Chronicles of Oklahoma
Volume 7, No. 1
March, 1929
TRIBUTE TO THE OLD SETTLERS OF OKLAHOMA
BY AN 89ER—FRANK C. ORNER
Page
57
The settler was individual, of individuality. Now, to individualize, belonging to the old school, when through necessity,
they were contented, living upon food from the forest, the stream, and the chase, until the coming harvest from mother earth,
knowing that each cloud had a silver lining, knowing aught of luxury, save the good covered wagon, robes of fur, warmth of
the fireplace, food cooked from the embers, and springwater. In simplicity and solitude they toiled on, to see the silver
lining in a modern home.
In the events that immortalize the lives of their ancestors they endeavored to emulate the traits of those sturdy pioneers
of colonial days, who through the ages from father to son, followed the footpaths, forded the streams and blazed a trail for
their posterity that led on to God, civilization and home.
Following in the wake of 1889, there needs be men and women as of colonial days who came, stayed and braved the hardships
of pioneering a new Country, in searching out the agricultural and vocational resources, we came, believed and founded homes
in days of adversity, that we and our posterity should in days of sunshine reap the posterity foreseen.
Now, in the autumn of life, looking back over the now sparkling gem from the rough diamond, Oklahoma, with its many precious
jewels of half-mile squares, brilliant in memory, clear as crystal, pure as dewdrops, are the old homes, greatest gift of
God’s love.
Therefore, we, the Old Settlers, to our sons and our daughters in memory, perpetuate the scene that our lives and deeds may
not, as those who sleep amid the wild flowers, be forgotten.
The pioneer men and women, whether agriculturist or professional, have in your coming caused to be, from territorial days,
perfected one of the grandest states in the Union, both in agriculture and industry, with resources to draw on sufficient
to maintain the home you founded, and on to your posterity.
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