ILLUSTRATIONS

Astorian Monument, Bellevue.

Dedication of Astorian Monument, Bellevue, Nebraska.

Plat of Bellevue and Vicinity.

General Richard G. Drum..

Map of Ash Hollow Battle Field

Sitting Bull (Tatanka Iyotanka)

THE ASTORIAN MONUMENT AT BELLEVUE

On the 23d of June, 1910, the Historical Society dedicated a monument which had been erected under its auspices on Elk Hill at Bellevue, to commemorate the one hundredth anniversary of the organization of the Pacific Fur Company. The monument is of Wisconsin mahogany granite, six feet and four inches in height; the shaft rises five feet above the base, is three feet wide and ten inches thick and bears the following inscription:

Commemorative of the Astorian Expedition organized June 23, 1810, by John Jacob Astor's American Fur Company. This Expedition discovered the Oregon Trail which spread knowledge of the Nebraska country leading to its occupancy by white people. The Fur Company was instrumental in establishing the first permanent white settlement in Nebraska at Bellevue.

Erected June 23, 1910, by the Nebraska State Historical Society.

The cost of the monument $275 was defrayed by private subscriptions, chiefly from citizens of Omaha, South Omaha and Bellevue. The dedicatory exercises were conducted at Bellevue in the afternoon and at Omaha in the evening. Mrs. Oreal S. Ward, representing the Daughters of the American Revolution, unveiled the monument; John Lee Webster, president of the Historical Society, then formally presented it to the state which was represented in the ceremony by Governor Ashton C. Shallenberger. The addresses at Bellevue follow.

ADDRESS OF MRS. OREAL S. WARD

Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen:

Two weeks ago today, in the city of Kearney, I had the honor of unveiling the first monument to mark the Oregon Trail in Nebraska, erected by the Fort Kearney Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution. Mr. Webster, President of the Nebraska State Historical Society, was one of the honored guests and gave a most interesting and eloquent address. On that occasion Mr. Webster asked me why the Daughters of the American Revolution were undertaking this work. Perhaps the same question is in the minds of many of you here today, and I will gladly avail myself of this opportunity to answer it briefly.

Twenty years ago a small number of patriotic women, realizing that historic landmarks and valuable relics and documents relating to the early life and struggles of our country were rapidly disappearing from view, organized the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution with the avowed object, expressed in its constitution: "To perpetuate the memory of the spirit of the men and women who achieved American independence by the acquisition and protection of historical spots and the erection of monuments; by the encouragement of historical research . . .; and by the promotion of celebrations of all patriotic anniversaries. . . . To cherish, maintain, and extend the institutions of American freedom, to foster true patriotism and love of country, and to aid in securing for mankind all the blessings of liberty." This is the object that is being carried forward today by 75,000 patriotic

American women, the Daughters of the American Revolution.

The perpetuation of history and patriotism go hand in hand, closely allied indeed. The mere desire to learn more of your country's past, its heroes and statesmen, its great battle fields, the victories on land and sea, springs from a patriotic impulse. The interest with which we read or listen to historical tales, the thrill of exultation over victories and heroic deeds, are a manifestation of the patriotic pride that lies deep in every American heart, whether we are conscious of it or not. To be a patriot one does not necessarily have to be a soldier or sailor and engage in actual warfare. The brave hearted men whom we are commemorating here today fought their way foot by foot against wild beasts and merciless savage foes; they endured hunger, thirst, sickness; they faced death in many terrible forms; they left the great trail lined on either side by countless, nameless graves. These men were patriots and heroes; they overcame the great western wilderness and the trackless prairie; they left us this heritage: "Nebraska, the beautiful garden spot of the West." And so, in erecting these enduring monuments in loving memory and tribute, we are performing a patriotic duty, not only to them and to ourselves, but to future generations.

"I pledge allegiance to my flag and the republic for which it stands: one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."