Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-07-23
OLD TOM KNUDTSON.

Over thirty years ago when Wood
County was sparsely settled there was
camp established at Milladore in
which Tom Knudtson, then robust
young man, worked as wood chopper.
Men were then as now disposed to
pleasure even in the camp of the wild
pinery. The methods of getting rid
of natures excess of activity was done
mainly by the dance, fiddle and gun
In this Milladore camp over genera
ton ago young Tom Knudtson enjoyed
these very self same buoyant pleasures
and whiled away the long and weary
winter nights and days with fiddle and
gun On certain night when the
evening meal had been cleared away
and the usual pipe of quiet labor-done
was smoked, all prepared for evening
dance. The love of activity and
spending of force is native to all young
men. All know that there is a plea
sure in every healthy action. High
glee and enthusiasm arose as the dance
went on. Eyes of growing pleasure
looked to eyes which spoke again
while the action Of the dancers cores
pended to the cadence of music. The
camp was more merry than marriage
bell sounds to the maid of honor. On
the wall was hung a loaded rife and
shot gun. It rested on pegs which
were not secure. Under the swing
or t1emble of the dancers the pegs
gave way. The gun fell to the floor.
The barrel containing the bullet went
off. Tom Knudtson was standing in
the doorway of the camp and the
bullet passed through his thigh tear
ing the flesh and shattering the bone
severly Limited care and attention
coupled with a bad wound left peor
old Tom with the mark Of Cain upon
him Thirty cold and weird winters
spent their SHOWS but Tom was ever
NAMED. Thirty summers suns have
wandered by but all knew Tom was
lame. The cruel wound kept goading
him on. Months, years, yea gen.
Grafton passed and his leg was no
better. The brood of heavy care and
suffering sorrow had by accident fallen
on this poor man His great physical
activity was now held in check; pain
and bonds always suggested self and
cruel m0notony settled darkly around
his life. A great change from restless
physical activity and quiet sluggish
ness made him long for stimulation in
which he did indulge. Poor old Tom
loved too long and well the feasts
which Bacchus holds among his own
& in his own insidious way-who does
not remember Tom and his feasts7 Now
Bacchus is as unkind as he is ungen-
tle He holds his devotees in darkness
until the small hours of shadows when
the most solemn and cold world exists;
Just before the suns rays drives it
from the earth, many time and oft
did this occur with Tom, and as years
rolled on nature got tired and weak
It could not throw It's burden off Two
years ago Tom took his bed-his last
bed but one-in which pain staid with
him day and night. Tom knew there
was God and many time went up
the prayer for the favor ''Oh that my
leg were better" But with a frner
grasp than hooks Of steel the disease
undermine bis system He did not
follow early advice of amputation but
proccastinated. This thief of time
stole away his only chance of life
Finally the physicians amputaled his
leg al his own request week after be
again broke it while turning over in
bed. Blood poisoning had already be-
gun bat he survived the operation
some days. He was so weak by reason
of disease that excessive prostration
carried him off May he sleep in the
numbers of beautiful dreams beyond
LIES troubled shadows.