Historic Pioneer Grounds

Historic Pioneer Grounds By Charles L. Ray

Just out from the present city of Omaha, going north along the west bank of the Missouri river, lies the quiet little city of Florence, as it is known today. Those familiar with Church his- tory would recognize it by its one-time name of Winter Quar- ters. Here it was that the Saints, who crossed the plans in an early day, outfitted for Utah, and began the long journey of a thousand miles to the valleys of the mountains. The place is of great historical interest, and is visited annually by a num- ber of tourists. President Grant and Presiding Patriarch Hy- rum G. Smith have been among the distinguished visitors of the past year. Tradition has it that the large tree (shown in picture) was planted by President Young. Today it is one of the historic

Left; A picture of the "Great Tree" planted by President Brigham Young. It isone of the historic trees of Nebraska. Right: A view of the Missouri river at or near where the "Mormons" crossed to begin their journey westward.

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<4 picture of "Winter Quarters" cemetery as it is today. Upwards o] five-hundred Latter-daty Saints are buried here in unidentified graves.

trees of the State of Nebraska, and it seems to have incorporated all the strength of character of that great empire-builder, for it requires threepersons with outstretched arms to reach around the mammoth trunk, and the foliage of the giant Cottonwood reaches out over an area a hundred feet in diameter. A house built by President Young is situated a short dis- tance westward. Its unusual but stable framework is a quaint reminder of its history. Immediately west of the house and tree, a bluff rises with gentle slope, and on the top is the cemetery where upwards of five hundred faithful Saints are buried, who succumbed to the hardships of the journey westward. As one contemplates the trials of the early Saints, in the solitudes of this the last resting place for so many, the words of the song comes to mind touchingly and forcefully: When first the glorious light of truth In this last age burst forth, How few there were, with heart and soul Could feel its real worth! Yet of those few how many Have passed from earth away, And in their graves are sleeping, Till the resurrection day!

The cemetery today is in abject ruin, but with a little im- provement could be made into a nice park. Most of the graves are unidentified as the crude tombstones have long since de- cayed, or become impossible of deciphering. The picture shows