Toten Region of Norway
Origins of "OUREN"
Norwegian: habitational name from a farm named Auren in Toten, named with Old Norse aurr 'gravel' + vin 'meadow'.
The Life of Hogan Ouren, our Ancestor (as told by him)
My name is Hogan Ouren. I was born on a farm about 40 miles northeast of Christiania, Norway on the 14th of October, 1835. My Father, Mads Hanson Ouren, served as Captain in the short war with Sweden previous to Norways reunion with that country in 1814. I was the youngest and, am now, the only survivor of 9 children, three of whom died in this Country. My Father died when I was scarce 8 years old, leaving practically no property and my Mother, the Daughter of a once wealthy Farmer, had a hard enough strugle to keep me in a country school. This, however, she did and succeeded so well that shortly before her death, some 6 years after my Fathers death, her last moments was cheered by the news that I had secured a place as clerk in a large General store in Christiania The Capital of Norway. The death of my beloved Mother was not only a severe, but, I may almost say a permanent blow, as thoughts of her kindness and devotion moisten my Eyes, even now, though past 71 years. During the latter part of my 3 and a half years service as clerk I had begun to think of America as my future hope and, subsequent events, greatly hastened my thoughts about emigration. My Employer failed in business-a dishonest failure it proved to be afterwards and the creditors retained me to assist in the Inventory and disposal of the Assetts. This with the Allowance by Law, for servants, of wages and board for a stated periode in such cases and, what little I had saved from former wages, inabled me to pay for passage, on a sailing vessel, to Quebeck and before the Ice was out of the Harbor of Christiania I had started on my long voyage. I was then less than 18 years old and, the undertaking, as I look at it now, could hardly be called “sane and senseable”. Of the 400 persons, on bord the Deodata, not one had I seen before that I know of and neither did I know a single person in the country where I was to land and seek my fortune. A stranger to their Language their customs - without money without friends. It is not necessary to describe the Ocean voyage. There was nothing out of the ordinary. In the Seven weeks at Sea there were some storms, of course, but our Anker dropped before Quebeck in the Spring of 1853 at last and I landed with the rest, very glad that the long journey was over. Fortunately for me and many others without money to proceed further, labor was needed, and through the Interpreters some forty of us hired out to work on a railroad bridge across the Sorril river, not far from Quebeck, at one dollar pr day. Some Swedes of the party were miners from Norway and as we had become well aquainted aboard ship I went with them as a “miner” and received 1.50 per day. Either this Canadians were easily decived or they overlooked deficiencies in the young boy who anyone could see, from the clothes I then wore, was Neither a miner nor even a laborer, but I drew my 1.50 per day regularly, even after I had been given lighter and more suitable work. I came to America with a fixed purpose of becomming a Citizen of the United States and my first thought was to learn their Language. Having this in view I applied for bord and lodging with a Family that spoke Engish but I soon learned that they spoke French as well and perhaps a little better.
However, I had made no mistake for this French Canadian Family were exceedingly kind to me, treating me as a member of the Household and, with two grown Girls as teachers, my progress in the Language was very rapid. The others of the 40 men, who worked at common labor, were placed under a boss of their own nationality who could speak English. He was. unfortunately, much given to dissapation and so unreliable that the Headman or Superintendent of the work had to discharge him. After that I gradually became his successor - not in dissipation, but in acting as interpreter and, also, in handling the men. My wages, however, remained the same but as I started in fully double what I was worth I felt that, even, with increased responsibility I was still getting all my services was worth if not more. My French friends charged me only the pittance of 1.50 pr week for board so in a short time I had 65 dollars saved – more than enough to take me to Chicogo – a Place I had in view at the beginning. One day, when I made this known to my Superiors, they strongly advised me to stay. The Superintendent, undoubtedly, from the best of motives, told me that I had been advanced as fast as practicable and that better positions awaited me if I staid as soon as I, by service and Experience, became qualified for them. My longing for the United States, however, prevailed over his kindly arguments, but I have often since looked back with much regret at the parting with friends who had done so much for me and who, I am intirely satisfied entertained nothing but the best wishes for my welfare. In looking back over my long life, my short stay in Canada, I must count among the happiest times of that period. What a contrast after my arrival at Chicago. There I was robbed of everything I had, except my working clothes, and that too by a countryman of mine. While I was absent at work he and his wife, I boarded with them – left the City, for New York, I heard afterwards, and took with them a leather trunk containing all my clothes and Money besides. It was getting towards fall and in my reduced condition I was obliged to seek work at a Stonequarry 25 miles South of Chicago for the winter. Returning to Chicago in the Spring I first hired out as a Sailor on the lakes but later begin buying Shingle bolts and making Shingles. During the summer of 1854 I visited Manitowoc, Wisconsin meeting there Mr. Prytz., my former Employer at Christiania, Norway. He had been sent to America, by his friends, after serving on year in Prison for fraudulent practices connected with his failure and at that time so reduced in circumstances that he appealed to me for assistance to reach his home in Norway. I gave him 5, all I could spare at that time. In the Fall I returned to Chicago but worked, during the winter of 54 to 5, in the Lumberwoods of Northern Wisconsin at a place called Sandy Bay- 40 miles north of Manitowoc. Many exiting incidents occurred during this cold winter. Once, while helping to unload a vessel on Lakeshore, about Christmas Time, I fell backwards from a rolling scow into the Ice cold waves and was saved with difficulty. Later on the Mate of the Vessel in jumping from the railing to the scow below, missed his calculation and landed in the Water, in the small space between scow and vessel, which every now and then was closed by the scow slamming against the Vessels sides. The man was therefore in eminent peril of being crushed but we pulled him out safely just before a vicious wave slammed the scow and Vessel together. At another time, while engaged in cutting out logs, frozen in the Ice of the Milldam and pushing them through a cut channel to the Mill, I undoubtedly saved a man’s life. The cut out Ice Cakes would be joined together to form a treacherous ground to walk on. The young man in question, Mr. Harrison had stepped on one these Ice Cakes that broke lose and was slowly carrying him downwards. Not knowing how to swim he called lustily for help and, seeing his predicament, I rushed towards him over the broken Ice and was able to reach him with my long log poles just as he was going under. I, meself had broke through and was floundering in the Icy water but was able catch hold of a log and pulled Mr. Harrison out at the end of my pole. Mr. Harrison was so deeply moved by his narrow escape from drowning that he became a serious convert to religion and for many years, that I