CC
The residents of Wisconsin, who are now of the busy world of
civilization and enlightenment, seldom, if ever,
think of those days when the pioneer of this fair state
had very different living surroundings.
There are those among us who could narrate many
a true thrilling tale of that early date.
Michili-Mackinac (the "great turtle") Island
was the great emporium of the West.
All the fur traders came there to sell their furs
and buy other goods.
I was an only and a spoiled child, but afforded much
amusement to my great-aunt, a fur trader on Mackinac Island.
A bride of but fourteen years, I went with my husband
to live in Green Bay,and thenceforth my lot was cast
with the new and growing Territory west of Lake Michigan.
The resources of our small community were meager.
In those days there were few schools, no churches,
no markets, no bakeries,
no one who sold cooked food in any form.
Everyone had to do their own cooking,
which was all very well for those who knew how;
but only think of the plight of those who, like myself, did not!
At this time, I was trying to master the English language,
and learn to read.
I did not seek my neighbors, as I would have done
had they spoken French.
In consequence, my life was very solitary.
I was alone all day, with not a human being near me.
This day and generation can know little of the excitement
that overwhelmed us when the mail was expected.
Once a month a mail arrived.
For two years I received but two letters a year from Mackinac.
In 1831, my husband bought a farm.
My husband thought that he could be
both farmer and lawyer, but it turned out as I had predicted:
he would be the lawyer and I the farmer's wife.
Pf-ft...
Mr. Baird's father and mother came in August.
It was hard, indeed, to offer such a home to any city lady,
she "could not see how a lady could put her hands
into the dirty ground."
Never had I been so near breaking down
as when the cow kicked me.
My aunt, Madame Laframboise, was a remarkable woman.
When my grandfather became ill, my maternal grandmother and
great aunt bravely continued the business of fur trade
with the Indians.
Remembering her, I became not easily discouraged.
I worked hard, because, indeed, who did not in those days?
The first government land sale that took place
brought many moneyed men to this place.
Mr. Baird, being the recorder of deeds,
his work became very great, so I became the recorder of deeds.
Our town was growing fast for those days,
civilization crawled in among us.
At this time our town became quite joyous.
As a matter-of-course dancing took the lead.
I still have the keenest recollection of it.
To the people of today this would seem a life of romance.
One who lived the sturdy life of those early days, did indeed,
pass through scenes strange and of more than ordinary interest.
But like many other things, it may have been forgotten
if it had not been a marked event of my little life.