Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-05-23

buried until thssnow disappeared in the
spring. when, sizing from pole. it was
carried TO St. Regis where 100 years later
it was an object OF especial pride to all in
the village. Even the smallest papoosc
seemed To listen in delight when its sweet
toned pcals cleft the forest air.
The return from the section near Water
town was usually made through the north
route by the old stage road from Utica
and Watcrtown by way Of Malone 10
plattsburgh through what was known as
the ChatcauEay woods in which this side
of Malone was a stretch of five niles
without a house.
The southern route from this section
was through the wufreauented 80 mile
woods" starting in near Potsdam and
EIopkinton and ending near Ausable
Forks, This was route much dreaded
by travellers because of its dangers from
wild beasts and occasionally from wild
men. Once ! drove back over this route
in carly spring when the snow in western
New York had practically disappeared.
In passing through ! encountered nearly
three feet of snow and travel was ma le
slowly and laboriously
one part Of the way was for II miles
without a house. Stopping one night at
a rough road house, ! was told of a very
dangerous point in the road a few miles
ahead whore il seemed doubtful that
could pass ! endcaVored to obtain aid
but everyone there was SO occupied that
he could not 20 with ME 10 the almost
impossible point. So 7 started on alone
and had reached in the dense forest the
spot in question and was wondering how
ever could get through. when | noticed
a man on foot coming behind. For a mo-
mont I was startled none al that sea
son attempted TO pass through that route
on foot and peddlors sometimes wste
deemed rich prizes to freebooters in that
untamed region. But l at once spoke ny
when he came near, I know YOU have
come 70 help me through this place.
Yes" he replied. II finally concluded not
to let you try it alone" As he spoke |
remembered him as one OF the men from
the place where last | had stopped |
took two long ropes from the wagon and
bound one to the top of my wagon and
passed II over the load on the side oppo
site the tremendous precipice that with
out guard of any kind yawned on one
side the icy roadway slopng toward il.
directed the man TO hold fast TO the loose
end Of this rope. 10 walk along on the
side Of the wagon next to the wall Of rock
on the side Of the road opposite the pre-
cpice and to pull on the rope with all his
might while | walked ahead of him pull
ing with one hand on rope smilar ly
fastened 20 the forward end Of the load
land drove my team with the other Thus
We passed around this dangerous curve
| in safety. After which | dismissed the
man with many thanks richly paid, as
he felt, with a number Of pieces Of tim
ware for his kitchen. a little earlier my
brother, The late William r Villas Of this
city went over this precpice with his
tea m, and all were saved from destruction
only ny the pole of the wagon striking
against a tree near the edge and holding
the horses and load fast until finally they
were extricatcd on this trip of mine
mentioned, not many miles after round
ling this dangerous curve, | came TO a
section where there was but little snow.
Here in passing through a dense cedar
swamp I was startled by the nearby
screech Of a panther which undoubtedly
had scented the 200 sheep pelts carried on
| top of my load. The horses trembled IN
terror and needed not the whip touched
! to them 10 cause them to spring forward
soon to leave the place several miles be
! hind. I had a fine young team at this
time that made but little Of the load when
spurrod on by fear. Before reaching the
eastern edge of the forest, deep snow was
again encountered In which my load was
finally stuck fast near night fall, Will
! Just in sight Of the first hotel. or road
house Removing the most valuable OF
my goods To It's friendly cover, ! stabbed
my tired out team and stopped till morn
| ing, when tho hotel keeper with n pair ~
oxen drew my load out of the snow drift
to where tho snow was less deep so tina |
was able ere long TO reach the Peru road
and later TO pull into Plattshurgh with
man. load and team unframed
Another wild section in that region lay
between Fort Covington and Massena,
where for long distance there was not
a single house. and where several peddlers
reported to have seen panthers in the for
ests A toll-gate was then kept about
midway between these two places.
The subsidiary coins OF that time were
mode up considerably Of York shillings, -
OF twelve and a half cents, and six and a
fourth cent pieces. Old fashioned Mexican
Quarters and Mexican silver dollars Wee
frequently met with. But even with no
money trade was always brisk, Barter
was always in great demand. The hustlinp
merchant usually had large barter
house Mt his headquarters for storing
and sorting the varied assortment gather
ed from wide countryside.
when ] had finished the 10 months sea-
son OF 1894, on my return home to visit
my parents in Sterling. Vt, in what I,
now the town of Johnson, | drove with
IEleazer Hunt, at one time an employe Of
lmy brother in the same business with my
lself Mr.. Hunt. now hale young man %
I94 or % years. grandfat Their of Ernest ant
Alba Booth OF this city, Is living in Esse,
and | learn from the paper is recently OF
a visit to relatives in Massachusetts. W.
drove to Pattsburgh through the Cha
teaugay woods and after crossing the lak'
drove on to johnson, wnere ON the site %
what is now the railroad station at John
son, lived the father of Mr., Hunt, Elipha
let Hunt.
But the very old may not be attractive
simply for its age and so for a certa il
stranecness that ia almost uncanny. Tn
mind easily runs back and skips the lonI
and usually weary stretch of space TO tn
time when the blood ran warm and sensa
tons were acute. when the world, evel