knowed him afterwards, he was faithful to the new life that had its beginning on the Millpond at Sandy Bay. In the Spring we went back to Chicago on the first Vessel that called. The Summer of 1855 was spent in Chicago. My Brother Ole had come from the old country and we were making shingles together. We also buildt a small 2 story frame house for rent which later burned, causing me an other serious loss as we had no insurance. Before this, I had furnished the means to Establish my Brother, who was a shoemaker by trade, in a shoe shop and as I boarded with the tenants of the burned house I again lost everything and further more, somewhat in debt . I don’t remember very clearly what I done between the time of this fire and the fall of 1856 but at the time I bought a span of horses and took a contract from the C.B. and G.R.R. Co. to cut and deliver, at their tracks in Octavia, Ill. All the wood standing on 40 acres of land belonging to the Company at 1.25 pr cord. I hired the wood cut for 60 pr cord leaving me 65ct for hauling. The winter of 56 to 7 was a record breaker for severity and snow. There was 5 months of good sleighing and I could haul 6 cords a day making at that time fairly good wages. In the Spring of 57 and Event took place that had a very important bearing on my future life and to explain which it will be necessary to go back a year or two. While engaged in the Shingle business in Chicago I had become aquainted with a Familie named Harrison and there I met and become aquainted with Aurora Frederic Petterson who afterwards became my wife. We were married in Chicago by Pastor Shogren, a Swedish Methodist Minister, on the 14th day of March 1857. I was then 21 years and 5 months old and my wife 2 years younger. I had disposed of my team and it was necessary to find work of some kind. The Vessel owners offered big pay for the early trips and I hired out at 45 pr month to Captain Berg, owner of the Schooner Warren. Fine weather in the last days of March, combined with high freight charges, induced many vessels to start out and the Warren was one of these. Becalmed for tow days north of Milwaukee boded no good, at this time of the year, to the experienced Sailor. Captain Berg was walking the deck of the old Schooner Warren, watching the flapping sails, when I entered the deck from the Cabin, being unable to sleep and restless for some reason, probably suspicious of the unusual calm. It was half past two in the morning of April 2nd and, having determined not to go back to bed again although previlledged to do so, decended to the cabbin for my Overcoat and was coming up the stairway when met by a chilly blast from the North that caused me to grab the railing for support against the wind. I yelled to the mate, asleep in the Cabbin, who came running in night clothes and both of us leaped on deck rushing for the ropes with the rest of the crew and the sails came down except the jibb which was blown to shreds. As it was the Vessel fairly trembled under the bare rigging and, at this very moment, a small schooner, we had seen close to us the day before, capsised and went down with all hands. Huge waves begin to roll emediately and it turned so cold that the spray, carried by the fierce wind, over all parts of the Vessel, froze and covered, deck sails, ropes and yards with a glace of Ice. In order not to drift south of the Milwaukee Harbor we made short Sails and stood out from Land till daylight when, about noon the next day, succeeded in making port, running fast aground inside of the Harbor. Several Vessels, in an attempt to enter, had missed the channel and were beached south of the intrance, other kept comming with Tattered Sails and broken Masts. One struck the Pier and knocked out its intire bow, rebounding and floated into the river with cargo of Lumber protruding several feet through its brocken bow. At Chicago many Vessels went a shore and 15 men drowned outside the Harbor. 65 Vessels were wrecked in this Storm on Lake Michigan alone and in my Experience on Atlantic, Pacific or the Lakes I never saw a worse one. Later in the season, the schooner Warren, with a load of cordwood, stuck on the bar at the north entrance to Chicago Harbor. A heavy sea was running and the second blow was so violent that the stanchions came up through the deck, creating an impression that the bottom of the vessel was caved in. The Schooner being now fast in the sand the waves swiped the deck from Stern to Stern filling the hole through the opining in the deck, washing the deck load of wood overbord and driving the crew hastily into the rigging. It was too early in the morning for anybody to be around and nothing could be done but awaite developments. I said that the Crew were driven to the rigging. Not all; a faithful Swede – a Saltwater Sailor, remained at his Post at the wheel, despite the fact that wave after wave rolled over him. He was either waiting for the Captains order to retire or, perhaps, watching and awaiting the time which came later, when the unfortunate vessel, pounded over the bar and afloat once more, should need his guidance to save it from new dangers. The schooner’s stern had been completely knocked in but when boosted over the bar it floated on its cargo of wood in the hole and we succeeded in making fast to some piling on the South side of entrance. Some 3 weeks or more elapsed before repairs could be completed and during that time, I was retained as watch man on full pay. The rest of the Crew was discharged. The Warren, although, an old vessel, was found to be exceedingly strong, having been built by the Government for revenue service. When ready for sea I went in her again but not for long. I never heard what became of her but hope she did not become the Coffin of anyone. During my several years of seafaring, both before and after my marriage, I was out in several severe storms and things happened that becomes common occurrences in a Sailors life. For instance, a man disappeared one night from the Venus, out on Lake Michigan and, as we were Scudding before a fresh breese, we concluded he must have been knocked overboard by the focksail boom. He was a newcomer, a fine pleasant fellow, happy and well contented with his improved condition. Another Sailor was washed over board from the Schooner Geo. Hanson, by one of the great waves that had swept away our deckload of Rail Road Ties, our Galley and decksailing, except a few posts here and there.
This man, an Irishman of Powerful build, was holding a rope at the time and this rope saved his life. We hauled him in from the dark, swirling angree waves as if he had been some big fish. On Aug. 5th 1858 our first baby was born. We named him John Edward. In the spring of 1859 we moved to Point Sauble, Michigan but came back to Chicago after spending a year in the woods of that place. I had contracts for getting out Shingle Bolts and was also making Shingles. During the winter of 60 – 61 I was again ingaged in the Shingle business in Chicago, when a friend, a Mr. Lawson, talked to one of the Colorado goldmines, lately discovered. He had been out there the previous season, secured some mining property and was going back in the Spring. We formed a partnership, bought 4 Mules and a wagon, 80 kegs of Blasting powder and other supplies in Chicago, had the whole shipped to Marengo, Iowa, then the terminus for Rock Island and the only R.R. in Iowa at that time. We left Chicago early in March and arrived in Marengo where our 900 mile trip to Central City, Col. with a 4 mule team begun. Prairie fires had blackened the low, smooth, rolling hills of Iowa and added to the dismal appearance of the sparsely settled country, the frost was going out of the ground, making the roads nearly impassable. Several times we had to unload and carry a part of the load over the worst place after the doubling of teams had failed.
