The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1905-07-07

YEARS. TUT " SnOIt tlu6 lOllOWinb his
marriage he lived In Pennsylvania,
then emigrated to Jefferson county, o.
Here he resided short time farming
ground on the shares, until he had ac-
cumulated sufficient money to purchase
team of horses and some agricultural
implements and actual necessities with
which to commence his labors In his
new home.
The first hting necessary after reach
ing his land was to construct a shelter
or house of some kind to protect them
from the storms, wild beasts, and
lodging place at nights. This was soon
accomplished, being built of poles and
brush, and the openings between filled
in with leaves and dry grass to keep
out the cool night air. His nearest
neighbors were John Nichols, then
building a mill on the Nimishillen, four
miles to the northeast, and John
Farber, who lived in Tuscarawas coun-
ty, adjoining the boundary line of Pike
a distance of five miles.
If the incidents and happenings
whicn occurred in the life of this pion-
eer family during the earlier part of
their residence here could be collected,
they would furnish ample material for
narrative which would be of immense
value, especially to those who are in
terested in the early history of their
country. The first thing to engage
their attention after having a shelter
constructed, was to clear and prepare
ground for crop. At this they labored
together for weeks and very often
when the evenings were mild and pleas
ant they would burn brush until and
10 o'clock, the babe being wrapped up
sufficiently comfortable and slowed
away in some safe nook or corner with
in easy reach. When not in use the
from straying away, and they lived
luxuriously on the wild grass, pea vines
and foliage which grew in abundance
on all sides.
After the ground was prepared, and
the spring crop planted and sowed, Mr.
Young returned with his wife to jeff
erson county, to harvest a crop Of
wheat in which he had an interest AZ
ter the harvesting was completed ard
the crop secured, he sold his share
and with the means thus afforded he
purchased a cart and a load of produce
such as salt, whiskey, corn, powder
lead, tobacco, etc. While they were in
Jefferson county securing the wheat
crop, Mrs. Young and her child lived
with one of the settlers, and by hiring
to them to weave Ga trade she had
learned when young) after paying for
the support of herself and child had
some money besides. When they COM
pleted their work in Jefferson county
they returned to Pike, Mr.. Young cut
ting the first road through the forest
from the Geographer's line 0ust south
of Sandyville) to his land a distance
of nearly six miles.
He now built log cabin after the
usual pioneer style The furniture
which was necessary for their wants
was principally constructed by himself
In those days the surroundings were
such, that it was unnecessary to be
choice in their furnishings, and only
such things as were actually needed
were provided, and these from inability
to purchase, were generally of the rud-
est kind. A large puncheon with legs
set in auger holes served for a table;
blocks of wood for chairs, and a trough
made from a split half of a small tree,
as circumstances required.
The first winter this pioneer family
spent in their log cabin in Pike, was
long, cold and dreary one. Owing
to the depth of snow upon the ground
very little could be done aside from
cutting down trees and preparing fire.
wood. Surrounded upon all sides by a
dense forest, whose leafless banches
swayed back and forth by the winter
storms, and no neighbors within reach
to change the dull monotony of the
they were almost as effectually exiled
from human intercourse and aid, as
was Alexander Selkirk while upon the
desert island of the Juan Fernandez
Occasionally an Indian who would be
roaming over the country would call
for something to eat. They were gen.
orally harmless, but took special de-
light in frightening the women when
alone. An incident is told of Mrs. Far
ber, (their second nearest neighbor)
who going out one evening about dusk
with crock of milk, to stow away in
some cool place to keep fresh for their
breakfast next morning found herself
upon opening the door and stepping
out face to face with large Indian.
This SO frightened the woman that she
dropped the crock of milk and fled into
the cabin screaming at the top of her
voice. The Indian enjoyed the joke
very much and walking into the cabin
made himself quite at home, but harm
cd no one, Another incident which
the woman related herself about so or