Democratic standard. [volume] (Georgetown, Brown County, Ohio) 1837-1850, 1841-03-16
THE FORCE OF THE WATERS

down Tho trees. and conveying the legs to
the saw mill or The place for shipping, are
in the Safe uf Maine, called "LumbeT-
ers." Tdeir labors may be said TO be con
tinual. Before winter has commenced,
and while the ground is yet uncovered
with a great depth Of snow, they leave
their homes to proceed TO the interior
Of the pine forests, which in that part Of
the county are truly mrgnif cent, and
Letsko themselves to certain plIces al.
ready we'll known to them, Their pro.
visions, axes, saws, and other icess,
~ articles, together with provender for
their cattle, are conveyed by oxen on
heavy sledges. Almost at the clmmen ce-
ment Of their march, they are obliged to
enter the woods, aud they have frequent
ly TO cut away for themselves, for con-
siderable spaces, as tho ground is often
covered with tho decayng trunks Of
immense trees, which have fallen either
from age, or in consequence Of acciden.
tai burnings. These trunks and the un.
dergrowth which lies entangled in their
tops, render many pllces almost impas.
sable even TO men ON foot. Over mry
ponds they are sometimes forced to form
causeways, this being under all crcum.
stances,ihe easiest mode Of reaching
the opposite side. Then reader il the
time for Witnessing the exertions Of
their fine large cattle. No rods do their
drivers usot TO pam their fanks; no oaihs
hnarI tn, ri
from ths lips Of these most industrious
and temperate men, for in Them, as in.
deed IN most of the inhabitants Of our
E,s;ern States, education aud habit have
tempered The passions and reduced
the moral constitution 10 a state Of har-
mony.
Alter surmouniing all obstacles, the
lumberers with their stock arrive OF the
spot which they have had in their view
and Immediately commence building ii
camp. The trees around SOON fall I'M.
der the blows Of their axes, and before
many days have elapsed low hahilaton
is reared and fitted within for the accom-
mediation Of their cattle, willie thoir
prOvender is secured on kind Of loft
covered with broad shingles OF boards
Then their own cabin is put up; rough
bedsteads, manufactured on the spot. are
fixed in the corners; chimney composed
of frame of sticks plastered with mud
leads away the smoke; the skins of beaI
or deer, with some blankets, form thei
bedding, aud around tho walls are hunG
their changes of home-spun clothing
guns, and various necessaries of life.--
Many prefer spending the night on the
sweetscented hny and corn.bladcs oftheil
cattle, which are laid on the ground..-
All arranged milhn, tho lumberers sci
their "dead.falis," large "sieeI,traps,'
and "spring.guns," in suitable places ar,
round their camp, 10 procure some Of the
bears that ever prowl around such cs,
adjustments.
Now ths heSvy clouds of November,
driven by the northern hlasts pour down
the snow in fealhery fakes, The win
ter has fairly set in, and seldom do the
suns glNddening rays fall on the wood.
cutters hut. In warm hannes hs body
is enveloped, l"e skin ora raccoon GOV
ers his head anl brow, his moose skin
leggins reach the grdle that secures
them around his was, while on broal
mUccasins, or snOW.sl res, he stands from
the earliest dawn until night, heading
away at tho majestic pines that for I
century past have emboijshed the for
est. The fall of these valuable trees NJ
longer resounIs on The ground; ;and at
they can tumble here and lhrre, no hing
Is heard but the rusling and cracking &
their branches, their helvy trunks sink
ing into the deep SHOWS. Thousands u
large pines thus cut down every wiEIe
afford room for the younger trees, whicl
sPring up profusely to supply tho want
OF man.
Weeks and weeks have elapsed; tn
earih's pure white covering has becom
thiekly and firmly crusted by tho increas
ing intensity Of the cold, the fallen tree
have all been sawn into measured logs
aud the long reposo of the oxen has itte
them for hauling them to tho neares
iruzen streams.s Tho ice gradually be
comes covered with the aCcumuIatin
mass of timber, aud their task complete
the Iumberers wait impatienly for tn
breaking up Of the winter
Al this period they PISS the time il
hunting The moose, the deer, and thu
bear, for the benefit oftheir wives anc
children-and as these men aro mos
excellent woodsmen, great havoc is made
among The game. MIny skins and Sa
bes, martins, and muskrais they have
procured during the intervals OF lhei
llb"r,O or under night. The SHOWS arc
now giving way as tho rains descend il
torrents, and the umberers collect theiu
utensils, harness, their cattle, and pre-
pare for their return. This they accom-
plish in safety.
From being Iumberes they now become
millers, and with pleasure each applies