day in the vast green areas, watered by an intricate network of silver streams, that replace the barren, sage-clad waste.
Fair cities lift a skyline against the glorious sunset skies. Above the deep green of trees, church spires rise to greet morning light, and splendid schools give the children the finest educational advantages possible.
There on the conquered desert sands
A brave young empire proudly stands!
We regret that our noble pioneer women could not live to see the full fruits of their self-sacrifice and toil. We of today bless their memory, and our children will render them gratitude. A hundred years hence, the people of Idaho will remember and reverence the heroism of this valiant band of women.
Many statues have been erected to commemorate the work of the pioneer men, who conquered the wilderness by the help of their women. But as yet no heroic figure, carved in stone, honors the West as it gives homage to the memory of the pioneer woman.
May such a statue rise some day under the blue Idaho skies!
This is the theme of the poem that closes my brief article.
A PIONEER WOMAN
A statue stands in a city block—
It is called, "The Pioneer"—
Of a rugged man, with an old flintlock.
And a cap from the skin of a deer.
His eyes look out to the mighty sweep
Of solitudes vast and grand,
He sees great plains and the forests deep,
A wide ocean's shifting sand.
His gaze is bold, and erect his form.
Plain moulded, his features, and strong,
A man to breast the raging storm,
Well worthy of honor and song.
Then—musing long—I seem to see
The firm lips moving in speech.
And I hear these words come full and free:
"Go forth my message to teach!
"A statue should stand, here by my side.
That pioneer woman brave;
The wife who bore me children, and died.
And lies in an unmarked grave.
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