The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1881-04-22
Far Northwest nluter experiences.

A STORY told by Joseph Sterrette. of Big
Lake. Dakota, who has just managed 70 break
| through the terrible snow blockade in that sec
ton of the country, gives only fair state
ment of the troubles experienced by the set
tiers of the Northwest during the severe win
ter. Mr.. Sterrette pre-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, snd had 8 comfortable
cabin. Last year he harvested sixty acres
OF wheat, twenty-five bushes to the
acre, and realized $1,000. He laid in aouantity
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
it necessary to rescue the entire families of
two neighbOring farmers not so we'll housed
from perishing by cold b. taking them into
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 outhouses
and burned them The heavy snowfall which
at this time blockaded the railroads. was piled
in such drifts about the house where Ster cite
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 solidified. 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 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 for fuel. This was done. The bitter cold
still continuing, sterrette's furniture was next
sacrificed, even to the bedsteads, trunks and
childrens toys.
While the cOldIimprisoned 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 fine
shepherd dog. He gave as his reason: II
don't know what may happen; / would rather
DuIy OdrIO III NY USAAy tuau nave uim IfScZ0
to death" Sterrette and his companions be-
came alarmed when az 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 q drift where Becker
had broken through The man was found
curled up in the sleigh, frozen dead. His faith
full dog was lying huddled up against his
breast, dead. The five horses were standing
lifeless on their feet, all frozen stiff. The men
carried Becker's body back, made a coffin of
the sleigh, nailed the corpse up in it. and then
reverently placed 1t in the corn-crib until the
weather should permit of its burial
Soon after this, and just a 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. Notwithstanding all this, Mr.. Ster.
rette says the people like the country. and say
they will stay and in the future be prepared
for severe winters. Tho land Is good, the soil
ID deep black, most Of the settlers are foreign
era. and tie ownership Of hand Il to them 90
novel ana precious that they viii not give IT,
up.-DubuQue QOWd) Cor. Boston Globe.
The n0ata0o- afAmn In a1wava Dettin0