Pioneer history of Ingham County, compiled and arranged by Mrs. Franc L. Adams, secretary of the Ingham County pioneer and historical society.

9

The pilgrim Mayflower brought a band
Who knelt to bless the sod,
For they dreamed there dwelt in this alien land
Freedom to worship God.
One uncrowned king kept a vision vast,
With a courage that could not failThus Marcus Whitman's soul held fast
To the great Northwestern trail.
Boone, and Bowie and Crockett too
Hewed each a dangerous way,
While Clark and Lewis, and Fremont knew
A dream as grand as they.
These were the forerunners, dreamers free,
With a faith and hope sublime,
But the dreamers dearest to you and me
Belong to a later time.
To measure the dream of Our Pioneers,
Measure the nation's dome,
The monument of their toil and tearsTheir dream come true, of Home.
They knew wherever they cut the blaze
Some kindred soul should spell
The talisman of their toilsome day
And dream the dream as well.
So, while the Pioneers we toast,
This land of the noble free
Built out of a million homes, we boast
As their priceless legacy.
That all may feel the debt we owe
Join now in hearty cheers
That future generations know
Michigan's Pioneers.