Barber Papers: “Let ‘Em Rip” Spring of 1856
October 24, 2015
By Amorin Mello
Selected letters of the Joel Allen Barber Papers
… continued from Winter of 1856.
Johnson April 5th 1856
Dear Son
I grow more & more uneasy every day about your lands. If you get The Grant Co. Herald up there you will see what has got to be done before May 11th. The Herald of March 22nd is out again with two articles in relation to the prefecture of Lands entered under Graduative prices & in one of them says that all lands [forpect?] to Government will be advertised for sale to the highest bidder & if not sold, will be then in the Market at $1.25 per acre. That purchasers under the Graduation Law cannot pay 75 ¢ more per acre & hold nor even can they go now and pay $1.25 to save it, but it must go into the market & sold at a land sale if anybody will buy it. My first efforts will be on reaching Lancaster to see that a dwelling is made on your land & something done by way if improvement & it will be absolutely necessary that you should come there yourself as I view the case.
Barber’s sketch of his Left Hand Point land claim from the Winter of 1856.
If you still have that Pointe of Land in your grip & can leave it for a short time, come & come at any rate if you can possibly without too great a sacrifice, for I cannot bear to have you lose so much money for nothing. Can you not leave your Point after making some moves in the matter without having it squatted on by some one else? Or can you not get some person you can trust to stay on it for you after erecting a cabin on it? You will of course know more about it than I do & must act accordingly. Nothing of great importance transpiring here abouts. Day before yesterday [Vst.?] Pillsbury & Luther Carpenter were hauled up for damages done to Ben Atwell’s Barn on the mountain by cutting down the timbers to the scaffold destroying 1 good horse rake & some hand rakes & 25 buckets & other damages. They had to pay Atwell cost & all $19.12 & on a state prosecution $10 fine each & 3.50 cost each making $46.12 as the price [????] for their sport.
It has got to be warm & snow is [going?], not much sugar made yet. I have got a new tenant on the farm Stephen [Dow?] from York side. Hen. Griswold has become sole owner & occupant of all [red drops?]. Do not go and hang yourself on that [???]. Old Fuller yesterday bought out Bixby’s farm (the [Fod?] [Lathrop?] [place?]). [Belden?] of Eden has [ba?] the Bixby place in the village. Mr. G.W. Hill is nearly gone with consumption. Sir Transit [????]
I [recd?] a letter 2 days ago from [Aug?] dated [Mar?] 4. Written when he was evidently (or as Dr. [Ferhas?] says evidentially) afflicted with the blues. He wanted I should procure some hundreds of Dollars for him to invest in lands & I shall try to get it if possible.
If I can get $1,000. for him, yourself, & myself to invest jointly I will do it.
The [avails?] of the old farm well laid out for lands at the west would soon double while the farm would be gradually going off with the action of the water on the bank & yielding not so much as 4 percent interest on its value.
But Mum will hear to nothing but laying out hundreds of Dollars to fix it up. Well she may have her way about that & that only. I am not for having her jurisdiction extended over all the west while [surveying?] the [distance?] of the world here in Vermont.
Remember your lands. Remember. Shall I meet you at Lancaster about 25th of the present month? All well.
Yours in heart
G. A. Barber.
Johnson April 13th /56
My Dear Allen
This law cheapens, with certain limitations, the price of public lands which have been in market for specified periods to the actual settlers, who are required, before making the entry, to file their affidavits that the purchase is made for actual settlement and cultivation.”
~ United States Congressional serial set, Volume 1117, page 482.
Having had the satisfaction of reading some letters from you of late I now sit down to thank you for them – tho without one thought that I can convey to you an adequate expression of my gratitude for your [??? favors stifl less?] for the continued assurance of your good health and favorable prospects. I am glad to learn that you have had encouragement to persevere in the prosecution of your “claims” and now imagine you doing your utmost to make yourself a house – temporary though it may be – which will some day repay you for all the trouble you have had about it: and I hope much more. Do you intend to build an “Octagon Concrete” house? Or is there no material and no foundation for such a [build.?] Suppose you will have to clear it off and drain it before you will decide on that point. I imagine you will have some [allushectors?] to destroy before you will get peaceable possession. I suppose if you succeed in holding that you will have to give up the land you bought in “Little Grant” as whatever title you could have to that, would seem to be acquired by “preemption and actual settlement” – the reduced price alone depressing on those conditions. Well, no matter if your present “grab” is worth half as much as your exited fancy has you to believe. I know that the letter you have rec’d from home will have a tendency to unsettle your mind and perhaps to send you “packing” to Lancaster, but from such advice come to you too late to be of any use. Indeed, what written advice or sympathy does not when it takes two months to get an answer to a letter?
I, too, have been in something of a “quandary” about a place to stay in while all my family are absent, seeking their fortunes or spending them. Father wished to have me remain in this old house and continue to keep boarders.
I could not agree to that, as I knew how much work there was in it, and how little strength there was in me. Besides, other reasons pertaining to the house and its capacities made me unwilling to stay here. I could see no better way for me than have our goods moved back to the farm and to make it my home there. This did not suit the convenience of the Meads because they could not afford to be troubled to sleep above stairs or to remove any of their things to give me a room. [So?], [their?] minds and interests being previously about equally balanced between staying and going. That turned the scale, and they [prached?] up and were off before we had any warning, scarcely.
But, as good luck would have it, a stranger came with good recommendation and I have the assurance that the woman will be a very agreeable person to reside with – this. I have not yet seen her, but feel hopeful.
They have no children.
~ A Standard History of Kansas and Kansans, Volume 3, page 1313-14.
Presume I shall be lonely, but mean to have work enough to occupy my hands while there and leisure to spend with my friends there at home as well as to visit them at theirs. I shall expect Aug. at home next summer – read a long letter from him to Albe – who, by the way has stared for Kansas – in which he says he shall come to Vermont next summer. Oh! Shant I be glad to see him? [If?] you could come with him. Shall not be so certain of his coming as to be very much disappointed if he does not, as it is my lot to bear his appointments. I am sorry to have Am. go away with his father to such a distance, but I believe he will be much better off to be there than he would to be left with me, as in my care, as he has become selfwilled and independent of my authority to an eminent degree. Hope he will not go to the lake as I do not think he would be of any use there, he is so unused to labor or hardship.
He has not been entirely free from a cough since he had the whooping cough last spring until within three weeks – it seems to have left him free.
My health is quite good tho I cannot endure severe exercise. [?] have best one boarder and no fired girl.
Have a few things to send to you and Aug. – meant to have [???] but my girl [???] away [on?] a visit for a week and as been gone nearly [forever?] – so I could not get [time?] to [grew?] and hurt much for you as I should.
Your Affectionate
Mother
J. A. Barber
Johnson April 13th 1856
Dear Son.
Yours of March [16th?] is rec’d together with one from Augustus by same mail, dated March 11th and you may be assured that it affords me joy to hear of your bright prospects, good health & spirits, courage & perseverance I hope you may finally achieve the object you have in view, and have the satisfaction of distancing all competition for the golden prize. But from what I have been writing to you for some weeks about your land in the town of Little Grant. I shall expect to find you at Lancaster when I get there or at any rate before the 10th of May, if it is necessary that you should be there & commence a residence on your land prior to that time. I have written to your Uncle about the Matter the 2nd time and am looking anxiously for his answer every mail. I cannot see the justice or propriety of your being obliged to make a residence on the law at that particular time when it is taken into consideration that you were only just of age, had exhausted all your means in making the purchase & was forced to seek some employments to raise the necessary means for building and making improvements on your land, & farther than all that, being so young, & unprovided with any means of housekeeping or living. & worst of all, nobody to prepare & get you “bread & milk” when you should happen to feel longer than usual.
Instructions received by the General Land Offices regarding graduation entries of land.
I cannot believe that your land will be forfeit in default of making proof of residence at the time appointed, but it will not be prudent to run any risks about it, if possible to prevent it. I have not yet fixed upon any day for my setting out for Wis, but hope to be ready soon. Perhaps it is all nonsense to take Amherst out there this season. But Augustus & you have said so much about having him go there that your mother (even son) thought best to have him go, & I of course was not unwilling to have it so, but of late you & Aug. do not seem so much in favor of having him up at the Lake, I suppose because you will not know what to do with him, & I should be loth to have him there in burden to you when it costs so much for subsistence if he could do nothing to earn it – But he is nearly in [reading?] [now?] & I rather feel as tough I would choose to have him with me than leave him to the whims and [caprice?] of any woman whatever there would be too many wonderful projects “work on a farm” “Learn a trade” “go into a [store?]” “fit for college” “rest a while certainly two or three years from his studies.” and all the other 1001 notions of a nervous person, who has now within the last ½ hour been complaining of his going off, not from any other consideration but that he were not going when he would not earn anything, or not enough to pay his way. If I work on my little place he can help me & he can do work for others or find some employment or he can go to school to H. B. Woods. I shall feel better if he goes, than if he stays. I have been reading a very long letter today from Augustus to Albe, but Albe is gone to Kansas & left directions that any letters from you or Aug’ to him should be shown to us & then forwarded to him. Everett got home last week, with improved health though not sound yet. He met Allen in Ohio & spent 2 days with him. A. was in good spirit. Minister is so unwell as to give up preaching. Woodruff is failing & will live but a short time. Nothing of consequence to write. Had sugar at the old place & at Columb’s Friday (Fat Friday).
Yours in haste
Giles W. Barber
Cambridge May 30th 1856
My very dear son Allen
“IN MEMORY OF
AUGUSTUS H. BARBER
of Cambridge, Vt.
U.S. Deputy Surveyor
who was drowned in
Montreal River.
Apr. 22. A.D. 1856
Aged 24 yrs. & 8 ms.”
~ FindAGrave.com
One week ago today your letters bearing bearing the heart-crushing intelligence of the sudden Death of our beloved Son and your dear brother were received by me. Oh, may God save – preserve the others to release to me, and may he support us all to endure our great afflictions. Greatly as I suffer under the stroke, my heart bleeds for the absent ones on whom the blow has fallen with equal severity. Augustus was dearly and worthily beloved by us all. Can it be time we shall never again see his face – never receive the dear letters full of bright hopes and cheering anticipations. Oh, he was too much beloved by all who knew him. Why could he not have been spared to bless his family and the world in which he could do good.
My friends [???] tell one that no death has caused such universal sorrow in this vicinity as his. Many of my friends have called to sympathize with me and to learn the particulars of the sad accident.
Superior Falls at the mouth of the Montreal River, as featured in the stereograph “View on Montreal River” by Whitney & Zimmerman from St. Paul, circa 1870.
~ Wikimedia Commons
Mr. Dougherty with [Sen.?] Robinson came down on Tuesday to see me. Aunt Martha and Mrs. Chadwick came Wednesday – M. stayed till this Friday morning.
Mr. D. took your letter of the 13 May home with him intending to address his congregation on this mournful subject on next Sabbath, I cannot bear to be present.
I did not get your first letter – addressed to Johnson dated April 28th mailed May 10th until the 23 – the one dated May 13th mailed 14th about two hours afterwards – or in about 10 days from date. I would not write to any one till today – but supposed you had written to your father at Lancaster when you wrote to me last. (13th) If you did not I fear he had started for the lake before the dreadful tidings reached him. Can it be that each one of our severed family has had to bear the grief alone – separated from all the others. How much I know you must have suffered! By your suspense before you could reach the spot where he was lost – and then, during the shocking scenes which followed. I suppose I can imagine but little what your feelings were or what mine would have been had I been present. I am so thankful that you were not with him and that I still have a dear-[kind?] son in this dark and gloomy world – May we all meet again, feeling this chastening affliction to be from the hands of a merciful God. May we be drawn together as a family by a [closer?] tie – even by the bonds of our common affliction.
I hope you will remember to write me as often as possible as I shall feel more concern now for the absent ones than ever before. Am anxiously waiting a letter from “father” that I may know where to direct to him. I want very much to have Amherst come home and stay with me this summer. He would be a great comfort to me if he could be contented to stay here, and would feel that he aught to try to make his mother less miserable. In doing that he would find his reward in being more happy in time to come.
I must close this and prepare to sent it to the office if there is a chance today, shall write soon again. No doubt you have got the letter I wrote to your dear, departed brother, since I came here. If so there is nothing of importance to write now.
Your affectionate Mother
[Incomplete copy of letter]
[ante May, 1856]
A week in Lancaster or Johnson would be worth more to me than an interest in –––. But a copper mine first of all if at all and then for a good time generally.
I have some chances for a location that some would gladly embrace, but I mean to have a right on so I let them drive their trains without making a move or showing that I care a fig for the whole country.
There is a conspiracy, or combination of old preemptors here who have no right to make claims. Their object is to secure each member a claim on the North shore, and to drive off and keep off by knives and pistols any who may wish to make legal preemptions on the lands they choose to appropriate to themselves.
There may be some fighting up here this season and there is certain to be considerable laming before the business is settled. Let ‘em rip.
I can send half a dozen to Jehanum in about as many seconds, but don’t want to do it & will avoid trouble if possible but butcher knife companies must not meddle with any claim when I have made one.
[…]
“Henry Rice, a Minnesota territorial delegate to the US Senate, hadn’t forgotten the Half-Breed Tract. In July 1854, he convinced the Senate to offer the mixed-race claimants a deal. Each could get up to 640 acres of unsurveyed federal lands by giving up their claim to the Half-Breed Tract. Those eligible would receive ‘exchanging scrip,’ certificates that could be used to buy land.”
~ Minnesota Historical Society
Allen, what think you of the [expedring?] of making yourself a location on the famed Half-breed Tract which is to be surveyed and brought into market immediate?
It lies west of Lake Pepin and is as fair a tract of farming land as lies out of doors besides being regarded as very rich in lead.
You never saw such an [Elganim?] as a portion on the Lake appears to be.
I do want to go down and get you out to see more of the North West – not that I wish you to come up here against your inclination, but I want to travel with you, to see what we have not seen and talk over old times together while we rub up each other’s ideas about the things of the present and the future.
If you want a farm in the west and don’t like Sp. just consult Uncle Allen about the “modus operandi” of securing a farm by preemption and then take a look at the country I have mentioned, as there will be great snatching.
My love to Grandmother, Uncles, Aunts and cousins and my respect to the ladies if they inquire – not without.
Augustus H. Barber
To be continued in the Summer of 1856…
Barber Papers: “In a Little Trouble” Winter of 1856
October 9, 2015
By Amorin Mello
Selected letters of the Joel Allen Barber Papers
… continued from Fall of 1855.
Minnesota Point Jan [23rd?] 1856
Dear Parents
It is sometime since I have wrote to you and for a fortnight or more
[???] [two lines on this copy are illegible] [??? ?????]
On arriving at Lapoint we found sheets from home and a good lot of newspapers.
We left Lapoint Thursday afternoon [on a firm of ?????? ? ?? head?] of [?????????] Nagonup the principal chief of all the Chippewas, Augustus and myself [??? ??? ?????] drawn by by two dogs on a dogtrain. At [????? ???????] were joined by one of Nagonup’s [??????].
Photograph of Naagaanab (Minnesota Historical Society).
They were on their way to Washington. Several of them are going accompanied by a gentleman from Lapointe as interpreter. The first night out we stayed in a wigwam with old Chingoon and his interesting family. Friday night we camped. Saturday reached Iron river. Sunday left and [comfortable?] – Monday came here. Augustus has a sore througt, not severe – otherwise we are well as usual notwithstanding our tramp of over [100?] miles. I must now quit writing and try to find one of our dogs which has strayed over to [???].
