Kane County, Illinois - What the Pioneers Did and How They Lived, 1908

What the Pioneers Did and How They Lived

Were we to mount a canvass-topped lumber wagon, ride to the plains of the Dakotas, camping here and there by stream or hill, and one spring day pull up beneath a grove of trees upon some hill overlooking a valley of green and a river glistening a welcome from the surface of silver, we might renew the experience of those who in the '30s came from the East into the valley of the Fox - then a Far West country. Could we mount their slow, lumbering conveyance and rounding the lower end of Lake ^lichigan pull a winding, laborious route through hill and vale, along old buffalo paths and Indian trails, forty miles west to the Fox river, we should realize the coming of the pioneer.

When he had arrived at his destination no friendly voice welcomed him. but only nature, indifferent to friend or foe. On some liillside under the trees overlooking the river running below the caravan would stop; sometimes three or four wagons ; more often but a single one. Preparations for camping would at once be started, and for some time following the white man and his family would live the way of the Indian - his "prairie schooner" his castle, and the wild wilderness of wood and prairie his domain. At once the newcomer would mark off the land he claimed by cutting the trees and driving pegs all around the piece ; or by running a plow around it, turning the sod as clear evidence of possession. Then would begin the building of a log cabin and the cultivation of a few acres of corn for corn bread, the staple food article of those days, and needed vegetables. Selecting the straightest timber at hand the ax soon brought enough logs to earth. These were notched at each end so as to fit together at the corners of the cabin, and the log given somewhat of a square shape by rough hewing on four sides. These logs, laid one above another, crossing and dovetailing at the four corners, comprised the body and framework of the new home, which was usually built eight or ten feet high. A more fastidious settler would shape his logs nearly square, that they might set more closely together. Across the top of this frame logs were laid enclosing the living space of the house, one room, which would generally measure about sixteen by twenty feet. The upper layer of logs made the floor for the second or gable story of the building. To make the roof rough hewn boards were set at an ordinary roof angle, one over the other, as shingles are laid. Beneath these board shingles (usually three or four feet long and two to three feet wide) to support them logs were run across from the rear wall to the front wall, the end logs at the gables being cut to form a triangle and set one on the other, fastened together with wooden pegs. Betw-een the logs on all sides clav was forced, filling the spaces between as tightly as possible, to hold the elements at bay - a matter more often ardently attempted than successfully accomplished - for water will penetrate through the hardest clay on continued application. For a floor logs, one side of which had been hewn even by the broadaxe, were laid close together over the entire space and clay forced in between, making a fairly smooth surface, commonly termed the "puncheon" floor, serviceable for wear but not as well conditioned for dancing, for which purpose it many a time must serve.

To the modern housekeeper accustomed to a gas range and modern conveniences for conducting the home, the interior of that early sixteen by twenty residence, combining in one kitchen, parlor and bedroom, would present a puzzle she would be willing to undertake only on a summer outing. But to our esteemed ancestors it was a haven of toil and of rest, where existed all that was best of earth; w-here were enjoyed the highest gratifications of living; where w-ere born and bred some of the noblest women, the greatest of men.

To enter this palace of the frontier you w^ould approach a wooden door hung on wooden hinges. Noting a string hanging about where the knob of a modern door would be, you would pull the string (the latch string) and raise the bar that ran across the door inside and locked it. The string ran down inside and was attached to the bar, which extended beyond the edge of the door into a socket of wood at the side. For extra security at night a large bar of oak was placed in position across the door and into sockets at either side. The ordinary bar hung on a wooden peg at one end, as on a hinge. The door was usually of oak boards, rough hewn, and held together by oak cross-pieces, in many cases nailed to the boards with wooden pegs, a hole being first bored with an auger and the peg forced into the hole. At other times nails were used, but with saving, as iron was scarce and high-priced. The door was no more than a hole sawed in the logs, the sawing having been done, however, before the logs were set. Pushing the door open and entering an interesting view would disclose itself. At the far end of the room an immense fireplace, eight or ten feet across (sometimes covering the entire end of the cabin), four or five feet high and four or five feet in depth, would be seen. The size of the fireplace would depend on the fancy and needs of the owner, there being no uniform size. Above the fireplace, which was in fact but the large lower end of the chimney, the chimney proper ran up abo\'e the roof, gradually growing smaller to assist the draft. This fireplace and chimney was commonly built of twigs and sticks and clay ; the clay hardened, forming the chimney, the sticks holding it well together. On one side of the room would have been seen a low couch or bed built of logs and with a top of boards upon which lay quilts of different colors made by hand, and skins of deer, wolves and bears, and here and there a buffalo skin. The bed was usually hidden by a blanket or skins suspended to do service as a partition.

The bed had neither head nor foot, but in many cases comprised merely a flat wooden frame on four rough cut wooden legs, the whole held together by wooden pegs driven into prepared holes. Sometimes rope was strung across in lieu of springs.

