Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1910-07-27
LOOKING BACKWARD
Fifty Years Ago: Or the Cabins Of YER
non County

as they did not grind wheat. The gin
seng plant was plentiful and furnished
an abundant source of revenue. Though
the price ranged from eight TO ten
cents per pound, there was an abund-
ance of it and one accustomed TO digg-
ing il could secure twenty to forty
pounds in day. The ''sang hoe" was
a strong narrow hoe which would pen
citrate between the roots of the forest
trees. The root was in good demand
as an article of commerce and was Gag
erly sought by spectators who estab-
lished agencies in most every settle
ment. 1t is an annual plant and APP
pears about the first of June and drops
its ripened foliage about the first of
October, but often retains the beauti-
full red berries until very late in the
season. Only one plant is produced in
the same season and when the stock
destroyed this one, it did not appear
until next season
Most of the wool in the early day
was manufactured at the home and the
hum of the spindle could be heard in
most any cabin and the yarn was woven
into cloth on the old-fashioned loom
that reached to the joists and occupied
about one-fourth of the cabin, and the
weaver with her shuttle hither thither
scud and scuttle, so the loom could be
taken down before the festive Christ
mas season time. For this was sea-
son for the gathering of relatives and
neighbor., a general annual visit and
shooting match and telling of stories,
enc of which we recall. A settler came
in and did considerable boasting. A
bear had been annoying a neighbor
about two miles away and after con-
siderable pains they succeeded in gett-
ing him in trap and afterwards cap
turing him. The carcass was hauled
home on sled drawn by yoke of
oxen. IL occurred that a new cabin
was being raised and the carcass was
on exhibition. The boaster made the
remark that che would not be afraid of
such a thing. 1t would not be much
more than meeting big dog" On
Saturday night when he went to the
store for supplies and mail, the young
folks concluded Co try his nerve as it
would be after dark before his return.
They got the bear hide and tied it TO a
bush close to the path, in an upright
position with arms extended. As he
always carrieda gun they must use eau
ton; so they borrowed lady's clothes
line without her knowledge or per-
mission), fastened it to nearby bush,
stationed themselves at the other end
and awaited the result. Ere long their
hopes we're realized as they heard him
coming and some one with him, he
boasting as usual All at once there
was a rustic and a monster ready to
devour him was almost upon him. He
did not shoot as expected but beat a
hasty retreat, leaving in the rear his
companion, a young boy, across the
woods to the nearest opening and cabin,
leaving groceries, mail and gun along
the pathway. The neighbor returned
with lantern. But no bugaboo, only
some disturbed leaves beside the track.
The boys had good laugh and retired.
Relating to the schools the county
history does not give very flattering
account But | believe we were sup
piled with better class of teachers.
Among the first were Mrs. Lucy G.
Weeden and Chas. Soaring, who were
instructed in the academies of New
York state. John w. Getty and VIM.
F. Towle were educatedi in the splendid
schools of Ohio, and Moses Brown and
wife 1.-THE latter sister of Senator
James) were from New England and
were persons of refinement and culture.
Mrs Weeden is now a resident of
North Dakota. Mr.. soaring engaged
in banking in Iowa bat lost much of
his property in the famous Grant &
Ward failure, when he and his brother,
Professor Edward Soaring of Milton
college, settled at Mankato, Minneso-
ia, where both died. Mr.. Getty was
one Of the young men who answered
their country's call and gave his young
and promising life for the flag. His
body found resting place in the sunny
south. Mr.. Tc,gle was one of the boys
in blue who were permitted to return
and settled in southwestern Minnesota.
Mr.. Brown and his good family sold
their home here and settled in northern
Iowa, where they followed agriculture
and stock raising, but have long since
answered the masters call,
The early settlers were very sociable
and good entertainers and most of
them were trained in vocal music, using
such books as the "Psalmist, ''Nelo-
deon" and "0hio Harmo;fst. +" The
music was printed in numerals or
'buckwheat" notes. Sleigh riding par
ties, singing schools, spelling schools
and big meetings and chopping bees"
whiled away the winters. My FIRST
school was at Newburn ridge and Mr..
Soaring was teacher. On moderately
warm day a man came along waving a
large wooden sword and defying the
entire school including the teacher. but
was soon overyowered and deprived
of boots and socks which were careful
Nv stored on the school house roof. The
intruder was compelled to walk around
the playground in his barefeet as a
punishment for his sins. Afterward
his property was returned and he was
permitted to depart in peace, but not
| he. A few months later he answered
his country's call and enlisted under
Captain Teller in the Goth infantry. go
| ing south with the "West Lima round
heads" At Prairie Grove, Arkansas,
where so many brave men fell, among
them the father of w. A. and p S.
Curtis of your city he coralled four of
the enemy and delivered them to the
proper officer. At the close of the
conflict he was honorably discharged
and returned 10 his family who resided
in the town of Stark. A few years
later be took Greeley's advice and
went west, settling in Turner county,
South Dakota.
"A gentleman who was prominent IN
local affairs and for many years a
member of the county board, tells a
story on himself. While out on town
business he was detained till after
night. On his way home he passed
what he supposed was vacant cabin.
He concluded II was some Of the boys
having time to themselves and decid-
ed TO have share of the sport. Leay-
ing the road he crspt quietly through
the timber on the bank above the cab
- 60. fart