The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-06-04
"A Tough Time.

a story told by Joseph Stcrrcttc, 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 slutemcnt Of the troubles experienced
by the settlers of the Northwest during the
severe Winter. Mr.. Stcrrcttc preemptcd
lGO 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 one year he was in shape for
farming, and had comfortable cabin. Last
year he harvested 60 acres of wheat, 25
bushels to the acre, and realized 81, 200.
He laid In quantity Of fuel. and prepared
Tor Winter, but it proved more severe than
lie or his neighbors had calculated. In
fact Stcrrctc'S better preparation for the
rlgors 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
1t necessary to rescue the entire families of
two ncignborng farmers, not 80 well housed
from pcrIshing by cold, by taking them
irtO his own house. The cold was so 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 out-houscs
aud burned them. The heavy snow fall,
which Ut tins time blockadcd the railroads,
was piled in such drifts about the house
where Stcrrcllc and his ncighbors wero
domiclcd as to absolutely cut of all COM
municaticn with the outside world. The
mercury fell lower than ever; the winds
grew lierccr, and the surrounding snow
cakcd and so!idiiicd. At this time the men
dug their way-or rather mined it-through
the blockade to the railway near by, and
dug out ties which they chopped up, took
home and burned to cook their scanly food
and save their wives and children from
freezing. When the ties and telegram
poles that could be reachcd were consumed
it was decided to dig through to the cabins
OF those sheltered in Sterrcttc's house aud
break them Up Tor fuel. This was done.
The bitter cold still continuing, Stcrrcttc's
furniture was next sacrificed even to the
hcdslcaGs, trunks and chldrcn's toys.
While the cold imprisoned pioneers were
upon this last supply Of fuel IL consultation
was held, and it was decided to make Il
desperate attempt to drive through the
deadly blast on the crust Tor relief. John
Becker agreed TO go. a sleigh was pre-
pared and with five horses hitchcd to 1t,
Becker started. 1t was n terrible under
taking, and when tho brave man left there
were tears. frozen upon his checks. Becker
persisted in taking Il fine shepherd dog.
He gave rs his reason: 81 don't know what
may happen; | would rather bury Carlo
in my belly than him freeze to DEATH"
Sterretc and his companions became alarm
ed when at the end of two days Becker did
not return, and they started out for hlm.
They had not gone far when they came
across a hole in Il drift where Becker had
broken through. The man was found curlcd
up in the sleigh frozen dead. His faithful
dog was lying huddlcd up against his breast
dead. The five horses were Standing life
less Oh their feet, all frozen stiff. The men
carried Bcckcr's body back, made coffin
of the sleigh, nailed the corpse up in l,and
then rcvcrcn,ly placed it IN the corn crib
until the weather should permit of its burial.
Soon after this, and just rs the party was
on the point of despair, the weather mod
Grated sufficiently TO break the SHOW block
ndc, and Stcrrcttc and friends found relief.
~ ncighborng family during this time h,tl
10 other food than soup made from an OK
pclt which happened to be In the house
when the bio ,kadc began. Notwilh hstanding
all this, MIR. Stcrrcttc says the people like
the country, and say they will stay and III
the future be prepared for severe Winters.
The land is good, the soil is deep black;
most OF Tic settlers are Foreigners, and the
ownership OF the land is TO them 80 novel
and SO precious that they will not give il
up.