Not far from the bed a table would be noted ; an oblong wooden frame, or probably a rough hewn board about two feet wide and six or eight feet long, set on posts. Near this the chairs or stools would stand, crudely built of a piece of board and three legs forced into holes bored in the seat. In a fewcabins a rocking chair brought from the East would be seen. Rugs of skin and home-made carpets were in some cabins spread upon the floor.

A hole in one corner of the ceiling afforded entrance to the gable room above, used for sleeping and store room purposes. To mount to this upper floor required the agility of a squirrel, for, in many cases the only means of getting aloft was a series of pegs about two inches in diameter driven into holes bored in the logs. The pegs were usually two or three feet long and extended out from the wall, forming a ladder. More prosperous families would build a crude flight of steps at an angle of about sixty degrees, but economy of space did not usually warrant that luxury. All about die walls would also be seen pegs projecting out from six inches to a foot. Upon these garments, utensils, implements and weapons were hung in profusion, while the ceiling was well provided with the same supports, from which hung corn and seed of every description, as well as apples and fruits hung up to dry. An old settler remarks that he has seen ceilings so thickly hung with different things as to quite hide the logs. A window, a foot or two square, one on each side and sometimes one in front, built five or six feet from the ground, let in such light as the pioneer enjoyed. Glass was unseen, its place being taken by transparent skins stretched across a wooden frame hung on wooden hinges in the opening. A small window in the gable sometimes dimly lighted the upper room. If the pioneer gained time and prosperity enough to build a log cabin of two rooms his home was the envy of all his neighbors, for two rooms was a convenience seldom enjoyed in the early days, when the time was required for toil - toil in attending to growing crops, hunting, and going fifty miles to mill and to market.

At the rear of the room about the fireplace and on the mantel that was usually built above it (a board six to eight feet long and a foot or two wide) were the implements of cooking suspended on pegs in the logs, or on a work table set against the wall. About the center of the roof of the fireplace would be seen an iron hook. Upon this were su.spended the kettles for the cooking of food ; a kettle hung on this hook coming well over the fire beneath, which was made up of green logs cut in the woods near by. In many instances logs of large size would last for hours once well ignited. A support for the logs was usually set in the middle of the fireplace, upon which one end of the log was set to allow the air to circulate under and between the timbers. By the side of this open grate the family gathered after the work of the winter's day, its virtue as a heat dispenser being much impaired, however, by the fact that it warmed but one side of the body at a time.

Of pictures, books and the evidences of culture, taste and refinement common to the modern home the settlers possessed little or nothing. A copy of the Bible, a singing book and an occasional literary work of a religious trend comprised the average library. To cultivate the soil, look after the stock, provide shelter and fuel, maintain a clear conscience by the performance of religious service, and on occasion attend a wedding, dance or spelling school at the log schoolhouse or church, made up the pioneer's life.

Having erected his log home, and often before, he would construct a rude shack for horses and cattle. Poles were driven into the ground with logs laid across the top and covered with grass and branches of trees, the sides made up of brush, trees and grass packed together for walls. In this shed cattle were kept with fair comfort. Near by an improvised chicken coop and pig pen would soon be seen.

Much of the spare time of the earlier settlers was employed in "splitting rails" for use in making fences. Many cut rails and sold them to others. Mile upon mile of these fences may still be seen in northern Indiana and Illinois, but have largely disappeared in Kane county, giving place to the more modern wire fences.

There existed no roads in the modern sense. Paths ran through the woods, circling around hills, through valleys and over the forks of rivers. There were few fences to interfere. The soil was soft and the heavy wagons would sink into the soft earth, making a trip of ten miles a day's work.

Prairie fires wen expected every fall as the tall prairie grass dried. At places the grass remained uncut for many years and became thick and high. Once well started in a good wind, a prairie fire would travel as fast as horses could run and would destroy everything in its path. Many devices were employed by the settlers to protect their lives and property from these dreaded visitors, which in the fall of the year could be seen like a fiery snake creeping across the prairie three or four miles away. It was customary for all the farmers to plow the earth all around their buildings and land to be protected. Usually a space fifteen to twenty feet wide would be turned as a bunker for the oncoming flames. But often in a high wind the flames would jump the plowed space and ignite material on the other side. The more effective method of combating the prairie tire was what was known as "back-firing." This was done by burning the grass away ahead of the apprc>aching fire. Often the entire population of the neighborhood would "back-fire" and by leaving a large burned space in advance of the flames check their progress. Nothing was more feared by the pioneer than these fires that came like a thief in the night and left behind destruction and ruin. With the cultivation of the prairies and the replacing of the tall prairie grass by cultivated products these fires disappeared.