Under the old permit system, many locations, three miles square, were made on Lake Superior;- several on and near the Montreal river – some on Bad River, south of La Pointe – three on the main land, opposite La Pointe – two or three were made near Superior City, on the Nemadji, or Left Hand river, and one settler’s claim about twenty miles north of Superior.”
~ Mineral Regions of Lake Superior: As Known From Their First Discovery to 1865, by Henry Mower Rice, 1865[?].
Perhaps you wonder what we have made this journey for – perhaps you hope we are going below but that is not the case. Why should we [?????]. It is warmer here than at many places two or three hundred miles south of here. True – one or two thermometers froze up at this place but others did not while at Fort Snelling, the spirit thermometer inside the walls indicated 44 degrees below zero. Augustus wanted to see to his preemption and I had nothing to do but to come along with him. I also wanted to find out a few things concerning a place that I should like to preempt. I suppose there is not a better copper show on the south shore of the lake, but the land is not surveyed and my only sure way to get it is to settle on it and stick to it until it can be legally claimed.
The town lines will be run next summer.
Augustus is in a little trouble about his claim. It appears his declatory statement never reached the land office. But I guess it will all be explained and made right. The dutchman who was to contest his claim has left the country and would stand no chance if he was here. We have a land office here now which saves a great many journeys to Hudson near St. Paul. We shall go back in a few days and commence surveying around the islands. Now don’t fancy that we cannot survey in the winter, for we have tried it and know better.
Detail from the Stuntz/Barber survey of T47N R14W.
“J.H. Bardon, a Superior pioneer, stated that ‘at Copper Creek and Black River Falls, twelve or fifteen miles south of Superior, and also near the Brule River, a dozen miles back from Lake Superior, Mr. Stuntz found evidences of mining and exploring for copper on a considerable scale carried on by the American Fur Company, under the direction of Borup and Oaks of La Pointe, in 1845-46. A tote road for the mines was opened from a point ten miles up the Nemadji River to Black River Falls.‘”
~ Duluth and St. Louis County, Minnesota; Their Story and People: An Authentic Narrative of the Past, with Particular Attention to the Modern Era in the Commercial, Industrial, Educational, Civic and Social Development, Volume 1, by Walter Van Brunt, 1921, page 66.
At Bad river we were at work during the coldest weather, and only lost two or three days because of cold but when the thermometer was up to 20* below zero we worked right ahead – sometimes in swamps where we stepped through the snow into the water,
[last line on this page of this copy is cut off]
The weather for a week or more has been fine. Cold enough to cover us with frost but not severe.
Provisions are very scarce – no flour or pork can be had.
They will begin to bring them through from St. Paul in a few days. Flour it is hoped can then be bought for $20 per barrel. Fish are not exactly plenty but they can be obtained for money or labor which is not the case with anything else. The country is flooded with dry goods, [p??y] articles and everything but provisions because they can be bought on time but eatables could only be got by paying cash down.
Geology of Wisconsin: Survey of 1873-1879,
Volume III, 1880, page 342[?].
Geology of Wisconsin: Volume 3, page 341.
Geology of Wisconsin: Volume 3, page 345.
The Fon du Lac mine has commenced operations with tolerable fair prospects. It is the only mine in operation this side of Montreal river. Augustus’ claim is on the same vein and for aught anyone knows just as good besides having abundance of water power. All the copper excitement since I come to the country has been directed toward the north shore. This morning I signed 2 petitions, one to congress for the early survey of the north shore and another for a road down that way. I have made a little map of the islands and last summers survey and some other things that I will enclose.
The Fond du Lac copper prospect was located near a small tributary of the Left Hand River on this map detail from T47N R14W, near Pattison State Park. Augustus’ claim was along the same vein of copper but had not been surveyed yet; perhaps it was at Amnicon Falls State Park.
Augustus has begun a letter to send with this. He has just come home with letters now about his claim.
No more at present from
Your affectionate son
J. Allen Barber
Direct to Lapoint
Minnesota Point
Superior County
Minn. Terr.
Sunday Feb 10th 1856
Dear Mother
Augustus has written a letter, and left it for me to enclose and dispatch so I thought I would ship in a few lines before sending it off.
Augustus started today with a young man and two dogs for Lapointe. I shall probably go there in a two or three weeks to return immediately. There are two men going down with a tamlins pony team with provisions from St. Paul for Augustus. The men are going to work for him and I shall probably bring the team back and use it a while. I have at last fixed my mind on a place that I mean to claim. The location is a point at the mouth of Left hand river, known as Left hand point. It contains only 5 or 6 acres in low & swampy and covered only with bushes coarse grass and floodwood. Nothing but the fact of its being a part of Superior city is of any value whatever.
Barber’s sketch of his land claim at the mouth of Left Hand River. This location is now an industrial neighborhood of Superior on the Nemandji River.
As it is $1,000.00 per acre is not an overestimate of its marketable price at present. It joins or is part of the grounds intended for the Railroad buildings when the survey was made here this point was cut off by the meander lines instead of meandered. Therefore according to the [rearns/records?] no such land exists.
A resurvey is to be made and I mean to fasten it by a preemption which is the only way to obtain it before the land sale. I may get cheated out of it and I may throw away my time and money but such chances are scarce and should it transpire that my claim is good I want to have my dish right side up for once. I have written for Uncle Allen’s advice and should I ever find it advisable to drop the matter I can do so without forfeiting my preemption right.
The Eye of the North-west, page 9.
The Superior Company with Company with which I shall probably have to contend is rich, influential, and on good terms with the administration. All that can be done by fair means or foul to defeat any claim will probably be done, but some things can be done as well as others, at any rate we shall see what we shall see.
So my head is so full of business just [snow?] you will please excuse the shortness of this letter and look for more when I have more time.
Your affectionate son
J Allen Barber
Superior Feb. 17th 1856
Dear Brother
It is sometime since I have written anything to you but you have heard of me so often that I suppose it makes no particular difference. It will be nearly sugaring time when you get this.
Makak: a semi-rigid or rigid container: a basket (especially one of birch bark), a box (Ojibwe People’s Dictionary) Photo: Densmore Collection; Smithsonian
I have once more got into a country where sugar is made but not by white men. The Indians make pretty good sugar which is generally done hard and [sinted?] dry and put into birch bark “mo’kucks” holding from 50 to 75 lbs. This bark is also used exclusively for buckets, store trays, gathering pails, &c. The timber in this country is not as equally distributed as in Vermont. The land is mostly covered with evergreens but there are some located portions of country where maple abounds. These “sugar bushes” as they are called are often quite extensive covering several sections and and [they?] only at intervals of 8 or 10 miles, but this is just as well for the Indians are both migratory and gregarious in their habits.
Detail of an Lake Superior Chippewa “sugar bush” from the Barber brothers’ survey of T48N R5W.
I hope you will eat plenty of sugar next spring and take some of the girls to a sugar party or two like I used to. I am doing nothing now most of the time but shall have business enough in a few days when I begin to build my house that is if I conclude to grab for the price of land I am now watching. I am waiting to hear from Uncle Allen and for some other things to transpire. There is not a man in the country whom I could trust that could give me any reliable information such as I want. I want you to hurry and become of age as soon as possible and come out here this spring and make a preemption.
There are some good places left yet, but don’t get married before you make a preemption for it might not be convenient to take your wife out into the woods 30 or 40 miles to live on the place as you would have to do in order to “prove up.” I am going to get up an ice boat before long which will be very useful as I mean to do considerable boating yet this winter, and I might use it to carry lumber and other things up and down the lake. With such winds as we have had a few days ago I could easily go to Lapointe and back in two days. I suppose Augustus got a party started by this time and he will be at it himself in a few days. I am living with a man named Fargo, you have heard of him before. We are living in Stuntz’ store. Board at the hotel is ten dollars per week. Old Steven Bonga is living on the point, he has been something of a traveller having been to Montreal, Hudson Bay, [Oregon?], Prairie du Chien, and all intermediate places.
He is half indian and half negro so you may suppose he is not very white.
Portrait of Stephen Bonga (USDA Forest Service). Additional information about Bonga is available from the Wisconsin Historical Society.
A railroad has been laid out from here to St. Paul and my claim covers the terminus at this end. There have two or three new towns started into existence along its route in imagination. Perhaps they are [surveyed?]. This making towns in a new country is a great business.
What happened in your good town on Christmas and New years eve
Were there any stockings left.
I want to inquire about lots of girls and boys in Johnson and Cambridge but I conclude you will tell me as much as you can in your next letter so with respects to all enquiring friends I remain
Your affectionate brother
Allen
Superior, Douglas Co. Feb. 25th 56
Dear Parents
Detail of Superior City from T49N R1W.
Night before last I got a letter and some papers from Augustus also 2 letters from home which he had read. They were dated Dec. [21st?] & Jan 2nd.
Sad and startling was the news of the death of George Hill. Who could have thought three years ago that such a dark future lay before that family. Every day some sad event warns me of the uncertainty of life. Men have died here who had no friends to mourn their loss, and their death is hardly noticed. I always ask myself why was it not me instead of them and will not my turn come soon. Yes, let it come soon or late as the world reckon, and it will be soon to me.
There is just as much danger or accidents in this country as in any other and no more but as to health there is no better place in the world than this. You seem shocked at the idea of surveying in the winter, but it will be nothing but fun to survey during the rest of the winter. It has been moderate pleasant weather now about two weeks. The snow is going off a little lately and it seems a little like spring. We had some pretty cold weather about new years but we shall have no more such. The lake is more open than it ever was known to be at this season before.
It sometimes freezes across at Lapointe but now it is open within six or eight miles of here. Flour is only $20 per bbl‑ with prospect of falling lower. The Indians chiefs have returned having only been to St. Paul where they found a letter telling them to delay their visit a while.
Poor creatures! They are fooled around by traders and speculators who are with the government in robbing and dwindling them. Any thing like a full account of their wrongs would astonish even them. About my claim I have not [???] today. There is another man after it and it will be no easy thing to carry my point.
Valuable property is troublesome stuff in this country. There is a townsight three miles from there now in litigation for which there is a standing offer of $200,000.
I am still living with Fargo on Minnesota point. I expect to go to Lapointe before long with Albert Stuntz who is going down with some supplies for Augustus which he brought from St. Paul.
It is too dark to write
Good bye
Allen
Superior, March 4th 56
Dear Parents
Not much has happened in this vicinity worth recording. The principle circumstances of note is the burning of a house and all the worldly possessions of a poor [Indian?].
Detail of Left Hand River from Stuntz’s survey; where Barber’s land claim was located.
I have heard nothing of Augustus since writing last but expect to when anybody comes up the lake. About my claim I can say but little my chance is but dull still I don’t mean to give up so large a prize without good reasons.
I have had it surveyed and the notes sent to the Surveyor General with a memorial stating the facts and asking him to [appraise?] the [notes?].
The price contains over 8 acres (8.695).
Perhaps it occurred to you that I am was 22 years old last Sunday. Well such is unquestionably the case although nothing was done to celebrate the day only I had my hair cut for the third time after leaving Vermont. I think I shall have to go to Lancaster this spring but unless I get ousted here it will be difficult to leave.
I wish I could multiply myself by about a dozen in order to hold several valuable claims which are not occupied by any one who can legally hold them. I can’t write here two children [pretting?] and several people [telling?] Albert Stuntz and family are here today. I am perched on a sawhorse writing on a work bench loaded with all manner of [marbles?].
Evening – quiet once more since dark I have written a letter to the Surveyor General to accompany a memorial that I have been circulating. O I wish there was a person in the country that I could depend on to assist me in regard to that claim. There are one or two that I counsel with who know no more than I do and then I do as I think best.
I expect [Lowener?] to find out I have no show, and that will be the last of it I shall [not feel?] that I had lost it for I never had it, but if I don’t get it some body else will get 15 or 20 thousand dollars worth of land that I want.
Provisions are still high and will be higher again before navigation opens which cannot be expected before the 1st of May. Flour is $20/barrel, fresh pork 18 ¾ cents per lb, beef 20 cts milk 20 to 25 cts per qt. &c, &c. Eatables must be higher because there will be little or no sleighing after this over the barrens between here and St. Paul. My mind has been on the [rock?] so much today that I am not in a mood to think much about home so please excuse the shortness and dryness of this letter.
I remain your affectionate son
J Allen Barber
Went to Iron River Thursday 13
Returned 15th
Superior , Douglas Co. March 11 1856
Dear Parents
Yesterday I read a package of letters from Augustus containing one from him & from home one from Albe and one from [Caldridge?]. As Augustus was in town (Lapointe) when he recd. your letters I suppose he has answered them so I cannot tell you much news about him. I am still staying with Fargo – not doing much but hoping to get pay for my time and expense by securing the prize I am after. There is some excitement in town about it, but mighty little is said to me. The Register at the land office gives me good encouragement and says a preemption will hold it. I have taken some steps toward building on it. Today I bought a sack of flour ½ barrel for 12 dollars, I shall get some fish from Lapoint where they are very plenty and cheap and then I shall be almost ready to try housekeeping alone.
I am sorry to hear of the disastrous results of the low price of hops. Although farmers must suffer in consequence yet I believe speculators will make fortunes out of it. If I was in the business of raising them I should stick to it. No articles is so liable to fluctuations in prices as hops but it is well known that the risk fails once in five years on an average so they must come up sometime.
I see you are inclined to believe our country and climate are more in hospitable & forbidding than yours. Such I believe is not the case. We have had some very cold weather but the changes are so moderate and so seldom that we pay but little attention to the weather – in fact we call most all of it very fine weather, as it is. The lake is a great equalizer of temperatures and our cool lake atmosphere in summer causes showers to fall from all the warm, sweaty winds that come here to wash their faces in this big blue pond. People in this country go much better prepared for cold than they ever do in Vermont. I have not worn a boot since leaving Lancaster. We wear shoes in the summer and moccasins in winter.
Boots won’t do for surveyors – they carry too much water unless we stop to empty them after crossing every stream or marsh.
While speaking of clothes perhaps I might as well go on with a few more items of the same sort.
Shoes for this country should have no lining or binding as they are quicker and ae not as stiffwhen dry. We never apply anything to soften them and nothing can preserve them from wearing out in about two months of hard service. They [sell?] about $1.50 per pair. We can get plenty of wool hats which are the only ones we wear.
All manners of shirts can be bought, even the very best quality of red flannel ones, which are universally warm, outside, i.e. by common folks.
The gentry of Superior dress most distressingly.
It is difficult to get good socks any where on the country. I have worn out 6 or 7 pair this summer and lost some more – they cost high bests we don’t wear. I have none. The only cost I have is of [Gihon?] cloth and made by Mrs. Sheldon. Cost are not much more except as an extra garment to wear occasionally.
Good durable pants I find it difficult to get. They are generally poor [ashnet?] and not half put together. Good your mittens would be very acceptable but for want thereof buckskin or blanket mittens are generally warm.
You speak about bringing Kate [in?] to Wisconsin. My advice is to it without fail if you intend coming out to live, nothing should prevent it if I were in your place. The horse that Uncle [Jay?] brought out with him is smarter and tougher than any one he can find to use with him. There is nothing that I regard as more necessary for a family than a first rate horse. I think [Kelty?] will be a very good serviceable animal for work besides being one that you might be proud to ride [after?] over the prairies. Probably Augustus has told you what he thinks about Amherst and other boys coming out here to survey. Butler was so badly disappointed in this country that I have had but little thoughts of [enough?] any one else to come here. Such a disappointment I think would be the fate of 4 out of every 5 that try the business.
