THE REPUBLICAN

August 11, 1899

 

SOME MORE REMNISCENCES

From the Pen of an Old Settler

 

MR. EDITOR:

            In a former paper was given some of the incidents attending the location of the town of Waupaca and thinking perhaps it might be interesting to note some of the events that transpired within a year or so thereafter, showing some of the obstacles and difficulties that had to be overcome, which in a measure are necessarily incident to the settlement of all new countries.  Not that the hardships or deprivations of the early settlers of Waupaca were hardly in any sense comparable to what he early settlers of our country had to encounter, being separated from their base of supplies by a wide sea, confronted by an unbroken wilderness, with not a very productive soil, inhabited by a new race of people, who for a time were friendly, but soon became a very formidable foe and met every advancement with determined opposition.  Still by way of contrast with present opportunities and conditions may be seen the rich heritage that has fallen to the occupants of today.  There being no roads or other means of communication than in small boats up Wolf river, still it was soon spread abroad that the so called Indian land was a kind of Eldorado and many found the way thereto seeking homes.

            The first to come with wagon was J. M. Vaughn, crossing Fox River at what was then called Strong’s Landing, now Berlin; following a road for several miles that led to Stevens Point, then started northward through the wilds, having no looked out course, being guided alone by the best calculations possible, from the very limited knowledge of the country at that time.  His trip was successful, though very round about, for swamps and streams were encountered throwing oftimes from what was thought to be a direct course, but overcoming these he got safely through with his effects.  Encouraged by his enterprise others were induced to try the trail he had made and get supplies that way rather than by the slow way of the river, though the way was blind and oftimes quite difficult.

            These excursions to Berlin for supplies aroused the merchants and businessmen of that place to the importance of a better communication with Waupaca, and they sent a survey party through to locate a road as direct as possible which they did, marking the trees plainly.  The people of Berlin agreed to do their share, at least one half of the labor in opening the road.  Eight miles of the proposed road from Berlin had been opened by a settler on Willow Creek, and from thence the Berlin people were to proceed and meet the Waupaca people at or before they reached Pine river.  Late in December was the day set to start to open the road from each end and the weather was excessively cold.  Notwithstanding the Waupacians, thirteen in number, and with one-third as many teams of oxen and sleds, with camp equipage and hay for cattle, sallied forth with courage and will sufficient to counteract the numbing chilliness of the cold.  The company consisted of the Hebard’s, J. M. Vaughn, W. G. Cooper, Roswell Hicks, Granville Jones, S. F. Ware, the three last named having come in on the Vaughn trail, J. W. Chandler, S. C. Dow, Buel, Ambrose Gard, with the writer making a jolly crew.  The first days labor brought them only to a small creek on Spencer’s marsh, where camp was made without tent or other shelter than could be hastily thrown up by boughs.  The thermometer must have been very low down, judging by the cattle’s ears, for several were frozen stiff in the morning and were much reduced in size thereby.  The next day an early start and as fast progress made as possible, the cold being an active stimulant, hoping to reach Pine river that day but was doomed to failure, not reaching there until the next day at noon.  Great was the disappointment in not finding the Berlin people, for it was expected that they would meet at this point and complete or nearly so, the bridge across this river, as one must be built on account of steep banks thereby precluding the possibility of fording.  Calculations had been made that the third day would see the road opened, and now two and one-half days were gone.  Hay had all been fed and nearly all of the provisions consumed.  Should an attempt be made to build the bridge and go forward or return as hastily as possible.  A short consultation settled the matter that it should be a forward move and if men ever worked with a will it was then.  It did not take long to cut three long pine logs of length to span the stream and snake them to it, dumping them in and swinging one end around by aid of the current and so getting them in place.  Tamarack poles were cut and hauled in short order to cover and all were safely over before sundown, reaching the timber belt just as darkness overtook them.  A rousing campfire was made and what little grub was left was soon disposed of and for feed for cattle, they having been turned loose, basswood trees were cut on which they browsed the night long with great avidity.  The extreme cold still continued, making a big campfire an absolute necessity, causing the sound of the axe to be heard, as it was being wielded by some one for fuel or brose, almost the entire night.  As there was no cooking to be done and nothing to eat, camp was broken at the first dawn, moving forward, working with a will and desperation as cold and hunger can only give.  Three miles of road making in thick heavy timber was to be overcome before Willow creek could be reached, to which point it was known a road had been cut, which was reached past mid-afternoon.  Here was found logs rolled up for the body of some building and some of the party on looking through the chinks or cracks of the logs saw a filled sack within, and climbing over the top, as no opening had as yet been made, found that it was filled with bread and bacon.  It did not take long to chop them into frozen chunks for distribution to the hungry crowd, which was eaten while moving on, as eight miles had to be traversed to reach Berlin, which was accomplished about 10 p.m.  Great but joyful was the surprise to those that were met at Berlin, for they had no idea that the Waupacians would brave the cold, but turn back even if they had started, as did the Berlin crew, thus accounting for their non-appearance at Pine river, and also for the sack of provisions at Willow creek, which they left as they turned back having gone thus far.  Though arriving at so late an hour the Berlin people provided a sumptuous meal for the crew which was greatly enjoyed.

