HISTORIES: "Wayside Cemetery" of Barron, Barron County, WI ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor, or the legal representative of the contributor, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Linda Mott 28 June 2000 ==================================================================== Wayside Cemetery "(Hallowed spot within the churchyard, where the silent shadows creep; Breathe a prayer to God in heaven, here our loved ones lie asleep)" Wayside Cemetery is located north of Highway 8 in the eastern city limits. It was started by the Town of Barron and later the City of Barron acquired the title. Over the years it has been developed into a spot of great beauty by skillful landscaping and constant care. Attractive shrubbery, some fine trees, and evergreens thrive throughout this tract. In the summer months the neatly trimmed, rich, green grass and a wide variety of many colored flowers which bloom here make this cemetery a beauty spot well worth travelling many miles to see. The whole spot is surely a living memorial to those who have here, entered their final rest. Recently, an addition has been made to the original tract. This 10 acres lies adjacent to the old cemetery and west of it. It has already been landscaped and platted and in time, will add further beauty to the original site. Near the east entrance on the south side of the old cemetery stands a granite memorial erected by Barron citizens in honor of Civil War veterans. Here, every year, if the weather is favorable, Memorial Day exercises are held. In early days, two burial grounds were started, one west of the Blueberry tracks along Division Ave., and the other in the eastern part of the city along LaSalle Ave.. Both of these were finally abandoned. The pioneers have long been dead and, "on their graves the mossy grass is green." As we have said elsewhere, we should always remember their toil and sacrifice and hardship in those days so long ago. They made possible the good way of life which we enjoy today. The true spirit of brotherhood was in their hearts. They helped each other. They shared each other's joys and sorrows. Today in this land of ours we find much crime and green and selfishness; we find much dishonestly and racial hatred and corruption in government, at all levels. Fraud and dishonesty are often passed over lightly as matters of no great consequence. Who today receives the acclaim and plaudits of our multitudes? Are they men and women of the highest intelligence, integrity and character? We are worshipping false gods! If we continue to ignore these evil forces which have long been at work in our community we shall surely lose all of those blessings which this nation has bestowed upon its people in years gone by. A nation is no stronger than the people who make up that nation. We do not lack prophets. Every now and then their voices are heard in this great land. They warn us of the peril and disaster which lies ahead, --but to no avail. We are so busy in our pursuit of money and worldly goods and comforts of life that we do not wish to be bothered with unpleasant thoughts. The things which money will buy are temporal; the things which money won't buy are eternal. In the lives of the pioneers, the eternal values predominated. --From the Souvenir Historical Album of the Barron Centennial-1960 (used by permission)