A person to be a surveyor must be able to travel all day through the woods and sometimes carry a pack. I would not prevent any from coming here as there is generally business enough besides surveying. A surveyor can make no greater mistake than by hiring any but the best of men. Perhaps Augustus has not told you that he will be out of the business as soon as his present job is done and will devote his time to the improvement of his claim &c. I should like very much to [have?] Amherst here but I dislike to have my parents left entirely alone. As I have [???] two half [sheets?] – when I only [illegible] mind up for the [present?].
[Incomplete copy of letter]
To be continued in the Spring of 1856…
Barber Papers: “Barbers Camp” Fall of 1855
September 19, 2015
By Amorin Mello
Selected letters of the Joel Allen Barber Papers
… continued from Summer of 1855.
Johnson Sept 26th 1855
Dear Son
Although but two days have elapsed since I wrote to you & Augustus jointly, the spirit moves me to try it again, first to correct a very great error I committed at that time by enclosing the handbill issued by your Uncle Burr for the apprehension of the murderer of Abial Chase, I merely sent it that you might see it as I would have handed it to you to look at, if you had been here, but the soul & essence of all propriety chid me smartly for it calling it “foolish, childish & very improper” so I suppose it was, and if this will answer for an apology, I will pass on to the 2nd article. That is the bursting up of the Bobkin concern, which took place this morning.
“The murder of Abial Chase by Jefferson Fulton : on the 6th day of Sept. A.D. 1855, at Fletcher, and the suicide of Fulton on the 10th. With an explanatory account of the original difficulties between them, and the circumstances attending the death of each party.”
~ by Wilson & Henderson; published by Messenger Print, St. Albans, VT; 1855.
There is considerable mystery attending the transactions for they have been making money rapidly and there is apparently no cause for such a move, I worked hard from breakfast to now removing property from their shop to my barn. It looks as though they had got sick of their location and wanted to get away to some other. Their stock of hides of all kinds are all done up & sent to market & their [pits?] empty, the copper boiler taken out, and sent off. Old Bobin has been out west this summer & has probably found a place where he & Frank are going & perhaps Phelps too & they cut up this [shine?] to get rid of the place and turn their [???????] in to pay their debt to [Sen?] Knight about $230.
The Barber brothers, Augustus and Allen, surveyed the first three of six townships for the General Land Office during the Summer of 1855, which included what are now the Cities of Ashland and Washburn. The Barber brothers continued their survey contract with the second three of six townships into the Fall of 1855; before, during, and after the 1855 Annuity Payment.
Hiram has been up to the cattle show at Hydepark to day and has got home just at dusk pretty well used up having been up on foot, as did Benton & Leo Hyde, though they are coming down by stage & Am footed it back. I had no notion of going up there as I have long been sick of going there, so I took my name off and bode them a final adieu. I go to Hydepark as seldom as possible because I love the place and people so well.
As I said in my last, I expected a letter from you at the same time my letter started, so I found it, for yesterday Morning I found one from Augustus which was right welcome as it brought news of the continued good health of you both.
“At Vanderventer’s Creek, near Washburn, was the Celebrated Gigito-Mikana, or “council-trail,” so called because here the Chippewas once held a celebrated council; hence the Indian name Gigito-Mikana-Sibiwishen, meaning “Council-trail Creek.” At the mouth of this creek, there was once a large Indian village.”
~ Collections of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, Volume 13, pages 432
I am glad Augustus is so punctual in writing and it seems as if you could give us a few lines once in a while as well as he.
Will you try it? Benton delivered a lecture last evening to a full house. Subject, the proper course of Education in relation to the remarkable progress of the age, as necessary to the requisite training & diciplining of the mind.
It rains & I have got to go and carry this to the office, so you must excuse my brevity.
May God bless you both
G.A. Barber
PS. Some groaning about writing so often
Johnson Sept 30th 1855
“Nedobikag-Sibiwishen is the Indian name for Bay City Creek, within the limits of Ashland. Here Tagwagane, a celebrated Indian chief of the Crane totem, used occasionally to reside. Warren gives us a speech of his, at the treaty of La Pointe in 1842. This Tagwagane had a copper plate, an heirloom handed down in his family from generation to generation, on which were rude indentations and hieroglyphics deonting the number of generations of that family which had passed away since they first pitched their lodges at Shagawamking [Chequamegon] and took possession of the adjacent country, including Madelaine Island. From this original mode of reckoning time, Warren concludes that the ancestors of said family first came to La Pointe circa A.D. 1490.“
~ Collections of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, Volume 13, pages 430Dear Sons
Having written twice within the last week I have but very little to say now that may be interesting to you, but as I have determined to write as often as once a week and oftener if any thing transpires worthy of the mention of it, I again set myself to the work. In my letter of last Wednesday night I mentioned the [vainose?] of Mr Bobkin from these diggings and the attachment of all the effects of [Phelps ?] Bobkin on the debts of sundry individuals. Thursday morning B’s little wife Jane went over to Montpelier to his father’s to go with them westward the Lord knows where.
Charles [Judivene?] who has lived in the house with them is going soon. People think Phelps is soon to follow. [Hawley?] Smith & family & [Hm?] Smith & family go this week. I sent you a Methodist Paper with the notice for the dedication of our new Chapel therein and also was scribbled on it the startling news of the fall of Sevastapol which was telegraphed from Halifax the day before. Some doubted but Boston Papers brought the news yesterday morning & this morning the [Sumlokg?] Tribune brought a full confirmation, with some of the particulars of the bloody encounter.
The Barber brothers included many details in their surveys, including this one of an Indian Sugar Camp (T48N R5W).
The Bombardment commenced upon the [Malakoff?] Little Redan at [Carediring Bay?] by the French & the Redan by the English at day break on the 5th & continued to Morn the 8th when the assault commenced.
You will receive the news of the battle by papers to be printed this week & probably this will reach you first. So that I may be the means of giving you intelligence of great importance sooner than you would otherwise get it.
“According to Blatchford there was formerly another considerable village at the mouth of Whittlesey’s Creek, called by the Indians Agami-Wikwedo-Sibiwishen, which signifies “a creek on the other side of the bay,” from agaming (on the other side of a river, or lake), wikwed (a bay), and sibiwishen (a creek).”
~ Collections of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, Volume 13, pages 430-1
Mum always says that it is useless to try to give early news because you will hear of it sooner or later, and what is the use of writing again so soon? I always that if anything transpires worth relating that then is the time to tell it. I have been to Meeting to hear Mr D all day as I usually do when at home, especially since the baptists [rave?] got their new man Mr Mirriman to preach to them and all creation are running to hear him on the new broom principle. Mum and Am have gone to Cambridge to day to try to find a girl, & I see by her letter to you that she is complaining that I do not [figosure rup?] for her, & that She has too much to do &c&c. I would at any time get a girl for her did I not know that it would only furnish [new?] grounds of complaints. If I got a little girl then there would be trouble for thinking that She could get along with such help, that it was no help at all & made her as much work as it saved, while should I get an older girl she would soon discover certainly as soon as she got rested that she could get along without any or with a little [one?]. It is a fact, that her mind is not as stable and unchanging as the Green Mountains, and in regard to what she says of my not telling her my plans, I will barely say that so long as she does not know them she cannot combat them, which she surely would, whatever they were and in regard to my having run through all the [offices?] &c & taking a pretty clerkshop, it is all news to me coming from her [diseased brain?]
Detail of T48N R5W:
Chequamegon Bay;
an named settlement at the mouth of Boyd Creek;
the Whittlesey Creek National Wildlife Refuge;
and the trailhead of the Grand Footpath.
“Boyd’s Creek is called in Chippewa, Namebinikanensi-Sibiwishen, meaning “Little Sucker Creek.” A man named [Robert] Boyd once resided there, married to an Indian woman. He was shot in a quarrel with another man.”
~ Collections of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, Volume 13, pages 431-2
“From this place northward, there were Indian hamlets strung along the western shore of the bay. Father Allouez mentions visiting various hamlets two, three, or more (French leagues away from his chapel. Marquette mentions five clearings, where Indian villages were located.“
~ Collections of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, Volume 13, pages 431
I have been talking with the [boiv’s?] about making my way into cloth for me: and I am convinced that by so doing I can realize 45 or 50 cents per lb for my [westwhoaor?] should I sell it now I could get 34 ¢ per lb for 20 [place?] and only 25 cent per lb for the remainder. It is the very thing that Mum proposed and urged to me weeks ago when I talked of selling it. But now I have concluded to do so she is in distress for fear I shall have to go out there to sell it. I have been thinking of going in [December?] to buy lumber & get it in the ground & make preparations for some improvements on the little farm and I think some good [G??? ???] into [franned?] will be good articles in [enough?] a [country?]. I am in hopes to have [on yes?] cloth or perhaps [?????] cloth & [?????? ?????? or more?]. So my object is to spend my money. Mum says [???] when she sees in prospect [thall?] I [???] go [while?] no longer ago than yesterday she [pevondered?] why I did not go and be doing something on the place in Lancaster and garden from day to day [having?] down one day the plans she had built u the day before &c &c.
The hop harvest is about through and there is not only a small crop but the prices will be low this season – [same when?] I was at the Institute last week and was much surprised with Am’s performance as [cutic?], and if I can get it, will copy it for you that you may see how he is improving.
Detail of a trail between Chequamegon Bay and the Saint Croix River National Scenic Riverway (T48N R5W). This is the Grand Footpath that was discussed in the Comments section of our Oshogay post.
“A short distance from Whittlesey’s Creek, at the western bend of the bay, where is now Shore’s Landing, there used to be a large Indian village and trading post, kept by a Frenchman. Being at the head of the by a, it was the starting point of the Indian trail to the St. Croix country.”
~ Collections of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, Volume 13, pages 431
I have just looked for it & cannot find it, but I think you will say when you see if that it is pretty tall for one only 14 years of age. I think he is making pretty good progress in his studies though his mother is in great affliction if he is not bowed down to his books every moment. She thinks he should be kept as close to his books as a hired man or girl at their work and if anything closer, because it is not work.
I shall have some [curly?] to carry with me when I leave this town and would like to get it into [law/land?] in some good place for in that way do I think it would be surest and increase fastest.
Detail of a sand stone boulder (T48N R5W).
Still I know not what I shall do. Perhaps I may live and die in Vermont after all, but I want to be in some more productive vicinity than Johnson and some more pleasant place than our old farm in Cambridge. I can work yet but but as for [eritubing?] those hills & rocks I should beg to be [exensed?], though I should regret to have the wood land & sugar place more them all the rest for they [ground me aplenty?] in this or any other place. But oh [such wish her?] the river has made with the banks within the [two ????] years. It makes me sick when I see it and know that it cannot be helped.
“Further north is Kitchi-Namebinikani-Sibiwishen, meaning “Large Sucker Creek,” but whites now call it Bonos Creek. [Boyd and Bono] creeks are not far apart, and once there was a village of Indians there. It was noted as a place for fishing at a certain time of the year, probably in spring, when suckers and other fish would go up these creeks to spawn.
~ Collections of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, Volume 13, pages 432
I have got to get supper for [Mrs?] Benton and milk and shall have to close this stupid letter. What do you think of having Am & I out there through the winter? Could we find room any where to lie down and could we find [syinge teethes being?] used to say ??. You will see that I am economical of my paper I cast such an enormous square for postage THREE whole cents a week. It is thought any [exlaws out?] Had I been as intent on (spending money as [reprebuted?] I should have gone to Quebec [last ??? in?] Excursion fare only $3.50 from Essex to Quebec & back again. I am sorry that I did not go, as I am chgd with such a desire to spend money.
May you both prosper in all Laudable pursuits & live long is blessing to your parents & the world
G.A.B.
Interior Field Notes
Township 48 North, Range 5 West
Oct. 1855
Notebook ID: INT049W06
Original plat map of T48N R5W. Today, this is the Town of Barksdale.
Survey of T48N R5W by:
Augustus H. Barber, U.S. Deputy Surveyor.
First page of affidavit; continued below.
Chainmen: J. Allen Barber 2nd & George I. Butler
Axeman: Joseph Dennis
(Joseph Dennis was a mixed-blood member of the Lake Superior Chippewa tribe and eligible for a land grant under the seventh clause of the second article of the 1854 Treaty of La Pointe.)
The Barbers’ original field notes for this township were reproduced in 1891 “…for the reason that the original record is becoming illegible by the fading of the inks.“
[c. Oct 12, 1855]
Barbers Camp Oct 1855
Dear Parents
Being unemployed today I have an opportunity though a poor one to write to you once more.
Detail of Fish Creek Slough (T47N R5W).
My health for a few days past has not been good – in fact I have been obliged to be idle the last two days from a kind of disentery very common here and apt to turn to bloody flux. But I am much better today and hope to resume work tomorrow.
Detail of Metabikitigweiag-Sibiwishen; now known as South Fish Creek (T47N R5W).
~ Collections of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, Volume 13, page 430.
Our party now contains 3 halfbreeds, two to keep camp and one to ax. At first I did not like the idea of having such looking fellows to work for us but they get up good victuals. I don’t inquire how. I have to cook occasionally but I can’t tell how I make it go. Still my pancakes and fried pork and bean soup are generally devoured with an assiduity not often seen out of the woods. The survey is going on pretty well lately. The fourth town will be finished in 4 or 5 days. Then there will be only two more. We are having very good weather now, perhaps it is the beginning of our indian summer which they say is very fine on this lake. I have not yet made up my mind what I shall do this coming winter.
Details of a spring and trails along Fish Creek; and the footpath from Chequamegon Bay to the Mississippi River via Lac Courte Oreilles (T47N R5W).
~ Collections of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, Volume 13, page 430.
If I make a claim I shall probably live and work on it. I know of a place near the bay for as good a farm as can be made on the lake, good bottom land — some of it producing good hay now. During the summer there has been some emigration to this country but there is room for more yet. The only settlements about this end of the lake are at Superior, Iron river 27 miles this side, Bark Point bay, La point, this bay, Bad river, & Montreal river. At Bark point there is only a fishery and at Bad river a mission.
Lapointe is a queer old town. Standing in the midst of an almost unknown country it presents the appearance of and is in fact about the oldest town I ever saw. Not a horse or carriage track can be seen in the streets and there is not a carriage road leading from the town. The buildings were mostly constructed without sawed lumber and are mostly enclosed with high fences of sharpened posts. Squaws, half breed children, indian dogs and lice are the principal commodities. French and Ojibway are the principal languages spoken.
Detail of water bodies and trails in the vicinity of the Badgerwood CAFO being proposed by Reicks View Farms in current events, described in 1855 by the Barber brothers as “an elevated ridge, much resembling the Mineral ranges of this region” (T47N R5W).
But a more beautiful bay can’t be found than La point bay. I think it is always a safe and accessible harbour.
Oct. 21st. Since writing the above I have recovered my health and been at work about a week.
Love to all
Allen
[Incomplete copy of letter]
[ca. 1855] Nov. 1
Father’s“letter of November 3, 1856, was written during a rough voyage down Lake Superior and Lake Michigan in the famed steamboat ‘Lady Elgin.'”
This incomplete letter was misfiled as 1855; it was from the Fall of 1858. Stay tuned.
Nov 1st The weather is quite different now from what it was 2 years ago yesterday when I left you to come down on the Lady Elgin & to day when we lay shut in by a NorthEaster at Copper harbor.
I have this A.M. recd a letter from Maime Burr & one from her bother. Maime is a beautiful writer both as to matter & manner.
The folks at Lancaster were well except Cyrus who I fear is consumptive.
It is time for me to go to the House & almost time for the Mail to close.
May Heaven bless & protect you
G.A. Barber
Interior Field Notes
Township 47 North, Range 5 West
Oct. 1855-Nov. 1855
Notebook ID: INT049W05
Original plat map of T47N R05W. Today this is the Town of Eileen.
