind for the his
tory of the past is the surest promise
of the future.
The men who served as the founders
of Kenosha have been gathered to
their fathers. Not one of these cold
Timers is left to tell the story Of
tho early struggle but it is being
handed down by their sons who have
taken their place in the front ranks
and are doing their part to keep green
in the minds of Kenosha county people
the struggles and the triumphs Of the
men who brought Kenosha county
into being and reclaimed it from the
wilderness.
Kenosha owes a great debt to the
memory Of its old men. The venera-
ton. which we showed them in years
gone by, should not be forgotten to-day
or by future generations. They came
from homes Of comparative luxury to
bean the trials of the pioneers. They
left their traditions sleeping in the
grave yards of the East to come and
claim for civilization of the great
West They built wisely and well and
the development Of Kenosha county
has been largely the result Of the wis
dom of the men who came In the
early days to make this district of
Wisconsin territory their home.
We have been forgetful of them In
the rush Of great events we have for
gotten to keep bright the memories Of
the past. Names have not been prop
erly written on the tablets Of honor.
Some Of these men who have tottered
down to that undiscovered country
have not been given the full honor
that should have been given to them.
Right now we should see to it that
the records of the lives of these men
is preserved, In other years when the
Old Settlers gathered at Paddocks Lake
they called the "Roll Of Honor and
the name Of every one Of the pioneers
who had died during the year was
honored and revered. Of course, the
reading of this memorial roll meant
heart throbs to some people, but it
meant remembrance of them. These
lists were placed away in the archives
of the Old Settlers Club. Somehow
the new generation of officers OF the
club have neglected to prepare these
rolls of honor. Let's go back to the
old custom. Once each year take an
inventory of the pioneers and when
the roll is called and we find that
men have passed on. let us pay trf-
butte to their memory.
Old Settlers Day means much to the,
men who have lived in Kenosha for
fifty and sixty years. It may be that
the stories of some Of the old men are
tedious, that they are little forget
full, but just remember that, only a
little later on you are going to be
little forgetful. Possibly you will re-
peat the stories over and over. These
stories bring back to these men the
days they knew and loved the best.
They should bring to you the call for
veneration and respect.
The old settler is one of the real
assets of the county. He is giving the
wealth of his experience to make the
county better and bigger and if he
wants to take one day and go way
back to the beginning of this he should
be encouraged.
Go out tomorrow with a cheer in
your heart for the old settlers who
have been mercifully spared and with
tear for the old settler who is sleep
ing in the hillside near the port where
be first laid the foundations for
Kenosha county. You can not pay
too much honor to these men.