HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
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was only sparsely settled; when Northern Ohio was a new country, and Northern Indiana and Michigan almost uninhabited; when the roads were but the tracks of immigrants passing on their western way; when the smaller streams had to be forded and the larger ones crossed on clumsy and dangerous ferries; when day after day passed without the sight of a human habitation, and the lonely night-camp was made dismal by the cry of wild beasts; it was, indeed, a journey to be dreaded and long remembered, especially by mothers caring for their little children. Yet hundreds so came, even from distant New England; and infants were borne in their mothers' loving arms over this weary journey. It was needful to be at the new home, early enough in the season to provide for the imperative needs of the coming winter; and, therefore, many started soon after the holidays, and were on the road during the cold storms and muddy season of late winter and early spring. Some came by the Brie Canal to Buffalo, and thence by schooner to Detroit, driving from that point through the wild Michigan forests. On this old Indian and army route the muddiest small streams had been bridged, and the worst swamps and sloughs "corduroyed." Under the most favorable conditions it was a dreary, toilsome journey never to be forgotten.
In those days all vehicles and implements were made by hand, and, compared with those now in use, were exceedingly coarse and imperfect. For instance, the wagon-axles were all wood; there were no steel skeins, there were no neatly fitting, smooth steel-boxes inside the hub. The wooden hubs wore upon the wooden axle, and as the wood was harder in some places than in others, they wore unevenly, causing the wheels to "wobble" dreadfully. The wheels were held in place by iron "linch pins." There were no patent lubricants then, and frequently it was impossible to obtain grease, and the shrill complaint of the loud creaking wheels, as the weary teams toiled their tedious way, was terribly trying to the nerves. The outfit usually consisted of three or four horses, or of two yoke of cattle. A few well-to-do people had also a covered spring buggy for the women and children, and quite frequently there was a saddle-horse. Sometimes in the cattle teams, there was a cow under the yoke, and almost invariably a milk cow was a treasured part of the outfit. The wagon was covered with canvas, fastened at the sides and so arranged that the ends could be closed. Within it was stowed the very scant household effects, the iron parts of a few agricultural implements and useful tools, some seeds for spring planting and sowing and the food supply for the trip, with a little surplus to start on in the new home. Outside was attached a coop with a few chickens, and sometimes, a box, with a pair of small pigs for breeding. At the rear end-board was fastened a feed-box for the team, and the water-bucket swung from the hind axle. The faithful dog trotted beneath, and the people rode, or walked, as choice or necessity dictated. Often a little strong rocking chair, with a raw-hide seat, was hitched on in such way that it could be easily taken off for "Ma" to sit on in the evening camp. Ten to twenty miles made a good day's progress.
Men and women are still living among us who, floating down the far-reaching rivers and over these dreary wagon-ways, were brought in their infancy and childhood to these wild western homes. They were in haste to find a satisfactory location, and many of them, instead of going to Fort Dearborn or the little unknown village of Chicago, crossed the South Branch of the Chicago River and the Des Plaines at the portage, pushing on west and northwestward over the old trails until they entered with delight the beautiful grovelands bordering the Fox. Weary with the long pilgrimage, and charmed with the appearance of the country, they halted at a well watered and sheltered grazing spot, near the cabin of some squatter, and began the inquiry and search for a good "claim." The squatter, who was familiar with the whole region, directed them or went with them to the most desirable places; and, while the men hunted for what they thought the best locations, the women rested and, as eagerly as the men, sought information and suggestions from: the squatter's family. Meanwhile the teams grazed and rested, putting on flesh and strength for the hard work before them. As soon as a final choice was made the teams were hitched up and driven to the selected locality, which invariably was the sunny side of sheltering timber and near to an unfailing supply of water. Here a more comfortable camp was arranged, and busy work was immediately begun
