LOUISA COUNTY, IOWA

HISTORY of
LOUISA COUNTY IOWA
Volume I

BY ARTHUR SPRINGER, 1912

Submitted by Lynn McCleary, July 2013

Pioneers page v.

The sturdy stuff of all their sires
Was molded in the race of them
Who builded first their wayside fires
Along the primal forests' hem.
Who dared the wilderness and fought
With wild men single-handed there;
Who cleared the underbrush and wrought
Out destiny with patient care!
 
In their small clearings, here and there,
By creek and river, as they fared,
The settler's cabin braved despair
And challenged death and dared
The awful loneliness that hushed
The hope that still survives—
The mad'ning silences that crushed
The brightness out of lives!
 
They were the heroes of the race
Who conquered by the might
Of manhood; who stood face to face
With God and knew the right.
And did it with a fearless trust
That brooked no shriv'ling doubt:
Who did the things that ever must
Be done—as bravely did without!
 
It was the sons of hardy sires—
And not one whit less hardy these—.
Who kindled first their wayside fires
On the wide prairies without trees,
Where the dread desolation swept
Across their spirits, day and night:
Strong men struggled and women wept
For loneliness beyond requite!
 
Such were the men and such their wives
Who laid the corner-stones of State:
Who gave, in sacrifice, their lives
That we might here become the great
 
Rich Commonwealth, which now we hold
As our fair heritage to-day—
Far-spread splendors of grain and gold,
With wealth which cannot pass away!
 
But they have passed—are passing now—
The remnants of the pioneers;
With the deep furrows on their brow,
Yet with cheeks unblanched by fears;
While heads are bent and steps are slow,
Their spirits are unconquered yet!
They go the way all heroes go—
But we will not forget!
 
Charles Blanchard.
Des Moines, Iowa., July 13, 1911.

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Page created July 5, 2013 by Lynn McCleary