Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-09-03
HISTORICAL LETTER.
Written by ]. Q. Severns, one of
Wood County's Pioneers.
Continued from last week.

When Mr.. Hoxie and his crew
of Brigands, which they truly
we're, arrived at baskerville they
saw lights and heard music and
they concluded to put out their
team and stay and take part IN
that little social entertainment that
was being enjoyed by few of US
backwoods neighbors. Some of
Mr.. Hoxie's party INDUCED in
numerous haunting and insulting
remarks to your correspondent in
regard to Mr.. Ncwberry and his
crew, which we treated as nearly
with silent contempt as the circum-
stances would permit. About
half an hour after the arrival OF
Hoxie's crew, Judge Price, as our
blacksmith was familiarity called
he being the oldest man in our
crew, stepped into the door and
asked us to come out as he had
some communications to make
that might be of Importance to us.
After a short consultation with Mr..
Price I stepped back into the
room and told my better half that
Judge Price wanted me to go
home with him and that she had
better stay there until morning
when John Shutes would drive the
team home. | then accompanied
Judge Price home and together we
awole the five men that were there
made known to them Mr.. Hoxie's
intentions and prepared to defend
our position. 1t will be remem-
bered that I1oXie had seven men
in his crowd armed with WhlSkey
and revolvers with which they
expected to take the position and
drive our crew out; and after
Price and myself arrived on the
ground there were seven of US all
armed with rifles, except one, and
he had 4 double barrel shotgun.
Our guns were cleaned and made
ready, bullets moulded and Price
was chosen captain, then we went
to bed to get a little sleep while
we waited for the appearance OF
the enemy who did not come until
7 or s o'clock in the morning.
When they came they found us
waiting, but with no disposition to
begin a row. After waiting some
time for demonstrations of violence
to us or our rights, and hearing
many insulting remarks intended
to irritate a sensitive Individual
and one already thrown on his
guard by previous ill-treatment,
we, at a sign from our captain,
quietly withdrew to the cook
shanty and prepared for the fracus
by Gaping our guns and putting
in a charge of powder. Taking
the gun in the left hand, with the
rammer drawn and bullet in the
right, we marched out single file
and formed in line about ten PAGES
in front of the shanty then occu-
pied by Hoxie and his gang.
With the butts of the guns between
our feet, muzzle and rammer in
the left hand, bullet in the right
hand in position to show to the
opposite party there was no mis-
taking about the guns being loaded
with balls, Price stepped to the
door of the room occupied by
Hoxie and his men and opened ii
and gave the command "Loac
with BALI when every one of oul
crew put the ball on the muzzle o
his gun and showed it home. Mr.
Price, addressing Mr.. HoXie, ther
told him that he understood from
their own words at the suppe
table at Wards the night before
that they were coming to drive
Newberry's crew off the bank anc
take possession, and said he "Nov
Gentlemen, if you are prepared t.
eat your way through hell begin
we are ready now; otherWlS
quietly pick up what things Their
are in the shanty belonging to yo'
and leave within fifteen minute
or we will open the ball, and if w
have to open the ball it will be t
your sorrow" They picked Vi
their goods and got away an'
when thew were about 20 rod