Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1881-06-09
A Tough TEEne,

A story told by Joseph Sterrette, OF Big
Lake. Dakota, who has just managed to
break through the terrible Snow blockade
in that section Of the country, gives only u
fair statement of the troubles experienced
severe Winter. Mr.. Sterrette preempted
100 acres of farm land in Big Lake two
years ago, and at once moved on Ii with
his family and settled down to work AT
the end Of one year he was I'm shape for
farming, and mad comfortable cabin. Last
year he harvested 90 acres of wheat, 20
bushels to the acre, and realized $l, 200.
He laid In quantity of fuel and prepared
for Winter, but it proved more severe than
he or his neighbors had calculated. In
fact Sterrette's better preparation for the
rigors Of the season turned out to be the
only means which prevented himself, fami-
ly and several neighbors from starving and
freezing to death. In February he found
il necessary to rescue the entire families OF
two neighboring farmers, not 90 well housed
from perIshing by cold, by taking them
into his own house. The cold was 40 steady
and 90 bitter that before the season was half
over the fuel which he had gathered 10 last
until Spring was all consumed. Then he
and the men staying with him went out
and took down the fences and out-houses
and burned them. The heavy snow fall,
which at this time blockaded the railroads,
was piled in such drifts about the house
where Sterrette and his neighbors were
domiciled as to absolutely cut of all COM
municaticn with the outside world. The
mercury fell lower than ever; the winds
grew fiercer, and the surrounding snow
caked and solidifed. AT this time the men
dug their way-Or rather mined Through
the blockade TO the railway near by, and
dug out ties which they chopped up, took
home and burned TO cook their scanty food
and save their wives and children from
freezing. When the ties and telegraph
poles that could be reached were consumed
it was decided TO dig through to the cabins
of those sheltered in Sterrette's house and
break them up Tor fuel This was done.
The bitter cold still continuing, Sterrette's
furniture was next sacrificed even to the
bedsteacs trunks and chIldren's toys.
While the cold imprisoned pioneers were
upon this last supply of fuel consultation
was held, and it was decided TO make
desperate attempt to drive through the
deadly blast on the crust for relief. John
Becker agreed to 60. A sleigh was pre-
pared and with five horses hitched to 1t,
Becker started. Ii was q terrible under
taking, and when the brave man left there
were tears frozen upon his cheeks. Becker
persisted in taking q fine shepherd dog.
He gave as his reason: 81 don't know what
may happen; l would rather bury Carlo
in my belly than him freeze 10 death" "
Sterrette and his companions became alarm
ed when at the end of two days Becker did
not return, and they started out for him.
They had not gone far when they came
across a hole i'm drift where Becker had
broken through. The man was found curled
up in the sleigh frozen dead. His faithful
dog was lying huddled up against his breast
dead. The tiYe horses were standing life
less on their feet, all frozen stId. The men
carried Becker's body back, made coffin
of the sleigh, nailed the corpse up in it, and
then reverently placed it IN the corn crib
until the weather should permit OF its burial.
Soon after this, and just as the party was
on the point of despair, the weather mod
Grated sufficiently TO break the snow block
ade, and Sterrette and friends found relief.
A neighborlng family during this time had
10 other food than soup made from an OK
pelt which happened to be In the house
when the bio :kade began. Notwithstanding
all this, Mr.. Sterrette says the people ike
the country, and say they win stay and In
the future be prepared for severe Winters.
The land is good, the soil is deep black;
most OF the settlers are foreigners, and the
ownership of the land is to them 80 novel
and so precious that they viii not give il
up.