Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1853-10-12
For the Grant County Herald.
EaFEyEsecclEections Of PedlaF'!
Creek.
CONTIN ED.

CoNTIN
Difficulties between miners in those
days, were settled by arbitration and
4 if not with Ell lire satisfaction 10 all con-
cerned, were generally submitted to
without complaint. There were, how
ever, some exceptions. About five
miles east Of the CT eek, upon what was
then cal ed Vanmeter's survey, dis
pute arose about ID mineral lot, and af-
ter two arbitrations, the same parties
gaining each time, the other parties
not being satisfied, endeavored TO take
possession by force and arms. They
were faithfully warned by the party in
possession, not to come on the lot, but
disregarding the warning they yentured
forward, with arms III hand, were fired
upon by those who had warned them not
to approach. Two men fell, one MORALLY
wounded, and died in few hours lie
other severely, but recovered in month
or TWO. This happened in the summer
Of 1929 the two men who fired were
afterwards tried at Prairie du Chen and
acquitted. Times continued dali, min
eral low, and miners generally di>cour-
aged for near two years. Farming was
scarcely thought Of al this time. Some
o. the miners had small garden-spots,
and though vegetables fouriShed eqtial
to or better than in amy other place
had ever seen yet the general opinion
was, that the country was too colo for
farming; and if government would have
given me at this time patent for the
best ten sections Of land in the country,
and bound me to live OF it, would not
lave accepted. That the country was
healthy none disputed. The mode of
living and manner of exposure, if fol-
lowed i'll amy other country with which
ain acquainted, would have resulted in
the death Of probably one-half the in
habtauts. Our cabins were generally
dug IN the side of bank, with a few
split logr laid across the top in the form
Of rai.ers, only close together. Some
grass was then cut with the scythe or
knife and thrown over those, whilst the
whole was covered with dirt or sod
To say that they "lcaked" would be
giving but a faint idea Of their true cor
diliun in lime Of rain, the water soaked
through dirt hay and all, and about the
time that AN ordinary shower, was over
out door, il commenced in the cabin add
to ibis the dirt floor which soon became
wet from rud to end and l"reckon" we had
things rather damp for comfort. Our
provisions consisted Of flour, pork, ard
coffee, without cream, hen prepared
by The rough miner just emerged from
the DRIFT, and covered with mud and o.
chre. Bat ali this was Of small moment
to men whose nerves had been strength
eacd BY The pure air Of Wisconsin;
whose appelites lad been set by labor
to resemble a whipsaw, and whose
Stomachs possessed the strength of
meet-aXes. Hospitality was the distin-
gii>hlrg characteristic, Of the miners Of
those days. In passing from one part
OF the country 10 another, the traveller
always met with a hearty welcome.
whether acquainted or strangers and to
offer remuneration except at the taverns
WAS considered almost an insult; as be-
ing au impeachment Of their liberalitv.
And j! The miner in passing was hung
~, II was expected that he would stop
and take a lunch, whether the inmates
Of tie cabin were at home or not -
Things were rarely, ii ever, disturbed
by the pas>ers by, though there were a.
hundant chances for so doing. Few il
any OF Our cabins had more than blan-
keJ hung up as shelter for the door, and
the miners were seldom within, except
at morning, night and noon. Some at
tribute this state OF things 10 their be-
ing 40 law among us, to punish those
who might traltsgress. am not dis
posed 10 argue abstract questions, for
think they are Interesting to but few
but think that other causes contrihu-
ted more to the safety of person and
property than this; the country was
then new and wide, and few if any but
expected that they would make a raise
before long indeed, they were locking
daily and hourly when they would
''strike lead, j." and that heart must be
douhly dyed in wickedness, that would
rather gain property by dishonesty than
by honest means. Times have changed
much, Mr.. Editor, since | wandered a
STRIPPING, over the hills Of Peilar's
Greek. and other portions Of the mining
country for there are but few parts of
the mines or Wisconsin,, which have
not seen in early times. We have now
state e4nalled by few and surpassed by
none in oint of agricultural and miner
al resources whilst for water power,
for the purposes Of machinery, we pro-
baby beat the world. Our internal i'm
provements are rapidly going forward !;
and soon She miner. no had to foot il
with his tools on his shoulder, from one
diggins to another, can be carried by
steam in few hours from one end of
the state to the other, Success to Wis
conSin. Pioneer.