Survey of T47N R5W by:
Augustus H. Barber, U.S. Deputy Surveyor.
General description of T47N R5W.
Chainmen: J. Allen Barber 2nd & George I. Butler
Axeman: Joseph (his mark) Dennis
Affidavit signed by: John W. Bell, Justice of the Peace for LaPointe County.
The Barbers’ original field notes for this township were reproduced in 1885 “… for the reason that the original record is becoming illegible by the fading of the ink.”
Ashland Wisconsin Dec. 16th 1855
Dear Parents
Once more I am seated to assure you of my continued good health and warm affection for the loved recipients of this letter.
Detail of Ashland townsite, Wikwedong, and Fish Creek (T47N R4W).
“Fish Creek is called by the Indians Wikwedo-Sibiwishen, which means ‘Bay Creek,’ from wikwed, Chippewa for bay; hence the name Wikwedong, the name they have to Ashland, meaning ‘at the bay.'”
~ Collections of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, Volume 13, page 430.
Asaph Whittlesey founded Ashland in 1854 near the ancient village of Wikwedong.
I suppose Augustus has informed you of the completion of his contract. Our summers work hung on rather late as nearly all of the last township was surveyed after the winter had fairly set in. But we are having an easy time of it now. We are keeping house in a little cabin at Ashland about two miles from Bay City. I do all the house work as well as I can by a little stove exactly like our parlor stove and Augustus works at his notes preparing them for the office. As yet I don’t know what I shall do this winter. Between working with Augustus, going below, making a claim and a few other things, I must decide before long. People are pitching upon claims all around me which I might have claimed when surveyed — yet I hold onto to my preemption right in hopes to find a more valuable location. With my knowledge of the country I could make better selections than most of them do and with the means I could secure several valuable tracts. (Eve.) This evening Augustus and I have been singing with Mr. Whittlesey’s folks, who live only a few steps from us. They are intelligent pious folks and very neighborly. Mrs. W. brought us some apple dumplings the other night and has since sent us a whitefish nicely cooked. I suppose they pity our want of skill in the culinary department of housekeeping. I do some baking in the stove which I find a great help. In regard to dish-washing I am rather fortunate as we have dishes enough for six men and can’t use them all at once so I only wash about once in two days.
Detail of Raspberry River and West Branch of Raspberry River upstream from Sioux River Slough (T49N R5W).
“Sioux River is a stream located just 4.3 miles from Washburn, in Bayfield County, in the state of Wisconsin, United States, near Sioux, WI. Alternate names for this stream include Miskwimin, Raspberry River and Miskwi Minikan.”
In the Ojibwemowin language, Miskwiwim is Raspberry and Miskwi Minikan is Blood Seed.
The propeller Ogontz survived numerous accidents and a lawsuit upon the Great Lakes.
Butler has left us and gone to Superior intending to go to St. Antony. He did not appear to like the woods very much. Dan Damon of Waterbury had just gone there (to St. Antony). It is announced that there will be preaching here next Sunday by Mr. Warren a young Methodist minister at Bad river mission. I may not be here as we intend to go to La Pointe and probably Superior in two or three days. Provisions are scarce all round the lake I guess. At Superior pork is 25¢ per pound. Here nothing can be obtained by the quantity. At Ontonagon prices are very high. Two cargoes of provisions for Ontonagon have been discharged at some lower port on account of storms. The propeller Ogonts began to unload at Ontonagon but a storm arising she was obliged to put out for a safer harbor and vessel and cargo were much damaged. Last fall a steamboat with passengers for Superior and La pointe landed them at Ontonagon and started back for the Sault but was met by a northeaster and driven back to La pointe. So you see vessels on this lake have to stand round for storms. The bay is partly frozen over. Thermometer this morning 2*-0.
Detail of Sioux River; also labeled as the main branch of the Raspberry River (T49N R5W)
Joseph Alcorn was featured in the Spring of 1855. He appears to have been close to George Riley Stuntz.
Heard today that Jo is at work at Iron River for Stuntz.
I do not know what Augustus will do about surveying this winter. He could probably make it pay better than anything else, I suppose the job lies among the islands which will give plenty of meandering which could be done on the ice at the rate of 9 or 10 miles per day. But nothing can be done about it yet until the channels are frozen over as the water is so full of icebergs part of the time that no small boat could live.
“From all this we see that the bay was from most ancient times the seat of a large aboriginal population. Its geographical position towards the western end of the great lake, its rich fisheries and hunting grounds, all tended to make it the home of thousands of Indians.”
~ Collections of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, Volume 13, page 433.
The trader of Allen’s yarn was likely present at the 1855 Annuity Payment.
I wish I had time to tell you a lot of yarns about the Indians and indian traders. A Bad River indian came over here today to trade off a beaver skin for whiskey — he got about two quarts for it which made him feel pretty rich yet feeling he had not quite enough he bought a pint more for 50¢ which the trader brought and poured into his keg — but the last pint fortunately was nothing but pure brack water. The same trader one night just after payment took about 75 dollars with only 8 gallons of whiskey well watered.
If we go to La pointe soon this letter will be mailed soon. If not it may stay in this office a week or two.
Please excuse the bad writing, &c, &c.
Your affectionate son
J Allen Barber
Detail of a spring along trail from the Sioux River Valley into the Bayfield Peninsula (T49N R5W).
Dear Mother
I am somewhat in arrears of my usual and promised amount of letter writing but I cannot help it.
Detail of sink holes (T49N R5W).
In a short time I expect to have more favorable opportunities and a better chance to tell you what I shall do and where I shall be this winter. If I stay about here you must not look for letters every week for it will be quite impossible for me to dispatch them oftener than once in two weeks; perhaps longer times will unavoidably intervene. Am well and sound and feel pretty well able to stand a winter here on the lake, though I must own that to survey in mid-winter seems to me like undertaking a pretty [cool?] job. Never mind, to be at work in the woods here is less tedious and less dangerous than to be on the black prairies of southern Wisconsin where roads are covered deep in an hour or two and no sheltering forest nor even fuel to protect the traveler from the bitter winds. You may, I think, be tolerably easy about my health and safety, recollecting that I have been some time in this wild country and enjoyed better health than [two words illegible] others claim, and as for accidents, no place is known to be safe between the walls of the universe, but the peaceable prudent and prompt men may expect to walk in safety in all places as anybody. Besides, there are men here who have shown that they are disposed to remember sundry little accommodations, and if I should need the care of friends at any time I doubt not I should receive all the attention that well disposed strangers could give.
At present I don’t know much about my operations for the immediate future, but expect to know as I go along. We are woefully neglected by the mails of late, but are no worse off in that respect than others.
Hoping this letter will not be as unsatisfactory to you as it looks to me. I am as
Ever Your Affectionate Son
Augustus H. Barber
Interior Field Notes
Township 49 North, Range 5 West
Nov. 1855-Dec. 1855
Notebook ID: INT050W01
Original plat map for T49N R5W.
Survey of T47N R5W by:
Augustus H. Barber, U.S. Deputy Surveyor.
General description of T49N R5W.
Chainmen: J. Allen Barber 2nd & George I. Butler
Axeman: Joseph (his mark) Dennis
Affidavit signed by: John W. Bell, Justice of the Peace for LaPointe County.
The Barber brothers’ original field notes for this township were reproduced in 1891 “… for the reason that the original record is becoming illegible by the fading of the ink.”
[Incomplete copy of letter]
[undated circa 1855]
Detail of Ironton town property with trails to Odanah and to the Penokee Mountains (T47N R1W). This was not part of the Barber brother’s survey in 1855. Today this property is known as Saxon Harbor.
Is there not danger that by the decisions of the Secretary of the Interior lately rendered, you may be thrown out of your Ironton Town property? Or is there perfect immunity from such loss in the hardship of the times that for the present render the property valueless & no temptation to sharks to seize upon them? You can make your shares perfectly safe by ostensibly making your home there & from what you have hinted about the agent I presume it would be no great displeasure for you to sojourn occasionally with his family, at least enough to have your residence called at Ironton.
And this reminds me of seeing the name of your plan in one of the N.E. Counties of Wis. I think in Marquette it was in an advertisement for proposals for carrying mails in Wis. When do you suppose property of any kind will be saleable again about Lake Superior?
One thing is certain, it must be after [this?], if ever, I would like to hear how some of my acquaintances along down the northern shore are thriving & whether property in & around Burlington, Encampments, Rockville, Beaver Bay are commanding fabulous prices as they did last years. I presume thousands of dollars were paid last year to be shown claims & for building shanties on them, by those who are forced to abandon them, & remain where they are in no danger of starving. Has Perry told you that that note could not be paid for lack of money enough in Superior? What did he say about it? How did he expect I want him to get my pay? I expect nothing but that I should lose all that debt, for I am fearful that Carleton will find some way to avoid the payment of it.
Did Perry talk or not as though he wished to have me paid up? & what did he say about its ever being paid? Does he gamble & drink yet? & how do they all appear in Superior? Does the hardship of the time prevent the consumption of such quantities of rot gut as were formerly used?
Are Mr. [Barmite?] & Mr. [McCorble?] there? Is Frasier there? & Mr. Hall the young lawyer, Charly Port, White Perkins & Bradford? If I can only get my affairs in Superior straightened out I can note if the whole place sinks to the “bottom of the sea, the sea, the sea” & half of its inhabitants with it if I could chose who should be saved.
I have written more than I intended, as times hangs so heavily on my hands that I resort to writing as a pasttime.
Again good bye,
G. A. B.
I send you a blank % sheet for your use. I bought squires like this for 34¢ last week & wish I could get some of it to you.
This map is an image from Collections of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, Volume 13, page 419.
Published in 1895, this map features the area surveyed by the Barber brothers during 1855 surrounded by Bayfield, LaPointe, and Bad River.
After 1855, the Society’s annual reports were included in its Proceedings.
In 1855, the Barber brothers surveyed six townships (216 square miles) along Chequamegon Bay between Bayfield and Bad River.
The available mix of original documents and reproductions of the Barber brothers’ field notes feature these water/land routes; but do not feature any of these ancient villages.
During 1855, did the Barber brothers record these details separately for the State Historical Society of Wisconsin?
To be continued in the Winter of 1856…
Barber Papers: “Lake Superior” Summer of 1855
September 7, 2015
By Amorin Mello
Selected letters of the Joel Allen Barber Papers
… continued from Spring of 1855.
Superior, Douglas County, July 2nd, 55
Detail of Superior City townsite, Douglas County (T49N R14W).
Beloved Parents
It is now two weeks since I arrived in this country and I feel a little guilty for not writing sooner but as I have been somewhat prevented by circumstances and as Augustus has informed you of my safe arrival here I have neglected writing rather longer than common.
I suppose you would like to hear a great many particulars about your children in the woods which would be too long to write therefore I can only give a synopsis of my adventures.
~ Carlton County Historical Society
~ Retracing the Military Road From Point Douglas to Superior by Grover Singley
On the boat we had a cold raw time and no danger of cholera we arrived at St. Paul on Sunday June 3d and took the stage for Stillwater 18 miles and then proceeded on foot 15 miles. Monday we got to Taylors falls 17 miles where we were detained by the great difficulty in procuring necessary provisions for the trip.
Tuesday we started with an outfit sufficient to last us to Chase’s camp, about 100 miles up the St. Croix. We camped out only three times in coming through, twice we stayed in deserted shantys [door/floor?]less, windowless and partly roofless.
We lost our trail Thursday or was misdirected and travelled all that afternoon among the swamps and thickets on the St. Croix bottoms and bluffs and finally camped on the bank of the river, and [eat?] our last provisions at night. We [where?] not lost but had lost the trail by trying a new one. Friday morning we proceeded up the river about [6?] miles, waded across and got to camp about nine o’clock where we got a good [bush pack?] and a supply of provisions.
We got out again however the night before we got here on the copper range, twelve miles from here. The road of the first hundred miles is very good walking, being mostly over pine barrens but from here to the St. Croix it is horrid much of the country is a complete network of swamps of all sizes up to a mile across. I arrived here Sunday June 10th found Augustus sailing on the bay. Since then I have been helping him build his cabin and do some other work. Camping out did not disturb me so much as I had expected – at last the novelty of lying down in a gloomy forest with the trees moving over us, a big fire at our feet, the whippoorwill singing around us and the dew moistening our blankets was not sufficient to counteract the [f??ig??ts?] of a day’s travelling, so I slept soundly and felt well in the morning. I have not seen a bed now for a month. I sleep sometimes on a bear skin sometimes on boughs and sometimes on the ground, last night on an old tent.
Business Directory published in June 26th, 1855, issue of the Superior Chronicle.
I hardly know what to say about the country.
The air is pure and bracing. Storms are sudden and frequent. One we had was the worst I ever saw. Hail, rain and sand filled the air so we could not see 30 feet. The copper region is equal to [Pabor-dure?] for rain. There is a steamboat aground in the bay near the entry – has been there all day, is now sending her freight to this wharf – will probably get away when the tide begins to go out. All the country I have seen south of the lake is generally flat or gently sloping. The soil of the points is sand thrown up by the lake and drifted into irregular mounds. In the city and some other places the rock earth is the purest red clay I ever saw, back from the lake 4 or 5 miles the soil is pretty good and would compare well with the best parts of Vermont. Some [branches?] of farming I think would pay well. Hay meadows can be made [ikey?] some places by turning up alders and hay brings $[30?] every month.
I can tell better about farming when I see what effect the new canal has on prices about here.
As to making valuable claims there are a number of good chances open yet.
I have seen one as good copper show as there is in the northwest which I might get but there are some drawbacks to it that make me rather doubtful.
There are other chances pretty fair and much surer. There are lots of Indians on this point very peaceable among themselves and towards others but some imps will furnish them with “scoo te wau bo” (firewater). Several Indians are now at work here carrying in freight. The squaws too are hanging round with their children and pappooses. I guess Father, you misunderstanding me about the land Mr. Ladd owns. A large share share of it is entirely clear of brush and ready to break, but all in a state of nature. Augustus is going to put something in with this, so if there is anything more to write I will leave it for him to write. Augustus received letters from home last night enclosing one from mother to me for which I was very thankful and I will try to give it more attention sometime.
With respect to all inquiring friends.
I remain
Your affectionate Son
Allen
Interior Field Notes
Township 48 North, Range 4 West
Barber, Augustus H.
July 1855-Aug. 1855
Notebook ID: INT040W01
Original plat map of Chequamegon Bay (T48N R4W). Details include: Long Island Bay, Lapointe Indian Reservation, Vanderventer’s, Butterfield’s, Haskell’s, Rollin’s, Danielson’s, and other settlements. Today, this area includes the City of Washburn, the east side of the Township of Barksdale, the east side of the City of Ashland, and the northwest boundary of the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indian Reservation.
Survey of Chequamegon Bay (T48N R4W) by:
Augustus H. Barber, U.S. Deputy Surveyor.
General description of Chequamegon Bay (T48N R4W).
(This handwriting appears to belong to Allen.)
Chainmen: George I. Butler & J. Allen Barber 2nd.
(Allen 2nd is Augustus’ brother; not their cousin)
Axeman: Albert A. Little.
Affidavit signed by: John W. Bell, Justice of the Peace for LaPointe County.
Johnson Aug 5th AD 1855
Dear Sons
A monoalphabetic cipher was written in the header of this letter upside-down with numbers (1-26). What was father’s secret message to his sons?
“13.9.14.- 12.1.25.- 14.4.- 10.9.1.7.- 1.2.7.- 17.2.14.9.10.6.10.9.14. ~~~
7.17.10.9.5.14.- 26.4.16.10.- 23.9.14.14.9.10.12.- 14.20.17.5.9.- 1.12.- 4.11.14.9.2.- 14.4.- 25.9.- 1.14.- 19.4.15.2.12.4.2.”
