Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1888-10-12

bermen an interesting recital of how lum-
boring was carried on in 1S45 on the
upper Mississippi, and how it is carried |
on at the present day, in review of
fifty years in this part of the country. |
He says;
The pineries could only he reached by |
stemming the currents of The minor |
streams in batteaux or brick bark canoes |
or by traversing the country on foot or |
with teams. Parties operating had TO
purchase their outfit, consisting of ties ms,
supplies of -four, pork, etc, in Illinois or
Missouri. Sometimes they drove their
teams through unsettled country, without
roads, swimming ana fording streams,
clearing away distractions and sleeping
where night overlook them. When they
arrived on the ground. the operators
would blaze trees ON lines surrounding
the region which they wished TO work
during the winter. These claims were
generally respected by others. The first
work was making camp, building
stables, clearing streams of distractions
and making roads. The Indians were
regular visitors in the camps, and they
were propitiated with presents of -four.
pork and tobacco, In this way the In
dian was pacifed and turned away and
the lumherman with Alexander Selkirk
could Say, Il am monarch OF all | SUR
vey." In those days trespassing was
unknown to the lumberman. Ee was
not conscious that he himself was tres
pssser on the domain of Uncle Sam No
government agent ever troubled him OF
questioned his right TO fell the royal
trees and dispose of them as he chose
He earned by his strong right arm his
tltle to his trees endured much. ac>
complished mu IA ii Was an advance
courier to CivlizttIon He spent long
months away from the common haunts
OF men; was cut of from mails aud
home pleasures; lived an industrious life,
toiled on the coolest day. Even when
the snow deepened srouud him and the
temperature sank so low that it would
not discredit Labrador, he toiled I'm,
ceasingly, and at night built high his
blazing fire, wrapped himself in his
buffalo robe and blankets, and slept
through the night the sleep of the tired
and just. His appetite was marvellous.
The cooking was done bv one of the
crew, and might have been of the ruiest
and the provisions none of the daintiest.
but the exercise and the cold gave relish
to the food not often found 10 the fashion
aole restaurants. The members Of the
crew - cl.h their allotted duties. To
one Wa, entrusted the cooking depart,
ment; another, the position of teamster;
another, that of sled tender, some were
choppers, some swampers. some sawyers.
The records of the camp was kept BY the
foreman or person detailed for that pur-
pose.
The winter over, the teams are re-
turned to the settlements. The log driv-
ing crew succeeds the choppers and other
workers. The logs, having been hauled
upon the ice of the driving streams, with
| the melting of snow are afioat on the
swollen streams, and the drivers com
mence their WORK, following the logs in
| their &C INWARD course to the mills or
booms, dislodging them when they are
| driven upon shore, and breaking Jams
when they occur. This work is difficult
and attended by considerable exposure as
the driver is often Obliged to 90 into the
stream. 1t therefore commands higher
wages than other work. The drivers are
without tents, but wangan, or small fiat
boat, containing bedding, provisions and
| a cooking kit. is loated down the stream
so as to be convenient at night. The
wangan is maraged by the cook alone,
and his work, when he ties up for the
night, is to take ashore the bedding, cooks
ing material, etc, build fire and provide
a meal for the hungry crew. His cooking
utensils are of the rudes. kind, consisting
OF tin reflector and few iron pots and
pans. The savOry of the repast is scarce.
ly finished before the arrival of the crew
cold, wet, tired and hungry They are
not particular about a table with its fur
niture, but are satisfied to eat from tin
plate, sitting or lying on the ground.
Hunger satisfied, they spend their even>
iDgs by the blazing fire. drying their
clothing, testing, story telling, or recall
ing the events of the day. or scan.
ming the open or clOuded sky fol
indications Of weather changes. When
the sky is clear they trace
the consultations, locate the prin,
cipal stars and planets, or follow the de.
vious windings of the milky way Some
of them have studied astronomy, and
some have learned from others, and al
are intent. though without books Of
teachers, on learning the wisdom tina
nature teaches, and some are found whC
have learned to look from nature Up t
natures God"
The Mississippi lumberman after
lapse of SO years, is picturesque figure
clad, as he is, in course strong woolel
garments. of brilliant colors. He i
usually man of stalwart frame, which
set off to advantage by his close fl tin!
carmen s. His circumstances are, how
ever, widely different from his old tim
predecessors.
,, The rough, hard work of the wilder
ness, including the building of dams, tn
, construction of reservoirs and roads, an,
the improvement of the streams, has bee
accomplished chiefly by his predecessors
He is abundsntly supplied with food
produced almost in the neighborhood o
3 the scenes OF his winters work. Fl,
3 travels by rail almost to his destInatio
or drives blooded teams over compqra
lively good roads, where his predecessor
r tediously blazed the way and cleared
of underbrush. His camp accommoda
tions are far superior. He is housed i
comfortable cabin warmed with lare
stoves and hea IS, bereas the cabin c
the lumberman .S45 had fire built 0
e the ground in the center of the room
: The modern camp is well furnished wit
7 tables and other conveniences. The coo
| has separate room furnished with
4 cooking stove and modern appliances &c
e cooking. He has his assistant known 6
: the second cook. The table is sprea
with variety of food, and delcscis
that would have astounded the lumber
man of 1845 Each operator is Unite
, to his own special work. His bound
are set and he cau go no further, excel
, at the risk of his labor. The crews al
larger, life is not so solitary, men al
more thoughtful and industrious, an
numbering is carried on on grand seal
, "
, Peculiar
, In the combination, proportion and pref