The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1873-03-26
AQueer History.

(srom tho YpsillAnu. Mich, Scnttncl.)
More years ago than almost anybody
now here can remember, there lived or
the east side OF the river family consist
Ing of,the mother and several small chill
dren. At the time when our story be-
gins there was no bridge across the
Huron, and at seasons ot high water q
sort of scow attached 10 rope stretched
across tho stream was used as ferry
The woman Ol whom we speak was en-
ployed on the west side OF the river, and
by some means was thrown out OF the
scOw while returning home, as well as
another passenger, and both were drown
ed, Thus these small children were lett
wholly uncared Tor, except by the casual
assistance of the very few scattered en-
igrants. The body Of the second
person drowned was recovered al.
most Immediately, while that ot
the woman was not found until some
time aiterward, when the water had
subsidized. During this. period the chill
dreu, loo small TO fully realize how their
mother could DO thus suddenly snatched
away, especially little girl among them
disconsoiately strolled up and down the
stream, calling Tor their protector. With
what care they got they grew to man and
w0msnhood, but melancholy had settled
upon the girl, which never left her, and at
length she was placed with the hope oi
recovery, in an institution in the State ot
New York. Eventually the male chill
dren became the owners OF 100 acres OF
land in this country, on which there Is q
good house, barn, etc. They then sent
and brought their sister back to live with
them;and tho family whose whole history
It would be too long 10 follow, consisting
Of two men and the sister, still cling to-
gether and live almost rs solitaires. But
the greatest singularity Is their repug-
nance to living in o house. 1t Will seem
incredible when VIC soy that with COM
Portable house OF their own, two
of them have lived the whole win
ter, and are still living and sleeping ou
Of doors. One yielded to tho weather o.
the opportunities OF the neighbors, anC
took lodging IN house; the others con-
tlnue their Ftrauge way Of living. How
DO they live, tho reader Is ready to ask
with the thermometer 80 below zero
Their kitchen is an enclosure OF logs
simply breast high, without the least sign
Of a root. The logs serve to keep away
cattle and animals. Their sleeping apart.
ments, NOT In this enclosure, arc rail and
logs laid up slanting, so as to leave low
hollow, which is filled with autumnal
leaves, in which they bury themselves
deeply, and as 1t seems warmly. This
mode Of lite Is their choice, for at the
same time that they cat ii an open pen,
and sleep in leaves, a tenant occupies
their house, and u well.kept horse lies In
q warm stable. :
Under all these circumstances such Is
their respect among their ncighbors that
the latter feel the reluctance Of natural
politeness against any pressing interter-
ence with their domestic affairs. But
many is tho anxious look on our fierce
wintry mornings cast toward the woods
where these almost hcrmits are known tC
be, to see II the smoke OF their breakfast
fire is curling among the trees, or whether
its absence indicated that they were sdhy
frozen in their wintry beds. Up to the
present time their smoke still curls, anC
long NAV 1t wave. We like originality
aud something out OF tho common place
But here Is psychological study for some
body. It Is very evident that those child
rem by their misfortuues and circumstan
ces. received a bend, mental distortion
that no subsequent experience or training
can correct. We could give the names o
principals and witnesses in this stngula
case, but 1t is not necessary, as the seen
so near that any man about here ca
verify II for himself, and names would b
no corroboratIon to distant readers.