The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1874-08-28

"reminiscences, Relics, and Ancient
and Modern Biographies, &c.

Under this sort OF general heading we pro-
pose publishing each week one or more origi-
nal articles of much interest pertaining to
Ssndusky county. And in doing SO we shall
feel extremely obliged to friends for informa-
tion Of any kind tending to cooperate with
our views in bringing to light interesting and
instructive facts hitherto unexplored- and
worthy of record. As our object is to render
willing service in furtherance of the success
of the recently formed Pioneer and Historic
Society for this county, We feel assured none
will fail 10 accord US their cheerful interest
and support. While on recent drive round
the country We casually called on
Mr.. JOSEPH GARN, OF HELENA,
Than whom, in that section, there are, per-
haps, but few more popular men. Some for
ty-four years ago, when. Lower Sandusky
was comparatively wilderness, Mr.. g., fresh
from Pennsylvania, took up section and a
quarter of land, at dollar and quarter an
acre, for himself and brothers-half section
for himself, half section for his brother Dav-
id (sinee dead) and quarter section for his
brother Martin, still living in Jackson town
ship. Having made his purchase at Tiffin, his
next aim was to establish his new home, and
with his wagon loaded, he and his little party
of relatives had to wend their way first to
VOLTS creek, NOW BettsVille) simply by 8
small pocket compass, which, though being no
mariners, they ultimately successfully accom-
plished with difficulty, but without accident.
Seneca Indians were numerous along the
route, though they only greeted them with
the kindly salutation Of "me friend" which
fell more than agreeabiy on the ears Of the
Little party, who were comparatively unharm-
ed. But this was not the case with the beasts
of the forests, for wolves and bears contrib
uted very suspicious harmony whenever they
had occasion to make nights halt, while
birds Of prey were by no means wanting to
announce their anxiety to render unwelcome
attentions. However, they ultimately arrived
at the Creek and were received by VIM. An
drew, Gilbert Steward, John Garn "a brother)
and David Klutz, who had only Just before
settled at Wood creek, now Millersville. No
time was lost in securing the assistance of
tAOAA AAASh0o w oOSJLA mhIklQR Oh
pieces Of land which was performed with
ready precision by means of the aforesaid
pocket compass and pacing the distances,
which were temporarily indicated by pegs.
Next, to work went sturdy arms and willing
hands to erect a shelter, and with marvellous
rapidity log upon log was piled until a hut
was raised-void OF design, neatness or in
deed any other considerations than those
prompting the famous Robinson Crusoe, of
whom we have read:
"He got all the wood
That ever he could
And stuck it together with glue so
Till he raised him a hut
And in it he put
The body Of Robinson Crusoe.
But, unlike Robinson, our neighbor earns
mission was one Of peace in pursuit Of for
tune, and the forest soon began to fall before
his az, and the land yielded abundance in re-
sponse to the pursuits of industry. Roads had
to be cut to unite farm to farm, and each had
his share of that work to perform ere connec-
ton was made with any civilized center where
trading could be carried on, aud the nearest
point for this was Fremont, then Fort Ste
phenson. With such rude roads the difficult
ty of travel may be easily imagined, and that
fact added to the high prices Of common nee
essaries afforded the laborer but scanty
margin for his toll. Still, in Mr. Garn we
have another exemplifcation of the proyerb
that "patience and perseverance overcometh
difficulties" Hard, and still harder, has he's
from year to year. fought nobly the battles Of
life-and through weeks. months and years Of
alternate sunshine and adversely has he kept
the beacon of success before his eyes, thank
ful for every wind that favored him with 3
tack in favor Of his course, until now We may |
safely say he is anchored in the harbor Of |