The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1852-11-24
PIONEER DIFFICULTIES.


!, PIONEER DIFFICULTIES.
i. The following is remarkable illustra
: tion of what roads and canals have don
, for the interior of the west. The facts ar
, perfectly authentic.
The early settlers in Medina, Ohio, go
their meal ground at dog mill. at Middle
bury. Although but about twenty mie
distant, the jorney there and back occupi
ed five days. They had only OK teams
and the rough roads they cut through III,
woods, after being passed over few times
became impossible from mud. compelIn,
them TO open new ones continually.
i Owing to the want OF market, the pro
ducts OF agriculture were very low. Thou
sands of fbushels of wheat could be bought
at one time for less than twenty five cents
a bushel, and cases occurred where ten
bushels Of wheat were offered for single
pound of tea and refused. As an exam
ple:--Mr. Joel Blakeslee. ofMedina, aboolu,
the year 1929 sowed fifty five acres oil
wheat, which he could only sell by barter
ing with his neighbors. He fed ont mos,
of it in bundles TO his cattle and swine.
All that he managed to dispose Of for cash,
was small quantity sold to traveller, al
twelve and half cents bushel, as feed
for his horse. Otherproducts were in pro:
portion. One man brought an OK Wagon
filled with corn, from Granger. eight miles
distant, which he gladly exchanged for
three yards of satinet for pair Of panta.
looms. twas not until the opening of the
Erie canal. that the settlers had market.
From that time the course Of prosperity
has been onward. The early settlers, after
wearing out their woolen pantaloons, were
obliged to have them seated and kneed
with buckskin, in which attire they atten-
ded church. Ii was almost impossible 10
raise wool, in consequence OF the abun-
dance Of wolves. who destroyed the sheep.
The sketch below written by an old resi-.
dent OF Meigs county, is to the same effect.
1t is tale that might be told by thousands
of early settlers.
People who have spent their lives in an
old settled country, can form but faint
idea OF the privations and hardships endu-
red by the pioneers of our now fourishing
state. When look on Ohio as it is. and
think what it was in 1909, when frs,
settled here. am struck with astonish.
ment, and can hardly credit my own sen.
ses. When | emigrated was young
man. without any property, entirely de.
pendant on my own industry for living,
| purchased 1850 acres of land on credit,
p miles from any house or road. and
built camp of poles 7by feet, and feet
high with three sides and fire in front.
| was not hindered from work by company;
for the first week did not see living soul,
but to make amends for that had every
night, a most glorious concert of wolves
and owls. soon-like Adam-saw the
necessity Of a help mate and persuaded
young woman to tie her destines to mine |
e',ilt log house go feet square-quite
arlstoe,atic in those days-moved into il. |
was iortssate enough to possess jack
knife; with THAI made wooden knife and
two forks, which e.swered admirably for
US to eat with. A b>dstead was wanted:
| took two round poles 10. the po,ts inser.
ted pole in them for side .ail two other
poles were inserted for the end e,;ece he
ends of which were put in the logs oithe
house-some puncheons were then split,
and laid from the side rail to the crevice
between two logs Of the house which formed
a substantial bed cord on which we laid |
our straw bed-the only one we had, on
which we slept as soundly and woke as
happy as Albert and Victoria. st
Ia process Of time. yard and a half of
calico was wanted; started on foot through
the woods ten miles. to Marietta, 10 procure
it; but, alas! when arrived there, / found
that In the absence of both money and
credit, the calico was not to be obtained.
The dilemma was serious one, and how
to escape could not devise; but had no
sooner informed my wife Of the failure.
han she suggested that had a pair of thin
panioloops, which could very well spare,
hat woud make quite decent frock; the
pants ware cut up, the frock made and in
due time she child was dressed. .ii. Iss |,
The long winter evenings were rather
edious. andsin order 10 make them pass
more pleasantly, by great exsrlion pur-
,ylaesd q sharein the Belpre library, about
'ixAnfHt distant, From this promised
nyse much entertainment.b bui another !
,ba5ple presented itsels-I had no can.
however.,he odsaiIorded plenty
j pms knots--with lhss1 psJe torches; | (