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

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escape. He was incarcerated in this and
made his exit through the roof Of this in
stitution. A new and stronger roof was
put on the building, and large quantity
OF stone put loose over the ceiling in such
manner that IL he tried again it would
fall on him and crush him.
watts confessed his crime. He said
that as Darst was lighting the fire on the
morning Of the murder, he struck him on
the head with an axe. He had no other
reason for the deed than that of securing
the money and property Of the victim
At the funeral of Darst, which occurred
the Sunday following the discovery of his
body, the services were held in small
building on State street, with the murder
ed man in his coffin and the murderer in
chains standing at the head. II was I'M
derstood very generally, that as the fu-
neral procession left for the cemetery,
Watts was to be lynched. The Rev. s. G.
Sherwin conducted the services, and, al
though more than one rope was in the
hands Of the party, such was his influence
over the populace that he prevailed upon
them to let law and order take their
course.
"A few years afterward party Of gen.
tlemen were attracted to the spot where
Merryman's dog had discovered to him
the body of Darst by the same animal, and
there they found the body of Merryman
himself in the icy embrace Of DEATH
THE DWELLINGS.
"The Great Northwest" in its early
days,although well worked field of spec
ulation, presented but few inducements
for the wealthy to bring their families
and settle in its untamed wilds. But it
was a field of promises rich and rare for
the comparatively poor. Here, whispered
Hope, you may build yourselves home,
and after a few years of privation, you
may attain independence, and, perhaps,
wealth. Whatever the case might be in
individual cases, this was the light in
which it was generally looked upon. The
"going to new country to grow up with
it," has always presented a field wherein
sturdy ambition might behold visions of
honest gain, with fair prospect of seeing
them realized.
The Northwest was settled, therefore,
and its lands, rich or poor, subdued and
made fruitful, mainly by poor men. They
came here, bringing with them stout
hearts, and what little means they could
gather together, which would all be re-
quired to improve the farm, and pro-
vide for urgent necessities until some
l. I<,. -. 4 L L
labor. There was usually but little to be
spared for the dwelling-nor did it matter
much so long as comfort was obtained
All the buildings were alike or nearly
alike, and one had no cause to be jealous
of his neighbor, or to expend more than
he was able, merely to keep pace with an
other.
The pioneers dwelling was small, and
in all timbered regions was built of logs.
Sometimes it was high enough to have an
upper floor or chamber, which was reach
ed by means Of ladder; but oftener it
was a low, shanty-roofed building, with
window or two, and a single door, while
within, there was "kitchen, and parlor,
and bedroom, all in one" The furniture
was of the simplest kind. There was the
homemade bedstead, with its mattress Of
straw, and patchwork quilts, a few seats
sometimes chairs, but generally benches.
pine table, a stove, few dishes, and not
much more.
Does any one suppose that there was no
happiness here. or that the small home
held no room for hospitality I do as
sure you that the pioneers home, though
humble, was far from being unhappy
There was the stimulus of something wor-
thy to be accomplished, there was abund-
ant hope and faith in the future, and there
was an almost total absence Of envy, that
fruitful source Of discomfort.
And to this home, no matter how hum
BILE, the traveller and stranger was well
come guest, and was received with open
hearted hospitality. Here, too, was found
room for social gatherings, the old-fash-
toned neighborly visit, the quilting party
and dance were Of frequent occurrence,
and kept alive the fires of Friendship
and Good Will.
A home in marble front, on Fifth Az
enue is unquestionably grander, but I
doubt il it is really happier than were the
homes in log houses of the early pioneers
of the Northwest
THE NEW HOME.
at did seem rather lonely-the place
we were to call home-as we drove up to
it one autumn afternoon. We had had q
long ride, and had scarcely seen human
face, except those of our own party; since
leaving the little village fifteen miles
away. What made the place seem more
lonely was the fact that it was half mile
or more from the travelled road, but we
were, in measure, comforted by the as
surance that it would be changed in time,
30 as to pass our door.
1--WE found that our new home was on
the banks of pleasant stream, and when
we had arranged our small house, and
bad time to look around, it began to seem
little more home-like. Our children did
not readily take to the new place, but
talked constantly of going home,' but we
older ones, found sufficient to interest us,