The food staples of the pioneer were rye bread and corn bread. The tiour was made in the earlier days by grinding the grain upon a hollowed out stone with a stone pestle, much after the primitive style of the Indian. Meat such as was obtainable was raised or hunted. Fish, with which the rivers furnished abundant supply, were caught with hook and seine and salted in large quantities by the individual families. Fishing "bees" were customary. The owner of a seine would loan it to a number of men, the price being three or four dollars for a day's rental. They would seine in company and divide the "catch." Beef, pork and mutton were common meats. Apple, cherry, pie plant, custard, pumpkin, egg and mince pie were among the delicacies. Mince pies were made and allowed to freeze. They were then warmed up by steaming in a "colander" over the kettle in which potatoes were boiling. There were no stoves in that day of beginnings, and for a time everything was cooked in the open fireplace. Later the old brick oven was invented by some pioneer and for years served the purpose of the modern range. This brick oven was built outside the house or near it. Rough stones and earth were so piled up as to leave a space about five feet long and four feet wide. This space was lined with brick and an arch was made of mortar, the top being covered with earth. A hole was left at the far end for draft and smoke. A crude door was built in front. The method of using this brick oven was to fill the space full of wood, which was ignited and allowed to burn until the bricks were red hot. The wood and burned material was then pulled out. Meats, pies, etc., were then jnit into the heated interior and the door closed. Pioneers claim that no motlern stove cooks as did this brick oven. No such rich pies, no such juicy meats are to be had by modern methods as came from this early device, now forgotten.

The clothing of the settlers was likewise largely home-made of what was known as "homespun" material, it being rare that a pioneer possessed storemade clothes. Wool from the sheep, or flax, were the materials used. The sheep's fleece was washed by the women, who were the makers of clothes in that day, to remove the grease. It was then "carded," i. e.. made up into long rough rolls about two feet long and an inch across. This roll was then placed in the old-fashioned spinning wheel and spun into a yarn, which was wound upon rough spindles. This yarn was then worked up into cloth upon the home-made loom, with which most log houses were provided, and which the hou.sewife worked by hand and foot. A housewife C(juld average a yard or two each day and do her housework.

Shoes were supplied the family by a traveling shoemaker. This itinerant cobbler would put up at a settler's house for a week or longer and make up shoes, usually of heavy calf leather, for the entire family. The leather was either furnished by the farmer or bought at the tannery by the cobbler, who was repaid for the raw material l)ut charged only for his labor as reward to himself. These boots and shoes would ordinarily last a year.

Hats were usually made by the women of the family by weaving them from rice and wheat straw. For winter wear they were made of skins, coonskins being mostly used.

For lighting purposes, to supplement the fireplace, home-made candles were universally employed. Kerosene lamps, which were considered as great an invention at that time as Edison's electric light is now, came into use in the '50s. Before that time and long after the women "dipped" their own candles. Cotton strings were hung on a stick, the threads being tied on the stick at intervals of two or three inches and six or a dozen on the stick. The threads as they hung down loose being about a foot long, were dipped together into a deep receptacle filled with melted tallow. A small portion of the tallow would adhere to the suspended string. The stick was then lifted out and hung up until the tallow hardened. It was then dipped again and again, each time accumulating an additional amount of tallow. When the tallow was about an inch in diameter the candle was complete for use. For use the string was ignited and by absorbing the melting tallow oil maintained a light that would last several hours.

A device more crude than this was made by placing a string in a saucershaped vessel and filling the vessel with tallow or other oil. By igniting the string a crude candle was realized. Gas was not used until after the Ci\i\ war, and electric light was unknown in 1880.

Social Life

Social events among those who first came to the West was like the coming of a circus for a small boy, rare but welcome facts. With a wilderness to conquer and a home to build without other assistance than the primitive implements, men and women had no more time for social affairs than has the modern workman who, when the day's toil is ended, is well pleased to rest and recuperate. But among the younger people the neighborhood gatherings were not infrequent. Spelling schools and exhibitions, quilting bees, husking bees, etc.. furnished many opportunities for the settlers to gather together for mutual help and amusement. Spelling schools were popular, sometimes three or four occurring the same week at different schools, the entertainment moving from school to school. Often the contestants and visitors would come ten or fifteen miles to attend.

The news of such an event was communicated from house to house by those passing - whoe\-er knew of the event being supposed to acquaint any he might see with the coming exhibition. Ordinarily a competition would be arranged between different schools or localities. The country teacher was usually in charge of the affair. All who were to spell stood up in two rows, one on each side of the room, the spectators occupying the seats between. The teachers (mostly men) would sometimes assist their sides. A word would be given the first one in the line. If he or she missed she sat down. Then the word if missed was given to the first of the other side. Whoever missed sat down. The side first all down were defeated. Sometimes in place of a competition sides would be chosen and a "general" spell indulged in. After the "spell down" a visiting interval was had, then speaking, and the evening closed with a second "spell down."