Credit and gratitude goes to Eli Fredericks for cracking the Barbers’ code.
“G.E.T.- S.A.M.- T.O.- R.E.A.D.- A.N.D.- I.N.T.E.R.P.R.E.T. ~~~
D.I.R.E.C.T.- Y.O.U.R.- L.E.T.T.E.R.S.- T.W.I.C.E.- A.S.- O.F.T.E.N.- T.O.- M.E.- A.T.- J.O.H.N.S.O.N.”
Who was Sam?
Samuel Stuart Vaughn at LaPointe?
Samuel Champner at Ashland?
You may perhaps wonder that letters from home are less frequent than formerly. Now that the injunction of silence is partially removed by the recpt of a very welcome letter from Augustus, the first news I have had from either of you for nearly a month. I will once never try to write you a few words, having adopted the rule “measure for measure” that is write when I am written to, and endeavor to make up in quantity what it lacks in quality, I have for three weeks wanted to write to you but waited to get something from you first, and the longer I found my box empty when I went to the P.O. in the morning the more determined I was that the long silence might grow still longer before I would break it. I have all along written about two letters to every one I have recd from either of you within the past year and really began to think as your mother does that I “write more than there is any need of” & that you were getting to be of her mind on that [score?], and that if I graduated the number of my letters to those recd from you, I should then know just how often you wanted to hear from home. We are all well, as usual, (the lack of a sofa, centre table, chairs, new carpet, and a few more articles, now forgotten, excepting and even without them we are blest with good health, as any one could reasonably expect under such privations. It is a very healthy time in the village & through the town. Old Martin Smith brother to old Calvin was buried last Sunday having died of an injury that affected his [urinary?] organs. To day Abram [Ferry’s?] wife is dead of consumption.
Last week was commencement week and Am. went down in the Stage starting at 5 A.M. [dined?] with By at the fall, and attended the exercises in the P.M. and evening. Commencement exercises next day & stayed till Friday night before he started for home, living with [Alvira?] all the time & then had hard work to get away. Of course he had great times. He was in the village and saw a company of Firemen from Montreal 300 or 400 in number come into Burlington on Thursday & their reception & the speeches, Band, &c pretty tall time for Hiram.
He got home safely at 2 o’clock Saturday morning. The long expected new bell has arrived and was duly installed into office yesterday, and to day has proved itself a real “church going bell” at [???] its arguments in favor of attending meeting were loud and convincing. The Bell weighs 1137 lbs and has a very fine good musical tone, enough to incline anybody churchward.
I went to Cambridge & got Harvey [Butts?] to come with his tackle & rigging to hoist it into the belfrey which he did to the satisfaction of all. Even Mr D. was so much better to day that he has preached two sermons the first we have had from him for 4 or 5 weeks on account of ill health. He went to Montreal after Sarah, left there Monday (2 weeks tomorrow) at one o’clock P.M. & at [Rausis?] Point a little boy (a relative) wanted to get out of [sight?] for a moment & Sarah took him out of the car & stopped back again, the boy did not come in till the cars started, when [Minites?] sprang out to find the boy, & the cars went on then he remembered that he had Sarah; tuked in his pocket, and she had not a cent of Money with her, but she kept on, told her story was believed & got home at one at same night, but the excitement anxiety and fatigue consequent, overpowered him so that he has been quite feeble ever since, till to day.
Week before last we had a most disgraceful performance in shape of an Indian Show. Some two weeks before a fancy team with a couple of drunken [bloats?] came along, engaged ground for a big tent in the little meadow we used to occupy near Judge [Tom’s?] & put up mighty big [posters?] representing Indians riding &c &c. & on the day appointed the folks began to pour in [torrents?] to – be – humbugged.
The company arrived and after dinner the natives [Kaw shaw gaw?] as leader 5 in number & as many more whites dressed and painted like Indians paraded themselves through the street, on horseback, the horses, & themselves, decked out with feathers and sham Indian finery, well, had you seen the rush you would have been convinced that fools are plenty this year. Mum & Am were obliged to go with [Ransom?] & his wife though against their inclinations. One more notable thing has happened since I wrote last. Uncle Burr and your Aunt Martha have been here and staid 2 nights & we had a pretty good visit. [Pung?] has [bud?] all up and [awas?] in and around St Albans over three thousand dollars. [Sand?] Morgan & Ike Manning will lose about $200. by [signing forkin?] & what is most deplorable the little Devil has got drinking so that to see him drunk was no rarity. He went off with an Irish butcher over the line (45*) & came back as drunk as a fool & he was drunk at the County Convention at Bakersfield. His wife’s Piano & his books have been taken on his debts – Poor foolish fellow. Crops of all kinds are good except Grass & that is not as good in Cambridge as last year, but called about the same around here. [Prein?] have a down on [Butter?] & [breadstuffs?], but we shall have another hard winter that will bring them up again I fear.
You will see by the Grant County Herald that lands entered under the graduated prices, cannot be sold again without forfeiting the land to the government, so that the next man can go and pay the same price, and take the lands as though it had never been entered, so that Allen must not alienate his title to his land as I had advised him in case he wanted to make a preemption claim.
Portrait of U.S. Representative Alvah Sabin (Vermont); in office between 1853-57.
~ Wikipedia.com
It would be very agreeable to hear from you oftener, for we do feel some anxiety to know where you are, what you are about, how you are getting along, and above all to learn that you are alive and well & kicking. I am glad to hear that you receive favors occasionally from Elder Sabin, & though not of great intrinsic value in and of themselves, there is some pleasure in receiving them as a token of remembrance and esteem and another thing it will give those who know you have such documents sent from such a source a favorable opinion of your [anteredents?].
It is so long since I have written to you that I have hard work to get on the truck, and harder still to keep on I believe I have pretty much exhausted my stock of news.
Your Aunt [Betsy?] tells me to send her love to you and [aprise?] you that there is no one in the house who misses you more than she does. (Perhaps she is mistaken after all) & that she does not want you to come home ust so that she can see you, but to come when you get ready & she will be very happy to see you. Mr [Atwood?] was up yesterday with Levi & Oscar & left [Onen?] here with Am to stay a day or two, Levi [took thin] and [pale?] and is unable to do much of any thing, says he rakes hay some &c. The Methodist Meetinghouse is up and will be finished in a few weeks. The Baptist house is progressing slowly but it is evidently their intention that it shall surpass the [Cory?] house for elegance and convenience.
I am buying land warrants in co. with Mr Pike and in such a way as to make something on them. The business of the office will bring me in a pretty good sum when I go out which will probably be this fall, though I confess that for the sake of the profits I should like to hold on, but I have nothing to complain of as I consider I have had my full share for the last four years.
Adieu
G.A. Barber
Interior Field Notes
Township 49 North, Range 4 West
Barber, Augustus H.
Aug. 1855
Notebook ID: INT040W02
Original plat map of Houghton’s Point & Raspberry River Beach.
Details include: Long Island Bay, Long Island, Raspberry River, multiple settlements, and multiple roads including the Talking Trail.
Today this area is known as Houghton Falls State Natural Area, Sioux River, Friendly Valley Beach, Chequamegon Point, and Town of Bayview. Curiously, none of the settlements were attributed to their owners.
Survey by: Augustus H. Barber, U.S. Deputy Surveyor.
General description of T49N R4W.
First page of affidavit; continued below.
![Chainmen: J. Allen Barber 2nd, George [?]. Butler. Axeman: A.W. Burtt. Affidavit signed by: John W. Bell, Justice of the Peace for Lapointe County.](https://chequamegonhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/t49n-r4w-affidavit-2.jpg)
Chainmen: J. Allen Barber 2nd & George I. Butler.
Axeman: A.W. Burtt.
Affidavit signed by: John W. Bell, Justice of the Peace for Lapointe County.
(This handwriting appears to belong to Allen.)
Lake Superior, Aug 12th 1855
Dear Parents
Detail of Ashland townsite, LaPointe County (T47N R4W).
Although this is the first time I have written to you for a long while I suppose you have been informed of my whereabouts often enough by Augustus. I was pained to learn of your anxiety before you heard of my arrival at the lake. But as you fears are once more dispelled I hope they are permanently banished.
Today is Sunday and I am not at work that is not in the woods still I have not been idle.
I have sowed untill my fingers are tired and now I am trying to write a few words to send with Augustus’ letter. It really seems a privilege to live in sight of a church if it is a catholic church in La Pointe 18 miles distant. As to health I am confident I shall be as healthy here as in any part of the world. Sickness is almost unknown here except slight ailments the result of an improper diet. Surveying I think agrees with me. I feel best in the woods and like camp life. Our party is very pleasant and agreeable one and this is a beautiful and interesting part of the country so I ought to enjoy myself life if ever a surveyor did. I suppose Augustus has told you about our little shipwreck so I need not dwell upon it. I will surely say in justice to the boat that it was all the result of carelessness and bad management and we have probably learnt a useful lesson though as a dear price. The mosquitoes are getting thick and it is growing dark so I must wind up.
Has Levi Atwood got well yet. I think a year or two in this country would do him good. Burt of our party came here with consumption but is now free from it [scribbles] too dark [scribbles].
Love to all
Allen
Johnson August 26th 1855
Dear Sons
Yours of Aug 7th came duly to hand relating the misfortunes you experienced, which has caused me to feel considerable anxiety on account of your losses just as you were entering upon your undertaking. But all your [pecuniary?] losses are forgotten when I think that you are safe and unscathed after passing through such deadly peril. yes all else is but a trifle, when compared to life and health, & though your loss was more than you can conveniently bear, or repair in a long time, still with good fortune on your side for the future, you will in time outgrow it, and come out brighter for having passed through affliction.
Since I wrote to you last there has not been much worthy of record transpiring in this [dully?] town. Last Monday morning I set out by stage for [Bellow’s Falls?] via Burlington and staid at Rutland, reached B.F. next morning [at &?] attended a Convention on State Council (as you please) & went over the river into [Walpole?] & staid with Tom. [Keyes?] that night he having found & invited me to do so. The object of the convention was to make a nomination for State Officers if thought [expudient?], so that it was as necessary for those opposed to an independent nomination to attend as for those in favor of it. There were almost enough of those in favor, to carry the day, but [we the?] wiser and more prudent finally prevented it being done & now Judge [Rayes?] stands with only 3 opposed in the field. [Meritt?] Clark [suce fase?], Judge Shafter the Temperance candidate & President John Wheeler the old line Silver Grey [??? saving, Blue Belly ?????? ??????] whig.
Wednesday morn I left [Walpole?] and came home [via?] Winson, White River Junction, & Waterbury heading home before 10 o’clock, at night, probably faster than you can run a line in the thickets and forests on Lake Superior. While walking near the Depot at B.F. a fellow came out bareheaded and asked if I was not Mr. Barber, said he knew me well, but I was stumped for once and could not make him out “no how“. It was George Enslow, I told him if I had heard him crow, I should have known him. He lives in Rutland and goes on the passenger train from there to B. F. every day at 30 Dolls per month & he board himself. I guess he is a poor wild improvident coot as usual. Marshal Homer is in town with his family at old man’s & he is compassing Heaven Earth & Hell to get me out of his house so that he can come into it. But all his threats, & and artifices will avail nothing, he will wait till 1st April next before he gets possession until I see fit and find I can do as well or better to give him the premises. Not all his & his wife’s storming, or his fathers blab, shall make any difference with me. I will let him understand that when he lets a house for a given time he will find it not so easy to drive the tenant out as he might wish. I shall keep on the defensive, and see that no chance is given for him to resume the occupancy of the house. After all it is very unpleasant and annoying to know that I am in any one’s way, and equally so to hear stories every day of what Marsh’ or his folks say about it, and also the 1001 questions by other people, where I am going and when &c and what was most provoking was Old H’s saying to our women that “it is to bad to have to move now.”
I have consulted [Forrier?] & Benton upon the case, and am assured that there is no trouble on my part so you need give yourself no trouble about our being pitched into the road head forward. We shall all live just as long and wide as though there were not one [Hosmer?] this side of Hell. Enough of this.
King Wallance has been here some days and report says that he is worrying [S.C.D.?] & it is quite possible that is a fact though I do sincerely hope it is otherwise, for I think her much too good a girl for such a [churl?] as H. M. Wallance. Yet it is her business and not mine, and she will have to abide by the consequences be they for weal or for woe.
[Hayes Hyde?] was in a [???] a few days ago to a Miss [Whiternob?] of Springfield [N.Y.?] The [matter?] between Jo. C. Hayes & [Abby?] does not progress so fast now. Heman is not married yet, but will be this fall. Our Houses of worship are getting along finely. The Methodists chapel is completed outside, and the inside will be finished in September. The exterior is very handsome with the exception that it has no portice in front, but the steeple is the finest in the county [in shot?] of Burlington being a [colonnade?] of 12 columns standing on the bell deck 4 on a side & those [swrindunted?] by a roof & heavy jet & a [balustran?] or battlement on the roof. The Baptist house will have a bell as soon as finished and a clock (with 4 faces that are now put up) so as to be seen from every part of this large town. I have been to hear Mr D. & Mr [G?]. both today and Hiram has been to the Plain to attend a tent meeting of Saturday folks under a tent that is carried around for the purpose [large?] enough to convene 2000 people.
Our County Convention and town caucus come off this week and as there is a mighty strife on foot for the officers there will probably be some fun growing out of it.
[Places?] are fewer than expectants or aspirants, and some who are the most greedy are those most Anoxious to the people. However “we shall see what we shall see.”
My good neighbor Caldwell’s mouth is wide open ready to close upon any thing offered, but how can any man of common sense expect office when he is hated by every one like poison and so crooked in his deal that he is shunned by all who know him.
[Riddler?] is also in the field but he has smelt too strong of rotgut for months to pass for a very good temperance man. I think it more than probably that we shall not choose a representative this fall. Capt Sam expects Judge of Probate but it will be a hard pill for Johnson folks to swallow. Well, let them [squizzle?] and suit themselves
Wheeler was here one week ago today. “Same Coon.” Mr. Benton is here again and boards with us next [turn?], as [very?] pleasant & good a boarder, as anybody. Prospect for school I should think not any flattering. I sent the Land Warrants Pike & I had bought to Ladd and got returns showing a profit of $68.45 over cost. I think of going down to Cambridge to morrow to see if I can find any there that I can buy.
There is no risk and possibly some thing to be made. I recd a letter yesterday from your Uncle Ham. who has been to the Saulte and also at Lancaster. I recd one from Mr Burr who says that he & your Aunt Martha will set out for Lancaster the week after Election & they think of buying some place there perhaps Homer’s, for they see that they have got to come to it sooner or later, and may as well make a grab now as to wait till there is no chance for them. Well knowing that you will be sufficiently tired with this [one?] what your Mum is writing I shall not take the trouble to double line the sheet but will endeavour to write you again as soon as I hear from you.
So till then Adieu
G.A. Barber
A.H. & J.A. Barber
I will make Am write this week
I sent a [waverty?] Magazine from Burlington & [one?] N. Y. [Daily Times?] & [1?] [Caladonian Times?] & I intend to furnish you occasionally with a stray paper as well as letters.
Mead has just been along and says that Johnny was [put?] under the [sod?] yesterday. So I stop the press to announce the fact.
Interior Field Notes
Township 47 North, Range 4 West
Barber, Augustus H.
Sept. 1855
Notebook ID: INT039W05
Original plat map of Ashland (T47N R4W).
Details include: Ashland townsite; Fish Creek sloughs; Long Island Bay; and trails to Bad River (Odanah), the White River, and the Penokee Mountains.