Two men, Thomas and Brown, started with us from Chicago and they had a team of their own and assisted each other when accation required. It was April when we crossed the Missouri on a ferry at
Council Bluffs. Omaha and Council Bluffs was than very small, insignificant towns with only a few Hundred inhabitants each. If anything, I think Council Bluffs the largest of the two. On the west side the river we proceeded to Freemont, over the old Military road, crossing the Elkhorn river about 8 miles above the present City of Elkhorn. Further west, about 70 miles from Omaha, we crossed over to the southside of the Plat river at, what was known as Shinns ferry, kept and operated by Dick Shinn, a Son of Rev. Moses Shinn, well known in Omaha as a Pioneer and and Uncle of Frank Shinn a prominent Lawyer and Citizen of Carson Iowa. From now on the road, which follows the Plat to Denver, escep the last 90 miles, was generously very good and almost a dead level. Fort Kerney, on the southside of the Plat river and nearly oppposit to the present thrifty town of that name-(Kerney)-had a few companies of Soldiers and, outside the Government Reservation, a few Sod houses, occupied by a tough poppulation, trafficking with the Soldiers and the large travel to and from the mines. Between Shinns ferry and Fort Kerney there was no Settlers, except distant Ranches, Established to furnish Feed and Shelter for this travel and west of Kerney this ranches became fewer and further apart. At Cottonwood Springs the few stunted Trees along the Plat had entirely seased and we now regarded ourselves as having fully entered the great American dessert – an Oppinion I still retain in a somewhat modified form. At O. Fallons Bluffs, near the Colorado Line, the road passes over a high ridge, running so close to the river that this diviation of the road became a necessity. Including from this ridge the road is very hard and smooth so we took advantage of the downgrade and trot our teams to make up for the slow advance on the other side. Thomas and Browns team were in front with 18 kegs of Blasting powder as a part of their load and we followed close behind with 80 kegs in our wagon. At the foot of the Hill, for some reason or other, it became necessary for the front team to stop, perhaps to adjust some part of the harness, when, to our horror, it was discovered that one of the Thomas and Brown’s wooden powder kegs had broken and some of the powder found it way, under the endgate, into a feedbox and had mingled and rattled merrily with a small log chain, a frying pan, coffeepot and other hardware carried, for convenience sake in the feed box. In the wagonbox itself the black stuff had scattered about in the bottom of the box and much time was consumed in making things safe. We never trotted with our loads of Powder after that. Beyond O’ Fallons there is much sand and we met Thousands of Indians, Cheyennes and Arrapahoes, very friendly and even jolly, young bucks running races on their fleet ponies with the squaws, sometimes a Dozen of more joining in a race with boisterous glee. At one place east of Julesburg we came upon and incampment of several thousand, their white Tepees covering the Plat batton from hill to river. Formerly the travel had followed the river to Denver but, as the Plat makes a large bend northward, a Company had built a toll road across this bend, known as the cut off road, because it cut off 30 miles from the river road. We took this short cut, although, at that time, there was one stretch of 29 miles without water. We made this 90 miles in 3 days. Denver in 61 was not much of a town but it made up in quality what it lacked in quantity. Almost the first thing I saw was the Sherrif shooting a man to death in one of the few streets in town. The man was leaning against a wagon wheel and the Sherrif must have fired at least a 1⁄2 dozen times before he sank to the ground. The Sherrif claimed he was a desparado. The next day we drove to Black Hawk, in the mountains, 40 miles west of Denver and then the Center of the Colorado mining district. Here we found an empty log cabin in which to store our Powder and we placed the Kegs on their Ends side by side on the dirt floor. For greater security I decided to sleep in the Cabin and spread my blankets on the dirt floor also, as there was nothing in the cabin in the shape of furniture but I soon found, after laying down, that it was not with out inhabitants. Rats or mice or both, run around in troopes, fighting, squeeling, rushing hither and thither, over the bed, cloths, hardly mindfull of any face until a crisis was finally reached by one of them, in apparent pure develtree, run up my pantsleg when forbearance seased to be a virtue. I became busy at once but, although, I certainly was in a condition to have made it very unpleasant for his ratship, I thoughtlessly, made a few jumps up and down and the rat escaped in the confusion. That particular rat was perhaps willing to quit and let bygones be bygones, but fearing his numerous relations I took the precaution to remove my bed to the top of the powder Kegs and there I slept the steep of the just until morning. Our powder was soon sold at 12.00 pr. Keg of 25 lbs. It cost us 3.00 pr. Keg in Chicago. We also sold our teams and wagon and had some Idea of starting a store, but before anything came of it Mr. Lawson joined a prospecting party going to southern Colorado. Left thus to my own resources I went down to Denver and begin to buy a few of the worn out Oxen that had come across the plains with loads of supplies. These poor Cattle, sore foted and exhausted, were sold at Auction, almost everyday to the highest bidder for cash and could be quickly recruited on the nutricious grasses near Denver. As I said, I bought a few – about a Dozen, I believe,- and sold them soon after at a very good profit. Had I only had sense Enough to continue in the business I might have made a independent fortune and become one of the first Cattle kings of the plaines. As it was, I had formed a good opinion of the Country and decided, while I was awaiting Mr Lawsons return, to go back to Chicago and bring my wife and two children to Colorado. I bought an exellent span of mules and a wagon in Denver but, before starting east, made several trips between Denver and Central City and done considerable teaming in the mines also. At one time I took a small load of miners supplies to Georgetown before the place had anything but a couple Log cabins and before the pace had any name even. We called the camp trail run and I think I was the first man to bring a team and wagon to the place. Sometime about the 1st of July I started for Chicago, driving my mules as far as Marengo, 900 miles, at the rate of 50 miles pr. Day. I had 3 Passengers, Mr. Sloath of Chicago, Mr. Ray, a Lawyer from St. Louis and a Mr. Butler, of Massachusettes, who claimed to be a nephew of General Butler of National fame. On the plains we seen large herds of Buffalo and Antelope as, indeed, we had going out. Also the usual amount of Indians. We also met, and camped near, several sections of a Mormon Emmigrant Train, giving to Salt Lake City. They had dances in the evening and in daytime, many would walk along the slowmoving ponderous wagons pulled by 6 yokes of Oxen, enlivening the time by playing polygamy, Especially when meeting someone. A dozen or more maidens wold side up to a Saint, walking abrest, arm in Arm and, if the Saint was asked if those were his wives, the Girls would answer yes, with a protracted giggle. The only exitement, however, on the whole trip was 30 miles east of Kerney when struck by a full grown Cloudburst and Ciclone combined. The Wagon, with wheels locked, was slid along for a couple of rods, than overturned, the men blown about and clutching the tall grass. The water now fell, for a minute or two, in such quantities that breathing would soon have become impossible had it continued. The wide Plat bottom had in that time been covered to depth of 20 inches or more and the flood was rushing through the wagon bed with boughs and Cover, with such force as to carry away everything therin, except a box of quartz weighing 600 lbs which Mr. Sloath was taking to Chicago to experiment on. It was fierce, but could not have lasted more than 5 or 6 minutes. Nothing was broke except the boughs but our provision, extra clothing, cooking utensils and trinkets were gone. Even Buffalo robes had been intirely swept away through the tall grass and into the Plat river more than a quarter mile away. That night we slept on the ground in