Not the least enjoyable part of these events was the coming and going. Being usually during the winter season, a sleigh was provided in which a dozen or fifteen couple would be stowed away and a merry time had.

Dancing parties occurred about every two weeks, being held, in the early days, in the settlers' houses. The Virginia reel, "duck dive" and round dance were usual. The waltz and two-step now customary would have been an undreamed of pleasure on the rough board floor of the log cabin. The charge per couple was usually one dollar. A fiddler sat at the end of the room on a box or table; sometimes two fiddlers. Often the dance was given in the barn, which was larger than the house. The dance would begin at nine or ten and end at daylight. The "boys" would drive up to the cabin of the young lady he desired as "company" at the dance, and although she had no prior notice she was usually ready in ten or fifteen minutes.

The various "bees" that were held from time to time afforded the early settlers amusement and at the same time accomplished useful work. Here the entire neighborhood would gather at one house and all make quilts, or pare, cut and string apples, or husk corn, as the occasion required. And there were house-raising bees, in which a new settler having cut his logs would be assisted by all in the erection of his home. Prizes were usually presented to winners at husking, paring, etc.

In addition to these e\"ents Christmas, Thanksgiving and the Fourth of July were always occasions for special doings. The enthusiasm and patriotism of the pioneers on the Fourth of July can scarcely be concei\-ed by the modern citizen who thinks of it mostly as a day for a picnic or for the production of as much noise as possible.

Then, too, there were church events, which, among a people so many of whom were devout religionists, were of large importance. Everyone attended church. Meetings were held in the schoolhouses before churches were built, and in the cabins before there were schools ; prayer meetings weekly. Nearly all the modern denominations were represented. Presbyterians of Scotch descent and Methodists being most numerous. There being no regular preachers, the pulpits were filled by the old-time circuit preachers, who came with fiery and earnest messages, and moved on to the next place. His compensation seems to have been such material comfort as the settlers provided and the consciousness of serving his God.

Of the other side of pioneer life - the criminal and vicious - there is also evidence. Horse stealing was always to be guarded against and was usually punished with the severity usual where horses are rare possessions. Overindulgence in intoxicants was not infrequent, particularly at public events, and owing to the absence of well established government often resulted in a general town fight between elements from different parts. In Kane county all large affairs usually occurred at St. Charles, where many such melees are said to have occurred. Claim jumping was a universal evil, so extensive in fact that committees were appointed to judge such cases. !\Iany stories are told of such contests from Dundee to Aurora. The decision of such a decision is still in existence, the following cut being photographic copy. In this case, as appears from reading the letter of James C. Hanks, Hanks, to whom the land

In Dundee township this same Deweese had trouble over land he claimed there. Jesse C. Kellogg wrote in 1885 of the measures taken by the settlers to protect their lands, as follows :

