Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1891-02-26
SNOW SHOES.
A Necessity For Hunters. Trarpers and
Those Who Must Travel Over Uu.
brOk II Snow.

Those who look for the first time on
the wide clumsy snoW-shoes that hang
crossed upon the wall of Il Young
bachelors apartment, orare exhibited
IN some museum among other curious
things from the North, would regard
them as an awkward sort Of shoe. and
a difficult if not dangerous thing to
use. The beginner is us ill at ease as
a cat with paper shoes on, aud more
certain to come to grief. With the alb
ject humility that follows the first trial
comes Il respect for the snow-shoer OF
only average ability, awe and admira-
ton for the expert who shutfles along
unconscious of the great Hat surfaces
tied to his feet
In the northern part of the United
States. and in Canada, where it is said
the year consists of eight months
winter and four months poor sled
ding" the snow-slloe is necessity for
hunters. trappers. and those who must
travel the unbroken snow. These men
begin as boys tramping about with
long narrow clapboards fastened to
their feet, setting wire nooses for the
little white rabbits that track the snow
with their own broad feet. As they
grow older they get their first pair of
raw-hide snow-shoes, and with these
they go beating about the country on
longer excursions with gun on shoulder
soaring away everything but the noisy
squirrels and ilDpudent chickadees. AS
men, one must be with them to app
preciate the ease with which they can
run. the marvellous way they slide
down the steepest banks. clinging 10
limbs and bushes. and how they go.
with skip and jump, after the long
legged. startled moose, through tho
toughest places where the great trees
uprootea by the storms lie piled in end
less confusion underneath the snow,
never tripping, never falling: As your
Indian guide tells you. 'Sartin fall
down, very poor hunter.'
Ilavc heard from those who knew
him of II certain DumLerman in Canada
who was so good snow -shoer that
there WAS not Il man in the whole coun-
try who, running on \ hard-beaten road
way will, moccasins. could beat him as
he ran on his snow-shoes in the deep
snow alongside.
As a means of recreation and social
enjoyment. snow shoeing has been
! taken up BY Canadians and by Ameri-
rans who visit Canada. For MANY
| Years snow-shoe clubs. especially those
| at Montreal. have held besides their
| regular tramps. tournaments each
year, which many people from the
United States have keenly enjoyed.
These carnivals have been initiated in
our own cities where there has been
enough snow and ice for those northern
sports.
| There are hurdle races also. 1t seems
to us impossible to jump hurdle with
| snow-shoes such as are worn at Mon
treal. These shoes are the kind we
see most commonly in the United
States. and are noticeable for their
long heels which would be dreadful
ly in the way when jumping.
In the early wars with French and
! Indians many Il winter campaign
could never have been carried on but
for the snow-shoes, which alone made
marching possible. In the winter at
tacks of the savages upon the settle
mcnts in northern New England. and
in the expeditions of English and
French troops, snow shoes were
necessary part of their equipment. their
baggage being hauled on sleds or to-
boggans.
Long distances across country are
accomplished as quickly and with less
fatigue on SnOw-shOes over the snow
than on loot over the same ground after
| the snow has melted away. There is
something in The spring OF the snow
shoe and in the manner of the long
swinging step that makes it easier than
ordinary walking, especially if the
ground is uneven.
Nothing is more awkward for a be-
ginner than learning to keep right side
up on snowshoes. 1t is not necessary
to walk with legs stretched wide apart.
for one shoe is lifted over instead of
around the other. The tracks lie one
in front of tile other almost as in Or
binary walking. By taking long steps
I one need never founder in the snow as
Il beginner does who lets the toe of one
shoe get caught under the heel Of the
other. = 2appan Admey, in Hdrper's
| I0u1aO PeODIe