The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1884-09-04
tFrom the Fulda Republican. Aug. col
MOBILES COUNTY.
Early Settlement and incidents RelQtind
Thereto.
BYB. W. woo1,srENcRoxr

Early Settlement and Incidents Relatinq
Thereto.
BY B. w. WOOLSTENCROET,
There is always something connected
with the settlement of u country that
interests the reader, and particularly
those who are residents Of the country
of whicl, they read. There is too often
a desire on the part of the average
writer to paint, polish and varnish
their stories. until those who were the
principal actors in the drama are un-
able to recognize themselves, or their
part III the play. In the few statements
which we shall make relative to the
settlement of Mobiles county, we shall
try to avoid errors, and as we are not
AL artist with the pen, we must rely
upon the facts to make our narrative
interesting.
Perhaps the reader might wieh to
know something of the modes
Ut transportation and the diff
culties encountered by 1.-THE first SET
tiers" On their journey to new coun-
try, therefore we will preface our item
with little of our experience in that
matter.
On the 18th day of May, 1867, we
started from i,1ohona, small town in
Clayton county, Iowa. We had 4 wagon
and two yoke of young oxen, and they
being but partially broken, coupled
with our inexperienceas as an OK teamster,
combined to make our situation very
embarrassing, and we (the oxen and y
had regular cotilllon until we arrived
IN Fillmore county, wherewe remained
one month, the spring being very late
and feed poor when we again resumed
our journey, Charles Drury, brother
in. law of ours, accompanying US. The
oxen. of which we now had three woke.
were as rebellious as ever, and although
Mr.. Drury was an expert driver, we had
all, and sometimes more, than we could
do to manage them. The roads were
in very bad condition, the streams left
without bridges and we were compelled
to wade in water and mud for miles
without finding place whereon to rest
our feet, and under these circumstances
we Travelled for twenty-five days, max
ing an average of about five miles per
day.
Of the many ridiculous adventures of
the trip. we will relate'a single one
On our arrival at Brush creek, Fari-
baul county, we found that the bridge
had been carried away by high water,
and number OF teams were on either
side afraid to attempt to cross, the
creek having assumed the proportions
of a river. 1t being near night when
We arrived we went into camp, hoping
that the water would be less by morn
ing. We were doomed to disappoint-
ment. however, as it had increased
instead.
knowing that We must cross sooner
or later, we at once began preparations,
and when our wagon box was tied
down, a long rope attached to the head
OF one of the leaders, and other neces-
sary preparations completed, crossed
the stream and one end of the lead rope
was thrown to me, the oxen were Or
dered to gee Buck an Bright" J." and as
each yoke walked off the steep bank
they would disappear in the water for
4 moment, and when they came to the
surface would shake their heads and
pull for the shore. which by the assist
ance we were able to render by pulling
on the aead rope, they were able to
reach without much trouble; but when
the wagon made its plunge, the rope,
being II new one, stretched and let the
king bolt out of its place and the oxen
landed with the fore wheels, while the
h"lancr including our brother in law,
started down stream We caught it at
Il poin' bat Il few yards below, ,'however,
and ny attaching = cable to the end Of
the reach and passing it over the front
axle. we were enabled to haul it ashore:
but the water had made sad havoc wsiiati
our provisions, especially our salt and
sugar, and all our clothes were soaked
\ fne chest Of tools bel,.nging to Mr..
Drnry was also badly dama9ed by the
salt water. The following day we con-
tinued OF our journey, and as we tray
eleh westward our trials seemed to
increase until we arrived at Graham
Lakes, on the 4th day of July.
at the outlet of Heron Lake We met
party consisting Of Stephen and Jo-
seph Muck, John Barnett and Martin
Rice. The first two were on their way
to Jackson to attend to their harvest,
the latter were looking for a place to
make a home. They had been to Gra.
ham Lakes, and finding the land un-
surveyed were unwilling to locate, lest
they should happen to get on to an odd
numbered section. When informed that
Congress had made provisions to pro-
tect squatters they returned and took
claims.
When we arrived at Graham Lakes
there was one old trapper's shanty,
which the Muck brothers had appro-
priated, and few acres had been
planted to corn by the same parties.
These were the only improvements in
the county at that time. Joseph and
Stephen Muck arrived and commenced
work on their claims June 10th, 1867,
and they are, therefore, the first set
tiers. They we're followed July 4th by
Chas. Drury, John Barnett, Martin
Rice and the writer; and during the
summer B. F. Tanner, John Leitz, E.
J. Clark, o. B. Lacy and H. w. Ingles
joined the party. A postottice was
established with q. Drury, postmaster,
and the settlers we're happy. The fol-
lowing year (lS6s) John Anscomb ar
rived. In the spring of 1869 B. B.
Brain. Ii. L. Wallace and several others
arrived. Mr. Horton settled at Indian
Lake and the prospect Of obtaining a
railroad made our little band more
hopeful Heretofore we had to haul
our provisions, -four, etc., from IS to
100 miles, and when it became known
that the Sioux City & St. Paul railroad
would very probably be built the next
summer, the excitement ran high. One
thing we must not forget to mention
and that is the mail route. Under the
management of Philo Haws it Was one
of the institutions of which we felt
proud, and the many acts of kindness
bestowed by the contractor will never
be forgotten by that band of pioneers.
In October, 1870, Gov. Horace Austin
appointed Chas: Drury, Benz. Harrison
and B. w. Woolstencroft, commission
ers to organize the county, and they
proceeded to do 50 by appointing the
following officers: Auditor, $. r. Har-
ris; Treasurer, John H. Cunningham;
Sheriff, II. L. Wallace; Reg. of Deeds,
Stephen Howell; Judge of Probate, E.
w. hesselroth. Several other appoint
nments were made for minor positions
and the machinery of the county was
put in motion. -
ITO be cOntinued.)
WORTHINGTON BRICK.