Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-09-05
BY MRS. wM. M'INTosH.

tion ARISES: why did he leave all this to
engage In q new business, in q new
country, amidst surrounding 30 entirely
different from anything he haa any
conception OFF,
The charm of country life has strong
mold on the city man who spends his
time amidst the noise and Dustle and
the confinement of office or store; but
for the man who had never harnessed
or driven q horse or done any work on
farm, whose whole life had been
passed behind counter or In the man.
agement of business, the change, to say
the least, was too extreme. So the love
that actuates nearly every parent to try
to better the conditions in life for his
children, in addition to the glowing
accounts sent by his brother tWho had
gone to America in 1849) of the easy
accumulation OF wealth and the cheap
lands, together with the excitement
caused by the discovery OF gold in Cal.
tfornis, caused him, as well as many
another to exchange the known for the
unknown. So on the 22nd of April,
1882, IN company with his wife, three
children and his uncle, eighty years old,
we sailed from Glasgow our native
city, In the Londonderry sailing vessel,
hetrip was usually made In four to
Six weeks, but on account of calms and
storms and the 0bscurity of the sun and
stars We were driven out of our course
and were nine weeks on the ocean. AT
that day we had to furnish bedding,
cooking utenslls, and to live comfortably,
Q good share Of the provisions in addl-
tton to what was supplied on shipboard.
The fresh water for the entire voyage
was carried In casks, no ice on board
and only certain amount of fresh
Water issued daily to each passenger.
We had to do our own cooking at an
open fire on deck, and If the weather
was stormy the kettles would be upset
OF the fire drowned out by the waves, as
the ship lay low on the water and the
waves dashed over the bulwarks. In
stormy weather, to prevent US from
sinking, the matches were closed?
So to the intending settler the hard
ships began before the new country was
reached; but we had many pleasant
times. The passengers in the interme-
diate cabin were all Scotch people and
We seemed like one large family. In
good weather the time on deck was
spent In promenading, dancing, playing
checkers or watching the sea gulls, the
porpoises or an occasional ship; In the
evening in singing or recltations.
The health of all on board was good.
Only one death-a child. 1t was a
touching sight to see the little form,
weighted with lead, wrapped in canvas,
tying on the plank extended from the
bnlwark, which, after q few words from
the captain, was raised and the body
Slid of in the deep to lie there till the
sea gives up its dead.
Our provisions ran low, so we signaled
lay s ssinsi Sii fAis Ms sent boat to get pro.
visions to last till we landed. at last
the lookout espied the land, and what q
washing and brushing and changing of
raiment there was to get ready to go on
shore. AS we passed the shores of
Staten Island how light and airy the
white frame buildings amidst their
surroundings of green grass, trees and
shrubbery seemed to people who had
been accustomed to grey sstone build
ings. After an inspection by the health
officer we awere allowed to anchor at
Castle Garden, and after few days
rest we began our journey to McHenry
county, Iii.
We had brought great amount of
baggage, choice pieces of furniture,
family portraits, farming implements,
wrought nails and saws of all kinds,
even pair of iron axles for q family
carriage that was never built, besides
bedding and wearing apparel to last us
many years, 80 on account of the high
rates charged by the railroads we were
advised to 60 by canal boat to Buffalo
and by steamer on the lakes to Chicago.
1t was pleasant, easy way of travelling
and we were in no particular hurry,
and many pleasant acqusintances We
made and saw good deal of the coun-
try. So we arrived at Buffalo July 3
and spent our first 4th there.
After eight days on the lakes, stop
ping at many places by the way, we
arrived at Chicago, then small town.
We were met by uncle and took the
cars to McHenry station, seven miles
from his home, where his hired man
met us with the team, and after de.
lightful drive in the cool evening
reached his home, to be warmly well
coined by aunt and cousins, after q
journey of three months.
Iowa was then attracting the atten-
tion OF people who wanted land at gov
ernment price, and those who wanted
larger farms were trying to sell out and
move, 80 as uncle wanted q larger farm,
after haying and harvesting he per-
suaded father to locate In Iowa, and
said as soon as he could sell he would
move and settle near him. The termi-
nus of the road was Cherry Valley, SO
they staged it to Dubuque, then a very
small village. From there they were
directed to Hopkinton; then they went
to Delhi; from there to Spring Branch,
where father came within $50 of buy.
ing large tract of land, including the
present fishery grounds, but 1t looked
rough, and he heard of Norwegian
who wanted to sell three miles further
on, so they left Mr.. Adams walked to
MI. Iverson's and bought 320 acres
lhe afterward bought forty acres).
There were two small log houses, a
straw shed, ten acres broke and partly
fenced, one acre of garden fenced, ten
tons Of hay, thirty chickens, besides
some homemade benches and table.
They then returned and father bought
a yoke of oxen and wagon, and as cattle
were cheaper in Illinois he bought q
cow and ten head Of young cattle.
Father soon learned to drive the oxen,
we learned little about milking and
butter making, and tried to learn to
bake bread. Mother was good cook,
only she had never made bread or
pastry, so aunt baked and cooked
enough to last for some time, with what
We could buy on the road. Uncle took
his team and hired man to help drive
the cattle. We had to leave part of the
baggage and concluded to leave ON
grand uncle there till the next spring
when father would return after it and
him.
The first day out they bought another
COW and then our troubles began. She
ran into the brush and the rest aftel
her. 1t took us all to try and get then
out and keep them In the road. Aftel
chasing them good part of the after
noon we lost her near Marengo an(
have never seen nor heard of her again
| Twill not spend time telling of ou
| experience In camping and driving cat
tie.
just imagine a family who hat
always lived in city making such |
journey. Oh. the misery we endured
| and the fun. too. We were yOung AM