Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1921-04-25
Wind Storm Does not Hin
der.-Three Trees Plant.
ed in Memory Of
Heroic Service.
TWO ADDRESSES
List of Names of Pioneer
Women and World war
Heroes Read.

Eelu ut GrdCelduu cemetery yeSteEud.
afternoon were well attended, in spit
of the wind storm, and proved yer!
effective and impressive.
The program was opened by th'
Planting Song by the audience, direct
ed by Miss Teresa Treat Mrs. F. E
Whitley spoke in honor of the pioneer
women who helped found and beautif!
Graceland cemetery.
when the first settlers came to this
land they found a wilderness rich ii
promise, but lacking the necessities OF
cXistence except as they gave to the
struggle the utmost of strength and
energy" said Mrs. Whitley. "And wher
with the second generation, schools and
churches had made their appearance
and the rigors of pioneer life had re.
Taxed it is not strange that some Of the
finer observances Of life We're over.
looked by those who had grown up in
q primitive environment.
! 1T was in these circumstances that
| forty years ago, a group of women met
and formed what became the Webster
City Cemetery Association. 1t was in
the little building near the corner of
Second and Seneca streets where a
small circulating library was for some
time maintained. Here they planned
the work which they carried out with
such distinguished success. The
drives were gravelled, the lots were
graded and seeded, underbrush was
cleared away. but most of all, they
worked for fence.
That fence. really good and sub
stantial one, called for sum of mon
ey almost overwhelming in those days
when money was not plentiful. To Sc
cure it the women baked and sewed.
they gave entertainments and held
festivals: old settlers still tell Of the
barbecue held on the Wilson lots on
the north side during the political
campaign OF 1884 when all OK was
roasted whole, and the cemetery assO-
citation workers served dinner to the
thrOngs who came.
Most of those who carried OH this
work are gone: the two who served as
presidents. Mrs. George w. Crosley
and Mrs. l.. l.. Treat, are still with us.
While most Of them never lived to see
the barren desolate hill become the
place whose peaceful beauty brings
comfort to saddened hearts, while they
can never know the greater beauty
which it is within our power to add to
this place. vet they are part of it all.
Their vision. their part in arousing
sense Of community feeling and effort,
were their greatest contribution to
their time.
We plant this tree today in the hope
that as it grows and fourishes it may
keep green our grateful memory of the
women whose unselfish work made this
place beautiful and set in motion in
funces which are unperishable."
This was followed by the reading Of
The names of these pioneer women.
Dorothy Gilmore read poem by Joyce
who was killed in France
Rev. Harry F. Shook addressed the
audience in behalf Of the soldiers who
Gied in service. One tree was planted
in memory of those who were buried
in France and the other in memory of
those who were brought back to Grace
land cemetery for burial.
eve should think of this cemetery"
said Rev. Shook. "as something Of
blood, something Of human investment.
1t is an evidence of devotion. Of unity
Of purpose. that shall not die.
''These trees are not only reminders
Of the past, testimonies Of the present,
hut they are prophcsies of the future
results that will come from this act
and spirit of planting.
They are symbolic of the results of
tl:e sacrifice and investment these
Young men made in the war to make
secure the liberties of our people.
THE Women's Auxiliary and the
American Legion who are representa-
tive of the citizenship of this town
wish to do this in behalf of the wives,
and families, who gave these
lives for our safety.
This is done in the expectancy that
these trees will be a wonder to the
eyes of men and protection to all
and an inspiration to all
" no hear their story"
Mrs. Lillian G. Hall read the ma mes
of the Hamilton county boys who died
in service, numbering fifty-fOur. The
names follow:
Ira f. Daily, Nicolo Alongi. Peter
Jensen. Charles Knutson. Emil Larson,
Ronald Loban, Clarence w. Nelson,
Clarence Olson, Sven Olson, Nils
Odin Olson. Hia Waterman,
Mckinley Thompson, Arthur Heng,