Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1893-03-16
PAPER sY DANIEL r. Buar.

1 first came to this country ia 1885.
after having made my location at Ian
caster, or near where Lancaster is now
situated; in 1885 l left hist point in COM
pany with Lucius Ashley for the object
of finding water power on Grant river
:" be used for manufacturing lumber
for the improvement of the country,
and where it could be shipped by water
to any point on the Mississippi. We
left with horse but left it with Mr..
Fitzgerald three miles from Lancaster
and proceeded on foot through Platte
timber. After examining Platte river
we concluded to examine Grant river.
beginning at the point where now
stands the warehouse on Grant slough.
following it up to the first fall or rapid
water, now Burton, where subsequent
ly built the mills. Having eaten our
best rations at breakfast and spent
three days travelling over a portion of
N"N S'4eAJ NS'NA oSAOto seen ny US,
without a track or trace of civilized
man to guide US, we concluded to try to
find our way back to the place where
we had left our horses. Ashley de-
clared he had no opinion of the proper
course and that must pilot; accepting
the otter, we commenced our Journey
over country broken by deep raviues
and covered with timber. Darkness
and brush soon compelled halt, break
ing up some fine brush TO lay my head
upon for the night, the snow four inches
deep and without anything to eat since
morning. though we had killed turkey,
| laid myself down to rest for the
night, leaving Ashley on guard duty
with a double barrel rifle, and small
fire we had improvised with instruc-
tons to wakcn me at twelve o'clock to
relieve him. It commenced showing
about this time and was quite dark.
The wolves having scented our turkey
and our fire, approached unpleasqntly
near with their Lideous howlings, and
interested Ashley 50 deeply that he
declined TO be relieved through the
night. Tying handkerchief over my
face, with heavy overcoat and other
heavy clothing, / slept very comforta-
bly,, the snow having fallen about four
inches through the night and covering
me to that depth. The wolves parted
company with us before morning; as
soon as day appeared clearly we com
menced our journey again, and after
walk of about ten miles reached our
point of starting as | afterwards found
by almost direct line. / cannot des-
cribe the force that guided us so cor
rectly.
Mr.. Burt relates several other Incl
dents from which we select the follow.
ing:
In August, 1886, it became necessary
to see the miners in Snake Hollow.
S. Ashley and started together travel.
ing he divide between Grant and the
Mississippi river. reaching Grant where
the ferry is now kept. The water was
too deep toford and about twelve rods
wide and was an unpleasant obstruc-
ton; but the river must be crossed
We improvised a rude raft from drift
pie, tied the logs together with grape
vines; fastening another vine to the
head Of the raft, Ashley being properly
seated with gun. ammunition and my
clothes, | swan in and taking the grape
vine between my teeth, commenced
towing the raft, Ashley and hi, goods,
he sitting as an impression figrrehead
and landing safe and dry. and in Il
few moments lac shot and killed a
large buck weighing upward Of 200
pounds
There have been many large fish
! stories told. but never in quantity and
case Of catching have ever heard any
thing equal to the facts presented for
tie first years Of my settlement.
With a seine Of twenty feet in length,
have caught a wagon load in thirty
minutes and some Of them weighing
thirty pounds; from the ford up to
the dam the river would To- literally
filed with fish 10 throw a stone
into the river al this point would sell
dom fail of killing one or more. and
~ triking a spear into The water,
not aiming at any, you would bring
out from one to three fish spent
twenty-five years at Waterloo. the
larg s. portion Of them were prolific
with wild and exciting scenes with
pressing business bringing excitement
and happiness, and now looking back
,t.ar1 osrnr, .n.-ny,f o;..l,t