Ohio History Journal

546       Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications

this loyal public would ever especially enjoy the St. Clair park of

seventy-seven acres embracing the site of Fort St. Clair, the

battle field, burial place, and the scenic lands surrounding.

The old flag of thirteen stars and many scars, which now

drapes the form of our darling dead, she greatly prized on ac-

count of the hallowed remembrances thereof to herself person-

ally relating. This old flag was her talisman; it tenderly thrilled

her patriotic and friendly heart.

Be it resolved, That this resolution be spread upon the min-

utes of this Society and that copies thereof be delivered to her

daughter, Mrs. Nellie Reynolds Eastman, and her son, L. C.

Reynolds, of Baltimore, Maryland.

 

In her will Mrs. Reynolds left to the Ohio State

Archaeological and Historical Society her collection of

early Ohio newspapers and her decorated chinaware

illustrative of local history, chiefly of scenes and inci-

dents relating to Fort St. Clair.

 

PATRIOTIC MEETING AT THE LOGAN ELM

On the afternoon of June 13 a very interesting meet-

ing of the Sons and Daughters of the American Revolu-

tion was held under the spreading branches of the Logan

Elm. The principal address was delivered by Honorable

Simeon D. Fess, junior United States Senator from

Ohio. In his opening remarks he commended very

highly the work of patriotic societies and the Ohio

State Archaeological and Historical Society in marking

places of historic interest in Ohio. He spoke of the

educational value of contact with the past through the

association of place and material things relating to men

and incidents of other years. We have a livelier inter-

est in an achievement of the long ago when we stand

upon the very spot that it has immortalized. He com-

mended also in strong terms the effort of the Society

to collect the trophies and relics of Ohio history.

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Reviews, Notes and Comments          547

Senator Fess then delivered an eloquent address on

the origin and achievements of the government of the

United States. He paid a glowing tribute to the Revo-

lutionary fathers and the framers of our institutions.

This he followed with a survey of the progress under

our republican form of government. His address was

received with frequent applause by the attentive and

appreciative audience.

Mr. Henry Williams recited the famous message

of Logan to Lord Dunmore. Mrs. Orson D. Dryer

spoke briefly and effectively paying a fine tribute to the

Indian chieftain Cornstalk whose village was within

sight of the Logan Elm.

Two poems, one by Mrs. Rachel E. Hughes and one

by Colonel W. L. Curry, were read. They are as

follows:

 

OUR PATRIOT FOREFATHERS

BY COLONEL W. L. CURRY

Today around this Logan Elm,

With wonted zeal burn Freedom's fires;

Today we crown anew the sword

And musket of our patriot sires;

And down Time's vistas seems to come,

Clear and distinct, from far away,

The long, shrill roll of Freedom's drum,

Which eager beats the battle fray.

 

And as the mists of Time dissolve,

We catch the glint of blade and gun,

Which did a burning question solve

Upon the sward of Lexington;

Ah, from the dim, heroic past,

Replete with actions of renown,

We hear the murmurings of the blast

Which tore a jewel from a crown.

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548      Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications

The little band in homespun suits,

To whom our ancestry we trace

With pride, were Freedom's first recruits --

The heroes of a noble race;

They heard the call of Paul Revere --

His rousing cry: "To arms! to arms!"

And eager flocked from far and near,

The stalwart yeomen of the farms.

Hail to the men that made us free!

Hail to the stainless swords they drew:

A thousand years will never see

Forgetfulness of men so true;

Their deeds will live while grandly waves

The flag of a united land

Above their scattered, sacred graves,

From mountain height to ocean strand.

 

UNDER THE AGED LOGAN ELM

BY RACHEL E. HUGHES

Beautiful tree how well you have fared,

And for many more years we'd have you spared,

Standing alone through all the years,

Have you been lonely, have you, shed tears?

Will you lend today a listening ear?

For this page is written for you to hear.

As a bit of God's handiwork, stately and grand --

You're here where he placed you and secretly planned

To give you a place in His hall of fame,

Are you not proud of the honor, proud of the name,

Attracting to you the once savage Chief?

You listened, I'm sure, to his story brief,

And he sought you out among others to be

The Logan Elm, the history tree.

Yes, days long ago, but somehow 'tis sweet

To go back to the Indian's happy retreat --

Back to his once happy hunting ground.

But "Lo The Poor Indian" no longer around

My Indian is here and every day

I see him back in the same old way.

But no: that day is forever gone now --

The day when Logan sat 'neath your bough;

For Bow and Arrow days have fled.

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Reviews, Notes and Comments          549

We mingle now the white and red.

Oh! ancient tree, could you but speak today,

We're wondering what 'twould be you'd say;

Yes, Honored Elm, we feel and know

You first would greet these friends

And bid them welcome ere they go;

Then tell the story of the Indian and his song,

The story buried here in Nature's trunk so long;

The story of the Indian tall,

Whose hunting ground was here --

And that not all --

You'd tell us much of what you saw

About the Indian chief, papoose and squaw,

Describe their raiment and their ways,

Tell all the happenings in those days.

Then of yourself we'd ask to hear

What, as a tree, you held most dear.

Your answer we'd anticipate to be

That nature's haunts meant most to thee.

In taking leave we'd all agree

That you were such a friendly Tree.

 

Mr. Frank Tallmadge formally accepted two young

elms that were planted, one by the Sons of the American

Revolution and the other by the Daughters of the

American Revolution.

Mr. Langdon T. Williams closed the exercises of the

afternoon with a strong plea for the restoration and

preservation of our forests.

Mr. Boyd B. Haddox, president of the Franklin

chapter, Sons of the American Revolution, presided.

Reverend Clayton W. Eldridge invoked the Divine

blessing.

In the absence of Governor James E. Campbell,

president of the Ohio Archaeological and Historical So-

ciety, Secretary Galbreath briefly welcomed the assem-

bly. Mrs. Vander Veer Taylor, regent of the Columbus

chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, grac-

iously responded.

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