River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1876-06-15
HISTORICAL IAgIDENTS OF TRENTON

as pioneer, probably had no equal.
Every hunter, Spectator, and compan-
ion pioneer that entered his cabin was
made welcome, and every comfort
he had was shared equally. Whenever
a person made him a visit he was sure
to call again. He had left his fair
partner in the east and had come out
to find home in this (then) golden
west. His claim is what is now known
as the "Adams estate. He endeav-
ored to cultivate the soil and raise his
bread. But he was not cut out for a
farmer, and with the many drawbacks
that discouraged agriculture at that
time, he did not succeed very well.
de was famous trader, and many red
men visited his dwelling to purchase
something, or to trade. He was quite
fayOrite with the Indians, and he
never had that fear of them that
many of his countrymen had. At
this period, Red Wing was quite a
small place, about two or three houses.
But Mr.. Day must have thought it
would eventually become city, as he
could not content himself until he had
secured claim there as well as here.
And, before he had been fully able to
judge of the advantages of Trenton,
he sold out his claim and took up his
abode in Red Wing, where he resided
up to April, 1875, when he emigrated
to the Black Hills, to again try his
fortune ill the far off, golden west.
He still wears the same pleasant coun.
tenance as of yore. We will now
leave him with his mind filed with
great expectations of his future pio-
neer home.
About the year of 1851 Wilson
Thing made his appearance. He re-
sided in a rude cabin on the island OPP
posite Red Wing. He devoted his
time to getting out wood. But he
soon obtained large tract of land on
the highland near where the village Of
Trenton is located, and he removed to
the main land. He ''bached" with a
companion by the name of Dexter in
what was afterwards known as the
''0ld Ferry House." Mr.. Dexter did
not stay long but soon left, leaving no
trace behind. Mr.. Thing continued
to get out wood. He soon found it
necessary to live nearer the steamboat
landing, and built frame house on
the hill in full view of his wood piles.
Said house has been remodeled, and is
now occupied by Mr.. B. f. Way. He
ranked his wood ON what is now
known as Trenton levee, but was then
called Things Landing. lie prospered
rapidly in the wood business: he had
several men under his employ set
tiers began to pour in rapidly, and he
had strong hopes that his city would,
at no distant day, become flourish
ing point. But his life was of short
duration, and about 1853 he departed
for that country from whence no one
returns. lie left a widow and two
children, who have for several years
past received the care and protection
of a husband and step-father in the
person of Mr.. Way.
In the fall of 1852, jeremiah Adams
landed here with a view to procure a
home. He wintered with Mr.. Thing,
and, liking the appearance of the
country, went back for his family
in Illinois early in he spring, and re-
turned with them in the fall. The
following year he built the second
frame house in this place. Mr. Adams
was naturally farmeE. aud he soon
opened farm which hourished finely
under his supervision. He did not
make raising small grain" his whole
object. He raised stock, and bees,
also. And he was often called by the
young pioneers, "The Honey.man. "
He had several sons and daughters,
and each took a prominent part as pi-
oneers Of those days. Mr.. Adams
never neglected his birthright, as he
manifested considerable interest in
the elections and attended the polls
regularly, even when held at Prescott.
He was generally represented in the
town offices after Trenton was organ
lied. lie was, as some use the term,
"a hail fellow well met, ready to
tell an interesting tale to any one.
No doubt he saw rough times and had
many narrow escapes from bears,
wolves, etc. But suffice il to say
that he surmounted all difficulties and
lived here a quarter Of a century,
when like some others before him,
and many afterwards, he got an idea
of moving farther west, and we now
find him in Todd Co., Mimi, still ply.
ing his vocation. He left many
friends here, and his position in socie.
ty will not very soon be filed.
tro DE- cONTNUED.)