The Bismarck tribune., 1922-05-04
DR.. GILMORE:
. TELLS. / ! !: !. ABOUT 1
ARB0R DAY
Explains How It Originated
And The Much Good 1t
J Has Accomplished
THE TREE PLANTER STATE
Nebraska Was First State To
Institute Arbor Day In
Spring of 1872

/, North has added q nef thought t
Arbor Day, in the spi4io4 of DR.. Mel
vim R. Gilmore, cutstoy jof the Nortl
Dakota Historical sscitty. Dr.. Gil
more through his lona residence II
Nebraska, where Arbor| bay was frs
originated, as one ef TIE means !. ol
bringing trees to Chat then state
Of treeless prairies, han been interest:
ed in the conservation of trees, and
flowers and native life in North De:
kota. I. ss..s. !, |. '.s &. 81 :.:33tst
The following abatement Of the his;
tory of Arbor Day has been condens ed
by Dr.. Gilmore from q number Ol
sources as we'll as from his own merl-
tory and interest.
1T was the then young state u
Nebraska which first Instituted Arbor
Day in the spring sut 1872. This year
ID therefore the Jubilee anniversary
Of the institution. funius Sterling Nor
ton, a pioneer Of the Territory Of Nc
braska, throughout all his life In the
state OF Nebraska associated with
many. movements and public works
for the upbuilding ef the state, is reC-
ognized as the driStnator of the con-
certed public participation in the work
81 tree setting. It,is from this move-
ment. started sby that state, that Me-
braska is nicknamed "The Tree
I Planter State. f5st
+ 1T developed upon Nebraska to in
stitvte systematicttree planting" says
one of the authorities quoted by Dr.
Gilmore, ION a given day through the
organized effort of schools and citi-
zens. The Hon. ]. Sterling Morton is
generally credited with originating
the idea. In 1872. acting upon his s,lg-
gestion- the governor Of the state, Is
sued a proclamation designating Ar
Dor Day and asking The schools and
citizens generally DO observe the day
by appropriate exercises and trae
planting. The setting April sun saw
over million trees planted in Ne
braska soil as a result of the first
,Arbor Day celebration. In 1885, Arbor
Day, April %, Morton,s birthday was
made legal holiday in Nebraska.
Careful statistics claim I that I. more
than one Thousand million trees are
now In a. thriving condition in that
state, through the united Efforts Of
the school children and their parsnts
on Arbor Days. ". " .9s,SA '.9
"The originator OF the Idea lived
long enough to .sge AFbor DAY adopt.
ed in more than forty states and
territories, and xo record millions and
millions of trees added 70 fathie growing
prosperity Of the sttates, To- note thoNs-
ands of school houses change cheer
less surroundings Tor those fsOf COM
fort and beauty, and to feel that IN
stimulating the planting oft trees he
had an active part in fostering love
FOR the school. the home and our
S sMinnesota ~ given ths eredit Of
being the first ptate TO follows The lead
Of Nebraska. with KANSAS and Ten
nessee close seconds, Ohio, Iowa, Hi
nois, Michigah: and West Virginia fol-
lowed few years later. The influence
Of the idea has spread until: Arbor
Day Is celebrated in nearly every
state and territory in the union. While
the schools have been the strongest
factor in this forward movement, due
credit must be given TO the Grand
Army Of the Republic, Civic Improve
mont Assoc ciations, Women's Clubs and
Forestry Associations that have all
worked for the common good.
! 'Such is the history in brief OF this
a -