            The mills, one at Weyauwega the other at Little river started at about this time to manufacture lumber for export, sought an outlet by opening a road southward, connecting with the one above described not many miles from Willow creek, which was liberally used by the writer hereof, Capt. David Scott, as he was familiarly called and others, in transporting lumber to the farmers south of Fox river and exchanging for food supplies, paying the price of lumber therefrom retaining quite a share for home consumption.  All such as engaged in this traffic laid in a competence to nearly or quite meet their needs for the coming summer.  But as the season advanced the larder in several homes ran low and as in al new countries the truthfulness of the saying to which this writer can testify, that “If one has, another shall not suffer for want” was carried to such an extent that all were brought to close extremities before the fields yielded a harvest to meet absolute need.  Capt. Scott and the writer made frequent trips during the winter, traveling in company if possible, as the road was long and lonesome there being no house between the mills and Berlin, or between Berlin and Waupaca, so camping where night overtook was the only resort.  Feed for team and food for driver had to be carried along.  On one occasion the two started together from Little river, loaded with lumber and was to make camp at a certain place agreed upon. The Capt. Going ahead as his team was faster, being horses, and the other arriving at the appointed place well along in the evening, fully expecting to find a good camp fire with a jovial companion to help pass the time.  Lo, no one was there, and loud calls cold bring back no responsive voice.  Campfire failed to be lighted, as during all the afternoon had fallen a frozen sleet mingled with rain, causing everything obtainable to be wet and covered with ice, so that every attempt to start a fire proved abortive.  The only thing to be done was to roll up in wraps and wait for morning.  As the oxen were being hitched to the sled in the morning the Capt. appeared leading his horses, having left his load a little in advance and gone to a new settler’s house some half mile from the road which was unknown to the other, because of the sleet and rain. On another occasion the writer was bringing in a wagon box full of potatoes in the month of February, they being nicely packed with hay and blankets for protection, arrived at this same camp and it being quite cold a good fire was built on either side of the sled, and his bunk on the top of the load.  During the night unquestionably a spark of fire fell where it ought not for he was awakened by an undue sense of heat and found his bed on fire and rapidly eating its way to undesirable quarters.  However, the fire was soon smothered and rest the remainder of the night unbroken.

            Notwithstanding the many seeming hardships and deprivations all was endured with becoming fortitude, even though as in some instances only boiled greens graced the festive board.  But this was not long for soon came the corn, then the beans, followed by buckwheat ground in coffee mill giving cakes which were greatly relished, as well as those made from pounded corn in a wooden mortar, the pestle having a spring pole attached.  Any one now considering the seeming hardships the early settlers encountered would naturally conclude that happiness would be an unknown quantity, and joyousness and good cheer entire strangers, but such was not the case, and could the voices of the participants of those times be heard, methinks the united chorus would be “they were the happy days of our pilgrimage.”  And not necessarily in consequence of the many deprivations, but rather the pleasure derived in surmounting difficulties and thereby making them real stepping stones or helps in the march of development.  Who in life’s battles has not felt a renewed energy and zeal, as one after another of the obstacles that so frequently present themselves are overcome and left behind in the race.  And so in after life as hindrances appear a recurrence to former conquests giving courage and hope that enables again to be the victor.  With a peculiar significance the experiences come to the pioneer for everything in the way of development for a time at least, he feels and knows are entirely due or results of his own efforts, combined with the labors of his associates, and he may be well excused if he indulges in what may be termed a “pardonable pride,” that he has been somewhat instrumental in their accomplishment.

                                                                                                E. C. S.

                                                                                                (Erastus C. Sessions)