Michigan historical collections. [Vol. 17]

MEMOIR OF JAMES KNAGGS.

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cheery word and cordial smile. Yet though he has gone, he has left
behind him the memory of a kindly and a useful life and this can
never die.
Well he paid for every blessing,
Well'he earned each day of cheer;
Nature's arms around him pressing,
Nature's lips his brow caressing;
Sleep, old pioneer.
MEMOIR OF JAMES KNAGGS, OF X\ONROE.
BY MAY STOCKING KNAGGS.
Every historian, every biographer, has experience of the elusive value
of facts that have been perpetuated by tradition.
In the midst of stirring times, often all record has been lost of
occurrences which were important in their bearings; and if this has
been true in public affairs it has been truer of individual experiences.
A succession of vivid events crowNleach other through days and
months of a man's life, and he has no leisure for passing analysis
and record.
Yet memory takes her notes, and some day, when quiet ensues,
the man talks. Perhaps his memory is not a good chronometer.
Perhaps his knowledge of the relations of events is partial. Perhaps
his retrospect is obscured by prejudices, personal and political. Any of
these conditions materially impair, as history, the value of his recollections. He dies. The tales he has told are now reflected from the
imperfect memories of those who listened to his vivid relations,
and their value is again lessened. Something of the fire of truth,
they may still possess, but it is "as moonlight unto sunlight and
as water unto wine." Hence the historian or biographer offers the
results of the most careful comparison and compilation of stories of
events long past, with a conscientious interrogation point.*
In the year in which% the American colonies declared themselves
independent of Great Britain and began a new household among
the nations, in that part of the northwest territory destined to
become the State of Ohio, in Roche de Bout, James Knaggs was
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