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

With respect for the pioneers Of Della
ware county, the vanguard Of civiliza-
ion, from one who came to this county
n1853. What was it then? A beautiful,
plain. The lope of the deer
md the howl of the wolf were seen and
heard on hill and dale, being our only
to relieve the monotony of
he time.
We left the old homestead in Cook
county, Illinois, on the 18th day of May,
1854, with two covered wagons and a
lrove of thirty head of cattle, one wagon
irawn by horses and one by oxen. After
! journey of two weeks we arrived at
what ia known as Plum Creek. Dubuque
was the only available market for prod
ice. Lumber and all provisions had to
oe hauled with teams and they mostly
oxen. It was then considered pleasant
life to the pioneer. Many has been the
lime that have taken the boards of the
wagon and put them under 1t and slept
upon them until morning, then yoked the
oxen and got home In good time for din
ner. The other wagon was being used In
The meantime as house of general pur-
pose while the house was being built and
We were settling down. The next thing
was to till the virgin soil Of Delaware
county. swung my long whip and
shouted whoa and "haw" to break the
first furrow in this part Of the township.
Myself and sister have broken many an
acre Of prairie and many day, breaking
being done, the next thing was haying
and we had big meadow from the Ma
quoksta to Plum Creek and with nothing
TO trouble you. Once In while an In
dian would surprise us a little.
The sheds came next. They were like
the Dutchman's house-slded and shing-
led with hay. In October, 1854, / went
to work for the late Judge Dyer. There
was only one very small store in Dyers-
vile then and all goods had to be hauled
with OK teams from Dubuque, two trips q
week, having to drive out into the river
to get your load at low water time, and
there was very low stage of water In
October, 1854. Things we're running In
good order when the town of Burlington
was talked off, All was Burlington. To
start store was the next thing. was
one of three sent to Burlington with
three leads of groceries and dry goods,
with two yoke of oxen on each wagon
and sometimes we had all six yoke on
one wagon. The worst time we had was
at Center Grove. We had to dig and the
oxen had to pull. We always had spade
to dig the wheels loose. This was In the
latter part of November, 1854. If we are
blessed with q spot that stands second
only to the Garden of Eden, persever-
ence and toll have accomplished it.
Rockville, Delhi and Colesburg were
the only places to get anything in the
line of blacksmithing or shoemaking
done.
Now pioneers, In nine instances out Of
ten where you have made success of It,
the bride that you took from the com.
Portable eastern home is entitled to hel
share of the credit. Many time that !
know for myself the wife has been left
at home to care for all that was to be
cared for, when timber was to be haul
cd from Turkey Timber. What little wat
left from being sold to the new settlers
had to be hauled to Dubuque to the mar
ket. We never heard of q blizzard then
but thirty degrees below zero for a weel
or ten days was common. Honor to tht
pioneer women of the past! They art
entitled to the largest share of credit fol
success. Now behold the change in les
than half century. Rockville is thint
of the past, Delhi and Colesburg remain
very nearly the same. Burlington ha
been changed TO Manchester. What will
1t be in the next half century? thinl
we all hope that the future owners will
guard and protect the right that has beel
handed down to them by those whose un
ceasing toll and hardships, with grea
deal Of Inconvenience that had to b.
overcome by industry and determination
have made 1t what 1t is.
A few words more and am done
The lady now resides in Manchester VIII
taught school in Sub District No. /, Bre
men township, and laid foundations for
great many successful men and womel
who have attained great prominence
Many time have just been able to 30
her head and her beautiful chestnut hal
bounding through snowbank that wa
at least five or six feet deep, and at othe
times I have seen her ride through waite
rolled upon her horses back in all shape
and am proud to say that she brougt
out more scholars than graduates. Tn
change now in the life Of the teacher
remarkable. The teacher of to-day ca
board where she Is mind to, but th
pioneer teacher speak of had distanc
Of over three miles to 60. That was th
perseverance, and determination of th
pioneer women and long may they wave