The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1891-07-23


during the reading of these few early
"reminiscences. The memory may have
proved trifie treacherous after hall
century, but there has been no draft on
fiction. On a bright, sunny day-the
18th of August, 1S35-there came to an
Choir off Pike river on Lake Michigan, az
ter a voyage of twenty-elght days, the
schooner Detroit with it's living freight OF
seventeen souls-thirteen OF whom LANDED
to make homes on the spot where Keno
sba now stands. Imagine with what de-
light their eyes took in the prospect the
broad beach making them impatient to
plant their feet once more on terra firma,
and the grand old oaks an inviting shell
ter from the burning sun. gentle
swell was rolling shoreward, but the
crew soon lowered and brought alongside
a small boat in which the passengers
were conveyed to the shore. AfterWard
the historical type and few household
goods-a meagre setting out indeed. A
Young man from the ''old Granite State"
taken aboard at the ST. Clair river, was
too homesick to live without stones, and
returned on the same boat, doubtless to
his fathers farm, over which he could
probably travel without touching the
ground. Mr.. Hudson Bacon came earlier
in the season and prepared shelter Tor
his wife and four sons who were aboard.
A number of others had come during the
summer and taken claims in the vicinity.
DR. Cary, Elder Lothrop and families,
were landed on the beach, with no ROOF
in readiness save the broad azure dome.
Doors were opened to receive them, ready
hands assisted in telling trees, putting up
four walls, and a scarcely waterproof
covering The former moved into log
cabin near Pike River proper and the lat
ter into one near the lake east OF the site
site now occupied by the foundry, and
long ago with a large piece of land were
swallowed up by the boisterous lake, and
the Island is not half so large as former
ly. Mr.. Bacon lived opposite the south
ern and Mr.. Wilson opposite the northern
point Of the Island on the west, and Mr..
RESIDUE kept tavern on the Island.
There was u bar across the mouth OF the
creek most of the time, except after
strong wind that drove the waves over
and when the storm subsidized would
break through run out and again I'LL up
with sand and gravel. There was no way
of reaching the north side except by the
Island, or crossing in an Indian dug-out
where Main street bridge now stands.
Perhaps a few minor details that nave
not been thought worthy OF notice may
be interesting at this date by contrast.
Imagine the face Of the country mostly
prairie, covered with wild flowers fresh
as from the hand Of the Maker-a margin
of oaks and hick0ries bordering the lake
and seen from the boat appearing like
great orchard. No trace Of humanity
save an occasional trail or eXtinguished
IL. \ o7ot1I1 Lo6h nv
the march of civilization. Let magma
ton tarry in front of one Of the log cab
ius before the cold weather that is tardy
in coming, as if plying the exposed stu
alton Of the settlers An immense oak is
trunk, and the family cooking done
there. Towels, dish-cloths, and various
articles for culinary purposes hung on its
branches. Bread baked in Kettle, and
on baking days meat cooked in the tea
kettle, if there was any to cook. No po-
tatoes, often no bread. A mother once
rolled the crumbs Of bread left from
baking in a paper and saved them for her
little daughter, not knowing how long
before another supply would arrive At
ter potatoes were brought in she gave the
child one, which she held up and plead
ingly said, Ma, butter" The mother
scraped up some Of the potato and mixing
with little salt, spread it on again and
the little one sat down and cOntentedly
unched on the fancied luxury OF cold
potato and - butter Late in the season
a boat load was brought across the lake,
unloaded on the sand and carried Oft fast
as could be handled at one dollar and
fifty cents per bushel But few were
eaten, for they were the hope Of the next
years abundance. The boat and crew Of
two deserved better fate. A gathering
storm burst soon after they left and they
were never heard from after. Boats
could not be depended upon, for between
Gains and storms, it would be days, per-
haps heightened into weeks ere they
would arrive, and then a long easterly
storm might be in progress, and not be-
ing able to land, might wait day, two
or possibly three, then hoist anchor and
sail away to the great disappointment OF
those on land. When hard pressed some
one Of the inhabitants would go with
team 10 a more fortunate point where
provisions could be procured, and if
obliged to camp out for the night, might
be oNeltaktn by the rain, lie down to
sleep, the wagon for shelter, and awaken
to find himself taking an involuntary
Datl. Ills return was udlI6U WIN JOY,
for it was bread and meat. Flour could
be purchased for twenty, and pork for
fifty dollars per barrel. A soothing off
set was drove Of cattle when beef was
plenty, at 4 cents per pound. At one
time when the larder was becoming like
'Mother Hubbard's cupboard, yoke Of
oxen were driven IN to be shod, -one
strapped into frame,-bat being FESTIVE,
a Joint was drawn out aud obliged to be
slaughtered, each inhabitant buying a
piece, plying the OK and his owner and
calling 1t a Godsend. Butter was not to
be thought OF, but a barrel each Of mo-
lasses and rice were Providence.
When other supplies failed there was
wild game in plenty and the waters gen
erously gave their fnny inhabitants
Now imagine yourself inside. When
first occupied no floor but the earth on
which branches We're thickly strewn, bed
ding laid thereon, and more than glad
aye, thankful for so comfortable a / lace
to rest their weary limbs, regardless Of
the reptiles possibly coiled underneath,