" 'In those days, there being no king in Israel, every man did that which seemed right in his own eyes." The size of claims, therefore, varied from two eighties of prairie and one of timber to a half section of timber and a tract of prairie two miles square. Some assumed the right to make and hold claims by proxy, being thereunto duly authorized by some brother, sister, uncle, cousin, aunt or friend. Meanwhile new settlers poured in apace, astonished to find the choice timber and prairie 'blazed' and 'furrowed' into claims, whose ample acres the claimant with all his children, uncles, aunts and cousins to the 'third and fourth generation' would never be able to till or occupy. The new settler, perplexed, baffled and becoming more and more desperate on finding 'God's green earth' thus monopolized, would approach his more fortunate neighbor with the spirit of Abraham to Lot: 'Now, I have come a great way to get some of this timber and prairie and one thing is certain, I am going to have some. There is enough for vou and me and our bovs. Now don't let us quarrel. You turn to the right and I will turn to the left, or vice versa." Sometimes this good Scripture and consecjuently good common sense logic would win. but in other cases the grasping spirit of the borderer would stave ofif all kind of division or compromise, and laying his hand upon his rifle he would bluster and threaten in "great swelling words' and drive away the stranger from his right. Hereupon arose innumerable disputes and wrangles concerning the size, tenure and boundaries of claims. The more reflecting among the settlers saw a dark cloud, big with the elements of strife and social disorder, gathering in the not very distant horizon, whose tornado blasts threatened soon to lay waste all that was of value in the rising community. There was no municipal law reaching these cases and if there had been the settlers probably would have been none the better for it. for it is believed that at this period there was neither a justice nor a statute book north of the Illinois river and w-est of Fort Dearborn, unless we except Ottawa and Chicago. A\'rongs and outrages for which there was no known legal redress were being multiplied. Blackened eyes, blood}' noses and chewed ears were living realities, while the dirk, pistol, rifle, with something like 'cold lead.' were significantly talked of as likely to bring about some 'realities' which might not be "living." What could be done to insure domestic tranquillity, promote the general welfare and secure to each settler his right? Evidently but one thing. Happily some had seen something in the New Testament about those who are without law unto themselves, and settlers found themselves in this fix exactly. It was. therefore, apparent both from Scripture and reason that the settlers must become "a law unto themselves' and 'where there was a will there was a way." 'A settlers" meeting" at a given time and place therefore came to be the \\ atchword from shanty to wagon until all were alarmed. Pursuant to this proclamation a heap of law and order loving American citizens convened on September 5. 1835, at the shanty of Harmon Miller, standing on the east bank of the Kishwaukee, nearly opposite the present residence of \Villiam A. Miller in the town of Kingston. Happily the best possible spirit prevailed. The Hoosier from the Wabash, the Buckeve from Ohio, the hunter from Kentucky, the calculating Yankee, brother Jonathan's 'first born' and the "beginning of his strength.' impelled by a sense of mutual danger, hereby sat down in grave council to dictate laws to Kishwaukee 'and the region lying around about through all the coasts thereof.' Hon. Levi Lee, now chairman of a committee to report on petitions for the ']Maine law" in the legislature of Wisconsin, was chosen to preside over this august assemblage, where the three great departments of free governments, the executive, the legislative and the judicial, were most happily united, and Captain Eli Barnes was appointed secretary. Gently glided the sometimes turbid waters of the 'ancient river.' the sonorous Kishwaukee, as speech after speech setting forth the woes and wants of the settlers, the kind of legislation demanded by the crisis, went the rounds. Even those who were not 'used to talkin" much afore folks' evinced their cordial approbation and readiness to cooperate by doing up an amount of encoring which, no doubt, really did 'astonish the natives.' At last, ripe for immediate action, a committee was selected to draft and present to the meeting a constitution and by-laws by wbich the 'settlers upon the public lands' should be governed. After some little deliberation back of the shanty, around the stump of a big white oak, which served as a writing desk, said committee reported a preamble, constitution and by-laws, which for simplicity and brevity and adaptation to necessity it would be hard for any modern legislation to beat. The self-evident truths proclaimed by Jefferson in the immortal declaration, it is believed, were the first time reiterated on the banks of the Kishwaukee, and had there been a little more time for reflection and preparation the top of some settlers" wagons would have been converted into the 'Star Spangled Banner' and thrown to the breezes of heaven from the tallest tree top in the grove. The common sense, law and logic, as well as patriotism, contained in this constitution and by-laws were instantaneously recognized to be the very things demanded by the crisis and were adopted with unparalleled enthusiasm, each subscribing his name thereto with his own hand, thereby pledging his 'life,' 'fortune' and 'sacred honor' to carry out the provisions of the code. It is not known that a copy of this singularly unique document is now extant. As nearly as can be recollected its provisions were somewhat as follows : A prudential committee were to be t'hen and there chosen, whose duty it should be 'to examine into, hear and finally determine all disputes and differences then existing or which thereafter might arise between settlers in relation to their claims,' and whose decisions with certain salutary checks were to be binding upon all parties and to be carried out at all hazards by the three departments of government consolidated in aid of the executive, in what jurists sometimes dominate the 'posse comitatus.' Each settler was solemnly pledged to protect every other settler in the association in the peaceable enjoyment of 'his or her claim as aforesaid,' and further, whoever throughout all Kishwaukee or the suburbs or coasts thereof should refuse to recognize the authority of the aforesaid association and render due obedience to the laws enacted by the same from time to time 'to promote the general welfare" should be deemed a heathen, a publican and an outlaw, with whom they were pledged to have no communication or fellowship. Thus was a wall affcjrding protection to honest settlers built in troublous times. The thing worked like a charm and the value of these associations in northern Illinois to the infant settlements has never been overestimated. Similar associations were form.ed and maintained in Somonauk and other portions of the county, until the lands came into market. This event took place in Chicago in 1843, when the land was sold to the highest bidder ; that is. so far as 'terra firma" is concerned. The moral as well as the physical power of 'settlers' associations' was so great that if a speculator presumed to bid on a settler's claim he was certain to find himself 'knocked down and dragged out,' and had the land officer shown the least sympathy or favor to the 'rascal' there can be no doubt but what an indignant and outraged yeomanry would have literally torn the land office to fragments 'in no time.' "

Such was the life of the pioneer, rough and free; filled with toil from day to day, for men, women and children, with an hour of pleasure and pastime between. An unending contest with nature. That results have justified those who came here and laid the foundations of a civilization that is unsurpassed in attainments, material, spiritual and moral, none will deny; and that what has resulted has come from the wisdom of those hardy men who here first turned the soil who will gainsay ?

