The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1934-10-18
Birthplace Of Daniel Boone

and Tennessee, where his youth was spent and
where he started upon his career as hunter
and frontiersman; West Virginia (then a part
OF the Old DOminion) where he made his home
AFTER the loss OF his lands In Kentucky; Ohio,
Wner0 he had some OF his most thrilling adven-
lures; and Missouri where he spent his declin-
Ing years and where he was buried when death
claimed him In 1920 Even Kansas, Nebraska,
North and South Dakota, Wyoming and Mon
tana have more than a casual interest In him.
For In his old age still the keen hunter and
trapper he made long trips into the western
wilderness and 1t is possible that he trod the
soil OF MI those states.
But In a larger sense Daniel Boone belongs to
the whole nation. Symbolical OF that fact was
the authorization by the last congress OF spe-
cal halfdOllar for the Boone bicentennal this
year Designed by one OF Americas most dis
tinguished sculpt0rs, Augustus Lnkeman the
coin bears on the diverse side Boones likeness
and on the reverse the figures OF frontiersman
and m Indian and the designation OF 1884 as
Pioneer Year. These coins will be sold at a
premium and the proceeds will 20 to the Boone
bcentennial commission OF Kentucky 10 be used
In acquiring the sites OF three pioneer forts
Fort Boonesborough Boone's Station and Bry-
ans Station. These three, together with the site
OF the Battle OF Blue Licks. will comprise the
Pioneer national monument with a memorial
highway connecting the four shrines.
Even without these material reminders OF the
fame of Danl Boone, his Is deathless name In
the American consciousness He i8 the eternal
symbol OF the pioneer. OF land where there
were frontiers to be pushed ever westward and
4 wilderness to be won. In the America OF today
there are no more frontiers where venturesome
souls may escape the humdrum of everyday ar
fairs: there Is wilderness to be conquered;
and pioneer life exists only In the fading memo
ries OF 4 few aging men and women facing the
sunset Of their days.
So this nation. still youthful but realizing how
quickly 1t spent Its youthful heritage OF high
adventure and brave enterprise. looks back
somewhat longingly to those glamorous days and
seeks some figure In which Is embodied the spirit
OF its lusty youth. In Daniel Boone 1t finds such
a figure. Americans of today. reading OF him
and associating themselves In their minds with
him. can experience vicariously the adventures
which befell him in real life.
Such Is the magic Of the name OF Daniel
Boone and to 30 out OF hundred Americans
he IL rhe pioneer par excellence. FITS apotheosis
began long ago, for Just as George Washington
had his Parson Weems to make him more OF a
myth than man, did Daniel Boone have his
John Filson to make him a frontier demigod
The result has been many 4 misconception about
Boone's part In the settlement OF Kentucky
and many popular belief" about his impor-
lance rs frontier leader which are partially II
not entirely. erroneous.
Modern historical scholarship paints a some
what different picture OF him from the one which
our schoolbook histories have presented ScIen-
tinc historians. devoted to seeking the truth and
making the truth known. have gone back to the
source material and out of their findings has