Reminiscences of Early Peoria
by Odillon B. Slane
Chapter 23
page 49
A RETROSPECT
WE, of this generation and time should foster and
encourage this same spirit of fellowship, of hospitality, of fraternity. For by
so doing we may hasten the day when all will acknowledge the Universal
Fatherhood of God and establish the Brotherhood of Man.
Great are the changes between the Then and the Now. Gone is the log cabin with its fireplace and its trundle bed; gone is the old mill dam and its water wheel; gone are the deer and the buffalo; gone the morning hoog-a-la-goo of the prairie chicken, and howl of the wolf at sunset. From the crack of the ox-driver's whip to the whir of the aeroplane is spanned by a period of evolution, of wonderful progress and development.
As we come to the
close of these reminiscences, we would reverently pay a tribute to the pioneer
women of that time.
They endured all of the hardships, struggles and privations as did the men;
rearing, caring for, and educating children amid the dangers incident to Indian
warfare, etc; in the then vast wilderness of Illinois.
Ruth E. Perkins, (niece of the writer) has painted the picture so vividly in her Ode to the Andirons: --- "What scenes of want, and hunger, and stubborn courage, and hope and faith! What pictures of thanksgiving, and joy, and love."
Any contributions, corrections, or suggestions would be deeply appreciated!
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Updated September 20, 2005