The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1902-12-25

| York. These were undoubtedly the
first settlers of their respective towns
IN this county, but they were quickly
followed by rapidly increasing tide
of other Settlers
have tried to find the origin of the
names of the several towns. Pleasant
Prairie, it is claimed, was named for
its chief feature, and so the town of
Wheatland. The first settlers of Bris-
tol we're from Bristol, Conn. Randall
bears the name of man prominent in
the history of the State, Alexander w.
Randall, once Governor of Wisconsin
and afterward Postma ster General of
the United States. Somers, Salem
and Brighton have their counterparts
in the Eastern states, the old homes of
many of the pioneers.
How They Came. Prairie schooners.
Many settlers came with their wag-
ons and teams of horses or oxen.
Railroads and telegraphs west of New
York were not even dreamed of. Be-
You'd the newly settled parts of Ohio
there was not even wagon road.
Some caravans of emigrants followed
along the shores of Lake Erie and
Lake Michigan. Others took higher
ground back from the lakes and fol-
lowed as closely as might be an In
dian trail. Some took ship at Buffalo
and sailed around the lakes. The
journey from York D State occupied
about four weeks. / will describe
briefly to you company of pioneers
and an emigrant outfit which will give
you fair idea of all. This was COM
posed Of six persons: Daniel Stevens
and wife, sons Levant and Walter, a
daughter, Eliza Stevens, now Mrs.
Hatch, of Chicago, and niece, Miss
Nancy Stevens, now Mrs. Alvin G..
French, of Pleasant Prairie. A strong
wagon was selected for the long,
rough journey. It was fitted with a
top or cover formed of hickory bows,
the ends fastened by hooks or staples
on each side of the wagon box. The
front and rear ends had projecting
bows which made the top longer than
the wagon box. Heavy white factory
covered the bows and effectua1ly shed
the rain. The large white top had
something of the appears zee of the
sail of vessel and cam to be called
"Prairie Schooner. 20 - he wagon was
packed with abundant provisions,
some comforters, blankets, clothing,
and many things which would be
| needed in their new homes. Their
household goods, some farm tools, ten
barrels of -four and some salt pork
were taken to Buffalo, to be shipped to
Chicago when navigation opened.
Their wagon was heavily loaded, and
besides had to carry five grown per-
sons. Walter Stevens went on horse.
back and acted as pilot and scout look
ing up stopping places for noon and
night. They were all ready to start
Jan. 1st, 1886, but word came that the
Maumee swamp was not yet frozen
over and crossing it saved many miles
of travel. On the morning of Jan. Is
all were ready to get into the wagon,
but one Major was missing. ajor was
little black dog, black as night, not
white hair on him, and Miss Eliza
would not leave him behind. Major
was found and after dinner all were
ready to start and the horses were
commanded to move. From West
field, Chautauqua county, New York,
they took westerly course along the
south shore of Lake Erie. A distance
of forty miles in Pennsylvania where
that state juts up to Lake Erie had to
be crossed before reaching Ohio.
Thence westward across the states of
Ohio and Indiana until Illinois was
reached. The entire journey was over
new country, with the most primi-
tive roads where there were any roads
at all, but the greater part of the way
there were no roads of any kind. In
two instances their stopping place at
night was log house with one square
room. Astotal of thirty guests-emi,
grants-w erel'gathered there to seek
shelter for.the night. At bedtime the
scanty furniture had to set out of doors
duu lHGIS WdS UdIGly room IOT the
travellers and the family to stretch
themselves on the floor to sleep. At
one stopping ssplace in Indiana it was
thirty miles across tree1ess prairie to
the next house.
A snow storm in the morning pre-
vented them seeing any distance and
they were sure to get lost without a
pilot. The frontier settler where they
had stayed offered to guide them and
foot it back the next day for just 81.
His services were accepted and the
| journey was safely made.
/ Making q Claim.
The first thing that the pioneer did
on arrival was to select his land and
make his claim. A claim was made
by stalking out the lines or by plough
ing out furrow around If. Under a
law Of Congress each settler had a
right to pre-empt a quarter section of
100 acres by complying with the re-
quired conditions. These required the
building of cabin, the ploughing of
some land and it's occupation for at