Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1890-01-23
PIONEER LIFE.
HOW EARLY SETTLERS LIVED. WHAT
THEY DID, AND HOW THEY DID IT.

HOW EARLY SETTLERS LIVED. WHAT
THEY DID, AND HOW THEY DID TT.
In continuation of our last article on
heat and light may be added Il descrip-
ton OF the method of procuring them.
The tallow candle spoken of was al
ways homemade product. TO stick
about foot long were tied strings of
twisted candle-wick at intervals of
about three inches. These were then
dipped into the molten tallow and that
which adhered to the wicking was al
lowed to cool. This process was re-
peated again and again until the tallow
covered the wick to sufficient thick
ness to complete the candle.
These were used in candle-stick,
which was usually made of tin Oh sheet
iron, although in many instances they
consisted of block or knot of wood
into which hole was bored to receive
the candle.
In some cases the more wealthy prid-
ed themselves upon the possession of
candle-sticks of silver. These were
highly polished, used only on state oc-
casions, and were kept on exhibition on
the table of the front room," much the
same as we moderns exhibit our costly
family bibles-not so much because of
the use we make of them as for orna-
mental purposes.
In addition to these, lamps were fire.
quently used. These were made of tin
or glass. Whale or fish oil was gener-
ally used although oil obtained from
animal fat was frequently employed.
The whale oil was the product of the
Massachusetts Bay whale fisheries. at
that time one of the most important
industries in the world, but which has
since been superseded by the oil well,
the gas retort and electric light plant.
The lamp was provided with two
tubes through which the candle-wick
extended into the oil. This wick was
raised by picking it up with IA pin, and
was trimmed with the ''snuffer"-a sort
of shears with box attachment to
contain the portion of the wick snuffed
off.
TRAVEL.
Perhaps there is nothing in the line
of modern improvements that better
the marvellous development
of intellect and inventive genius than
our modern means of travel and con-
veyanee.
Illustrative Of this almost incompre-
hensible advancement is the fact that
there are persons living to-day who
were old enough to comprehend its ma
ture when the first steamboat was
on the Hudson river. 1t is
but short time since the writer had a
interview with that veteran
statesman, Thurlow Weed, in which he
gave a description of the trip of the
Clermont. and of the awe and dread
that seized the people who saw, for the
first time in the worlds history, a boat
without the aid of sails and
against wind and current. Many of
the spectators actually ran away into
the woods because of fear of what they
believed to be the work of the devil.
He explained that such an event was
so unnatural and extraordinary that
some of the people attributed its origin
to the evil one, although the more in
telligent foresaw its usefulness and
gave their support.
All of this seems strange in these
days of floating palaces that pillow their
way through every ocean, inland sea
and navigable river. many of which
convey thousands of passengers and
thousands of tons of freight at the rate
of 500 miles day-or across the Allan
tic in six days time.
One of the most efficient means of
opening up this portion of the country,
which was then an unbroken wilder
ness, was the national turnpike which
was built by stock company from the
east across the Alleghanies and on into
the Northwest territory. a region little
of which was known and which had
not yet been divided into states. This
was roadway six rods wide and fol-
lowed direct line over hill and noun
tain, through field and wilderness,
without deviation except in rare in
stances. The building OF this highway
was met with violent opposition but it
contributed much toward the develope-
ment of the country through which it
passed, for all along the line villages
sprung up as if by magic, and the sur
rounding country soon developed into
productive farms. This highway was
also noted for its taverns and coach
lines.
In continuation of this thoroughfare
governmental aid was secured to build
branch roads. Those which most ben
Gifted the people of this country were
the national highway along the south
ern shore of Lake Erie and up to De-
troit, together with the Fort Gratiot
turnpike. This once famous road ex-
tends in an unbroken line from Wood
ward avenue, Detroit, to the Bruce
farm at point about four miles below
Port Huron, thence north along the st.
Clair to the national fort at Fort Ora
tiot, then one of the most important
military posts in the northwest. This
roadway was six rods wide and was
used for the transportation of troops
between the forts at Detroit and Fort
Gratiot. Congress aided in the con-
struction of a turnpike from Detroit to
Chicago.
With the exception of these public
thoroughfareS there were no regularly
Io; ,,,t ,nodc In Tho annpfry MnnU