Detail NOT included: Wiiwkwedong (now Prentice Park).
Survey by: Augustus H. Barber, U.S. Deputy Surveyor.
(The handwriting in these field notes does not belong to either of the Barber brothers.)
General description of Ashland (T47N R4W).
“Springs are of a good quality and White River in the South East part of Township is a good mill stream. Native copper has been found in this Township, but the formation does not indicate a mining locality.”
First page of affidavit; continued below.
![Chainmen: J. Allen Barber 2nd & George [I?]. Butler. Axeman: Bernard Hoppen. Affidavit signed by: John W. Bell, Justice of the Peace for Lapointe County. (not actual signatures)](https://chequamegonhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/t47n-r4w-affidavit-2.jpg)
Chainmen: J. Allen Barber 2nd & George I. Butler.
Axeman: Bernard Hoppen.
Affidavit signed by: John W. Bell, Justice of the Peace for Lapointe County.
The Barber brothers’ original field notes for this township were reproduced in 1901 by The State of Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Public Lands. “This copy is made in accordance with the Chapter 177 Laws of 1885 for the reason that the original record is faded and worn from use and is becoming illegible.”
To be continued in the Fall of 1855…
Barber Papers: “I shall not go without Jo” Spring of 1855
September 4, 2015
By Amorin Mello
Selected letters of the Joel Allen Barber Papers
… continued from Winter of 1855.
Lancaster March 23rd, 1855
Dear Father,
It is not long since I wrote to you but I thought I would write just a word though it may not do any good. Uncle Allen says you would do better to send land [????] than money. So many will be drawing land under this new bounty land law, that you can probably get them cheap.
Pine lands may be better in the eastern part of the state [?? ???????] but not worth half as much as in the western part. Lumber that sells in Oshkosh for 8 or 10 dollars brings 18 to 23 or 4 dollars here or any where along the river. Do you know anything about the culture of [osiers?] for willow baskets.
I saw an advertisement in the Tribune which says they will yield 100 to 150 dollars proffit per acre. This would be a good place to raise them I should think. Willow baskets are used here more than any other for all purposes. This I suppose is because there are so many [foreigners?] here who understand making them.
This is a beautiful warm day and the snow is going off in torrents.
Was it not [fl??ging?] smart that Thode Burr could not come out with Uncle Thode. His folks were swift to have him come but as the time approached had to give it up. Grand Mother has just come in, walked up. We are pretty well all but Aunt [Lib?], who was sick yesterday but better today. Have not seen anything of Cad yet. Jo. Alcorn has taken Dr. Woods farm.
Love to all
J. Allen Barber 2nd
This letter appears to be written by Allen, using the name of his Cousin Allen 2nd.
Johnson April 1st, 1855
Dear Son
I do think you hurt yourself writing so often and so much as you do to us. Once in two weeks is a short time to you I suppose to intervene between the times of writing home, but it seems very long to me to wait for news from my absent children. The last letter from Augustus was dated Jan 17th but he is where he cannot write and at a distance of 30 miles from any P.O. as Mr. Stuntz has probably told you. But you are where you could write oftener and more if you would, and as we cannot hear from Augustus do let us here from you. Yet if you do not want to hear from home but seldom, just set the pattern and I will write as often as you do, and relieve you from the trouble of writing, or reading my letters any oftener than you choose. Everything is going on at the usual snail pace about here.
[…]
There was a great dance in the Town Hall Friday 23rd at the Public at the [close?] of the [dancing?] school. Somewhere from 60 to 70 couples in attendance, and what was strangest of all, some of those little lambs in the flock who have recently passed from death unto life, instead of giving living evidence of their having been with Jesus, showed their preference for gayer company & went to see the show.
It was but two days before the holy commission and Mr. Caldwell and [men?] somehow or other concluded not to show their faces there before their august teachers and the mangled remains of their adorable savior so soon after patronizing the company of Jake Dodge, Henry Daniels, Frank Atwell, [Morse’s & Patrk’s?] boys [Jo Read?] and [Almy Ferrier?]. Oh the folly of Sinners.
I thought it would look just as well for old cripples who were just ready to emigrate to the kingdom come to stay away and let the young, the wealthy, proud & gay have their [partihase?] & recreation to themselves and not betray our weakness by going to gaze at them and thereby evince to them & to the world our regrets that we are no longer fit associates for [Jo. Reads?] &c. But some folks act curiously at times like there was a partial insanity in their case.
I felt very well at home & so did Am as we did when Ossian & Dodge was here & Mum went. It is getting to be mad times. Give my love to Mother and to my other Friends if I have any. I have written about twice as much now as you write and have not got half through but time forbids more at present.
G. A. Barber
[ca. 1855] Apr.
Lancaster Apr.
Dear Mother,
Having rec’d several lines from you and Amherst without sending any full equivalent I will now try to write a few words though they may not be very interesting. Today is a beautiful Sunday.
It is now about two o’clock. I have not been to meeting. Shall probably go this evening.
You see my prejudice in favor of evening meetings is not altogether overcome.
I am dressed up in my new vest and boots, clean shirt, thin brown coat and brown hat &c. This morning Uncle Allen drove up with his carriage with his children, [and?] Ham. and three other children. I took Thody and got in (Myron was at meeting) and had a delightful ride on the prairie. Such beautiful spring weather I never saw before. Every day seems unequated. The earth has got green in spite and there are some flowers out. They look just like yellow daisies only they grow as low and humble as violets.
Night before last I got a letter from Augustus at Galena. They are having colera considerable and a number have died on the river or been put ashore in consequence of colera. You may not see anything of it in the papers as they try to keep it mum but John [Henry?] who was down there says it is so. No wonder for he says the mercury stood at 90* one day that he was there. Every boat up the river has 6 or 800 passengers.
Augustus appears to be in fine spirits. He is swift to have me come up that way.
The ground here is warm and dry as any ever need to be, gardens are being made and crops are being put in with all delight.
Uncle Jay and Cyrus will have splendid gardens in a short time. In fact, Uncle Jays garden now is the finest I know of about here, he has enlarged it this spring.
Aunt Fanny has considerable of a start in her garden because the place was made by a fellow who took great pains to have everything that he could get growing.
I am quite anxious to go up the river and see the elephants and would like not a little to see Augustus. Uncle Thode is farming and sleeps in his house and that is all I have got to say about him at present. Father requires me to write so much to him that I can hardly find any thing more to write to any one else. Little Thody is not very well – has a bad cold. My love to all. We expect Uncle Ham here every day.
Your affectionate Son
Allen
Lancaster May 2nd 1855
Dear Father
Perhaps I have neglected writing to you too long but as I have been rather busy of late and have written to mother not long since I hope to be [?????]
[…]
~ FamilySearch.org
Day before yesterday I made Jo. Alcorns folks a visit. They appear to feel pretty well. The girls were all at home.
I took dinner there and looked over the farm some. Jo is building stone wall on the farm for Dr. Wood. I begin to think we have about all the herbs here that grow in Vermont. [Spikenard?], bloodroot, coltsfoot, leeks, wild onions, wild summer savoury, balm, and a great many more grow in abundance.
Uncle Allen has spoken to me about studying law but nothing deffinite has been proposed on either side. Two fellows start from here today to go to Lake Superior. They have to walk over 200 miles so I suppose they would not wish to carry any extra burden and Jo says he thinks Augustus would not care anything about that vest up there. I am really anxious to go up there but I guess I shall not this summer.
[…]
Must close rather abruptly for want of time. Have been looking some days for a letter from you.
Love to all
Allen
All is well but Aunt Fanny who is most [used?] up with a severe cold
Lancaster May 14th /55
Dear Father
It seems to me I have not written to you for about a week and as there is just 25 minutes between [illegible words] a few words. I have nothing of special interest to write but dont want to keep you waiting for a letter. For some time we have been wishing for a little rain for which we would be very thankful although a great deal is needed. We now have a prospect for a good shower.
[…]
~ 15th Uncle Vest Phelps and all his family have arrived in town today I understand. I am most tired to death, have been planting corn all day with Cyrus and I have about a days work more to do alone to finish it and fix the apple trees. I have a wet cloth on my neck to cure a sunburn. Whatever the effort may be ultimately, it saves me a great deal of pain at present. I am thinking quite [strong?] nowadays of pottering off up to the lake.
Jo is here yet and would go with me. I should want no better companion.
There is no serious obstacle that I know of to hinder. While I wish to go for many reasons.
So far as I know I have had excellent success in grafting although I have not done a great deal only about 600. I cant tell exactly about the wheat there was not much of it all a great deal of that was wasted. I have never said a word to Shoemaker and dont want to. He is a foolish howling Methodist and nothing else. I sold 5 bushels of
[Incomplete copy of letter]
MOTHER
Lancaster Wis. May 20th 1855
Dear Mother
Last night I was much gratified by the reception of another Salvo of letters all in one envelope from home.
It is pleasing to thus find myself kindly remembered at home but letters written in the spirit of one I received from father last Tuesday are not quite so agreeable and allow me to say I think they are rather tend to defeat their object. The accounts of the season in Vermont seem rather dismal.
Can it be possible that no leaves were visible on the 13th of May. Here fruit trees were going out of blossom. A fortnight Three weeks ago today (April 26th) the poplar trees appeared to be in full foliage but the leaves were not fully grown wild plum trees were white and crabapple trees were blossoming.
Lilacs are now out of blossom. Gooseberries plums currants and cherries are about as [as peas?] – plums rather larger apples are as large as beans.
I ate rhubarb pie at Uncle Jays May 3rd made of new plants. it is somewhat doubtful about my going up to the lake this summer. Jo dont wish to go untill after harvest or about the last of August but I guess I could get him started now if I [???] really anxious about it.
It is principally on account of my health that I prefer going up there to reading law at present. Today is a beautiful [??????] I have not been to any meeting this forenoon but guess I shall go to the choir meeting this afternoon.
Aunt L is not very well yet. Yesterday I cut out a lot of willows that grew around the best spring on the east side of the farm.
It is a noble spring and might easily be made to run to go building spot on the South end of the farm on the road near the S.E. corner Cyrus thinks of selling his place in town and building on his farm but Aunt Fanny is strongly opposed to it. Going to Lake Superior is not so much of an undertaking as when Augustus first went. I should have to foot it about 200 miles. A great many people are going through every few days but probably I shall not go without Jo as he understands all the minutia of providing necessary articles and food, coaching, camping out &c &c. Well I must close this and write a few words to Father.
Receive with this the Love of
Your affectionate Son
J Allen Barber
Lancaster May 20th 1855
Dear Father
It was my good luck to receive a letter last Tuesday and another on Saturday so I must write again soon or get behind in my correspondence. Uncle Allen says I can find plenty of land though not very near town but the country is filling up so fast that it will all be worth the [??] government price. He says he will go out with me in a day or two [a?] land hunting as he has some plots only a few days old and wants more land. I should not be able to enter more than 80 acres at present but if I dont go to the lake you can send me more money and I will try to make the best disposal of it (21st) Old Ben’s auction goes off today.
There is undoubtedly money to be made in village property here but not near so much as on wild land. Well Old Bens auction has come off and proved to be a kind of mock auction – all but one bargain was struck to off to his bidder, Jim [?evens?].
I got Jo to promise to day to go to the lake in two weeks but he will alter his mind before night I am afraid. There is a terrible amount of sickness on the Mississippi and Missouri boats. The boats are all overloaded often carrying over 600.
This is a very warm day. We had a little rain this morning but not enough to do any good. Other places not 11 miles from here have plenty of rain.
It is common here to have thunder here whenever it rains. If it rains 3 days the thunder cracks around all the time night and day. Then look out for cholera. There are a lot of old telegraph posts standing between here and [Potosi?] and more than half of those that stand in open country are split down by lightning. Jo is fiddling here while I write he remains firm in his resolution to go to the lake in two weeks.
If I go I intend to come back next fall if nothing prevents still as far as health and comfort are concerned I had rather winter there than here if I could have as good accommodations.
I am glad to hear that some of the old faces once so familiar have again visited Johnson although I was not there see them. It really does me good to see their names written. How we are scattered. Albe reminds me of fast day two years ago.
He and John Cook & Charlie and I ate sugar on the catnip farm and had a good time. Now each breathes the air of a different state. It would give me great pleasure to attend the commencement at Burlington this summer. Probably at no other place in the world should I ever meet so old friends. Where is Homer [Wetherly?] now? I had a letter from when he was in Glover and would answer it sometime if I knew where to direct. Aunt Fanny wants me to tell you she is all well and anunt Lucy says when her pen gets started it will with a vengence! They think I write home so often there is no use of any ones writing any more. It may be a disappointment to you to have no more land entered but I shall not have time to receive any money from Vermont if I go up country this summer. What land there is now in market about here is of course of poorer quality and some and I think I had rather enter land north of Wisconsin where there is plenty and lumber cheaper timber plentier.
However I dont know what I shall do. I want to enter a half section all that I can enter under the graduation [act?] and it must all be adjoining or adjoining land I now own.
If I find any land very tempting perhaps I had better borrow the money of Uncle [?????] and you could remit the amount to him.
The interest would not be much for a [month?] or two – at any rate it appears that I have got to act as I think best. A Mrs. [?tig?] opened a lot of bonnets and other goods for sale this morning and the streets are full of women all crazy for a new bonnet. I hope it will have a good effect on the weather as we need rain badly.
Today I had a talk with Shoemaker. He raised 9 bushels of wheat and says he will give up your share if I will sign a receipt in full of all demands. He suffered considerable waste and ought to smart for it. But I suppose he lost money by taking the farm, of about 50 bushels of oats his share after paying for threshing and other helping was only 6 bushels. I can have things well enough this summer. The corn I planted among the hops and appletrees I shall let Cyrus have to remunerate him for the trouble I have made him. I have not done near enough here to pay my board as he has been so situated I could not very well. There are two or three other boys here that want to go up to the lake and perhaps will go with us. If you dont get this in season to answer before the 4th of June direct to Superior. I think this with Mothers and Ams will do for one letter. Shall probably write again before I leave and look for about two more letters from you.
Your affectionate Son
J. Allen Barber
Johnson June 17th 1855
Dear Sons
I expect you are now together and I will address this to you both thereby saving some scribbling paper, postage &c which is no small consideration with some folks, and I must acknowledge is to me a convenience I went to St Albans last Monday to see my father previous to his departure from this country perhaps forever, though I did not then know how so soon he was going but on arriving there found that he had fixed on the Wednesday following for leaving. I accordingly remained till that time & then accompanied him as far as [Run??’s] Point & there parted with him. Thode Burr goes to Sandusky with him, & from thence I expect your Uncle Ham will escort him to Lancaster.
Father felt very much affected at parting with your Uncle B’s folks and they as much so as though they were consigning him to the grave. Returning from St Albans I came to D Fairchild’s and stayed over night & made one more visit on my way through [Georgia?] & arrived at Johnson Thursday night in safety, but I [presumed?] not many hours before Father & Thode reached Sandusky. I found that Am. had recd a letter from Augustus & one from [me?] requesting a deposition to establish your his age. I have made it and also one for Allen thinking that he might want to make a preemption claim in that region, and if he would be deferred from making such claim on account of owning land, would it not be best for him to convey his title to his lands in Wisconsin to me or some other person to be held for him whenever he might wish to resume the ownership again. Augustus will best know how that business can be managed. I have a draft that I shall forward by mail tomorrow morning to J. Allen B. Esq. for the sum of $80.00. I think Allen’s purchase a very good one.
