Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1891-11-13

was ~, srasy, and therefore trentca h;>c
ma.al 20. ooihPasslons others thought he wns
possessed of the devil, and wonld mo+ WI" -,
low nm to enter their houses. At th;s
tln'e, however, u member Of tho nan .l;aa
S snh1 OF Richmond County, Ohio, n
.Ilool teacher, and the best read man in
sne county, invited the strange nilnr;m
~ nus nome, The Ohioan said afterWan5
mat he found his guest to be one Of the
pest postess and most brilliant-mindcd ncr.
SONS 'ha' he had ever had the pleasure
lhoss who knew the old man saw that
ne was in constant fear Of hurting some
insect or animal. One night he bnilt his
camp nre in the woods and prepared to
COOK his evening meal. The mosquitoes
were very thick about the fire, and some
OF OF them flew into it and were scorched
ms SO worried old Johnny that he took
ote mush-pot hat, filled it with water and
gsenched the fire. "God forbid" snid
he, "that l should build q fire for nv
comfort that should be the means of de-
stroying any of His creatures"
AT another time, it is said. he modo n
camp hire at the end of hollow log. He
intended to sleep in the log, but lust as
ne was about to crawl into it he found
ms prospective bed occupied by some
CUP bears. Rather than disturb them, he
removed his fro to the other end of the
log and slept on the snow in the air.
| once, however, the old man was forced
to put aside his sentiment in regard to
innJuring animals and fight for his life.
lie was frequently lost in the wilderness.
On one OF these occasions he came face
to face with black bear. The animal
was on mischief bent, and at sight Of the
old mush-pot bedockcd pilgrim it rose ON
it's hind legs and advanced toward him,
evidently anticipating an easy victory
and good meal. In sclf-defcnce old
johnny picked up long pole and ad-
yanccd to the fight valiantly. At every
blow that bruin received, however, the
pole broke. Finally it was but three or
four feet long, and the old man was in
despair However, by the help Of the
Lord, he said, he eventually slew the
animal, had good supper, and carried
one quarter and the hide into the next
settlement.
Old Johnny had love for oil men but
landlords. He said that their charge Of
124 cents meal for victuals was extor-
tomato. In the early days one meal and
a nights lodging could be had at the set
Element inns for 49, cents.
The old man was never known to be
sick. He would sleep on the floor, and
if no better could be had, he would be
satisfied with the scraps that were
usually thrown to the dogs. The old
man was very fond Of children, and he
always carried presents for them. These
were generally bits of bright calico and
ribbon or Indian trinkets, but the chill
dren Of the curly settlers priced the gifts
highly. However hungry he would
never partakc Of food until he was as
sured that there was enough for every
child Of the family.
1t is said that the strange old man to
whom the West is indebted for most Of
its great apple orchards, died in Allen
county, Indiana, near Fort Wayne. A
person who knew him says that his death
was triumphant passing into glory.
He lay on the grass with his face toward
the setting sun. His countenance was
wreathed with smiles Of rapture, and as
the last beams Of the great luminary died
out Of the west the vital spark left it's
abode of flesh and passed into tho great
unknown.-[Chicago Herald.