River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1876-01-06
ClirtOn...ItS Early History.
BY AN OLD SETTLER.

able about the woods of Clifton, as in
the good old IIauiso times of 1910;
A. ID. Woodruff took seven from the
hollow of u Eastwood tree,at one time;
o. Stlahl, who lived alone at the edge
of the timber in a log house covered
with shakes, was startled from his
reveIies, one very blight night, by
the sound Of numel Gus footsteps on
the house; and, being anxious to learn
the character and business, of his
nocturnal visitors, our friend hied him
out, in dishabille, pitchfork in hand,
to meet the foe or greet the friend;
and upon going to the rear, where the
roof was very low, four very amiable
! looking Racoons appeared, sitting side
by side on the comb of the building,
apparently waiting for something to
turn up" But at sight of our worthy
bachelor, mot exactly in full dress)
these Darwin cousins took hasty de-
parture, one of them carrying off as a
trophy, about four inches of the fork
tine, in his side.
This part Of the country in its first
settlement, was very singulally exempt
flom the annoyance of Indians; very
few made their appearance after the
settlement commenced. Two enter
prising Sioux, however, as if to make
up for the seeming neglect, came over
one night, and took two of Mr.. Gum
horses, which were never recovered,
although Mr.. Shotten came so near
them, when the Indians were riding
them, that he could speak to them.
But they were too fast for him, and got
away. Governor German took "a
solemn oath that the horses should
he paid for ont of the stipend of the
redskins; but this failed on account of
testimony to identify the particular
thieves. So our fliend lost horses, ex-
penses and all. All felt sorry for Mr..
Gum, for the loss Of team in new
county is glievous calamity. But
this little man, a mere stlipling in
appearance, was hero, and soon re-
covered his loss.
remember when we first met, twen-
ty-fiye years ago, how | thought this
young man fiom the counter, had un-
dertaken too much. | thought he
never could rough it with us expe.i-
enced frontielsmen. But our friend
had the vim; he was equal to the
emergency, and we soon Learned to
respect him, for he was just man,
with a great, warm human heart.
But the climate was too rigid for Mr..
Gums lungs. and, very reluctantly,
by advice of his physician, he con-
sented to seek his health elsewhere.
Hence, like Mr.. Cox, his domiCil now
stands far away over the Sierras, sur
rounded with the comforts of life,
and luxmies, too, in rich profusion.
Mr.. Gum was honored with an
election to the Assembly in the time
of Barstow, AMI made himself some-
what obnoxious to the Governor 10y
his efforts to unearth and expose the
pilferings said to be in fashion by the
worthy executive, and his set of thieves
about the capital.
But Mr.. Gums proudest achieve
ment, and the wolk that probably 70
this day inspires his reflections with
the greatest dissatisfaction. was his
fundamentally in procuring the Ban
mr. for the Pierce County Agricultural
Society. This Banner was offered by
the State Society, rs prize to the
county, making the best show at the
forth coming state fair; and, in his
capacity rs Secretary Of the county
Society. he, with Milton Webster to
assist him, betook him TO the Fair
with his products; and 10y dint of
character istic persevel ance, the plize
now rests i'm the archives of the faith.
full little Society of Pierce county. a
trophy highly worthy the county and
its hOnoTed son.