our wet clothes and slept sound at that. It was very warm. As stated this was the only incident of note and I will not tire the reader by a further description of the trip through Iowa to Marengo, except to relate a little joke that some soldier boys played on us, or tried to play on us, at a temporary camp a little south of Council Bluffs. A drunken Soldier was refused a ride in our wagon from Council Buffs. While we halted for dinner he had managed to reach this camp, to which he had belonged very wrathy on account of this imaginary slight. The other boys, seeing an opportunity for fun, pretended to assist him to get revenge and when they seen our wagon, a small company of them decended the hill, fully armed, and approached our wagon in a threathening manner. I confess I was at a loss how to take it but my three passengers drew their revolvers and ordered the squad to halt, at which they broke out in a peal of laughter and explained that the whole thing was a joke. Wonder how many of those happy farmer boys are alive now. At Maringo I left my mules in the charge of a german farmer and took the train for Chicago. On my arrival there I found that some 40 persons, from the naberhood of my birthplace in Norway had arrived in Chicago and departed to various places only short time before. Among these were a Brother and Sister, both married and their children and some cousins and the rest were people with whom I had been more or less aquainted with in the old country. This 40 persons who arrived in this country in the spring of 1861 claimed, so I was told by several of them, to have been influenced in their choice, by a certain letter I wrote to my Brother Herman. This letter had been written some years before, going rather extensively, into conditions here and, although, very conservative, summed up by advising my Brother to come and offering financil aid in case such aid should be needed. This letter became rather famouse in that little naborhood, certainly not, from any literary merit it possessed but, because it was written in confidance by one Brother to and other and because it treated of a subject that had become interesting to a great many people. People came to see it and others borrowed it until so worn, though written on very strong and fine paper, that at last, it had patches like a worn banknote. The letter, even, was sought by the Autorities who, were generally opposed to immigration and, after reading it, owing to its conservative tone, declared it to be a truthful and well written letter but, rather, of small encouragement to the average emmigrant. However, this People came and, if I had, unknown to me at the time, any thing to do with their coming, except my own kin, I have the satisfaction to know that their coming has proved a great blessing to, nearly all, if not all of them and I have yet to be informed of a single one that regretted it. I found my wife and children in good health and necessary preparations were made for moving west. We must have started in the later part of August but I have forgotten the date. Our journey was over the same road I had already traveled twice so there is, naturally little is to be said on this subject. The weather, however was warm and the road dry and dusty. The intention was to proceed direct to Denver but. When Elkhorn, Neb was reached, My boy, John, then 3 years old, was taken sick and a halt was made there for medical attendance. His case yielded readily to treatment but before we could resume our journey, I was taken with fever and Ague which proved so troublesome and protracted, that we were forced to stay at Elkhorn during the winter. My fever and Ague continued off and on during 4 or 5 months but it was intermitten, comming on every other day and feeling quite well the day off. Besides, I, sometimes, would break it for a week or more at a time but it would return as soon as any hard work or exposure was attempted. Before leaving Chicago I had laid in a stock of cheap dry goods and rations to trade on the plains and now, that I found we were here for the winter at least, I supplemented this with a small stock of Groceries from Omaha and opened up a small store in the little Hamlet near the Bridge over Elkhorn river. Mr. Sylvester Dodge, Father of General Dodge and of Nathan P. Dodge, the Banker of Council Bluffs, owned a farm nearby and would drop in at the store and we soon became great friends. This friendship continued for many years after I had returned and settled in Iowa- in fact until Mr. Dodges death which occured at Council Bluffs sometime in the Eighties. Mr. Dodge was an exellent man and a true friend. Some of our customers at the Store were Pawny Indians and Omahas from their Reservation 80 miles north. They would camp near us on their hunting trips. On one of this occations when there was a large party of Omahas camped near us, a half breed Negro and an Indian, took by force from a Mr. Billiter a quarter of fresh Beef he had for sale in a Black smith shop near the Bridge. The Halfbreed drew a long ugly Knife and the two grabbed the Beef and made off with it across the Bridge, where others helped to cut it up and put it on 2 Ponies. Mr. Billiter was badly scared and it was some time before he made his trouble known. When at last aware of what had happened 5 of us armed our selves for pursuit as it would never do to allow such a high handed robbery to go unpunnished. An Emigrant camped at the west end of Bridge had seen the Indians and gave us the direction they had taken. He said there were 15 of them, armed only with Bows and Arrows and they had two Ponies between them. We started in Pursuit, running much of the time, and overtook the party about 5 miles away, crossing the rawhide Creek in the direction of the plat river. They throwed down Bows, when we ordered them to surrender, and we drove the 15 of them before us back to Elkhorn. The two ponies were taken from them and held as security for a satisfactory settlement and knowing that a much larger party of Indians, to which this 15 belonged were camped close by we sent word to the white settlers up and down the river, to provide against possible trouble, although we could hardly believe that the Indians would resort to violence. Some 60 Omahas appeared the next day. They had interpreters with them and seemed anxious for peasable settlement. Many whites were also on the ground and, as the halfbreed had wisely disappeared- he was not with the 15 either – we fined the tribe $10. And let them take the beef which, of course, was no good to us after the handling it had had. When the fever had been broken for a week or so I begin to think I could do some work and would start up the plat with a load of goods, trading with the farmers, Stage Stations and Millitary posts. At first the fever would return before I had got far and would have to return weak and exhausted but as the winter advanced the disease wore it self out and I was able to go as far west as Cottonwood Springs. When absent from home on this trip My wife would tend the little store and even trade with the Indians. At last I felt strong enough to undertake a trip to Denver, loading my team with suitable goods for the trade. I think I started the 12th of Jan. 1862 and this time kept on the northside of the Plat as far as Fort Kerney. I travelled in company with two young boys who had teams of their own whose kindness to one on this trip I can never forget though I have forgotten their names. In crossing the river on the Ice we, together with many others, broke through and no amount of doubling availed to get the wagons out, not even after being unloaded. We had worked on this problem till long past midnight and men and teams, hungry and exhausted had to give it up, temporarily, and started for doby Town for rest and refreshments, leaving piles of goods on the Ice. We did not go to bed but, as soon as there was daylight, we returned to our wagons in the river, much refreshed by feed and warmth and our poor animals showed their appreciation and gratitude by giving us a united pull that lifted the wagons out of the soft sand onto solid ice. Reloading our goods we once more moved onward. The weather had been and still was very cold. Some of the Ice, frozen to our wagons that night was carried clear to Denver. In a few days after my severe esposure at Kerney, I became aware that something must be the matter with my feet. They begin to swell and this swelling extended to my legs, crawled slowly up into my body, chest and head. This swelling continued until I reached Denver.
