Baraboo weekly news. [volume] (Baraboo, Wis.) 1912-197?, 1913-03-06
Mats Ferry, Now Merrimack
Story Of Old River Crossing and Hotel--Buying a
Gold Observation-Disclosures of the Wiscon-
sim Other Notes.
County Historical Society by John JONES'
street, Chicago III.

same as the cables in the suspension
bridges. 1t had not been long in
place when boat passing down the
river called for q lowering of the
cable, but as usual, was told TO come
lnshore and pass under, which, in
attempting to do, lost portion of it's
smoke stack. The next day when
returning up the river they called
again for lowering of the cable. Mr..
Flanders again told them to come in
shore and pass under. They refused
and called again for the cable to be
lowered or they would pull it down.
| Mr.. Flanders laughed at this threat,
telling them the cable was wire and
would hold their boat suspended in
air, If necessary, before breaking. Their
answer was to steam up and throw a
heavy Manila cable over it and then
requested again that the cable be low
cred. Mr.. Flanders again refused and
starting down stream at full speed
they broke the cable as easily as il it
had been pipe stem.
Trouble, Sure Enough.
Here was trouble, sure, and the pcr-
chase of another expensive cable
seemed unavoidable. AT this junclure
Nathaniel Burgess, an old salt water
sailor, modestly suggested that he
thought he could splice this cable
even If it was wire. He was given
permission to try, and succeeded SO
we'll that the cable was still in use the
last knew. Mr.. Flanders was SO
overjoyed at this great saving to him
that be opened his heart end elso his
purse and gave Mr.. Burgess quarter,
which, think, proved TO be good
one. 1t would take many pages
to write half my memories of hap
penings in connection with this ferry.
Days of the Stage
1t was in truth "the key to the
situation and about all that in any
wey relieved the stagnation Of the
little town. The arrival and departure
daily of the stage, running from Bara-
boo to Madison was an event that
commanded the attention of every
man, woman, child and dog in the
place. People who were never known
to get letter arrived ahead Of time
watched the postmaster change the
mail, inquiring Of him if there was
anything for them, going away openly
doubling his veracity when be said,
NO" This stage carried passengers
as we'll as mail and it was long
uncomfortable days ride TO Madison,
where now the trip can be made in an
hour in comfort.
1t comes to my mind how l once
crossed on this ferry going to visit a
boy friend who lived just across the
river. The river was high and the
bottom land between where the ferry
stopped, and the bridge was under
water. Too bashful to ask to ride L
attempted to wade, finding the water
too deep, / mounted an old slab and
with pole undertook to ride there,
with the result that my slab slipped
from under me and [ was dumped in
water over my head. I did as most
do when supreme aid is wanted, and
called on God to help me, my prayer
was answered in the ususal way, by
my helping myself and swimming in
some way to a stump, which crawled
upon and called Justify for human
help, which was soon given me by
some men passing in boat. L was
taken to the bridge and went on my
visit although wet to the skin. I
couldn't swim for long time after
this and was never noted as leader
in prayer meeting. Nor was it case
of early piety as the ferrymsn, in an
| swer to my mothers rebuke for
allowing me to make the effort, said
he told me to stay on the boat and l
told him to go to - as l could
take care of myself. He was known
as man of veracity, so 1 never dis
puted him.
Indians in Those Days.
Indians were more often seen in
those days, and they made regular
trips to Madison to draw the annui-
ties and supplies. They could cross
without charge when no paying Gus
tom was waiting. The time they had
to wait was used by the squaws beg
ging from house to house, the bucks
lying on the ground smoking and
grunting, the boys shooting pennies
from split sticks with bows and arrows.
The few boy friends / had and myself
would study their bows and arrows,
how they were made and trimmed,
how they held them when shooting, |
md oopviY,0 offer them as well os ua