From a wilderness of wood and prairie communities second to none have been built. In 1834, those who came found no inhabitants but the primitive Indian. At once they set about establishing the civilization and standards of white men. Roads were laid out and opened, bridges built, mills erected from Dundee to Aurora. Tilled fields everywhere gave their products. Saw mills followed. Manufacturing plants were not long in coming. The first railroad was laid and opened for trafiic in . Progress, material and social, advanced until today Kane stands third in population and wealth in the state; its cities send goods to the far ends of the world, and their names are known and respected in every place.

Marriage .Scenes In Pioneer Days

I stood up before them and asked them in English if they wished to enter into the contract of marriage. When Kinzie, acting as interpreter, asked them if they wanted to get married they both answered "We! We!" with an inclination of the head and an emphasis which showed that they were in earnest. I then told them to join their right hands, which, when it was interpreted, they obeyed. I then went through with a rather short ceremony, making them promise enough, if they kept all. to secure a life of happiness, which Kinzie interpreted sentence by sentence, and then I pronounced them man and wife in as solemn a voice as I could assume, and told the groom to kiss his bride, which, when he understood the command, he did with animation, while the bride seemed becomingly embarrassed. It was evident that she would have preferred to have had that part of the ceremony a little more private.

After this all were seated on benches, boxes and stools, except the bride and groom and myself, who occupied the only three chairs in the house, which had probably been borrowed for the occasion. Some refreshments were then served, including a sort of whisky punch ; after this I left them to have a good, jolly time among themsehes. As I left, Kinzie slipped into my hand the silver dollar allowed by law.

Not many days after the matrimonial event last described, a couple of rather ragged, barefooted boys called at my office and told me that I was wanted at their house to marry their sister. Careful inquiry informed me that they lived in a log house in the woods about two miles north of town, that their name was Cleveland, and that the party was already waiting for the squire. I recognized the house by their description as one which I had seen when out hunting in that direction, and as soon as I could prepare myself properly, I procured a horse and rode out to the rural abode of Mr. Cleveland. On arriving. I hitched my horse to a sapling near by and went in. I was greeted by the matron of the house, who was a fat, robust looking woman, while Mr. Cleveland was a tall, spare man with a very fair complexion; I may say he was a pronounced blonde. There was but one room in the house, though that was of good size. It served as kitchen, drawing room, reception room, parlor and dressing room, and, no doubt, as sleeping room for the whole family, though no sign of a bed appeared.

The old lady bustled about till she found the washboard, which she deftly clapped onto the frame of a chair from which the splint bottom had long since disappeared, and invited me to be seated, and I was seated, and wiped from my forehead the fast flowing perspiration provoked by a very warm July day. A survey of the reception room disclosed no furniture except a deal table, the seat which I occupied and several benches of dififerent lengths, not to mention some pots and kettles in the corner of the great fireplace, and some shelves in one corner on which were some tin plates and cups and other table furniture, by no means extravagant. Near this sat the master of the mansion, who might have been fifty-five years old, and opposite to him sat, on another stool, a soldier from the garrison, as I judged from the clothes he wore. I soon observed that one corner of the room was cut off by old quilts and other articles of bedding, and by the agitation and whispering, this was evidently occupied. As it proved this was the dressing room in which the bride was being adorned.

After a while the curtain was raised, and the bridal party came forth from the secluded corner and burst upon us like - like - I am at a loss to find a fair comparison. First came the two younger sisters. They were of medium height for their ages, and slightly built, and really handsome, one perhaps fifteen and the other eighteen, decently and plainly dressed, but neatly. One of these, the eldest, I recognized as having seen at Ingersol's hotel at Wolf Point, waiting on the table. They were followed by the bride, gayly decked out in furbelows.

Two boys walked into the house covered with perspiration and dust, each one having a gallon jug strapped to his back. Our hostess soon undid the straps and placed the jugs on the table, scolding the boys roundly for their tardiness, while they protested they had fairly run their legs off, in order to get back in time to see the fun. Madame soon found a milk pan, into which she put a cup of molasses from one jug, and then a cup of whisky from the other, and then a cup of cold water from a pail standing under a table; after she had thus measured out about six quarts, she went at it with a large wooden spoon and stirred it up lively. When sufificiently mixed, the good and hospitable lady took a tin cup and dipped it partly full and presented it to me, saying, "Squire, are you fond of blackstrap? I always had a knack for making blackstrap, and you shall try it first, though you ain't the oldest, I guess."

I protested that blackstrap was my delight and the only drink I ever indulged in, and after putting it to my lips pretended to drink heartily. I was so busy praising the beverage that I doubt if she observed whether I drank or not. I then pased the cup to mine host, who smacked his lips after a few swallows as if he were well used to the exercise. He refilled the cup and passed it to the son of Mars, who did ample justice to the skill of his future mother-in-law and then passed it to the bride, and thence it proceeded to the other members of the family. This refreshing scene occurred before the marriage ceremony, an innovation no doubt born of the behef that it was the most important.