At first I was able to attend to my team but later on I became so stiff and shortwinded that my traveling companions had to help a great deal and, at last do all the work, except driving. One day, at Pat Malalies Ranch, I felt pretty bad and told my friends that I realized how much of a burden and hindrance I was to them and that I would stay where I was until I got better. Those young men – strangers to me – refused to go on without me. We argued the matter till noon when I surrendered. They would care for the team morning and night and do will my other work. When on the road I was to lay on my blankets on top of my load, with lines tied up, my team between theyrs and, when we came to any place in the road requiring attention to the team I would be notified by the driver ahead. In this way we travelled nearly 200 miles. From what the Doctor told me in Denver, these kindhearted boys, undoubtedly saved my life. On the last afternoon of this ill fated journey we encountered a fierce Blizzard. It came almost with out warning, after a mild day and we was able to make the Joldgate ranch, 8 miles from Denver, with the greatest difficulty. It was almost already dark and all places that could shelter man or beast occupied. Across a deep ravine, filled with the drifting snow, stood an emty abandonned log cabin, without floor, doors or windows. The snow lay a foot deep on the dirt floor and into this hovvel we moved for what little shelter it could afford. I remember wading through the deep snow, assisted by both of the boys. They brought an ax, chopped down some of the pine rafters, swept away the snow in front of the fire place and made a roaring fire. A bed was made by putting all our blankets and Buffalo roves together and, with me in the middle, I was made as comfortable as possible. The storm ceased about midnight, followed by bitter cold and the next day we rolled into Denver. Doctor Steinberg who was called to attend me, assured me that my case was not yet serious but that it would soon have run into dropsy. The great swelling of my whole body was caused, he said, by water accumulation between the true and false skin,- a not uncommon result of fever and ague, when followed soon after, with exposure and hardship. Mr Lawson, who had returned from his prospecting trip, came down from Blackhawk, took charge of my team and load and disposed of the goods. My dear friends and Benefactors had gone on to South Park and I have not had the pleasure to see them since. I was cured in about a week and soon started on the homeward trip. There was always somebody going back east and, as traveling in the stage was very expensive, I had no trouble in securing a couple passengers. The weather had moderated, the roads were good and we had made good time up to March 20th when we had got as far as plumb creek- 35 miles west of Kerney. It was late enough to put up for the night but, being out of feed and provision we wanted to reach Kerney the next day and concluded we would drive 6 miles further to the next ranch. This proved to have been a great mistake as the place had changed hands and the new owner had not yet had time to supply himself with anything except a sack of Flour, a piece of bacon and some whisky. There was absolutely nothing for the poor mules to eat, but as we had already made a big drive, decided to rest till morning and then go on to next ranch for feed and breakfast. During the night , however, the wind had changed to N.E. and brought with it a howling Blizzard. Had we acted emediately, it was possible we might have succeeded in retreating to Plumb Creek, as that would have been going with the wind but we didn’t, at first deem such a step necessary and by 10 o’clock the storm was raging with such force that movement in any direction was too hazardous. Neither was there any let up for four days. On the second day it became necessary, in order to save the mules life, to remove them from a stable, drifted full of snow, to the one room sod house where the rest of us passed the time as best we could. The poor, starved Brutes, were tied to a heavy cedar post at the End of the counter, supporting the Earthen roof and the jolly ranchman poured out a tinplateful of whiskey for each which, to our surprise, they eagerly drank, licking the plates as if wishing for more. Cottonwood saplings, secured for firewood, were dragged into the room and the bark, chopped up into small bits mixed with flour and water, constituted the only food the mules had during this dreadful time. Towards evening on the 4th day the storm had moderated and I was able to take the mules back to plumb Creek, where Thos French administered to the wants of man and Beast. The next morning dawned clear and bright showing a snowfall during the great storm of about 14 inches. A long muletrain came a long to break the road and with them I rejoined my companions bringing with me much needed supplies. At Fort Kerney my passengers left me going to St Joe and I faced the melting snow, slush and mudd and flood for 22 days in making 200 miles to Elkhorn. The weather turned quite warm and snow melted rapidly. Arrived a Shinns Ferry the Plat was beginning to break up and Boon creek, a small tributary was overflowing its banks, running fully 1⁄2 a mile wide. I might have to waite a couple weeks before the ferry would be in opperation and, anxious to get home and save heavy expense on the road, I decided to proceed down the Plat bottom to Plats mouth, nort to Omaha and west to Elkhorn, fully 75 miles out of my way. Boon creek, 3 miles East of Shinns ranch, was the first obstacle in my way. I had left Shinns House emediately after dinner and it must have been near 2 P.M when I came in view of the floods. I would gladly omit what followed my arrival at Boon creek, as I am really very much ashamed of it, but, it forms a rather important part of history of this peculiar trip across the plains and I will tell it with the rest, and expose oneself to well deserved criticism. I had been told that a ford existed near a large Cottonwood tree and pointing for that I drove through a quarter of a mile of water, increasing in dept until it reached about 3 ft, when near the creek bank. I could tell where the channel was by the more rapid flow of the swollen stream. Into the Icey current, full of floating Ice, I urged my team, hoping to reach the opposite bank by swimming a rod or so. Instead, the current swept us down stream, the wagon bed floated off and capsized, trowing me into the water, intangled in the wagon bows from which I finally cleared myself to get a last glimps of various articles floating down the rapid current to the plat river, not more than 1⁄2 mile distant. The wagon bed had lodged against a projecting cale of Ice and the mules, with the running gear, seemed to rest against the steep bank on the same side from which they started, standing, apparantly on their hind feet. The rest I will tell in as few words as posible. I got the mules out first and after several visits to the wagon bed on the opposite side I brought it a cross by tying the harnesslines to it and, after working in the water till nearly dusk, arrived at Dick Shinns, nearly froze with a cold that laid me up for a week. About the time several teams had arrived and was waiting to cross on the ferry. One day Mr Shinn and 3 or 4 of us, under took to make a trip, to see how the ferry would behave. When in midstream the old rope broke and we had free passage down the river until we succeeded in attaching our craft to a large Cottonwood that had fallen into the river. Leaving the ferry we walked back a couple miles to see what use we could make of our lesson in navigation. All hope of a speedy crossing on the ferry, having disappeared with the broken rope, we next inspected Boon creek, which was still there with 8 ft. of water in the channell. From marks on the alluring Cottonwood there must have been at least 5 ft more at the time of my late “unpleasantness”. I, at least, had learned something and, the rest, was willing to go up the Creek 20 miles to cross on a bridge and, in course of time, in spite of the worst roads I ever saw, we arrived at Plats mouth. Here, too the country was flooded. The ferry was not yet in commission and it took 3 days of hard work to get it ready. The overflow of the plat was running in a separate channell, fully 4 ft deep, which had to be forded before the ferry was reached. Here a Mr Whitney lost one of his Horses by drowning. Several of us jumped in the water and unhitched the Horse from the wagon but he seemed bent on Self destruction, plunging and strugling, going down stream and into deeper water, when we finally had to let go of him. The rest of us reached the ferry in safety and was ferried over. I barely stopped in Omaha to feed, then drove all night and reached my home at Elkhorn about daylight. I found my wife and children well but anxious about me as I had not been able to communicate with them for a long time. At the East End of the bridge over Elhorn river the ground was covered with men and teams awaiting a safe crossing. The bridge had withstood the flood but the river had cut a wide and deep channell through a high grade on the west side and in this channell a man who ventured to cross it, had capsised his wagon and lost his load of Flour and Apples. The next day, after my arrivel, I rode one of my mules and thouroughly explored this channell. I found that the stump of a Cottonwood tree, burried in the grade, but washed bare by the flood had caused the trouble and offered to pilot teams through for 5. Putting my own team in front and guarantying safety. One four mule team, with a load of merchandise, I headded this way, clear to Freemont, every foot of the 13 miles being under water. For a while I made good money but, watching me from the bridge, a safe track, to one side of stump, was no longer a secret and the rest of the teams no longer needed a pilot. Besides, the water which had covered the intire low tract of land between the Platt and Elkhorn rivers, gradually receeded, though rods remained bad for a long time. It must have been well into May 1862 when, with my Family, I again started for the mines of Colorado. Our trip across the plains was without incident. Dick Shinn had, by paying a dollar, recovered several articles, lost in Boon creek, from some Indians that half found them, after the water went down, lodged in bushes and trees along the bank. My wife was a great help in putting up and taking down the tent, night and morning. We rose early and were usually under way about sunrise. We seen the usual sights of Indians, Buffalo and Antelope. At Denver, only a short stop was made, and in another day, we arrived at Black Hawk, the End of our journey.
