The Illinois free trader and LaSalle County commercial advertiser. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1841-1843, 1842-04-08


OfcabinS wrapped in flames, while savage yclls
Are the first sign the kindng fire tells!
Oft persisted thus, the stern and hardy hand
That cleared the forest of our smiling land
CHAPTER
Nearly a century has rolled away
since the events we are about 10 record
transpircd. A century Brief period in
the annals of IIstory-passel over per-
haps, with single dash Of the pen
and yet in that time what wonderful re-
volutons have taken place-revolutions
in men, manners and outward conditions
Of life! One hundred years ago the red
men bounded in pursuit Of the deer, or
>crept stealthly on the war path, where
now the husbandman turns up the teem-
ing soil and rcaps the golden harvest, or
The merchant threads the thronged and
busy mart. One hundred years ago the
tall forest waved in glory Or in gloom
where now arc smiling farms, thriving
villages, and crowded cities. One hun
drcd years ago - but perhaps the con-
trast will be made more striking to the
reader by the relation Of our humble
story, the incidents of which took place
in that romantic period of our country's
history.
A little over century ago there was
but solitary log hut on what was then
styled the 'Causcway,' but which in mo-
dern years has borne tile name of Horse
Tavern the location of which is a mile
or two from our city on the Stroudwa,er
road. A particular description of the
spot will not be necessary to the devel-
opcment Of our story; and to the great
mass Of our readers such a description
would doubtless be sur2rluous, as they
are sufficiently acquainted with the To-
calities Of that place. 1t may not be
amiss to say, that It's present name was
derived from its being the general water
ing place for travellers from the neigh
boring towns and villages in that direc-
ton.
At that time the 'Causeway' was CO.
vcred with dense growth of wood,
which formed portion of the primeval
forest that once extended over our whole
city although the sturdy arms of Fall
mouth Neck, as Portland was then cal
led, had laid many a lea(y monarch low.
A man by the name Of Wier, or, accord
ing to our present photography, Wyer,
had selected this out-oi-the-way spot, as
it was deemed, for his residence. He
had made small opening, just sufficient
to allow room for the erection of his
rude hut and to afford limited space for a
garden. Why he chose this place so re-
mote from the settlement, when men
clustered together for mutual safety and
protection, it would be difficult to say.
Some of the good people of Falmouth,
who, like many of their descendants
were fond of indulging in groundless
surmises, ascribed it to sinister mo.
tive-shakng their heads very gravely
and suspiciously as they spoke of Joe
Wier's ,enerity in thus exposing him
self to the attacks of the prowling ret
man. A number of weil-disposed per
sons cautioned him of the danger which
surrounded him, and advised him to move
into the settlement.
But Wier was 4 strong, bold-heartet
fellow, and very honest one to boot
for all that we can learn. He had pecu
liar social notions of his own. He di,
not like a crowd--he wanted plenty o
elhow-room. A creature Of the woods