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The 1941 "Smoky Valley 'Pioneer Cross Memorial' "
~ By Mr. Thomas N. Holmquist
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The 1941 "Smoky Valley 'Pioneer Cross Memorial' "
~ By Mr. Thomas N. Holmquist
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Mr. Thomas N. Holmquist completes his classic so beautifully by taking us back to "the Cross," "that Cross," upon which those Swedish Lutheran pioneers so completely trusted, in bringing them to their "promised land," the Kansas Smoky Valley.
In this excerpt from Mr. Holmquist's 1994 "Pioneer Cross: Swedish Settlements Along the Smoky Hill Bluffs," that ends this book so fittingly, are the last nine paragraphs from his introductory words on a Mr. Carl G. Linholm and his Salina Journal article, "Glory to Pioneer" that provides the documented foundational background for this most important monument for the Smoky Valley people of today, this "Pioneer Cross Memorial" of yesterday.
Thus, found within this writing, Mr. Holmquist "honors and remembers" two Swedes responsible for this monument:
A Mr. Linholm and a Mr. Oberg!!
"In 1941, one of the sons of these hardy pioneers, Carl G. Linholm, had over the course of several years, written a series of articles about the history of the Swedish pioneers in southern Saline County. These articles contain a wealth of information about the area. The idea began to develop in his mind that a monument should be built honoring these pioneers who bore the "cross of privation and hardship" in their efforts to build a home on the prairie. When he completed his project, an article appeared in the Salina Journal explaining his reason for the project.
Thus, found within this writing, Mr. Holmquist "honors and remembers" two Swedes responsible for this monument:
A Mr. Linholm and a Mr. Oberg!!
"In 1941, one of the sons of these hardy pioneers, Carl G. Linholm, had over the course of several years, written a series of articles about the history of the Swedish pioneers in southern Saline County. These articles contain a wealth of information about the area. The idea began to develop in his mind that a monument should be built honoring these pioneers who bore the "cross of privation and hardship" in their efforts to build a home on the prairie. When he completed his project, an article appeared in the Salina Journal explaining his reason for the project.
" Pioneer Cross "
From Thorstenburg Road at Burma Road Intersection
Smolan, Kansas
June 2022
"Mr. Linholm wrote:
'Readers of the Journal who have read my former articles on this subject are acquainted with my endeavor to rouse an interest in these hills in the way of beautifying them as a monument to those who, by their hardship and denials, laid the foundation for these well-organized communities.
'Lack of success in my efforts did not dampen my ambitions and the question arose, "Is there anything I myself could do?" In my travels I have noticed figures or letters on hills and mountain sides which always recalled our own Smoky Hills, and could we not create some marker near the top of the summit that would be visible over most of the county? In a reflective mood I was inspired again and again by the vision of a cross as the most appropriate figure, since the pioneers had many crosses to bear.
'It was not so much the hard work and privations as the constant fear of dangers on these wild prairies, of the many serpents that were everywhere. The rattlers and copperheads were dangerous for the children who were always barefoot. It was our mother's constant fear, and her every morning prayer, that a higher hand would hover over and protect her children during the day. There was a spirit of thanksgiving at night. Then the Indians, who also cause fear for mother along with us children. The Texas cowboys were not less dangerous as they were much under the influence of liquor. My conclusion was that fear was the heaviest cross, especially of the mothers, and to the memory of our own, as well as to all pioneering mothers I dedicate the white cross at the summit of the Smoky Hills. Mother's love in the dugout, or soddy, was just as deep and strong for every one of her little ones, as mother's love in the mansion. It was for this love and love of the creator as taught by the story of the cross that they derived courage and strength to bear the many crosses of pioneer days.'
'A Mr. Oberg, owner of the summit, resides in Assaria. He was delighted in giving permission to build the cross. It was created by laying stones flat on the steep hillside. The dimension of the main stem is ten feet by forty feet high. These stones were covered with white cement and along the base of the cross is written [anonymously],
"In loving remembrance of pilgrims on the prairies, in the 400th anniversary of Coronado, 1941."