You will see by the Tribune that Messrs Bell & Hale are [listed?] to the U.S. Senate by the Legislature of N.H. & probably will [eybise thereat?] & further that the National [R.N.?] Convention are having hot times on the subject of slavery, & that the whole pro slavery concern will be blown sky high, as all attempts to silence freedom of discussion should be now and forevermore Amen.
[…]
I am now thinking of going to Burlington on the 27th to attend a State Convention [the call?] for which you will see in the [Freeman?]. It is now almost 3 years since I have been there to step my feet on the ground & for that as well as a wish to participate in the doings of the convention I shall like to be there very well.
Portrait of U.S. Representative Cadwallader Colden Washburn (Wisconsin); in office between 1855-61.
~ Wikipedia.com
Portrait of U.S. Representative Alvah Sabin (Vermont); in office between 1853-57.
~ Wikipedia.com
This morning I recd a [Pub. Doc.?] from Hon. A Sabin ‘sectry of the [Amaroo?] [pant ???] by [Lieut?] [Gibbon?] with an atlas, also another [Corernoned?] at the presentation of the [swant?] of Gen Jackson, [??? Brainiere? into?] me a Biggon’s battery of the [Amaroo?] just the same thing last winter so that I now have two & if you do not receive one from Mr Sabin I will give you one of mine when you come. I think you will continue to require favors from Mr S. while you [remain?] at the Lake & that Mr C.C. Washburn will not neglect you. If Allen has arrived at the lake how does he like it & how does he propose to spend the summer? He is so great a [mineral agent?] and so patient an explorer I shall look for great exploits by him, & certainly I hope you will both be fortunate in discoveries, and that you may realize ample remuneration for all your privations and toils.
I hope to hear soon of Allen’s safe arrival and hope you will both write often and I will try to do likewise.
Accept my best wishes for your welfare and happiness.
G.A. Barber
A.W.B & J.A. Barber
[fragment, c. 1855, June]
thought but to not enter it without knowing that it was worth something. I have not seen it but Uncle Allen says it is first rate.
I am glad to hear that Am is no worse off but cannot conceive why he should continue at school this summer. The letter r in the map represents a high sand rock like a monument about 12 feet high standing on the point of a bluff. It is biggest at the top and looks very picturesque. That 40 would be a first-rate meadow just as it is and would produce 2 ½ or 3 tons of hay every year, plenty of water could be had on it by digging a few feet.
But what is of some consequence is the land is the very richest quality much better than prairie land will average and it is not more than two miles from a first rate gristmill.
I hope you will come out here and see my great purchase before many years and enter as much more some where. The land in [Richland?] in a short time will come down to .75 ¢ per acre.
I wish the old farm could be sold so that you could all come out here. I should feel a great deal better and I know you all would like your new home. Jo is more than half undecided about going to the lake but I guess he will go.
He thinks now he can’t go so soon as Wednesday. Perhaps I cannot but I want to. Hoping to hear from you once more before I leave I remain
Your affectionate Son
Allen
To be continued in the Summer of 1855…
Barber Papers: “Come up here!” Winter of 1855
August 22, 2015
By Amorin Mello
Selected letters of the Joel Allen Barber Papers
… continued from 1854.
Charlotte Wis. Jan 21st 1855
Dear Parents
You may not like the looks of this small paper but the fact is I have no other, my last sheet of large paper was used for my last letter to you and if I had been aware that I was not going to have any other I would have mentioned it so as in some measure to have modified the shock it must occasion. This is [onerely?] preface as I have not yet been to the office for your letter this week being somewhat distant having no time except today when it is tremendous cold and blustering.
I have three letters ready to mail one to Grandfather one to Uncle Cyrus and one to Albe Whiting. I have written but very few letters this winter except to you, for in fact you have monopolized most of my time for writing. The weather has continued just the same – mild, open, and clear untill today when we have a hard northwind. Prairie fires were running last night in Iowa in many directions and some in this state.
There is not a particle of snow – the brooks are icebound and the ground is frozen and cracked up like it never cracks in Vermont. X X X
Well I have been to the PO and found no letter – shall expect two by next mail. It is snowing some today (Jan 25th).
My health continues as good as could be expected under like circumstances. At the two last places where have the unvarying diet is fried pork and hot biscuits and nothing else to speak of.
Had Johnny Cake yesterday noon, made with all the bran in. It was about the best thing I have seen in the West. I went to a party a few nights ago. It was a miserable trashy affair, nothing but a great barbecue for supper, early, and then dancing untill daylight.
All the rough characters in the country were there. I went at a late hour and retired at about half past 9 oclock, satisfied that I shall not want to attend another such very soon. At Lancaster, the parties are about right, but out here they are a pretty good index of the newness of the country.
It is now impossible to get this to the P.O. unless I go myself and as it blows and snows a perfect old fashioned snow storm I think I shant go but will keep this for another time X X Sat. 27th
Am boarding with a Vermonter two miles from the school house. He is a real Vermonter named Howard one of the best and smartest men on the prairie. He has a good farm which he wants to sell. If any body wants to buy a farm out this way just tell them of this. It will be advertised in the Herald soon. It is a good farm and contains 260 acres, tillable land and firewood enough for two families, the best and most extensive start of fruit in the country. 250 apple trees 20 green gauge plums and innumerable gooseberries [redberries?] currants strawberries and some grapes. The house & barn are new and well built but small. He asks only $2000, is doing well here but wants to leave for other business.
I wish Albe Whiting would see this place; less than half would have to be paid down – good title given.
[Gov.?] Dewy has bought out Cassville or part of it. Prairie La Porte is changed to Guttenburg. Do you know where Sullivan Pierce stopped. He was in company with Hyde coming out but they got separated. Have just been out to the chicken trap found five all alive any fluttering. We killed those and retired and they [lineanes?] have just turned to the [fiels?] again. [scribble] Sunday Three more chickens caught. Went to meeting with Howards folks in a sleigh or rather on a sled – no meeting pretty cold – snow scarcely sufficient for sleighing. If I get a chance I shall try to send some to Lancaster.
I have three more weeks to keep school. 4 more places to board. I like Howards and his folks best of any people on the prairie. They are pious and attend to family worship regularly.
Monday
Have just been to the Post office and got two letters one from you and one from Augustus – He writes nothing except a few business items.
In haste
Yours affectionately
Allen
Johnson, January 27th 1855
Dear Son
Yours of the 11th arrived night before last and contrary to my usual custom I have deferred answering over two mails, but it [will hi?] forwarded now some days sooner than it would have gone by trail, for Ames Dodge will take it along to Galena and by him I shall forward those vests that I bought in the fall for you & Augustus on the very [day?] that I recd your letter saying that Augustus was to be in Lancaster in a few days. Though he has not come & probably will not for some time, [Still,?] you may [be?] your Choice out of the two and send the other to him in the spring if there any going up to the Lake. There are as many who prefer the one as the other, and though I intended to give Aug his choice [????] the danger of his being [wronged?] by your having it [for ?in to ????] he did not take one & you the other. The vests are something nice, only that the style is new and there will not probably be many among the “[Badgers?].” Amos is here after [his monday?] due him [??] estate from Dr [M????] & gets between 700 & 800 & takes west with him. He hails from [Boise?] City, [90?] miles from Dubuque, but he says that he should prefer the Northern front of Ill. or the southern part of West Iowa. Were you or Augs at Lancaster I should try to have him go up there, but he would not go [southwest?]. I know of nothing very new or strange that has happened of late. There is a funeral in [Locon?] to day, of Daniel Mills who lived beyond the Main. You have seen the poor man I suppose. A very hard working & honest man was he.
It is a general time of health in Johnson, I know not of one sick person now except Rob’ Hill who is evidently on his [last?] legs, though around the streets every day. The poor devil had a [time?] in the fore part of Dec. and has been rapidly going down with the consumption ever since. He can have one source of consolation beyond what most men are blessed with, that there will be no excess of grief at his death, and another, that nobody or even the world will ever be able to discover the road that [his?] departure will occasion, & still another, that for his dearest & best friends & companions whose comforts & happiness are undoubted, his strongest & most earnest desire, there will be a greater abundance and at a greatly [demenostred?] price of the blessed creature that has so long stood between [???] & all [witch?] cares. Yesterday Dr C. & I removed two loads of corn fodder and eight loads of hay which with two loads, drawn [before?] makes all the hay I have left, [ample sufficient as?] I think to carry me through with [???] & the old cow. I have some more [slulh?] to [draw?] & two or three loads of wood dry wood in the shed [&?] the [??????] & farming tools, sleigh, waggon, &c to it [??] home yet. Mr Clark from [Miss.?] has moved into the old house & Phelps is going in with him to occupy the part that Dr C did when he was there with us. [Phil??? is?] about buying out [???????] takes a [fusin?] in Wolcott. Sam [Wilson?] has sold or will soon & Bill Smith buys out the Widow Wilson, & [esrnard?] has bought the [Feelting?] farm [in Herling?]. [Gotn?] will probably have the [Muikler?] farm & let Patrk have the Bixley house.
Capt Sam has elected one of the directors of the Bank of Waterbury and keeps a deposit of their money as well as a deposit of [Irusburgh?] money & he is in fact a bank discounting to people like any bank would, & if he keeps it up it will greatly curtail the business of the new bank at Hydepark that will probably go into operation about May 1st. The Hydepark bank stock went off [any?] heavily. Not a dollar take below here & only 46 shares taken here & 26 of them to trade away for other Bank Stocks. The Hydepark folks have sworn vengence against the lower part of the County declaring that no County officer shall come below their [?????]. Let them squirt their dye stuff, it will make them feel better. It is getting to be pretty hard times for almost everything here. Money is scarce & hard to be got. Still prices for everything but [???] & pork are exorbitantly high, wool [no sale?], Pork $[650?] for the [best?] & less in proportion to weight. But corn is $1.25, oats 50¢ Flour $11.00 Beef $5. per [????], & 6 per hind. Butter 20 to 22′ [Churned?] 11 ¢ Hay $15.00 and none to be had at that so that is feared that some poor men will have to kill their cows or see them starve. Wood is from 1.50 to 1.75, Tallow from 14¢ &c &c. If about 1/2 the folks in Johnson were well settled in Grant County I think it would be much better for them and for those who choose to remain on these bleak hills. I should have mentioned Potatoes which are scarce at 50 ¢. Now all who are not producers had better go where they can get the necessaries of life cheaper & wages as good that would be my advice to all, and which I will convince them I am sincere in one of these days.
Your Mother is anxious that you should work with your Uncle Cyrus the ensuing season and learn the builders trade so that you can build a house on our place or one for yourself if you should ever feel the need of one. You have over estimated to us what you thought [??] doing another year, whether to try again to study Medicine, Law, or go to Lake Superior, or teach school, or work around Lancaster. There are many inducements to either course. Ponder the subject well and take the advice of your friends especially of Augustus about going where he is, perhaps he would want you there with him to explore the country for copper. And when you have selected some good place to pursue, why then you may inform us. I intended to [fell????] this [page?] out, but have not time to do it to night, perhaps I may do it in the morning.
So for the present [????] you will [Go & Barber?] I wish you would enquire what timber land can be had for near Lancaster, especially in that grove that was [G??] Dewey’s & do it in a way to not have any one think that your motive is any thing but idle curiosity. I regret that I did not buy 40 or 80 acres of it before he sold it. I am going to Cambridge to day or to morrow and perhaps may pick up some news, that will be interesting to you. If so you may rely on having it forwarded to you soon. You enquired who were Benton’s assistant. Helen Whiteny [tah?] & the small fry Rebeccah [Merriam?] & [Diana?] have [classes?]. I think you will be satisfied with the length of this and can afford to give me one half as long at least. I hope you will continue to write every week and I will endeavour to do the same by you.
G. A. B.
Iron River Falls, LaPointe Co.
Feb. 10th 1855Dear Brother Allen
Survey detail of Iron River Falls, LaPointe County, Wisconsin. A review of this location and survey (T50N R9W) is featured in our series prologue; Stuntz Surveys Superior City 1852-54.
Your [welcome line?] was duly received and at last I find an occasion to write you a word in answer. I am very sorry to learn of your poor health but presume you will improve this winter if you as careful as circumstances will allow, which is generally careful enough. I don’t know how to advise in regard to your future operations but I tell you as I have before told our parents that I wish both yourself and I to obtain a thorough education. Your poor health is at present an obstacle to the pursuit of that object and I do not know that you are resolved on it provided your health was good. I have said so much in my letters about the good efforts of the kind of life I have adopted on the health of consumption or dystrophic men that you will be expecting me to recommend it for you without knowing much about your ailments so I think [is?] almost useless to say to you.
Come up here! I am confident that our season spent in surveying, voyaging, or exploring in this region or any healthy country would do your whole system, constitution, mind & body more good than all the medicines in the universe.
If I could see you I think we might arrange to spend next summer in the woods together. I have seen some experience in frontier-life and the tendency always is (with feeble persons) to giving good health and greatly increasing bodily vigor.
What the changes will be for making a raise in this country next season I can hardly tell you now but I expect they will be pretty good.
I hope you will see Mr. Stuntz when he is in Lancaster this winter, and for I think you would come up with him. I may see you in your schoolhouse before spring, as several things make me wish to visit Lancaster this winter. I don’t know the place where you are teaching, but I wish you all the success you can wish with all my heart. As for your toothache, I wish you as speedy deliverance from it as you would experience if I had a good hold on the offending tooth and hope you will consider the applicability of the “Wellerism” about the [“boy as svollered a fardin”?]
So you don’t like Lancaster? – well, I do! i.e. I like it pretty well generally, and some of the folks in it particularly; and if I supposed my appearance there would excite half the curiosity my supposed advent did last fall I would surely hazard the experiment of confronting those terrific batteries of eyes, for those batteries are not “masked” though I apprehend some of them are case-mated. I received a letter from Father last evening, saying all were well &c.
I wrote to you about the farm, but as you are not in L. you will not find it convenient to attend to it, so you can just let it be if you should not finish your school and return to L. before I return go down or write again. If you should have done anything about it before this reaches you all right or otherwise – all right. I am [well?] and well provided with work so I stand [it?] pretty well although our quarters here are not just as one would like them. I could write better if the idea had [yet?] not taken possession of my mind that I shall see you in mere weeks, so you will excuse imperfections and believe me.
Your affectionate brother
Augustus H. Barber
P.S. I admit that I may err in advising you to undertake the labors of a trip to this region, and that some other vocation in sight be more advantageous in all respects; and I do not wish you to adopt my course simply on the strength of my recommendation. Think about it, and in your ruminations keep this idea before your mind – “Health is the vital principle of bliss. And exercise of health.”
A.H.B.
Patch Grove Wis. Feb. 18, /55
Dear Parents
I have nothing to do this evening to amuse myself unless it is to write a letter.
Closed my school last night and have got this far from the scene of my labors although it may seem that I am not much nearer Lancaster. It is no nearer but there is a stage from here there tomorrow morning.
Had a good chance to ride to L. Saturday morning but only sent my trunk. Got my pay last night in gold. Sold my clock at cost for the gold, and stayed over night at [Basfords?].
[…]
The [????] is There several of meanest roughest imps here I have yet seen in the [state?]. I guess I will wait untill I get to L. before I finish this so as to report my luck in getting home.
X X X X Lancaster Feb 20th
Got here yesterday all safe. Found the good people all well. Uncle Thode went off in the morning so I did not see him. Augustus has written something about the produce of the farm. There is considerable corn which [????] pigs have been living on lately. There are several who want to rent the place and one man wants the house without the land. He is one of the Shoemaker tribe, and I dont want him within ten miles of it. Wheeler who lives on the [place?] now and wants to rent it has a good [team?] and promises to do well with it.
