Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1885-10-23

ments went on MS usual.
The circulars of the company sent TO
other portions of the State had the de-
sired effect, and very soon other fami-
lies began to como in in considerable
numbers, all taking up claims and re-
lying upon the printed pledges of the
company that in no case should the land
cost more than the price asked by Gov
ernment for wild lands.
So time sped on.
And now those who came first to the
Slough began to reap abundantly of the
fruit of their labor and perseverance.
The work Of turning veritable desert
into q garden had been accomplished.
II had been done, too, without capital,
and by m IN who were forced to support
themselves and their families while the
transformation was being made
Orchards and vineyards were loaded
with fruit Olives and apples, peaches,
plums, apricots, pears, pine-apples, lem
ons, pomogranates, nectarines- all the
mi.tropical fruits, and some which
grow nowhere else outside of the tropics
themselves, were to be found in full
bearing upon the irrigated lands of the
settlers at Mussel Slough.
Green fields grew broader and green
er. Little ilocks and herds of cattle
and sheep were to be seen feeding on
the rich vegetation which came with
the water that ovcrspread the land
from the system of irrigating ditches;
and as the result of all this, new and
pretty cottages were taking the place Of
the wretchcd huts in which nearly all
had been forced to live during the first
years of their residence; and it was in
the midst of this prosperity, when want
had been banished by years of patient,
persevering toll, and they We're rcjo c..
ing over troubles past, and the thought
that for the rest of their days they
could take life easy, that the stroke
came which turned all their JOY into
mourning, and changed the current of
their blood from the peaceful flow of
quiet, happy hearts to u seething flood
in hearts made hot with fear and
hatred.
This was no rumor from an unknown
source that reached their ears, awaking
doubt in some and ridicule in Others
1t was not the faint murmuring of Il
distant storm that might never reach
them, but the sudden rush of the whirl-
wind; the flash of the lightning. the
falling of the thunderbolt from sunny
sky. 1t came as notice from the rail-
road company to each settler, inform
ing him that he was q trespasser on the
lands of the company, ana must imme-
diately vacate unless he was prepared
to pay the value of the lands occupied
by him. which had been carefully ap-
pra sed, so the notice read. by COM
petent judges, whose estimate of the
panied the notice.
This appraisement ranged from ten
to thirty-tive dollars per acre; that of
Erastus Hemingway being thirty dol
lars per acre, or n total of four thousand
eight hundred dollars, which he was
asked to pay to the railroad company
for the land he had redeemed from the
desert; or failing therein was ordered
to at once vacate the premises.
The excitement which the receipt OF
these notices caused can be imagined.
Threats of vengeance upon the officers
of the company were both loud and fire.
quent, and had they been present, there
is no question as to what their fate
would have been. Death in some form
would unquestionably have been meted
out TO them.
But they were careful not to be pres
ent.
They had deliberately laid, and were
now executing, plan to rob these peo-
pie of their homes, and they were toe
| cunning to come within reach of theiI
victims while the first hot flush OF right
eous anger was upon them.
With the power which their immense
wealth, the gift of Congress, gave them
they did not fear the courts or the State
authorities.
They already controlled these, and
were prepared to bribe or threaten, as
they deemed most likely to accomplish
their ends, any official who stood in tn,
way of their plans for wholesale rob
berry.
The leaders in the plot stood nigh il
social and political circles.
The settlers had small means of max
ing the outrage upon their right
desperate, and it is small wonder, wher
in every dwelling at the Slough were
women whose eyes were red with weep
ing, that there should be men whose
lips uttered curses, and whose muscle!
twiched with eagerness to lay hanc
upon the authors OF their woe.
Only few days before the notices t.
pay or vacate reached the settlers
Erastus and Lucy had received lette
from Mrs Parsons SAYING that they hat
at last found a probable purchaser fol
their place.
They would know in few days, sh,
wrote, and if they sold they should pacl
up and start for the Slough at once, ~
they did not wish, even ii the purchaser
OF the property would permit, 10 re
main on the mountain through the win
ter. 1t would seem more lonely thar
ever when the place was no longer thei
own.
The only thing that would delay
their coming, if they sold, was John
ny's health.
The boy had not been as well a
common the past summer, and hat
been quite sick recently, but was get
ting better now, and she thought woult
be able to be moved, and if they sole
by boat, leaving Mr.. Parsons to driv
across with their household goods, a
Erastus and Lucy had done.
The reception of this news hai
caused much pleasure to the younI
couple, who. We're both desirous of hay
ing their parents near them.
Lucy was especially anxious for tn
presence of her mother at this time
and has.ened to reply, urging that the
sell if they could get anything like
fair price, and that they come at once
But when the determination of tn
railroad corporation to rob them O
their own home became known t
them, they felt it would be better TO
their parents not to sell, at least for th
present; and Lucy again wrote, tellinj
her parents of the difficulty they wer
in, and that if they had not sold,
might be better not to do so.
1t was hard thing to do, and tn
poor young wife had often to pause an
wipe away the tears that blinded he