'On a large rock is this [anonymous] quotation: "Since the universe began, until it shall be ended, the soul of man, the soul of nature, and the soul of God have blended. We hold that the love of nature is spiritual, and it behooves us all to study nature and learn all possible about our hills and rocks, our trees, flowers, and lakes, and with greater love our lives may be enriched until our days shall be ended."
'In pioneer day we all wondered if these hills did not hold some valuable minerals.....Out of the Smoky Hills, as they are today, can be developed greater values by far than any mineral, be it silver or gold. The former can only be shared by a few, while all, even the poorest, may have a share of treasures by developing a greater love and appreciation of the beauty and wonders of creation. Mr. Oberg holds the abstract, but the hills belong to all those who love them, and in the measure we appreciate the beauty, we hope that many who vision the white cross....and with a wider horizon in moments of silence, drink in the vigor, the peacefulness and calm, that comes to one on higher ground. I am sure that many of you mothers, as you view the cross, perhaps from your kitchen window, will be prompted to lift your voices in some of the many hymns inspired by the significance of the cross, and thus be lifted to higher ground....
'It would be desirable if the cross could be built more endurable in order to keep the grass and weeds out of it, but to the extent of my ability, I shall endeavor to keep it white and clean, and if perchance it has been the means of pointing some soul to a fuller, higher and richer life, I shall be even happier and richer for building the cross on the summit of the Smoky Hills."
"It has been fifty-two [81]* years since Carl Linholm built the white cross, and one-hundred and twenty-five [153]* years have passed since the Galesburg Land Company search committee visited the Smoky Valley for the first time, and found their ultimate treasure, a home for themselves and their people. The pioneers are all gone now, and most of their descendants have scattered to all parts of the country, but to most of them, the Smoky Valley will always be home. They come back now and then to visit, to attend church, greet old friends, to place a flower in the cemetery. The pioneers are not forgotten, the hardships and privations which were there cross to bear are remembered in a story, a thought, a glance at the old picture albums.
"And always, a lift of the head will bring the Smoky Bluffs into view -- the same now as one hundred and twenty-five [153]* years ago. Their lofty presence, rising through the haze above the valley floor, gives us a sense of peace. The monument, white and glorious, immediately greets our eye and we know that we are home -- under the shadow of the pioneer cross.
* * *
'Readers of the Journal who have read my former articles on this subject are acquainted with my endeavor to rouse an interest in these hills in the way of beautifying them as a monument to those who, by their hardship and denials, laid the foundation for these well-organized communities.
'Lack of success in my efforts did not dampen my ambitions and the question arose, "Is there anything I myself could do?" In my travels I have noticed figures or letters on hills and mountain sides which always recalled our own Smoky Hills, and could we not create some marker near the top of the summit that would be visible over most of the county? In a reflective mood I was inspired again and again by the vision of a cross as the most appropriate figure, since the pioneers had many crosses to bear.
'It was not so much the hard work and privations as the constant fear of dangers on these wild prairies, of the many serpents that were everywhere. The rattlers and copperheads were dangerous for the children who were always barefoot. It was our mother's constant fear, and her every morning prayer, that a higher hand would hover over and protect her children during the day. There was a spirit of thanksgiving at night. Then the Indians, who also cause fear for mother along with us children. The Texas cowboys were not less dangerous as they were much under the influence of liquor. My conclusion was that fear was the heaviest cross, especially of the mothers, and to the memory of our own, as well as to all pioneering mothers I dedicate the white cross at the summit of the Smoky Hills. Mother's love in the dugout, or soddy, was just as deep and strong for every one of her little ones, as mother's love in the mansion. It was for this love and love of the creator as taught by the story of the cross that they derived courage and strength to bear the many crosses of pioneer days.'
