Page:History of West Virginia, old and new, in one volume, and West Virginia biography, in two additional volumes (v.1).djvu/36

2 centuries ago. Here, a self reliant pioneer, armed with axe and rifle, built his log cabin and began his mission of subduing the savage forest heavy with the sleep of ages. Through yonder gap pressed the incessant wave of frontiersmen clearing the way for civilization. Here, in patches of cleared land, strewn with arrow heads, they planted the seed for future harvests. Here, they experimented with the difficulties and opportunities of the wilderness. There, they sprang into conflict for the protection of their homes; near by is a stone marking the graves of those who died fighting for freedom; and yonder monument is in commemoration of the victory that was won. On every hand also are the living monuments of the civilization which followed: the houses, mills, bridges, mines, railways, oil derricks, schools, churches and courts.

In almost every community there have lived conspicuous representative leaders whose simple stirring lives may be studied as a fitting introduction to the vigorous life and struggles of the common people in bygone days. They represent the men who established, guided and saved the nation. Through them the moving dramatic panorama of the past may be unrolled and glimpses of institutional forces may be give.

The pioneer epoch is a delightful gateway through which the children of our common schools may find entrance to the fields of American history, and of general history. The pioneer life in many states is rich in stirring events, in difficult enterprises, in deeds of fortitude and nobility, in stories of strong men and women, which will thrill the children with delight and awaken a deep and permanent interest. In the settlement of almost every community plain, modest and uncelebrated men performed important service. They faithfully did a great work, the consequences of which are around us to-day. From many unnoticed, scattered fields, where they sowed their seed, came at last a mighty harvest. They toiled not in vain.

The story of the deeds of such men not only awakens human interest but impresses the mind with the value of high character and purpose, and animates us to do our work with a more intense and patient fidelity. All should be grateful for the invisible, molding influences behind these men: their humble but reverent homes, their simple churches and their rustic schools. The striking phases of their simple, frugal life are full of interest and furnish valuable data for later study of social history and government: their houses, the home life around the great fireplace, their furniture and dress, their meeting houses and long sermons in cold churches, their log rollings, house raisings and husking bees, their government, methods of travel and trade.

The study of such things as these will vivify the past — will "fill its dim spaces with figures which move and live and feel." Our history is rich in inspiring educational materials which, if properly presented, will prevent the distaste for history which has so often resulted from the study of skeleton outlines and the memorizing of tables and dates.

Perhaps local history may find its best opportunity as a means of illustrating in the simplest terms possible the fundamental principles of community life. This idea has recently been applied in the schools of Indianapolis where it has resulted in the preparation of a series of civic studies on the histories of the various institutions of the city, beginning with a short history of the water supply. Thus local history may be utilized as a means of civic instruction. Because of its usefulness in illuminating fundamental civic ideas, it may find its own opportunity for development in connection with a well organized course in civics. A child is led to see that the various institutions and arrangements of the community have been developed in order to satisfy the needs and wants of himself and other members of the community.

Local history will develop in the child's mind a conception of the nature of community life and its relations. The story of a simpler pioneer community shows most interestingly the presence of all the motives