Mr Lawson had again left for new mines in Utah and Idaho and I 19 found proffitable work, hauling quartz to the Stampmills. I continnued this work untill fall, when I bought a half interest in a ranch and the winter of, 62 to, 3 was spent, mostly, on horse back, driving Cattle to and from this ranch. Owing to the dishonesty of my partner, Morton Griswold, assisted by his Brother Levy, this investment proved a disastrous failure. During the fall and winter I had buildt a two story frame House, going in debt for much of the material and labor, expecting to pay from my winters earnings. When this failed me I naturally found myself in a tight place but, eventually I worked out of it. I had traded my team for the ranch interest and believing that I could still make money teaming, I bought a span of young Horses on Credit. This was not until towards fall and after I had worked for some time in the mines. During the winter of 63’ to 4’, teaming in the mountains being dull, I made a trip to the Missori river, for a load of goods. This trip was also attended with many hardships. The winter was unusually severe and the Indians had burned nearly all the ranches and murdered many People west of Kerney, so there was neither feed nor provission or shelter to be had. Such of the ranchmen, as still remained, were in emminent peril of Life and property and, naturally, demanded very high prices. As high as 12 cts pr pound was paid for hay. I slept on the ground and my Horses was tied to the wagon with heavy blankets straped to them. Soldiers were scattered along the road from Kerney to Denver in companies, at the Military posts and small squads elsewhere. I arrived home about Jan 1st 1864 and found my little girl sick. She died soon after; viz. Jan 12th. My load, that I had brought, consisted mostly of Flour, which, after keeping a while, I was able to sell at a good price. Then I begin looking for work and, as the high prices of feed had drivin most of the teams out of the mining district, I found plenty to do at good pay. I could make from 20 to 25 pr. Day, with and expense of about 14, including my own living. However, after a month or two I sold my team to stop the high interest I was paying and accepted a position with the Fisher Mining Co. at 5. Pr. Day. I had charge of their teams and teamsters, bought up a large quantity of wood for them, scattered through the mountains in accessible places to their Mills and claims, superintended the building of roads and attended to many odds and ends above ground. Sometime in the fore part of June, 64, Mr Aborn, their superintendent asked me to help him organize and accompany an expedition to the St. Louis Valley in Southern Colorado. The trip would occupy about 4 months and my pay 120. pr month and expenses. I accepted gladly and was, at once, set to work buying mules, Harness, wagons Tents and provisions for a party of 22 persons, besides camp utensils, and all other paraphernalia for a trip of that kind. The party was to consist of miners, teamsters and surveyors besides the head men, viz. Governor Gilpin, owner of a Mexican grant, 50 miles square to be surveyed and prospected, Mr. Aborn, representing the Fisher Mining Cs. of New York, Redwood Fisher, Civil Ingineer, a Professor Hill of N.Y. and myself. Mr. Aborn, while in nominal charge, really turned all the work over to me having no experience in such matters himself. We left Denver about July 1st, that is all of us, except the 4 head men mentioned and I never saw either of them only once, during the noon hour, on the whole journey of 300 miles until we arrived at Fort Garland. The men I had hired as miners, 10 or 11 in number, turned out to be exconfederates, paroled at Camp Douglas, Chicago, inclined to be troublesome to mannage at first but, by a little tact and diplomacy, I gained their good will and got along much better than at first seemed possible. The Gilpin grant laid south of Fort Garland and extended to the rio grand on the west and the crest of the Sangro De Christo range on the East, inclosing many mexican vilages and many thousands of acres of fertile Land. The inhabitants were almost exclusively mexican with a few halfbreeds and a few full blood Navaho Indians. The summer was spent in prospecting and surveying this large grant. I mingled freely with the Natives, studying their easy language so successfully, that in a short time I could make my way amongst them, buying from them fresh beef, milk and such vegetables as the country afforded. Mr Gilpin had instructed me to pay them liberally, explaining that he wanted to make friends of them and, with the Companies money, this task was easy, as well as a pleasant one. I had plenty of leisure, except when Camp was moved and, on several occations, was invited to accompany the Head bosses on thir various mountain trips. We also discovered several coldbearing Leads, but not, as far as I have heard, of sufficient value to warrant developement. The Valley had plenty of Cattle and sheep and produced large crops of wheat when irrigated, although the methods of farming were so premitive that it reminded me of old Bible Times. In the fall, shortly before leaving a farewell party was given at Castilla, the County seat of a County of the same name. Officers and Soldiers from fort Garland participated and everything went on pleasantly when, it seemes, some offensive remarks had passed between them and our exconfederates, causing some anxiety as to possibel trouble. Mr. Aborn came to me to inquire if I could induce some of the carracters, likely to be troublesome, to go with me to another town, called Plaza ariva where a mexican dance was in progress. I had no difficulty of getting the consent of the men and, accordingly, withdrew with the whole reble army, 9 in number. We rode our Horses-some had mules- 6 miles and were wellcome by a large party of Mexican dancers, men and women. The apparent good feeling was deceptive. The Mexicans had an old grudge agains the boys and opened Hostilities with a showers of early battles. After that, as the chinamen would say, Hell blook lose. In the long, low narrow Hall, some 40 or 50 shots rang out, creating the wildest confusion and wounding 5 mexicans, one a women shot in the ancle. Most of the shots, as was shown afterwards, were fired agains the ceiling and all of them must have been fired by the reble army as none of them had been hit. The room was cleared except by a few, of which I was one, who didn’t seem to have sense enough to get out. In acting as peasemaker between one of our boys and some Mexicans, I streached out any arm to intercept a blow, holding in my hand a loaded revolver, unconsciously cocked, perhaps, at the beginning of the row, and the hammer comming in contact with a bench, about to decend on a prostrate Mexican, the revolver was discharged, the bullet lodging in a door casing close to where two men were standing. This incident was related by me afterwards on the wittnessstand, with the additional fact. I forgot to mention above, that I didn’t know it was my own gun that went off but suposed I had been fired at by some one, either in the room or outside of it. One of the boys was arrested but nothing came of it. The jury disagreed and the case was dropped. I understood some money had been paid the prosecuting Attorney. Owing to this arrest and prosecution 9 of us were detained as wittnesses and , when finally discharged, the rest of the party had departed for Denver. The ten of