One Saturday in March, 1835, I was called upon at my office by a stout, vigorous young farmer named Powell, and requested to go the next day about sixteen miles up the north branch, and unite him in marriage to a young lady living in a log house at Dutchman's Point.

The low, flat prairie was covered with water for the first eight or nine miles which splashed up at every step, and frequently the horse would step close beside a crawfish hole, with which the prairie was honeycombed, when the water would shoot up like a geyser to the height of several feet, often giving me a good sprinkling of the muddy water and more than once striking me fairly in the face. I had taken the precaution to tie a wrap around my neck so as to protect my shirt collar and bosom, .long leggins protected my lower garments, and the overcoat received most of the showers of mud which came above my knees. But the boots! Nothing could be done for them, and they were soon so soiled that their color was indistinguishable. But that was no matter. Everybody was prepared to make allowances for that condition of things, so I gave myself no trouble about it.

At length, after I had covered eight or nine miles of this low, wet prairie. I struck higher ground and it was possible to increase my speed, which I did, for I saw I was likely to be late to the wedding. I, however, arrived at the designated place in good time. The house was a large, commodious log structure with several rooms on the ground floor. What was most cheering to me was a great wood fire in an old-fashioned fireplace at one end of the house, which would admit great logs four or five feet in length, and seemed big enough to roast an ox. The fire was occupied by the culinary operations, which were going on. A fine turkey and a plump pig, which were suspended before it and were constantly being basted by a ten-year-old boy, whose face was as red as a beet, diffused through the room an appetizing fragrance which made me rejoice that dinner time was rapidly approaching, and my mouth fairly watered at the thought. A nice party of well dressed country people occupied the room, who were as chatty and as jolly as the occasion required. Powell met me at the door and without giving me time to take off my muddy wraps led me direct to the bride, to whom he introduced me with a flourish, which showed that the situation produced in him no more embarrassment than as if he had been married once a week for the last five years. Not so, however, with the girl ; she seemed considerably embarrassed as all eyes were turned upon her. She was taller than the average of women, and fairly stout in proportion. Indeed, she was a large, well formed woman of fair complexion. She was decidedly awkward in her actions, evidently having seen but little of even country society. This might have been expected when neighbors were miles away, and she probably had not a single acquaintance in town, and had never been there more than to pass through it on her way west. In fine, she was troubled to know where to put her hands and feet.

Looking Up North Broadway, Aurora, About 1855

Well, I married them good and strong, but at the conclusion I thought I would not gratify the groom's love of display and increase the bride's embarrassment by directing him to salute his bride, yet he did it all the same, and she submitted meekly, as if it were inevitable, as he had no doubt informed her that it was indispensable to a good marriage.

It was dark when we arrived at the log cabin of the settler, who was among the first to locate in the O'Plane timber. It was a good sized, commodious house for a frontier settler, and all about bespoke neatness and respectability. Several of the neighbors were assembled to witness the ceremony. Angeline introduced me to them all. for she had made the acquaintance of nearly all of the settlers for miles around. She had giv-en me no description of the bride or groom, only that they knew nothing of what is called society, but had only associated with frontier life, and that the bride's family belonged to the Society of Friends, and so I must expect to see everything plain - very plain. As my family belonged to that society and I had been brought up under its teachings, I was glad to learn that I should meet some of that faith which my mother so much loved, out on this remote frontier.

Angeline had already told them of my antecedents in this regard, and doubtless this had its influence in the selection which was made of the officiating officer, for the Friends will- tolerate a marriage ceremony performed by a civil magistrate, while they cannot, with a clear conscience, be present at one celebrated by a preacher of another denomination.

The bride was young, and the groom was not many years her senior. She was quite plain looking, but he was one of the handsomest young men I ever saw. His was not an efifeminate, delicate beauty, but a manly, sturdy beauty, if that term be proper when speaking of one of medium size, yet of a powerful build, uniform features, a frank, open and winning countenance, toward whom one felt oneself drawn as if by a cord of friendship, not to say admiration, at first sight. He was a decided brunette, but this rather added to his manly beauty. I soon learned that he was as unacquainted with the ways of the world as one who had spent his life on a farm well could be, and had never been in any town more than to pass through it, and had only associated with those in similar conditions. He was of good natural parts and a clear intellect.

He soon intimated to me that he would like to see me alone, so we took a walk out of doors, when he told me that he had never seen a wedding, and would like to be instructed as to the mode of proceeding and what he was expected to do. I then rehearsed to him the order of the ceremony to its conclusion, that he would have nothing to do but to assent to the questions which I should ask him, and to join right hands with the lady. That at the conclusion of the ceremony I should direct him to salute his bride, which he must do as an evidence that he recognized her as his lawful wife; this meant that he should kiss her then and there.

