The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1882-04-14

parents that they were found. But here
they entreated to be taken on the horses
and carried home.
Seeing how unfit they were for the Jour-
ney, they were answered that the horses
would not carry double, and that they had
best 60 home with the men who had the
team, they living in the cabin whose roof
the two boys had seen early in the day.
and remain until morning.
Just then the sound of horn rang cut
loud and clear, more than any words could
have done, did that sound calm and quiet
the excited children, "That is fathers
horn," they both cried in breath, and he
is looking for us. Let US go to him."
But now, in their calmer state they were
ready to listen to reason, and were easily
persuaded to return with the teams, while
the men on horseback rode with all haste
to the place where the horn was heard to
sound, a distance Of some three miles,
They found that the boys had not been
mistaken. 1t was their fathers horn, and
that father was overjoyed at the glad news
the men had to communicate. Then the
firing of three guns in quick succession
announced to other searchers that the
children were found, and after short
time two more guns told that they were
alive, this being the signal previously
agreed upon. This was responded to by
others. And all through the woods firing
was heard, and shouts of joy, as men be-
gan to gather and take their homeward
way.
Feeling that the weary wanderers were
better for nights rest before being taken
home, they were left with the men who
had taken them up while the good news
was conveyed to the anxious walters at
home.
have before said that neither hunger
or WEAKNESS had been realized by the
lost children, but no sooner were their
excited minds at rest than both began
tie grow upon them. They laid down on
the wagon, and by the time they had
reached the home of the men were too
stiff and lame to walk, and had to be as
sisted into the house, and never did
meal taste sweeter than the one of corn
bread, salt pork and strong coffee, with
which they were provided.
In the morning they were conveyed to
their home, where you may be certain
glad welcome awaited them. AS friends
came out to welcome them, little Johnnie
pushed past all, telling them rather cross
ly to let him alone. He went into the
house, and climbing on the first bed he
found, covered his face and refused to
speak. From that bed it was thought he
never would rise. For long days he lay
in the delirium of fever. His limbs
were swollen with travel, and scratches
and bruises covered his form from
head to foot. 1t seemed evident that had
the children spent another night in the
woods, their swollen and tired limbs would
have refused to carry them further on
the next morning, and that only death
would have relieved their sufferings.
Years have passed since then. The
boys have grown to manhood, and in the
changes and chances of pioneer life, and
later on in the war of the rebellion, many
trials have come to their lot, but in Mem
cries picture, vivid and distinct above all
others stands out the picture of those
three days wanderings' alone, and LOST
IN THE WOODS.
MURDER MOST FOUL.
The following sketch is from the pen Of
"Brick" Pomeroy, and was originally pub
lished in the La Crosse Democrat. 1t is so
interesting, and so aptly illustrates life in
early times that 1 take the liberty of using
it here:-
ut has been humorously claimed for the
average frontier town, as point in favor
of its climatic conditions, that it was nec-
essary to shoot man for the purpose of
starting graveyard. While this may
be true Of La Crosse, a ramble among the
tomb. stones and monuments of Oak Grove
Cemetery will discover the fact that 1t
was unnecessary to resort to such an ex-
treme measure as an inaugural, its identi-
tity was more clearly established by being
the burial place Of murdered man.
"In the spring Of 1852, man named Da-
vid Darst, came to La Crosse from Illinois,
bringing with him in his employ, William
Watts. Mr.. Darst was q man Of means,
and his object in leaving civilization for
the hardships Of the frontier is unknown.
hOWCNCi, hC iOCasCo vi u piCCC VI ihuQ III
Mormon Cooley, and engaged in farming.
"On the 9Th Of June, 1852, six or seven
weeks after his settlement in the Cooley,
his body was found in the bushes by a
man by the name Of Merryman, stripped
OF every rag of clothing and tied to pole
which the murderer had used to carry
the body from the shanty in which they
lived. Merryman was attracted to the
spot by the barking Of his little dog. He
came into town and reported what he had
found, and number of citizens volun-
teered to go to the Cooley to investigate
the matter and try and arrest the MUIR
derer, if he could be found. Several par
ties were arrested but all proved their in
nocence to the crowd and were released
On returning to town the man Watts was
found with Darsts clothes on his back
even to his shirt and underwear. He had
all his household goods, money, two yoke
of cattle and everything the man had
He was arrested and, there being no Jail,