Front of the New Meetinghouse at Parowan

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136 IMPROVEMENT ERA

this county in an early day, says " 'Mormon' Trace." So says Mrs. Hick- this county in an early day, says " 'Mormon' Trace." So says Mrs. Hickman. "T. D. and Jeff McKinley, who came to the state in 1848, knew it by no — other name designated the trace. The Scotts, Larimers, Mundells, Irwins, Kendalls and others say the same, and so it was known from Nauvoo to the end of the journey. If this is doubted, let those who doubt it come down into Southern Iowa and investigate. We would also refer Curator Harlan to G. H. Ragsdale, in Des Moines, who grew up beside the trace, and see what he says about it. We would also refer him to Thomas Brandon, of Melrose, a real pioneer of southern Iowa, who is now over 90 years of age, and still owns the farm he entered at Dodge's Point, in Appanoose county. He came to Iowa long before it was a state and dealt with the "Mormons" — lived on the trace when they passed through at one time came up to Char- — iton Point and purchased a "claim" of a "Mormon" he says it is the " 'Mor- mon' Trace," and was known by no other name. But this is sufficient for the present. If necessary, more can be said later when Mr. Harlan visits Chariton. In speaking with County Supervisor Will Allen, who belongs to a pio- neer family, he says he never knew it called anything else than the " 'Mor- mon' Trace," and the highway across the county is platted as the "'Mor- mon' Trace" road, and this is corroborated by County Auditor C. W. Rose. It matters little to the people, and much less to the early Pioneers who blazed this silent trace of the past, and who are now being remembered by those who live along the weary way they traveled, whether or not history and monuments shall name their pathway "trail," "trace," "way," "track," "course" or "mark." What the Pioneers would most desire, and what appears to us most important, is that the people, not only of Iowa, but of all the world, in deep reflection might catch a silent and pene- trating testimony of the spiritual power that actuated these "Mormon" Pioneers in their flight, and which has left in all western America a clear and mighty trace of influence for pu- rity of life, good will towards men, and true service of God.

Front of the new meeting house at Parowan