The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1881-04-08
~aI,uK M.CLELLaS.s sEgp.

Probably the largest wood sled ever
built In --- r county, says AN ex.
change, was one devised by Squire John
Mcclellan, IA great uncle Of Gen. Geo.
b. Mcclellan.
For many years il WAS one Of the
curiosities of the town Of Woodstock.
Conn, the curly home of the Mcclellan
family. The narrators father, who
saw it frequently when boy, RAYS Il
was nigh thirty-two feet in length by
three in breadth The beams were OF
squared eight-inch timber, with studs
TO match, and the "sboes," or runners.
were over foot in width. For draw
ing 1t there were two "tongues," or
poles, in the forward end.
IL was never used save on one spe-
cial occasion, when the team consisted
ef fifteen yoke Of oxen.
The story Of it's origin is as follows
Ia the pafish where Squire McClel.
ion resided II was tho custom every
winter for such Of the men as had wood
lots to give the parson a cord Of hick-
ory wood each, and thus make ~ to
him winters supply Of fuel. The
Squire, in particular, was always pune.
tual in December with his cord Of nice.
ly-prepared hickory.
In that parish there was man who
had the reputation Of being "snug,"
niggardly, and apt to shirk bis due
share Of the burden Of paying the min
ister. Indeed, his renissness in this
matter had been a standing grievance
IN the place for many years.
One autumn there was a revival of
religious interest in the place, and many
members Of the church were stimulated
to earnest labor, and to live moro strict
". Among these was the psnurious
man above alluded to, whom we may
conveniently designate as Bro. L.
Not little 70 the astonishment of
bis neigbborS, who had had ample ex-
perience Of his Iniserly dealing, he arose
IA prayer meeting one night, and ex-
horted TO liberal giving, not only 10 the
parson, bat to all benevolent objects.
Waxing very earnest in language and
tone, lie declared, among other things,
that be wonld that winter give the min
lister load Of wood. 'Yea, brethren,
he exclaimed, the Lord has opened my
heart ] will give him a load of wood,
and big one. l will give him the
biggest load you can draw from nv
woods to his yard !"
Truly said Squire Mcclellan at
the deacons' meeting, the Lord mus.
have opened Bro. Is heart but,
he added, with characteristic Scotch
'hrewdness, ia may soon close, and
may never open again. 1t behooves
us, in tho parsons interest, to avail
ourselves Of it. Let us build a sled
.thas will carry ten cords, and do it al
once"
50 thought the rest. The monster
sled Was privately but expeditiousl,
fra'ned IN hack yard, and carly on,
snowy morning in December, Brothei
/ l. Was amazed TO see drive to hi
deor apparently all the OK teams il
to~n, drawing the Titanic sled, accom-
panied by yelling throng Of transfers
and all the small boys in the parish.
The Squire was riding on the sled
We've come for the Parsons load 0
wood, Brother g-r he called out
"Ton hads us haul the biggest load VI
could, and | am glad to hear that yor
have lately had fine lot of hickor
chopped"
1t is said that fully ten cords of WOO
were loaded upon the big sled, unde
the 'Squire's supervision, and then, t
the tune Of a most vocifeTous gee-haw
ing, the enormous load wax successful
sledded to the parsons doorway.
The vorthy minister, equally amazed
but mole agreeably SO, issued forth
learn the oause Of the uproar.
"Goed people" he cried, rubbing hi
hands, "what meaneth this : Have tn
windows Of heaven opened I"
Nay, nay, parson r exclaimed 4!
I Squire; "but the Lord has opene
{ Brother Is heart, and that s
great a silt eoHll have issued from S
, small receptacle is one Of the wonde
of saving grace. "Qsestion not, bi
+ take it, and keep ye warm"
The minister hs. roaring fires thi
winter, but it was long before Bro b,
; 3 recovered his equanimitY.