Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-06-28

and when Uncle Billy had picked ont
his land and came for the money to pay
for it he just reached up under the
rafters where he had deposited !. and
handed it back to him.
Then there were the two families
who claimed near relationship with
Robert Fulton. Our honOred Sheriff
is one of his namesakes.
Aunt Abby Ellis. who was born in
Salem, Mass, and whose father was q
sea captain, had many curiosities from
other chimes, she was our first teacher
and always wore sunbonnet during a
storm for fear her wig would blow
away
Then there was Grandma Plat,
whose skill and kindly assistance in
sickness was gratefully appreciated.
Aunt Mary Springer, who went with
her husband Oh horseback with coffee
boiler and frying pan tied to the POM
mel of her saddle and their other neces-
sary clothing strapped ON behind)
through the woods to Elkader to cook
for twenty men who were building the
first mill there She was great cnrios-
ity to the Indians, who camped near,
being the first white woman that came
there, and they would come and watch
her cook on fireplace, her cooking
utensils still being limited to the coffee
boiler and frying pan as the boat con.
tanning the supplies was stranded at
Cassville, and did not arrive for a
month.
Uncle Jimmy Sloan, our first black.
smith, who lived over ninety years and
his brother Sam, of whose hospitality
we all shared, lived nearly as long, and
his good wife, Polly is still living and
enjoying her ninety four years, and then
there was Grandpa Lewis, who lived
one hundred years.
had the distinction of being the first
German girl in the neighborhood and
overheard boy say why ma she looks
just like any other girl"
The Fishel's grand garden where the
first small fruits were raised was a
sight worth seeing. Mrs. Fishel shared
with her neighbors and nearly robbed
herself. To my share of berries would
he added beautiful, fragrant bouquet
of flowers to carry home to mother.
Our nearest neighbor, was Mrs. Griffith,
who was always kind and helpful
especially in sickness.
Grandfather McKinnis with horse
and buggy made overland trips to
his old home in Ohio several times and
at that time it was great undertaking,
travelling through asparsely settled coun-
try. 10 him newcomer he went
to purchase some oats for feed for his
horses, adding at the same time that he
WAS ont of money, but promised to pay
as soon as he harvested his crop. Mr..
McKinnis told him the market price
was 35 cents but because he did not
have the money he could have it for
thirty cents.
A shark, (who did not live in our
settlement) wished to take a poor mans
team for a mortgage. Mr.. Milton
Robinson gave the man the money to
save his team and said, never mind
your note my wife here will be witness
that you will repay when you have the
money, an his trust was not misplaced
for it was repaid in u few months.
would like to mention many more
for their deeds of kindness and charity
but fear may be tiresome but / will
add that If any misfortune befell us we
were unit in bringing relief and, as.
sistance. remember one sad case where
young wife with her little child went
to pick wild Strawberries and was bit,
tn by rattlesnake from which she
died at shutdown. Everybody felt as
though it was a personal loss. In those
early days snakes were very numerous
One cold winter night our dog who
was staying in the house began to bark
and act very excited. i went to the
window and saw four blazing eyes
looking in and supposed they were two
large dogs but in the morning We
discovered they were two large grey
wolves from the woods. The mer
gave chase, neighbors and dogs Joined
in but they escaped to the timber Fol
many years we could hear the yelpinp
of the coyotes and had to look for the
safety of our pigs and chickens or sheep
The timber was infested with wild cats
and bears were troublesome to those
living near or in the wood. Wild duckl
were numerous and prairie chickens
could be seen by the hundreds and vert
often shot from our doors and caught
in large traps by the dozens. Our MIN
rods had great sport hunting deer anc
smaller game. Our larders were well
supplied with fresh meats. Our creeks
abOunded with fish and a great many
| turtles.
The first winter set in early with deer
snow and bitter cold SO that we fell
isolated and were quite homesick, bal
spring opened out with the most favor
able weather. We finished our plant
ing in good season and were blessed
with an abundance. In fact l have
never seen better crops since. Sucf
grand waving wheat fields, such i'm
mense ears of corn and huge pumpkin.
and everything in the gardens JUS
grew and thrived. But some year
afterwards when our wheat crops be
gan to fail and we were not prepared
to depend upon something else in oul
farming, the outlook was very gloomy
and then the real struggle began, especi
ally for those that had their land to pay
for. But we learned by experience anC
soon adapted ourselves to the new mod,
of things. 1t is during this time of de-
preston that the change in our settle
ment began. The old saying is, "The
blessing of civilization is discomfort. ,
hardly dare apply it here, but still
some were not content to struggle
on when they could sell to the incom
ing Germans and with the profits bet
ter their condition, and so one by one
sold out and now of all that com
prised the early settlers of Dixon set
Element only one remains, Abby Crit
fifth who married Henry Vorwaldt ar
honored prosperous farmer who keeps
up the old time friendliness and hospi-
tality.
Not wishing to transgress any Longer
on your patience in relating some Of