The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1883-05-05
EVAN oOGswELL's ICE-FORT.

Wucu cctticTS were low dul IdT OcJWctu
Evan Cogswell. a Welsh lad of sixteer
years, found his way thither and began
his career as a laborer, receiving at first
but two dollars q month in addition t.
his board and "home- made" clothing.
He possessed an intelligent. energetic
mind in a sound and vigorous body, and
had acquired in his native parish the ele.
ments Of an education in both Welsh and
English.
The story. of his lie, outlined in q
curious old diary containing the records
of sixty-two years, and an entry for
more than twenty-five thousand DAYS,
would constitute history of the region.
and some of its passages would read like
high-wrought romance.
His first term of service was with a
border farmer on the banks of stream
called Grand River, in Ashtabula Coun-
ty. 1t was rather crude farming, how
ever, consisting mostly Of telling trees,
cutting wood and saw-logs, burning
brush and digging out stumps, the ak
and pick-ax finding more use than ordi-
nary farm implements.
Seven miles down the river, and on
the opposite bank, lived the nearest
neighbors, among them u blacksmith
who in his trade-served the whole coun-
try for twenty miles around. One
especial part OF his business was the re-
pairing Of. axes, called in that day
jumping" or ''upsetting"
In midwinter Evans employer left a
couple of axes with the blacksmith for
repairs, the job to be done within week.
At this time the weather was what is
termed settled" with deep snow. and
good slipping" along the few wildwood
roads.
But three or four days later, there
came january thaw." Rain and
warmer temperature melted away much
OF the snow. the little river was swelled
to great torrent, breaking up the ice
and carrying it down stream. and the
roads became almost impossible. When
the week was up and the farmer wanted
the axes it was not possible for the horse
to travel, and after waiting vainly day
or two for turn in the weather, Evan
was posted off~on foot to obtain the
needed implements. Delighted in the
change and excitement of such trip,
the boy started before noon, expecting
to reach home again ere dark, as it was
not considered quite safe to journey far
by night on account of the wolves.
Three miles below, at narrow place
in the river. WAS the bridge, consisting
OF three very long tree-trunks reaching
parallel from bank to bank. and covered
with hewn plank. When Evan arrived
here he found that this bridge had been
swept away. But pushing on down
stream among the thickets, about half
mile below, he came upon an immense
ce-jam. stretching across the stream and
piled many feet high. Upon this he at
once resolved to make his way over to
the road on the other side, for he was
already wearied threading the under
brush. Grand River, which is narrow
but deep and violent stream, ran roaring
and plunging beneath the masses of ice
as II enraged at being so obstructed; but
the lad picked his path in safety and
soon stood on the opposite bank.
Away he hurried now to the black
smiths, so rs to complete his errand and
return by this precarious crossing before |
dark.
But the smith had neglected his duty |
and Evan had to wait an hour or more
Tor the axes. At length they were done
and with one tied at each end of strong |
cord and this hung about his neck. he |
was of on the homeward trip. To aid |
ms walking, he procured from the thicket
stout cane. He had hardly gone two |
miles when the dnskiness gathering in |
he woods denoted the nearness of night:
yet as the moon was riding high. he |
pushed on without fear.
But as he was skirting wind-fall of /
rees, he came suddenly upon two or
hree wolves apparently emerging from
heir daytime hiding-place for hunting
expedition. Evan was considerably
startled; but as they ran off into the
woods as If afraid OF him, he took cour-
lge in the hope that they would not mo-
est him. In few minutes, however.
hey set up that dismal bowling by
which they summon their mates and en-
arge their numbers; and Evan discoy-
red by the sounds that they were fol-
owing him cautiously at no great dis
Frequent responses were also heard
rom more distant points in the woods
nd from ACROSS the river. BY this time
was becoming quite dark, the moon
ght penetrated the forest only along
he roadway and in occasional patches
mong the trees ON either side. The
'ishing river was notfar away, but above
. roar arose every instant the threaten
ig howl OF wolf. Finally, just as he
cached the ice-bridge, the bowling be-
anne still. sign that their numbers en-
oldencd them to enter in earnest on the
ursuit. The species of wolf once so
ommon IN the Central States, and max
e the early farmers 50 much trouble,
ere peculiar in this respect; they were Z
reat towards sing.y, and would tran the :
eeis OF traveller bowling for recruits.
nd not daringto begin the attack until
icy had collected force that insured
lccess: then they became fierce and | (
I'D, and more to be dreaded than anv
her animal of the wilderness: And Al :
is point, when they considered their i
nh - A. I--