Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1912-01-03
PIONEER DAYS IN IOWA
Story Of How Ex-Governor Larrabeo
Filed ON His Land In 1855.
TALE OF 4 BITTER c0LD NIGHT.
First Claim of Distinguished Iowan,
Basis Of His Fortune, Was
Taken I'm Minnesota.

Taken I'm Minnesota.
William Larrabee. twice governor
of Iowa, who has been associated
with the best interests of the state
for nifty years. 70 passing an honored
old age in the seclusion of his beau
tffu1 home at CIermont, Iowa. He
was one of the earliest settlers of the
state. In the years since he came as
a young man from Connecticut. he
has not only attained distinction az
a political header, but become sew
eraI times millionaire. He obtain
ed his first quarter section of land In
Minnesota and the story is told In the
Historical Annals Of Iowa.
THE winter OF 1S56-57 was nm
usually severe in the northwest"
says the report. Snow fell to an
enormous depth, and the mercury
not infrequently ranged from 20 to
40 degrees below zero for several
days i'm succession. A series of great
storms swept the prafrfes. Nearly
all the deer in northern Iowa were
destroyed, some freezing, others
starving to death, still others getting
fast in the deep, crust covered snow
and being Killed while In this con-
dition.
Few Of the frontier people were
for such a winter. Thou
sands suffered for want of clothing
and fuel and many man, overtaken
by blinding storm, or tired ont
wading through the deep snow, ffoee
to death, perhaps only stones
throw from h0me.
In December, 1856, with my years
in my pocket. ! journeyed
through the southern part Of MIN
nesota with q view to selecting q
good quarter section of government
land. finally made my choice, and
then to enter the land. set out for
Winona. where the land ofiice was
located. On. the morning Of Dec. %.
left Mant0rville and walked to Ro-
CHESTER a distance Of about seven
teen miles. It had commenced snow
ing before r reached that town. but.
anxious. to make g. few more miles
before dark, and hoping tb ind an
mn on the road. I took lunch at
Rochester and again 1ursued my
Journey:
AS night approached fierce wind
arose, The road followed ridge
the Zumbro and Root rivers.
There was no house, no fence or 9TH
Or landmark In sight. At first we'll
beaten track served as my guide, but
this was soon obliterated by drifting
snow. found that had lost the
road and was forced to rely upon
The wind to Indicate my course. The
snow was from one and half to two
feet deep and covered with an icy
crust.
+ had travelled eight or nine hours
and was from ten to twelve miles out
Of Rochester before I realized the
of my situation. had
no means OF knowing how far had
strayed from the high road; ! had
walked miPe after mile without dis
the least trace of q settler
ment.
Toward midnight. with temper
ature OF from 20 to 40 degrees be-
low zero. the wind blew at rate Of
from thirty TO nifty miles an hour.
Over powered by the conviction that
/ could not hold ont much longer. !
halloed as loud a. my strength would
permit. But the maddened winds only
seemed to mock by efforts.
with death staring me in the lace.
r came to partially constructed
cabin. It had neither roof nor door
and the logs were not chinked!
The discovery of this symbol Of
civilization encouraged me. andsI at
once resolved to make it my head
quarters for further explorations.
Remembering that there Is a well
marked disposition among pioneers
to settle in clusters. I determined to
walk in q wide circle around this
cabin in the hope OF finding some
habitation.
Taking radius Of about sixty or
eighty rods proceeded to carry out
| my plan. / had passed not much
more than half around the circle
when, after surmounting a swell IN
the prairie discovered small grove
| In the distance. at once abandon
ed my former base and quickened my
steps. fully assured that II there was
a house anywhere, It would be found
lin the shelter Of the grove. ] had
mot advanced very far before ! espied
(Continued On pare ~