Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1910-06-29
LOOKING BACKWARD
Fifty Years Ago: Or the Cabins Of Yer
non County
Ccontinusd from issue of June Istl

Yes, IL WAS home. He usually had
his land paid for, one or two good milch
COWS, yoke of oxen or one horse and
occasionally 3 team. He would not
have to move next spring when the
roads were impossible. There was
plenty Of good wood and water, and
game enough for meat most of the
time. Cattle browsed at the brush
piles during winter and with some
grain and plenty of salt they did not
need much forage and often were in
good condition in the spring.
Of the persons Of mature years then
in the town of Unien l only remember
four who are now living: Mrs. George
Lewis who still re sides on the farm
where she and her husband settled in
| 1856; Mrs VIM. Dixon, now resident
of H;iis5oro village; Mrs Eben East
! nan, who resides with her sar in For
est; Mrs. Shane Jordan who now lives
at Eagle River. These have all reach
ed or have passed the four score mark.
Ere long the thread of lie will separ-
ate and the first generation will only
remain in memory.
The FIRST death was David. son of
James and Mary A. Jordan. The little
body was buried in the West Lima
cemetery just over the line in Richland
county. The first burial in the town
ship was William, son of Joseph and
Elizabeth Getty. The little body vas
first to be placed in Newburn cemetery.
The first suicide was VIM. LRsenby, a
bachelor who lived at the head waters
of Warner Creek, about two miles
above Valley. His body was guarded
by his faithful dogs which the officers
were obliged to ILL before they could
gain entrance to his cabin. The first
marriages were James Marshall and
Mary S. Poorman; Archibald Parker
and Jane Getty. These now reside in
the village of La Fargo where they are
spending their declining years enjoying
the many advantages the last fifty
years have brought.
/ The first school was taught by Isaac
| 0utland and the school house was on
the farm now owned by Edward Getty.
| Among the early scholars of this school
who are still living, we remember d.
H. Bean, j. j. Marhall and Jane Park
er of La Fargo; Mrs. Mary Z. Grafton
of Pomona, California; Lydia j. Smith
of Washington, Iowa; Samuel G. Mar
shall of Springfield, Missouri; Mrs. Jane
Lepley who resides only few rods
distant from the spot where the school
was taught The teacher was very
strict disciplinarian, also a true patriot
who sacrificed home end even his life
for the flag of our great nation. His
body was brought home in box; haul
ed from Mansion and accompanied by
only one soldier, the late VIM. Bundy
Of Valley, one of the pioneers of Union.
| remember when he passed my father
farm. 1t was it in winter and about
noon. He requested someone to see
about digging the grave and wanted
another to go ahead to break the news
to the family, who lived about three
miles distant on the farm owned by
the late James Potter. | well remem-
Der remark he made that .she would
rather face the enemy than to tsae
that dead body home to the widow and
five orphan children, and they know
nothing about it. " But the farxiiy was
notified and the body inferred al New
burn. Kind neighbors cared Tor the
family until they were self supporting.
The youngest child was only about two
years old at the time of the father 8
enlistment.
Another patriot who deserves men
ton was c. w. Adams, who was per-
United to get home alive but passed
away in about ten days HIS heart
broken widow who had cared the home
and four children during her husband 8
absence, was too weak to bear her bur
den of sorrow In less than month
she was buried besides her husband,
leaving the four children, none of whom
were of age to fight llfe's battles with
out the care and counsel of indulgent
parents. But Father of the father
less was the orphans friend, as they
all grew to manhood and womanhood.
Alice, one of the girls, was for many
years one of the most successful teach.
ers in the upper Kickapoo valley.
The first serious accident befell j. J..
Marshall. By the overturning of a
wagon his thigh was broken and hi,
has been crippled ever since. The frsT
frame dwelling was built by Moses
Marshall and is still occupied. The first
sheep brought into the locality were
bought by VIM. 0utland who was chos-
en- by several Of the pioneers to make
4 the selection. He succeeded in obtain
ling about thirty head in the vicinity of
Lodi, Columbia county. They were
driven home and were satisfactorily
divided, though they were very in
ferior lot and cost three dollars per
head.
About the first quarrel was over a
stick chimney. One party was going
about four miles to do some chopping
for neighbor. About a mile on his
pathway another neighbor was not yet
up; so he concluded it would be good
joke to take a pole and push the top
off the stick chimney while his friend
was mapping. But lol Not only the
J top but the body came tumbling to the
ground with thud, awakening the
slumberer. The perpetrator fed through
the forest aided by snow storm which
he hoped would obliterate kis track;
but the aggrieved was too fast and fol-
lowed with large hunting knife. At
ter travelling about two miles he over
took the wretch who ably pleaded his
cause with his uplifted ak until he had
HE asssilant in a good humor. He
agreed to repair the damage, which
promise was faithfully fulfilled They
were good friends until they changed
!! locations and were separated for life.
La Fargo, June q. A. t. JORDAN.