Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1883-09-05
EVAN COGswELHs ICE.FORT.

In the early days OF Northern Ohio,
when settlers were few and far between,
Evan Cogswell, Welsh lad of sixteen
years, found his way thither and began
his career as laborer, receiving at first
but two dollars q month in addition to
his board and "home- made" clothing.
He possessed an intelligent, energetic
mind in q 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 life, 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 q
border farmer on the banks of q 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 blacksmith
who in his trade served the whole COIN
try for twenty miles around. One
especial part of his business was the re-
pairing of axes, called in that day
dumping" or ''upsetting."
In midwinter Evans employer left a
couple OF axes with the blacksmith for
repairs, the job to be done within a 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 q
warmer temperature melted away much
of the snow, the little river was swellcd
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 il was not possible for the horse
to travel, and after waiting vainly q 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 a 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 a
mile below, he came upon an immense
ice-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
rs if enraged ut being so obstructed; but
the lad picked his path in safety and
soon stood on the opposite bunk.
Away he hurried now to the black
smiths, SO us 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
for the axes. At length they were done
and with one tied at each end of q strong
cord and this hung about his neck, he
was off on the homeward trip. To aid
his walking, he procured from the thicket
stout cane. He had hardly gone two
miles when the duskiness gathering in
the woods denoted the nearness of night;
yet rs the moon was riding high, he
pushed on without fear.
But rs he was skirting a wind-fall of
trees, he came suddenly upon two or
three wolves apparently emerging from
their daytime hiding-placc for hunting
expedition. Evan was considerably
woods rs if afraid of him, he took cour-
age in the hope that they would not mo-
lest him. In few minutes, however,
they set up that dismal bowling by
which they summon their mates and en-
large their numbers; and Evan discov-
cred by the sounds that they were fol-
lowing him cautiously at no great dis
lance.
Frequent responses were also heard
from more distant points in the woods
and from across the river. BY this time
it was becoming quite dark, the moon
light penetrated the forest only along
the roadway and in occasional patches
among the trees on either side. The
rushing river was not far away, but above
its roar arose every instant the threaten
ing howl of wolf Finally, Just rs he
reached the ice-bridge, the bowling be-
came still, sign that their numbers en-
boldencd them to enter in earnest on the
pursuit. The species of wolf once so
common in the Central States, and max
ing the early farmers so much trouble,
were peculiar in this respect; they were
great towards singly, and would trail the
heels of traveller bowling for recruits,
and not daringto begin the attack until
they had collected force that insured
success: then they became fierce and
bold, and more to be dreaded than any
other animal of the wilderness. And at
this point, when they considered their
numbers equal to the occasion. the howl
ing ceased.
Evan had been told of this and when
the silence began, he knew its meaning,
and his heart shuddered ut the prospect.
His only hope lay in the possibility that
they might not dare to follow him across
the ice-bridge. But this hope vanished
as he approached the other shore and
saw by the moonlight several of the
gaunt creatures awaiting him on that
side. What should he dop No doubt
they would soon muster boldness to fol-
low him upon the ice and then his fate
would be sealed in moment.
In the emergency he thought of the
axes, and taking them from his neck cut
the cord and thrust his walking-stick into
one rs helve, resolved to defend him
self TO the last.
AT this instant he espicd among the
thick, upheaved ice-cakes two great
fragments leaning against each other in
such way as to form roof with some-
thing like small room underneath.
Here he saw his only chance. Springing
within he used the AK to chip off other
fragments with which to close up the