The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1881-04-21
Far Northwest Winter Experiences.

A STORY told by Joseph Sterrette, of Big
Lake, Dakota, who has just managed to break
through the terrible snow blockade in that Sec
zion of the country, gives only fair statc-
mont of the troubles experienced by the set
tiers of the Northwest during the severe win
ter. Mr.. Sterrette prc-empted 100 acres of
farm land in Big Lake two years ago, and at
once moved on it with his family and settled
down to work. At the end of the year he was
in shape for farming, and had a comfortable
cabin. Last year he harvested sixty acres
of wheat, twenty-five bushels to the
acre, and realized $1,000. He laid in quantity
of fuel, and prepared for winter, but it proved
more severe than he or his neighbOrs had cal
culated. In fact, Sterrette's better prepare
ton for the rigors of the season turned out to
be the only means which prevented himself,
family and several neighbors from starving
or freezing to death. In February he found
1t necessary to rescue the entire families of
two neighboring farmers not 80 we'll housed
from perish;ng by cold by taking them into
his own house. The cold was 80 steady and so
bitter that before the season was half over the
fuel which he had gathered to last until spring
was all consumed.
Then he and the men staying with him went
out and took down the fences and outhouses
and burned them. The heavy snowfall which
In such drifts about the house where Sterette
and his neighbors were domiciled as to abso-
lutely cut of all communication with the out
side world. The mercury fell lower than ever;
the winds grew fiercer, and the surrounding
snow caked and sOlidihed. At this time the
men dug their way, or rather mined
1t, 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 werc consumed, it was
decided to dig through to the cabins of those
sheltered In Sterrette's house, and break them
up for fuel. This was done. The bitter cold
still continuing, Sterrette's furniture was next
sacrificed, even to the bedsteads, 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 blasts
on the crust for relief. John Becker
agreed to 60. A sleigh was prepared, and
with five horses hitched to it Becker started.
1t was terrible undertaking, and when the
brave man left there were tears frozen ON his
cheeks. Becker persisted in taking q fine
shepherd dog. He gave as his reason: ~
don't know what may happen: would rather
bury Carlo In my belly than have him freeze
to DEATH" Sterrette and his companions be-
came alarmed 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 q hole in drift where Becker
had broken through. Tho man was found
curled up In the sleigh, frozen Dead His faith
full dog was lying huddled up against his
breast, dead. The hve horses were standing
hfeless on their feet, all frozen stiff. The men
carried Becker's body back, made coffin Of
the sleigh nailed the corpse up in It, and then
sreverently 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 moderated
sufficiently to break the snow blockade, and
Sterrette and friends found relief. A neigh,
boring family during this time had no other
food than soup made from an ox-pelt, which
happened to be in the house when the block.
ade began. NotwithstandinR all this, Nj. Sters
rette says the people like the country, apd ray
they will stay and in the future be prepared
Tor severe winters. The land 10 good, the soil
ID deep black. most Of the settlers are foreign
ers. and the ownership OF land b to them %
novel and precious that they will mot ktve II
up.-QuhDQHe uoeel Ces. Bpe1pN 0obes. Z.