AN INSPIRATION TO ALL

On June 3, 1904 one of the towering redwoods at Big Trees Grove was named for the Nebraskan, J. Sterling Morton. To many the name of the former Secretary of Agriculture may not be familiar. But his advocacy for trees will forever be recognized. In honor of his life long accomplishments, the last Friday in April is known as Arbor Day. 

J. Sterling Morton - Rock Valley Bee [Iowa], April 29, 1932

“Back in 1872 Morton, a former newspaper publisher and governor of Nebraska, asked the Nebraska State Board of Agriculture to adopt a resolution to set aside a day for people to plant trees. Later Morton advocated for passage of the Timber Culture Act and the Forest Reserve acts. In 1893 President Grover Cleveland made him Secretary of Agriculture.

"Owing to the deep interest taken in forestry by the late J. Sterling Morton, first Secretary of Agriculture, the Historical Society of Nebraska deemed it fitting that a memorial tablet in his honor should be affixed to one of the big trees of California."

Mr. Cox, secretary of the historical society, conceived of the idea while touring California. When he encountered the big trees, he felt that "Morton should be remembered as have been many other men of national prominence in the naming of the big trees abounding in the park at Santa Cruz." Cox "selected a tree in the Fremont Big Tree grove" and was assured that his request would be granted if a tablet were furnished. The tree chosen was 270 feet high and "believed to antedate the pyramids." 

The white bronze tablet made in Des Moines, was about two feet square and cast upon it were the following inscriptions "... [o]n the upper left hand corner are the words 'plant truths,' and upon the upper right hand corner the words, 'plant trees' ... [b]elow these words was a design composed of four oak leaves and an acorn on a single twig." At the bottom of the plaque it read "In memory of J. Sterling Morton of Nebraska, father of Arbor day; born April 22, 1832; died April 27, 1902. By order of Nebraska State Historical society." 

On the day of the ceremony the program, involving local school children, was rendered as follows:

Song, “Columbia,” by the Senior Class

Invocation, Reverend F.K. Baker

Recitation by Miss Myrtle Chandler

Presentation by Allan Robertson of the Morton memorial tablet on behalf of Nebraska State Historical Society

Acceptance of the plaque by Santa Cruz mayor D.C. Clark

Reading of a letter from President Theodore Roosevelt

Reading of letters from James Wilson, Secretary of Agriculture and the former Governor Crane of Nebraska

Reading of an address on forestry by the Reverend J.R. Knodell of the Congregational church

The program concluded with the singing of the song, “America"

The program also included a reading of Mr. Cox's rather flowery remarks, of which the following is a brief excerpt:

"And now we ask the good and wise people of California to accept this tablet and place it upon the trunk of this giant of the forest, he loved so well. Grand tree, that has stood for so many centuries, 'till thou hast with thy roots penetrated deeply in the soil of California, and upon thy great symmetrical trunk, lifted thy evergreen sombrero high up toward the sky, where it has kissed the breezes of the great ocean for thousands of years. Now thou hast another duty to perform. Thou mayest carry upon thy body this memorial of thy greatest friend, as an inspiration to all people, and countless generations yet unborn. May thy majestic form stand through the coming centuries, the delight of all beholders bearing this memorial in everlasting bronze, and may the children to the remotest generation gain a new and better inspiration as they gaze upon the ponderous form in all our grandeur, bearing the name of one that has accomplished so much for humanity."

The simple brevity of President Roosevelt's letter seemed more appropriate for the occasion. 

Unfortunately, we do not know which tree at Big Trees Grove was the one dedicated to Morton. Interestingly there is a Santa Cruz newspaper account which stated that Mayor Clark "decided to have the tablet placed on one of the forest [giants] in the Big Basin." This stands in contrast to the Nebraska accounts and one in the San Francisco Call which clearly stated that the J. Sterling Morton Tree would be dedicated at "Fremont Big Tree grove." If anyone know differently, please let me know.  

Sources:  “In Memory of Morton,” Santa Cruz Surf, June 3, 1904; “Memorial Gift From Nebraska,” San Francisco Call, June 4, 1904; The Nebraska Advertiser [Nemaha City, Nebraska], March 27, 1903; “Bronze Tablet to be Placed on Big Tree,” Evening Sentinel, April 14, 1903.