'A Mr. Oberg, owner of the summit, resides in Assaria. He was delighted in giving permission to build the cross. It was created by laying stones flat on the steep hillside. The dimension of the main stem is ten feet by forty feet high. These stones were covered with white cement and along the base of the cross is written [anonymously],
"In loving remembrance of pilgrims on the prairies, in the 400th anniversary of Coronado, 1941."
'On a large rock is this [anonymous] quotation: "Since the universe began, until it shall be ended, the soul of man, the soul of nature, and the soul of God have blended. We hold that the love of nature is spiritual, and it behooves us all to study nature and learn all possible about our hills and rocks, our trees, flowers, and lakes, and with greater love our lives may be enriched until our days shall be ended."
'In pioneer day we all wondered if these hills did not hold some valuable minerals.....Out of the Smoky Hills, as they are today, can be developed greater values by far than any mineral, be it silver or gold. The former can only be shared by a few, while all, even the poorest, may have a share of treasures by developing a greater love and appreciation of the beauty and wonders of creation. Mr. Oberg holds the abstract, but the hills belong to all those who love them, and in the measure we appreciate the beauty, we hope that many who vision the white cross....and with a wider horizon in moments of silence, drink in the vigor, the peacefulness and calm, that comes to one on higher ground. I am sure that many of you mothers, as you view the cross, perhaps from your kitchen window, will be prompted to lift your voices in some of the many hymns inspired by the significance of the cross, and thus be lifted to higher ground....
'It would be desirable if the cross could be built more endurable in order to keep the grass and weeds out of it, but to the extent of my ability, I shall endeavor to keep it white and clean, and if perchance it has been the means of pointing some soul to a fuller, higher and richer life, I shall be even happier and richer for building the cross on the summit of the Smoky Hills."
"It has been fifty-two [81]* years since Carl Linholm built the white cross, and one-hundred and twenty-five [153]* years have passed since the Galesburg Land Company search committee visited the Smoky Valley for the first time, and found their ultimate treasure, a home for themselves and their people. The pioneers are all gone now, and most of their descendants have scattered to all parts of the country, but to most of them, the Smoky Valley will always be home. They come back now and then to visit, to attend church, greet old friends, to place a flower in the cemetery. The pioneers are not forgotten, the hardships and privations which were there cross to bear are remembered in a story, a thought, a glance at the old picture albums.
"And always, a lift of the head will bring the Smoky Bluffs into view -- the same now as one hundred and twenty-five [153]* years ago. Their lofty presence, rising through the haze above the valley floor, gives us a sense of peace. The monument, white and glorious, immediately greets our eye and we know that we are home -- under the shadow of the pioneer cross.
* * *
" PIONEER CROSS "
Celebrating the Swedish Lutheran Galesburg Colony Smoky Valley Arrival on February 25, 1869
- The 150th Anniversary -
February 2019 Photograph
Courtesy of Tom Holmquist
Celebrating the Swedish Lutheran Galesburg Colony Smoky Valley Arrival on February 25, 1869
- The 150th Anniversary -
February 2019 Photograph
Courtesy of Tom Holmquist
* * *
* Based on the 1994 publishing year of Pioneer Cross and the current year 2022, I have [inserted] [81] for Mr. Holmquist's "fifty-two years" and [152] for his "one hundred and twenty-five years."
* * *
" Let Us Remember Them "
* * *
Swedes: TheWayTheyWere
~ restoring lost local histories ~
reconnecting past to present
* * *
All color photography throughout Swedes: The Way They Were is by Fran Cochran unless otherwise indicated, or obviously concluded it is not.
Copyright © 2022 www.swedesthewaytheywere.org. All rights reserved.
" Let Us Remember Them "
* * *
Swedes: TheWayTheyWere
~ restoring lost local histories ~
reconnecting past to present
* * *
All color photography throughout Swedes: The Way They Were is by Fran Cochran unless otherwise indicated, or obviously concluded it is not.
Copyright © 2022 www.swedesthewaytheywere.org. All rights reserved.
