Evening Republican, Volume 14, Number 310, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 December 1910 — The Disciple Trees. [ARTICLE]

The Disciple Trees.

In Shirley, Mass., a generation or two ago, one Mr. Holden set out some trees alongside the highway. This was a good deed in itself, but scarcely noteworthy except for the manner in which he did it. He was a religious man, and it occurred to him to perpetuate the memory of the crime of Judas in this modern day and generation by establishing a lasting reminder and warning to all men. Accordingly,’ he set trees for the 12 disciples, placing 11 flourishing young maples in a row and at the end a pine. These trees have grown up and are today known as the “Disciple Trees.” There is a tradition that Judas hanged himself to a poplar, since which time the leaves have been constantly quaking, but perhaps Mr. Holden had not heard the old legend. At any rate, his idea has failed its purpose to recall the religious significance, for his trees are a monument to himself now. And pine as well as maple, they all furnish grateful shade over the old country road to Shirley.