The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-02-27
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The propesty had been vacant
for some time and there rs reason
TO believe that IL was because the
former occupants had been unable
10 make living on the poor soil.
Isaac Stevens was not one TO be
frustrated by poor soil or anything
else. The following instance gives
an idea Of his determination and
strength Of character:
As he was clearing a piece of
land in his younger days. 'reduc-
ing rebellious nature to orderly
submission" his leg was crushed
by a falling tree. The doctor in
sisted that the leg must be taken
off to save his life. With charac-
teristic inflexible resolution he re-
fused to permit the operation. On
a peg he never would walk--nor
even q beautiful leg of cork.
In spite Of warnings from
the doctor and the forebOdings
Of his friends, by his belief In
the healing power of nature,
his own determination and the
care bestowed by his mother,
he recovered. In the healing
process the leg shortened
little and the knee was stiff,
hut he figured that II was bet
ter 10 limp through life than
70 have lost his leg.
Another instance shows his quick
thinking and courage. One night,
after they had lived in the Andover
house four or five years. he was
awakened by the stealthy approach
of Indians from the rear. Realiz-
ing that the Indians planned to
surround the place and attack
from ambush any who might at
tempt to leave. Isaac decided upon
a bold strike. The house, built like
q fort. he knew would provide safe
ty for his wife and two children.
So, taking his trumpet the was
musician in a militia company he
crept out the front way, reached
his horse. and made his way TO
the highway some distance beyond
the Indians flank.
Then loudly blowing his
trumpet he Ealloped his horse
down the road toward his
home. The Indians several
timrs having felt the sting Of
muskets which accompanied
those stirring notes Of the
trumpet, scampcred away. The
next day Stevens was nj work
on his stony acres as though
nothing had happened and his
wife was going on with her
household duties In the same
manner.
One less determined than Isasc
Stevens would have given up the
attempt to wrest a living from &c
poor acres. To supplement his in.
come he built malt house. After
working on the land from dawr
till dark. he spent the early hours
of the night making the malt.
His wife helped by sewing foi
the Andover women. BY industry
determination and Yankee thrift
in thirteen years there were sddeC
to the original twenty, $50 acre.
of fertile land. all paid for.
During the period OF developing
the Andover farm. Isaac Ingal!
Stevens was born. March IS. ISIS
He was delicate but good natures
and would lay in his crib all da,
with very little attention. Hi
mother, busy with other household
duties, left the good natured chill,
TO himself. His only exercise wa
kicking UP his heels. and at tire
years Of age he had not learned Z
walk.
One Of his Frandrothers, visit
ing the Stevens home. was indig
nant at what she called Isaac
lack Of care. She insisted on TAX
ling him home and teaching him I
walk. She did so. and in a fey
months young Isaac was baci
home on timber legs that carrie
him everywhere.
Ia eliminate what seemed
TO be . physical weakness that
4, tended toward the effeminats.
| his father undertook . cure
BY plunging him into . hogs
head OF cold water the first
thing every morning. II was
Fl one Of those remedies that was
Al bound TO kill or cure. In this
II CASE II cured. Young Isaac
III developed = 1.-the. muscular
II body. He WAS strong. active
III and daring. He climbed trees
II Hike . squirrel and no sdven-
III ture was too risky for him to
III undertake.
Ill lTo NJ Hnafinradl