Baraboo weekly news. [volume] (Baraboo, Wis.) 1912-197?, 1914-07-23

Ger stream lie to the southwark. and
the domain is bounded on the west by
King and Bartlett lake
selected this particular time for the
experiment because l wanted it to be
the most severe kind of test.
/ was handicapped by Civilizations
habits and comforts. My skin was not
tough. My muscles were not firm. and
my stomach was used to seasoned and
we'll cooked food.
However. still retained my knowl-
edge of the woods, and it was on that
alone placed dependence. 1t is in the
mind, | claim, the mind that has been
trained to know nature, that the spark
of complete independence is retained
down through the ages.
As Aug. drew near some of my
closest friends literally begged me to
abandon the idea. They warned me
that might become i'll and wreck my
future health. or even lose my life, and
all that kind of talk. They We're good
to me, and appreciated their feelings.
but knew they did not understand.
knew better | was confident.
left Boston for Bigelow, Me-. which
is the end of the railroad in that part
of the country. From there took the
stage for eight miles to Eustis, vii
lage of fifty inhabitants, situated on
the edge of the foerst.
Then came something worse than
living two months alone in the forest
ride for sixteen miles over the King
and Bartlett blackboard trail. The ter
minus of this road brought me to the
King and Bartlett camps.
Directly in front of these camps is
the King and Bartlett lake 1t was a
mile across to the opposite shore
where, in the presence of professional
men and sportSmen who We're stopping
at the camps in the vicinity, disrobed
and started for the wilds, leaving my
clothes behind and taking absolutely
nothing with me.
Now just a few words about myself.
| had travelled nearly all over the
world Later | entered the United
States navy, where ! served enlist
mentS for a number of years, After
that decided | would like to try sail
ing on the fresh water lakes. So left
the coast and sailed on the great lakes
for another twelve months.
1t was while | was in that country
that l became acquainted with tribes
of Sioux and Chippewa Indians. They
were scattered all along the west coast
of Michigan | gave up the sailing
and went among them. That year
went back into the mountains and
hunted and trapped with them. or
course l picked up valuable knowl-
edge about the woods under these con
ditiOnS.
To go back to the beginning of my
life in the wilderness, heavy skies and
a steady drzzle of rain greeted me on
the morning Of Aug when awoke
in the King and Bartlett camps. How
ever, the weather didn't bother me.
The sportsmen and professional men
who were interested in my departure
ioked with me and iaughngly said that
night. Shortly after 8 O'Clock we all
left the camps for the opposite side OF
King and Bartlett lake.
The drizze had increased to steady
downpour, and the brown suit of
clothes which | wore became wet
through.
The time for my entering the forest
was about 10 o'clock.
The boats landed at the foot Of what
is known as the Spencer trail, which
rises straight up the side of Bear
mountain and winds its way up over
| the crest and down the other side for
FIVE miles through the woods to Spen-
Ger lake.
Here's your last cigarette" cried
some one. offering me the smoke as l
began to take off my clothes
/ took it and lit it and then went on
undressing. Presently stood naked.
| took two or three final puffs Of the
cigarette, tossed it to the ground and
began to shake hands with every one.
My body was already glistcning with
the rain, but it didn't bother me any.
waved my hand rs a last farewell
to human companionship for two
months and started up the trail AT
the top of the incline. where, in an
other moment, | would be out Of sight
among the trees, paused and waved
once plore to the waiting crowd below.
Then I struck out straight along the
trail.
had left civilization.
l don't remember great deal of
that five mile trip My mind was fill
ed with all kinds Of thoughts. ] kept
saying to myself. Il shall keep on go
ing straight ahead into the woods.
where | shall not see any one or talk
with any one for two months Then
the realization would come over me
that what food and comfort ] obtained
would have to come through my own
resourcefulnPss.
By now / had reached the ridge OF
Bear mountain and swung along down
the other side, where easily recog-
niZed the lay Of the land. though had
not seen it fnr ten Years. Presently