us followed as soon as we could crossing the mountains at Sangro De Christo pass and decending to Huerfano- pronounced Wafeno-a little Mexican village at the base of the mountains. We had rode hard all day, without any dinner, and was very hungry when we arrived at the few doby houses. Ten mounted men did’nt look very good to the mexicans and they had made a hurried retreat to the bush leaving their Senoritas locked in their Houses. Some of the boys had no trouble in picking the locks but when the women refused to give us food we took posession of an emty dobe with a fire place and spent the night telling stories and roasting squash and green corn of which we found plenty. Early in the morning we mounted our animals and rode 20 miles to San Hecklans ranch for breakfast. Sand Hecklan was an ardent Southern sympathizer owning a mexican grant of 10 miles square, lived in old plantation stile, with mexican peones living in a village of cabins and was, himself, married to a mexican lady. He seemed to know all about us, was very glad to see us and insisted that we stay several days. At mealtime, each of us had a peon waiter behind his chair and the old planter seemed delighted with an arrangement that reminded him of ante-bellum days in his former southern Home. The boys were equally pleased with their Hosts generous hospitality and we stayed with the old man 3 days. The warning I had received, not to display my union sentiments, with such surroundings, was hardly necessary. At last the hour of parting came and the old man seemed, really much affected. Nothing worthy of special notice happened on our way home. The journey to Black Hawk, of 350 miles, was made in 7 traveling days-and average of 50 miles pr day. At Home I found my wife and children well. Although losing our little girl we still had two children-a boy Francis William having been born Feb. 18th 1863. During the winter of 64 to 5, I worked, as timberman, in the bobtail mine for Mr. Sinsenderfer at 6. Pr day. When not engaged in putting stulls of heavy timbers or building or reparing slide, It was my business to work in the sump or water hole, under the bucket, sinking the shaft deeper by drilling and blasting in the water. This work was very dangerous and I had several very narrow escapes. Any unusual or dangerous work fell to me and my partner because we received a dollar more pr. day than the other miners. In the summer of, 65 I had a contract to sink a shaft 4x10 100 ft. deep, on the Burnside Lode, at Black Hawk, for which I received 38 dollars pr foot. This work yielded a good income-about 12. pr day-but at the dept of 75 or 80 ft, the air became so bad that no miner would stay with me only a few days. At last, when within 8 ft of completion, I could stand it no longer meself and sold out the contract to a M Peterson. Prices of all commodities, owing to Indian trouble on the plains and the depreciation of papermoney, had steadily advanced. During the winter just past, Flour sold at 30.00 pr 100 Coffe 1.00 pr Sugar 1.00 potatoes 25cts pr lbs butter 1.50 and canned friut or vegetables of any kind 1.50 pr can. Supplies too were running low and might soon be a question whether goods could reach us through the hostile Indians. I had laid up our money in the 4 years of very hard work in the mountains and the future for a man with a family offered little encouragement. I begin to think of moving out of a country so little suited to the raising of children and the making of a Home for old age. I accordingly sold my House in chases Gulch and made other preparations to move. We went to Denver, bought a span of mules wagon tent and started to cross the plains once more. A part of the Colorado 1st-a gang of cutthroats-who when not in the Hills as deserters, were quartered in squads at the ranches between Denver and Julesburg. A party of 14, of this, so called Soldiers, were quartered at Paijon, 60 miles from Denver, where we camped the 2d night. Only 4 of this squad remained at the station, the rest had deserted and came in for rations, generally after midnight. In the morning our Mules were missing and my suspicions that they had been stolen by the soldiers, was verrified by one of the men, whoes time was out, a year afterwards. I found and followed tracks, untill in sight of Kaiwa Creek and, thinking the mules might be there, I struk a bee line for the Creek, regardles of any tracks. The day was warm, I was in my shirt sleeves, pre pared only for a few miles walk but distances are very deceiving in that country and when I arrived at the dry sand bed, that seldom has any water in it, it was past noon and I was already very dry. I walked up and down this sand bed, looking for mule tracks and digging for water, in moist places using my hands and revolver without finding either. I continued my hunt untill Evening when the question of how to pass the cool night ahead of me, overshadowed, even that of hunger and thirst. I know the cutoff road crossed Kaiwa Creek and that I would come to a station, if I followed the Sandbed but the distance would be much lenghtened by crooks and turns. I, therefore took my bearings from the mountains and later observed the stars, walked rapidly until quite tired out. I was sitting on the ground resting and contemplating the necessity of husbanding my strenght, to keep from freeqing, should I have to spend the night in the oppen, when, to my great joy, I heard the bark of a Dog. I jumped up, I took my bearing by a star and, after a couple miles walk, came Kaiwa Station where I drank a large quantity of Ill smelling water and stayed till morning. It was 11 o’clock P.M. when I got there. As soon as it was light I got Up and walked 11 miles to where my wife and babies had spent the night, sleeping in a covered wagon or, perhaps , anxiously awake, listening to the howling Coyotes and the worse sound of galloping deserters riding up and down the hard road in search of new booty. Finding that my mules were gone for good, I applied to the Captain at Camp Wardville for an Escort to help one recover them. This was refused on the ground that it was too risky to send a small party into the Indian infested country and could not spare the necessary number of men. I than hired a Government Horse from a Soldier at 5. Pr day and rode all over the wilderness between the cutoff and the Platt, camping alone in the Hills away from anybody. One day, at noon, I struck the Platt river and came upon 5 Deserters ingaged in rebranding some Government Horses, using the letter J to cover the heavy stem of the letter U so as to appear J. S. insted of U.S. They made no attempt at secrecy but laughter and joked and carried on their work openly, at a ranch kept by a French Cannadian and, in the face of anyone that might pass along a public highway, I could find no trace of my lost musles and returning to camp I removed our tent and wagon to Camp Wardvill and engaged to drive the waterwagon for the post at 50. Pr month and ration. This work was light, giving me plenty of leisure, and, being determined to recover my Mules, I wrote to several parties up and down the road and, also, to Denver and Black Hawk. Mr Lawson had returned to the latter place and, through Mr Shumer, a friend to whom I had written, we were soon in correspondance. I authorized him to offer a reward of $100. For the recovery of the mules and he had posters printed in Denver to that effect, but before this posters were put up, a ranch man brought in the mules