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

IRELORTS OF PIIONIIEEl IISTORICAL MIEET'IN(GS

73

But heroism proper
May not alone be found
Upon the field of battle
Where blood has stained tlhe ground.
And, in the moral conflict,
Where truth and error meet,
Though there are many heroes,
The list is incolmplete.
But there are other heroes
That stir our tenderest thought,
Of whom we fear the valor
Too soon may be forgot.
Their service for their country
On every hand appears,
Grand heroes of the forestWe call them pioneers.
Here on this spot for ages,
In native grandeur stood
A tall unbroken forest,
A brush entangled wood.
Entrenched like some vast army,
Behind these hills to stay.
While in the swamps in ambush
The dread miasmas lay.
The howling wolf at nightfall
Engaged his vocal powers,
To make the night more hideous
All through the evening hours.
The ever waving treetops
Seemed beckoning to say,
This is the home of red men,
Away! away! away!
To thus invade and conquer
A land so fortified
Caused great and grievous hardships,
And many heroes died.