Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1929-05-16

the ''trees that helped make MS
tory" Is the famous Washington elm In Cam
bridge Mass, under which George washington
took command of the Continental army on July
& TITS. Although the long and honored career
OF this tree came to an end In August 1923, there
are still standing two other trees closely associ-
ated with Revolutionary war events At FISH
kiIl-on- Hudson In New York Is the Kentucky cor
fee tree which stood as sentinel before the
famous old Yer planck mansion which Baron Won
Steuben occupied as his headquarters during the
Revolution and under whose branches the hrst
meeting Of the Society OF Cincinnati was held.
Down In North Carolina stands the giant oak
which saw the battle of Guford Court House on
March Is, 1881. This is also called the Liberty
Tree" since that battle costly victory to Corn
wallis the British commander, led directly to his
surrender at Yorktown. Out on the Pacific coast
stands a tree which dates from Revolutionary
war times although 1t saw none of the stirring
events Of that conflict. But 1t has seen history In
the. making, nevertheless, for 1t Is CALIFORNIA;
Oldest palm tree, planted at Old Town In San
Diego by the Spanish padres more than 80 years
ago.
In recognition OF the part which trees have
played in American history. the American Tree
association several years ago established Hall
OF Fame for Trees and invited citizens In all
parts Of the country to nominate historic trees In
their communities for places In this gallery of
honor In publication Of the association "Trees
Good Citizens by It's president, Charles Lath-
rop Pack the story Of the Hall of Fame for
Trees Is told as follows
1t is fitting that should have their own He'll
or Fame to give permanent record to their par
tcpation In history.
Through all the ages the trees have had i'm
portant share In human progress Under all
ditions and in all cIimes they have proved them
selves the best of good citizens Their story is
closely interviewer with the fabric OF time. They
have been part OF statecraft, war; art and liter
ature and they have stood as silent witnesses
mans achievements and solemn participants In his
councils of destiny To carry their message OF the
past to the generations OF the future is an enter
prise Of vivid appeal to the imagination.
Since the creation OF the idea OF Hall Of Fa 10
for Trees the spirit OF recognition has spread to
all parts OF the United States. The study of the
presented az candidates for admission to the
Hall OF Fame has been study OF American devel-
opment. Trees living and offered as nominees
have been sentries OF history written and unwrit-
ten. Research into the individual records OF the
candidates has been intimate education in the
progress OF the New World Of Columbus, Washing
ton and Lincoln.
To cover the life span OF the nominees the i'm
agnation must go back 1000 years and more In
the Redwood forests of California stands tree
whose claims rest on the simple statement of age
The General Sherman Sequoia liz declared to be the
oldest thing living. 1t of giant growth at
the time of the birth of Christ. almost 1000 years
ago. Today, at Of more than 1000 years, It
has diameter OF s6h feet and height OF ESQ
feet This tree is located in sequoa National Park.
where 1t stands a memorial to General William
Tecumseh Sherman, we'll as the undisputed mon
arch OF the ages
In sharp contrast to this woodland patriarch II
the Naturalization Tree In Kentucky, symbol OF
the American Spirit of today. For this tree no
certificate OF age Is necessary. Both name and
fame rest on Its service In connection with Amer
icanizing recruits at Camp Zachary Taylor during
the recent Under its branches thousands OF
aliens took the ath Of allegiance upon being mus
tered into the ranks of the United States Army Or
single day this tree witnessed the naturalization
OF 925 OF these Americans and saw their salute
to the flag OF their citizenship
In the grounds of the White House, Wash
ington. stands which links the past and
present In unusual manner. This tree Ia tn
outgrowth OF brought from Russia, ans
because OF this and Its unique lineage 1t lis known
as the Russo American Oak. The tree from which
the obtained stands In Petrograd.
grew from an produced by a tree at thu
tomb of Washington at Mt. Vernon The Mt. Yer
sent to the Gear Of Russia by Sen
Charles Sumner, OF Massachusetts,, and planted
In the grounds of the Imperial Palace by the Ca
symbol OF Ruaso-AmericAn friendship. Ii
1893 the tree which had grown from Senator Sum
ners acorn located by Ethan Allen Hitchcock
then American Ambassador to st. Petersburg. Gath
~ring and planting some of the Bacorns from thu
tree the Ambassador sent a sapling OF the mex
generation to President Roosevelt for planting i
the White Hnuae grounds The planning took plac
ON Aprtf g. 1864. exactly thirteen years before TIL
day an which the United States Joined hands wit
Russia and other European countries In the great