Baraboo weekly news. [volume] (Baraboo, Wis.) 1912-197?, 1919-10-02

comical pet began to examine his
pockets for nuts and bread Ma, ma,
there's nathing in my pocket for we
the day, my wee mamie, but III get
We something He called him his
little man" and often the coon fishcd
for frogs in the stream which flowed
at the McReath door. Mr.. McReath
(spelled McRath in the book was a
Highland Scotchman and came to
Milwaukee, July 4, 1850, reaching
Wisconsin the year following the
Muirs.
Speaking of Scotchmen the father
of John Muir was of a religious turn,
a student of the bible, held services
in the neighborhood, and organized
a Presbyterian church, the building
standing between the two farms. In
the church-yard@ we noted such Scotch
names as MAR, Galloway, Owen,
Thompson, Graham and McDougal.
Entering the church the company
stood where John Muir's father ex-
pounded the faith years ago.
$. \: y
The first place owned by the Muirs
was very sandy but the second farm
was one worth owning. In my Boy
hood and Youth" Muir speaks of it
as the Hickory Hill Farm" and
when we shut off the gasoline in front
of the barn there in bold letters
across the building were the words:
* 4 =. * y y * * * * = * y y =.
y Hickory Hill Farm *
y * q * 81 * * * y s. * * y * *
The present owner, Thomas Kearns,
has read Muirs books with keen in
terest and kindly placed the appro-
pirate name on the barn.
X e &
When the father of John Muir left
the lake place he purchased five sos
and 40 occupying the land for many
years When it was sold, John G.
McHaffy was the purchaser, who dis
posed of the place after two years to
Mr. Kearns. The Muir family went
10 Portage, the father afterwards
going to Canada and later returning
to this country.
* * s.
Mr.. Kearns says that John Muir
visited the old place about 1898, a
little over twenty years ago. When
the author and traveller was on the
farm he attached to the doors and
gates numerous contraptions; when
he returned he could find none of
them. The house has brick veneer
now, also an addition; the barn has
been raised on new foundations; and
some of the trees set by the Muirs
have been cut away. When John
was back he told Mr. Kearns
thought that the orchard looked
more familiar than any other spot.
* !. Il
There before us was the cellar to
which John reiterated at two o'clock
in the morning to read and work
with tools, because his father insist
ed ON his going to bed early in the
evening and not caring how early the
son arose in the morning; there was
the we'll which the young man spent
a summer in digging and in which he
nearly lost his life; and over the
fence was the orchard hanging with
rosy fruit, some of which was kindly
given the visitors by Mrs. Kearns.
i: !. i.
The farm buildings are back from
the highway which extends on two
sides of the farm, causing the owner
to remark in this connection that his
chickens never troubled his neigh
bors Mr.. Kearns said the Muirs built
the first house on the place and that
John plowed much of the land for the
first time.
s. * ).
AT the Muir public auction, Merrill
Smith cried the SALE After selling
one of the old fashioned hand corn
planters, the auctioneer shouted that
here was another better than the first
To this John Muir's father exclaimed
with all his Scotch honesty, mo, it
amt
r * i.
The father conducted religious SER
vices, as before stated, but received
meager compensation. One day the
question of small pay was mentioned
to one of the members of the church
to which the member replied, "Oh,
well, he likes to PREACH
X 4 4
A letter has been received from Mrs.
Anna Galloway Eastman (niece Of
John Muir, box 1924, Bell, California,
, in which the folloing is given:
Father-Daniel Muir, born in Eng
land in 1902 or 1903. (Date is not GER
tain), and died in Kansas City, Mo-,
1888.
Mother-Mrs. Daniel Muir, nee Anne
i Gilrye, born in Dunbar, Scotland,
/ March II, 1913. Married Daniel Muir,
1888.
They were married in Dunbar,
i