In the meantime Angeline had been getting the bride ready for the dread event. She, too, had never witnessed a wedding and knew nothing of its proceedings, but had some idea of its consequences.

The bridesmaid gave her minute instructions as to how she should act her part, but carefully abstained from any intimations to the concluding performance, about which I was so particular to instruct the groom.

When we returned to the house the party seemed to be in waiting for us. The bride and bridesmaid were seated by themselves at one end of the room, while the company were seated as far away as they could get. As I saw everything was ready, I told the groom to take his place at the right hand of the bride, who, with the bridesmaid, rose to her feet in good order. She was dressed in white muslin, as was befitting, but the pattern of the \vedding garment was very domestic and unique. In short, it was precisely that of a lady's nightgown with a yoke at the top and a most elaborate skirt and large sleeves. This Angeline had gathered around the waist with a broad, red ribbon, which I think she had brought along for the purpose, as a sort of wedding present, for I afterward learned that she had planned that wedding costume to suit her own fancy, or, I may say, freak. It was in the main well adapted to the plain and simple taste of the Friends, though the red belt and big bow in front were a reluctant concession to the vanities of the world. The hair of each of the ladies was disposed of in the plainest possible way and without the least ornament, and I, who had in early life been taught to admire plainness in everything, thought they really looked beautiful.

I placed myself in the space in front of the bridal party and then asked the company to arise. I proceeded to deliver a lecture upon the solemnity of the occasion and the great responsibilities which these parties were about to assume, and how they should bear themselves toward each other in order to insure the greatest amount of domestic happiness, and all of that. During this delivery I tried to imagine myself a person of fifty, who knew well what he was talking about, instead of a young squire of twenty-three.

I knew Miss Talcott was all the while trjang to catch my eye so that by some ludicrous or grotesque look or expression of countenance she could make me break down or make me laugh, but I refused to gratify that desire, and kept my eyes steadily fixed upon the two interested parties, who were a real study at that time.

At the close of my lecture I proceeded with the ceremony proper, w^hich I soon concluded and pronounced them man and wife, when I directed the groom to salute his bride. As this was the part he had no doubt most held in expectation, he made a fierce grab at his new-made wife and attempted to execute the order. This was entirely unexpected by her, and as she probably had no idea of the meaning of the direction which I had given, she, no doubt, thought the young man had lost his mental balance as she had nearly done herself; she rushed away from the supposed madman in real terror and actually fought back in a cat-like manner. But he was equal to the occasion, and followed her up with such manly vigor, quite to the corner of the room, to which she retreated, that by his superior strength he accomplished his purpose with such a smack that it could have been heard out of doors.

When she was released from the embrace of her stalwart husband, she had nearly fainted, but Angeline came to her support and assured her that it was all right and a necessary part of the ceremony which she had unfortunately neglected to explain to her. It took some time, however, to reconcile her to having been kissed by a man in so public a way, and Angeline said she much doubted whether he had ever kissed her before in his life.

This rumpus was enjoyed by the mischievous bridesmaid beyond measure, and she could hardly refrain from laughing outright and boisterously at the ludicrous figure which the scene presented. Her plans had worked to a charm and just as the ingenious girl had hoped. Most of the company stared upon the scene as if a cataclysm was actually taking place, though a few plainly understood and enjoyed it.

After this funny episode had terminated and Angeline had got the parties back to their places, though it was difficult to make the timid bride understand that all was not yet over, I stepped up to the married couple and shook their hands and warmly congratulated them on the happy change which had now taken place in their life history, though I doubt if the abashed girl understood a word I said ; but the groom e\idently enjoyed the situation in a calm and confident manner. I was stubbornly blind and deaf to all the winks and nods of the roguish bridesmaid to go further and kiss the bride myself. I felt it would have been a cruelty to have further embarrassed the timid creature, especially as I felt sure that Angeline would have assured all the rest that it was the proper thing for each one to do the same thing.

When I turned away, leaving half of the program unexecuted, the bridesmaid hastened up to the father and mother of the bride and by mere force rushed them up to the wedded pair to kiss and congratulate their daughter, and assured the good lady that it would be a clear slight if she should omit that mark of respect for her son-in-law. Her confident impetuosity carried her point, and the young man took the salute of his new mamma, if not with a hearty relish, at least with a benign resignation. The father kissed his daughter with an affectionate tenderness which plainly bespoke the depth of the love he felt for her, and she received it as if it was a daily occurrence and carried a blessing with it. All efforts to get the rest of the company to follow up the assault proved abortive, and soon the order of the gathering was broken up. Then we did our best to inspire a lively mood and not entirely without success. I talked with all of the oldest people in the room on such subjects as I thought would most interest them, and it was not difficult to get on free and easy terms with them all.