The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-01-08
AN OLD SETTLERS STORY.
Coming to Dickinson county in 1856,
and staying by it ever since.
GEORGE W. FREEMAN.

| stuck my tent on Chapman creek
one-quarter OF mile from where | now
live or the 18th day of August, 1855, no
sign of any other white man on the
creek, the country wild and deSolate.
| lived in my tent until cold weather.
| got me log cabin built as the cold
weather set in. There was no lumber
TO be had at any price. The winter was
very cold: nothing to get to sustain
life only at Fort Riley, and that was
condensed government provisions, hard
to take. The spring of 1856 opened out
rather late. Nothing raised that sea-
son. 1856 was the coolest weather l
ever saw; everything froZe solid; ice
feet thick hard to sustain life. 1857
opened earlier no settlers coming in
that spring l plOwed and planted rails
ed some corn and vegetables, although
hard to find moist earth deeper than 3
inches; the graSShOppers got their rent
that year; no settlers redskins plenty
The winter of 81 was not so cold. No
mills this side of Lawrence. bought
me steel mill, ground my corn by
hand and had corn dodge of my own
make-One good Improvement thought.
The spring of '5S came in nice. l plOW-
ed and planted my corn with oxen. No
horses, did not cultivate much ground.
raised from IS to so bushels of good
corn to the acre. Settlers began to
come in. then began to see what
thought l could when l come. In IS
l had the same big yield that had in
81. That fall planted four bushels
of fall wheat at the cost of SO. Being
late Sowed it was not worth cutting.
The fall before l drilled in one quart of
rye, from which got bushels of No.
rye. Then the yield of rye broadcast
sOwn was 10 bushels to the acre. Then
l had graham rye bread to eat which |
thought good. No mills yet. 1859 came
in pleasant, with some rain. Big crop
of corn without cultivation. Emigrants
came in slowly. l forgot to say that
the county was organized by appointing
the county officers. Myself and Brad
field and Molhagan were appointed
county commissioners GOgleT, of Ly-
onS creek. Probate Judge, who did not
serve. The county seat was Newport,
below Detroit. The fall OF 80 an cleo
ton was held for county seat, and Abb
lene was successful. Thompson and
HerSey settled there in '5S, and cabins
were built the same year at Solomon
City. The county officers elect were
Commissioners Bradfeld, Molhagan and
Lamb. Treasurer Jones, Clerk Chas.
McGee, Probate Judge and Justice of
the Peace Geo. W. Freeman. Then the
county commenced growing. | married
the first couple i'll the cOunty-Mr.
Gardner and Miss Herman ON Holland
creek. The spring of 80 opened fine,
with some rain. Corn 25c per bushel,
and prospects good up to June. Then
hot winds commenced blowing and in
5 days the corn was wilted. In August |
corn sold for $3.50 per bushel. Then
the settler could realize what hard times
were. The winter of go was hard and !
a heap Of settlers left. In 1861 the set
tiers did all they could to hold the dis
satisfied, which they did. l sOwed my
first spring wheat. The yield was 25 |
or 80 bushels per acre, No. grade. |
Then spring grain flOurished. The corn
crop was good in 81. L would like to |
say the county was organized democrat
ic and stood thatway It'll the war closed. |
| have said nothing about the different |
kinds of wild beasts and insects and In |
dians that visited me. The weather we |
have just passed through was the cold |
est for ten years.