and claimed the reward. Mr Lawson compromised by paying 80 dollars and came on to Camp Wardvill with the mules and also a span of his own. Travel over the plains was deemed very unsafe in those days and we waited some days to join one of the many large Trains going east. Ward A. Captain, Elected by the parties, composing such a train, was given command and his orders became the Law. In the morning the train waited for no one and woe betide the one that was left behind. Evidences of Indian outrages abounded. At one place a nightherder had been killed and mutilated, 8 mules run off and wagons, Harness and Loads burned. At another place a regular battle had taken place between a lot of Sioux Indians and a Cattletrain of wagons loaded with flour and driven by 22 “Bulwhackers”. This Oxtrain was attacked in daytime and, after seeing the Indians at a distance, had time to corral their wagons, fortify with sacks of flour from behind which, they played their repeating rifles so well that the Indians soon withdrew, leaving 3 dead behind besides many more they were able to carry with them. There were also dead ponies and Cattle laying on the field but neither of the white men had been hit. The little battle had occurred the day before and we had camped over night only a few miles away. Further down the road, at rising sun, the Soldiers had a scrimmage with Indians which we missed by just one day. Gunnysacks, filled with corn, had been used for rifle pits here and was still laying on the ground, two high, and in regular squares. It had got to be late in the fall and nights were cold. At Rising Sun a light snowfall fell during the night and my wife was invited, by a Soldiers wife, to sleep in the House and heard from her the story of the previous days exitement. Below Rising Sun the road was and had been with any mishap. Here the big train separated, some going to Omaha and others to Nebraska City or points further south. We crossed the Platt river to the northside and dropped out for much needed rest and a chance to care for the little ones who of necessity had been neglected while travelling under the strict regulations of the large Train. Our Baby- Geo. Edgar-born April 8th 1865 was broken out with small sores, owing, no doubt , to lack of propper
Care - Care that could not be given him while a part of the big Train. Our bedding would become damp from contact with our boddies and hurriedly rolled up in the morning and, with this damp and frozen clothes, we were forced to sleep and sometime, on frozen ground too. It was endeed a hard trip, especially for the little ones. George was tough and hardy and soon was all right again when we made Elkhorn once more. I had intended to go direct to Omaha and perhaps, cross over into Iowa but at Elkhorn I met my friend Dodge and I told him that I was looking for a place to winter he said I had come to the right place. He had a House I could move into and a grove near by, where I could gather plenty of Dry wood and all free of charge. I thankfully accepted this kind offer and so came to winter a second time on the Elkhorn river. After a little rest I resumed my former business, while here, viz freighting and trading with Stage and Millitary stations; at one time, going as far as Black Hawk in the Colorado Mountains. Proffits were large and Danger great. An order of Goverment provided that no one except in large parties and well armed, could travel on the plains and I would be held at the posts for several days at times, but, when, through trading, by means of diplomacy, of my own invention, I always mannaged to move on. I never paid money for such previlledge, however. In the Spring of 1866 I bought a farm in Pottawattamie County Iowa of 300 acres in Partnership with my friend Lawson and moved on to it on the 2d of April the same year. I moved onto my new farm which became the home of my family until 1890 when we moved to Council Bluffs March 8th. During my stay at Living Spring – the name of my Homefarm I carried on the business of a merchant farmer, buying and selling, as well as raising, crops and Livestock. I was a pioneer in the, now important business, in buying Steers and fattening them for the market, selling to butchers in Council Bluffs and Omaha before South Omaha had any existence. I had great faith in the future of the rich and cheap Lands of western Iowa and and added to my holdings from time to time untill at one time I owned 860 acres. This had been reduced, by sales, to about 700 acres at the time I moved to C. Bluffs. Of our 9 children, two were born in Chicago, viz: John Edward, Aug 5th 1858 and Isabell Jan 3 1861. Two at Black Hawk Col. Francis William Feb. 18th 1863 and Geo. E. P. April 8th 1865. The rest were born at Living Spring Iowa - Eltie May March 1897, Alexander Dec 1st 1868. Curtis G. Apr. 5 187 ?, Harvey Oscar Apr. 29th 1873 and Minnie Isabell July 17th 1875, Three of the nine are dead. Isabell died at Black Hawk Col. Jan 12th 1864, Ettie May at Living Spring Iowa Oct. 23rd 1867 and John Edward, the Eldest Son, at the same place, Aug. 6th 1887. John was 29 years and one day old, married, and left a widdow and two Sons, now grown men. We, eventually bought a Home – 124 4th St. – in Council Bluffs, and lived there untill 1905 when we moved to California. Much of the time since 1890 was spent in Worlds fair Chicago, San Francisco, Seattle and Portland, Oregon, Tampa Bay and St. Augustine, Florida, Yellowstone Park, Josemite Nat. Par, New York City and Addirondack Mountains, Mammoth Cave Ky, Ashville North Carolina, Buffalo Exposition, Niagara Falls, Lookout Mountain, Tenn, Hot Springs ?, South Dakota, Hot Springs, Ark. Minneapolis, Duluth, and perhaps, as much as a dozen trips to all Colorado resorts. Our stay in California has been mostly at Los Angeles but in the four trips made to that State, we have visited practically all places of note, such as the Beach resorts, Santa Cattalina Island, Santa Barbara, Red Lands, Riverside ect ect. On our various trips, to and from California, we have patronized the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe, the Denver and Rio Grand, the Union and Southern Pacific- and the Northern Pacific. Also the San Pedro Los Angeles and Salt Lake route which is much the shortest between Los Angeles and Omaha. In this short and hurried recitel of a long and active, though, unimportant life, I have necessarily omitted many things of interest to myself. For instance; in the summer of 1876, I went up to Wattonwan Co Minn and bought 300 2 & 3 year old Steers and drove them through, the than sparsely settled country of Minnesota and Iwa to my farm in Pottawattamie Co. It was a hard trip, in the heat of July, exposed to the schorching sun by day and drenching rains at night but the venture proved very successful, in spite of a great stampeed at Spence, Iowa, when the whole herd stampeeded in a thunderstorm and scattered far and wide. It took us 5 days to get the herd together again. About the year 1883, I think it was, the Silver City Bank was organized in which I took an active part and was chosen on of its first Directors and Vice President. It was at that time my intention to have gradually converted my means into Bank Stock but I changed my mind and, instead, sold my stock at a good profit, it other parties. This I now think, was a mistake as I believe I could, in time, have acquired full control of this Bank which has been quite successful and has now, 1907, a capital of 50,000.