[…]
I mean to get my hair cut today for the first time after leaving Vermont. It has got pretty long and looks “first rate.” There are 40 rabbits to the square rod around here – At least there are so many tracks. From what I can learn I should think Augustus was doing about as much this winter as he did last winter. There are no liquor shops open in town they say and nothing, read and spell better than could be expected of him. Have not time to write another sheet.
Allen
I will try to get some larger paper before I write to you again
1855, [Feb.] 16
Lancaster Wis. 16th 1855
Dear Father & Mother
Knowing myself to much indebted to you for the promptness and length of your letters it is my intent to reciprocate as far as lies in my poor abilities by writing as often and fully as possible. My health still appears to be good and we have all been pretty well except Myron who alarmed us very much night before last by having a fit. He had been sick all day occasionally eating too many new doughnuts and other things. The fit commenced about six o’clock P.M. and lasted 10 or 12 minutes and was stupid until 10, and will occasionaly [??????ahing?] untill next morning.
He was sick all day yesterday but got up this morning smarter than ever and continues well. Uncle Ham. has got back from the north. All the land he went after particularly he found entered but he says he got [????t] of first rate land.
Uncle Allen wants me to enter some [land?] which I think I shall do when I hear of some good [??????]. I suppose I could find land north 2 or three dollars per. acre.
I could easily sell out at any time for 20 or 30 per cent, more than cost. Ben. C. Eastman has returned. He has some timber land for which he asks about 7 dollars per acre, which I suppose is about as well as well you can do. I have some thoughts of applying for a school in [Morrisson8?] district.
The school has got to bad for any female to teach and want a man. That is just the kind of school I would like to try for the sake of variety. They pay $12. per mo to female teachers.
Uncle ham has entered 8 sections on black river, he thinks in 5 years will be worth more than all the other lands he owns.
G. R. Stuntz is in town. We have good sleighing now and have had since Sunday [Sat. 11th?]. More Snow- about a foot of new snow and about 3* below freezing cold.
[…]
Rec’d your letter
of March 6th today. Uncle Allen had got it as he does [most?] of any mail matter. The [???] cannot see the 2nd it appears. The good people here are considerably incensed by their disappointment in not seeing Grandfathers out here this spring. I know of no reason for his not coming out with uncle Thode as far as Sandusky where they would want him to stay untill into summer. I think he will yet be allowed to visit this western paradise and meet his children, grandchildren, and other friends. I did not make so good a bargain as you wished in regards to the farm but I think it was as good as could be made.
[…]
Sunday 18th. Have not been to meeting today.
~ Wikipedia.com
Last night I went up to Rowdens beyond Uncle Jays to see about that school. I guess they dont want any more school this spring. It is rather surprising that the Know Nothings have got such power in [Cambridge?].
I had heard of their strength and [power?] by way of [??] [Heath?] in a letter to Augustus which fell into the hands of Uncle Ham. There are none of them here.
I hope [Wyman?] and Charles Stanly will come out here. This is not a very good place for [??????] but they would go to Lake Superior or St Croix river and [get good wages?]. If they get here soon perhaps they could work with Stuntz.
[Incomplete copy of letter]
Home March 1st 1855
Friend Allen,
It is some time since I rec’d your last and I should have replied earlier but for several weighty reasons. Even now my eyes promise to close and carry the spirit to dream land instead of the western world, but though the flesh is willing the will is not ready to resign itself to the arms of the [dreary?] old night god, till it talks awhile with you.
My [“???”] says I last wrote you (Dec 1st) well, if tis so I ought to have a few to say to this now, but my heart is as barren as no matter what. Could I be blessed with your company tonight we might lay awake and talk till the roosters crowed; and then not say it all, but now I really do not think of anything worthwhile to write.
As I have written west from once to twice a week all winter, to three or more people. I have to repeat the news that way till they become as stale as – new crackers.
[…]
Tis a time of general health here, if we except the small pox, which is in to help the Frenchmen this hard season. Where are you going this summer? what to do? I may go west in April – may not till fall – or never. I wish to go this spring but wish to study a term or two first, still may go soon. Please write very soon, and I may see you before May if I know where to find you. Time hastens – and with a hope for your welfare and prayers for your happiness I am the same old friend.
Albe
A J Barber
Lancaster March 2nd, 1855
Dear Father,
Yours of Jan. 18th was duly received and I hasten to reply.
I have written to Augustus [lately?] all I could think of especially about his getting kissed by a squaw. The next time you write to him you can ask him about the particulars.
I am glad Cad. is going to leave Johnson.
Detail of an abandoned copper exploration of the American Fur Company at Black River Falls (Big Manitou Falls) from the T47N R14W survey in Douglas County, which Augustus worked on with Stuntz in 1852.
If I could do anything to help him to useful and profitable employment God knows I would be glad to do it. Uncle [Ham?] started yesterday for Black river falls after pine lands. [He?] expects to be out in the woods some and perhaps camp out, will be gone from here about twenty days. [Tody?] has been writing [where?], he says it is a [“tow”-(cow)?]
[written in margin] he talks most everything [/margin]
[…]
I cannot express my gratitude for the amount of reading matter I have read from home lately in letter form.
[Jake Moorn?] is very slim has been sick some time. I must close to write Am and others
Good Bye
Allen
P.S. I have lent Cyrus $50. He has bought two cows and wants to buy more
Aunt [Lila?] has been sick over a week with strange and alarming symptoms. Constant headache splitting [leload?] and the exact appearance of being [Calivated?] but she is now better.
I want to write a letter to Am. about his [cars?] and some other things but guess I will wait till some other time
J. Allen Barber
Aunt Fanny thought sending a line in this but concludes not to. She says she has a right wait a while as you did.
A Masonic lodge has been started here lately so you will not miss the privelege of meeting your Morgan killing brethren at Cadys falls when you come out here.
Aunt Fanny wants you to send her some [Russian] turnip seed. Soon as possible. If you could send some two or three years old it would be better and perhaps purer blooded.
I once had a [pear?] spruce seeds which I wish I had here They [more?] in a [papa?] and [labely?]. And I would not care if I had some spruce [germ?]
To be continued in the Spring of 1855…
Barber Papers: “Augustus” 1854
August 7, 2015
By Amorin Mello
Selected letters of the Joel Allen Barber Papers
… continued from the prologue (1852-54).
Abstract:
Augustus Hamilton Barber
brother of Joel Allen Barber
and Amherst Willoughby Barber;
nephew of Joel Allen Barber;
cousin of Joel Allen Barber, 2nd;
son of Giles Addison Barber;
grandson of Joel Barber, Jr;
great-great-great-great-grandson of Thomas Barber.Primarily letters exchanged by Barber, a surveyor in northern Wisconsin and later a soldier in the 25th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and his parents in Vermont from 1854 to 1865. Written from Superior, Ashland, and La Pointe, Barber’s letters refer to economic conditions and pioneer life, to Indian affairs, and to Catholic and Protestant missions. Also included are Civil War letters by Barber; letters from his father, G. A. Barber, while in Montpelier participating in sessions of the Vermont House of Representatives; and miscellaneous items including a Revolutionary War pension statement and genealogical data on the Green family; two letters, Sept. 4 and 27, 1870, written by Joseph C. Cover, U.S. consul at Fayal in the Azores; and a printed memorial address by Col. Clement A. Lounsberry.
Biography/History:
Joel Allen Barber (1834-post 1909) was the son of Giles A. Barber (1803-1879) of Cambridge and Johnson, Vermont, and the nephew of Joel Allen Barber (1809-1881), Wisconsin legislator and Congressman. The senior J. Allen Barber came from Vermont and settled in Lancaster, Wisconsin, in 1837. He was followed by his father, by his brother T. M. Barber, who became a Lancaster merchant, and by numerous other relatives in the 1840’s and 1850’s.
The Barber brothers, Augustus and Allen, received expert legal advice and political updates from Uncle Joel Allen Barber (Senior) regarding their affairs while on Lake Superior.Giles A. Barber had three sons who reached manhood: Augustus (1831-1856), Joel Allen, and Amherst Willoughby (1841-1920). Joel Allen came to Wisconsin in 1854. After a term as a school teacher in the Blake’s Prairie area of Grant County and several months in Lancaster engaged in varied occupations suggested by his uncles, he went to the Lake Superior region in June, 1855, to join his brother Augustus, who was engaged in copper and land speculation and in a surveying business. Augustus was killed in an accident in the spring of 1856 but Joel Allen remained in northwestern Wisconsin as a surveyor until 1861. During the Civil War, he served from 1862 to 1865 in Co. C of the 25th Wisconsin Infantry and was first lieutenant of his unit at the time of his discharge.
Scope and Content Note:
An undated portrait of Uncle Joel Allen Barber is on page 199 of the Proceedings of the State Bar Association of Wisconsin, Volume 1900
A memoir of Uncle Joel is on page 198.
The collection consists primarily of letters exchanged by Joel Allen Barber and his parents from 1854 to 1865. The letters by Allen–as he was known in his family, to distinguish him from his uncle–were written from Superior, Ashland, and La Pointe and contain many references to economic conditions and pioneer life in northern Wisconsin in the 1850’s, to Indian affairs, and to Catholic and Protestant missions. In letters from Vermont, his parents commented on these matters as well as related news of eastern business and politics. G. A. Barber served several terms as judge in Lamoille County, and represented the town of Cambridge in the Vermont House of Representatives in 1858 and 1859. The collection includes numerous letters which he wrote from Montpelier during the sessions. He had also visited Allen in the fall of 1856, and his letter of November 3, 1856, was written during a rough voyage down Lake Superior and Lake Michigan in the famed steamboat “Lady Elgin.”
Johnson Apr. 15th 1854
Dear Brother Augustus
T47N R14W, T47N R15W, T48N R14W, T48N R15W, T49N R14W & T49N R15W (June 1852);
… and Interior Field Notes:
T47N R14W (June 1852);
T49N R13W (May-June 1853);
& T47N R13W (June-July 1853).
T26N R5W (Aug. 1853);
T26N R6W (Aug. 1853);
T27N R5W (Sept. 1853);
T27N R6W (Sept. 1853);
T28N R5W (Sept. 1853);
T26N R4W (Sept.-Oct. 1853);
T27N R4W (Oct. 1853);
& T28N R4W (Oct. 1853).
I wrote to you partly to kill time and partly to let you know what a ridiculous fix I am in. [Jo/Sen?] [M.?] Knight had to go to Boston and Homer Bell is sick – so the best he could do except to shut up the store was to leave me with it. I came in yesterday, then he left for Boston so I don’t know everything about the store yet. And what is worse [now if?] the goods are marked except a few staples which were marked specially for this occasion.
There is considerable [hade hike?] at least so it seems to me. Tobaccco is called for more than have as often as any other article.
[That don’t?] agree with me. Homer may get out so as to be here some of the time to advise me but it is doubtful as the weather which has been very fine of late has changed and threatened to be bad. I was greatly elated a few days ago by the prospect of going west as father thinks of sending me with the [chop roots?] but he has found another way to get them along by [Hayland?] Wilcox to Madison I believe.
Have you seen anything of John Cook out your way?
He and [Aunt?] F Whiting started for the west she stopped at [Eckhart?] Indiana and he went along and did not know but he should go to Lancaster.
Emily Whiting has been sick. She returned from Mount [Holfotre??] Seminary [??????] time ago where there was so much sickness that it had to be broken up. [Sarah Dougherty?] has also been sick from the effects of a hard cold.
We had [a maple?] sugar party at [Azioson fast?] day. I have no more time to write.
Father will write soon
Give my love &c
Allen
Sandusky Sept. 16th 1854
Dear Parents
As you will be looking for a letter I will try to not disappoint you.
I arrived here yesterday (Saturday) at noon in good health and spirits.
You may wish to know something of my journey so I will briefly notice it. We came very slowly to Albany where a valve got out of order which detained us a while, but we finaly got to R. R. where we were so lucky as to find a train waiting for us.
We made rather poor time on this road about half way but after passing a train we came out fast enough. Got to Ogdensburgh about 8 P.M. Waited about 2 hours for the boat and then took the “Ontario.”
Next morning we were at Kingston.
Wednesday, August 23, 1854
“We are desired to say that the new steamboat CLIFTON, just built by the Messrs. MacLem, at Chippewa, C.W., will leave this port, this afternoon, at two o’clock, upon a pleasure and experimental trip.”
~ Maritime History of the Great Lakes
Reached Oswego about the middle of the afternoon. Next morning (Friday) reached Queenston at the mouth of the river and took the cars for Chippeway, this is a new road just opened and much the best way to get along. Stopped at the falls two or three hours. At Chippeway took the steamer Clifton for Buffalo.
Tramped round as much as I could wish to in Buffalo and went to bed on the Mississippi which left at 10 oclock P.M. This was a grand boat, ever way superior to the Oregon. Had some toothache Friday night and one side of my face is badly swelled yet. Aunt Em. is away from home for a few days.
I like the children very well. Have not received any letter from Ind. We have no very rough weather on the lakes yet there was enough wind to make the boat roll and pitch some most of the time. I was a little seasick Friday morning but could not throw up anything.
The weather is fine peaches are plenty. Mr. Messer sends his respects. I should like to hear from home but know not where I shall be.
I shall write again soon.
My love to all.
From your affectionate Son
Allen
Lancaster Oct. 13th 1854
Dear Parents
Perhaps I should have written before but I have been prevented partly by ill health.
I did not start from Sandusky untill the 5th of this month. I was quite unwell several days before leaving Ohio. Reached Galena the second night after leaving Ohio. The cars run to [illegible] around 10 miles from Galena. Stopped at the City Hotel. Found Uncle Thode without difficulty. He is [busy?] as ever.
Stayed at Galena over Sunday and took the stage at midnight for Plattville and then finished my journey on foot.
Found people nearly all well here. Aunty Fanny has been quite sick but is getting well now. Frank Hyde has got here, bought a place in the village, opened a shop &c.
I am [spopping?] now at Uncle Allen’s now.
You will please excuse my being short as I am not well enough to write very easily.
My love to all the family and respects to some others.
Hoping to hear from Vermont often I remain
Your affectionate Son
Allen
Lancaster Oct. 19th 1854
Dear Father & Mother
Although I have written once since I arrived here I think I have reason to write again as I was not very communicative before. I mentioned being unwell as a reason for not writing more but did not mention the cause or nature of my ill health. At Sandusky I was attacked with diarrhea, occasioned I think by eating part of a diseased potatoe – this continued in spite of me four days and after a cessation of one day continued untill untill after I had been here some time. My flesh and strength failed very much, my appetite entirely.
At Galena I found I had lost ten pounds.
I am now improving under Dr. Woods medicine which though very ineffectual has done me well enough, unless the low state of my blood should superinduce fever and ague.
I acknowledge the justice of your remarks upon the paper I used, but that was the best I happened to have then. And I may as well notice the receipt of a very welcome letter from you this afternoon dated Oct. 8th.
I was very sorry to hear of Amherst’s sickness and somewhat surprised as I did not fancy that peculiarity of his breathing could be anything serious. If he is any yellower then I am, he would pass for a good Chinaman.
I believe I briefly mentioned my journey from Sandusky here. To Detroit I went by night. Fare including berth $2.00. Took breakfast at the Rail Road Exchange – a rather humble and cheap house but they are very obliging.
Went to the National Hotel to find Mr. Smith but he had gone to Rock Island to stay.
Had a fine view of the city from the cupola of the National. Was much pleased with Michigan and looked round so much that at night I could not turn my eyes without pain. There was an unequated rush of travel when I came through. Such passenger trains I never saw before. It took four cars for the baggage, express, and mail business.
Was obliged to stay over night at Chicago as the trains do not connect by a minute or two. At Rockford I inquired for Mr. Huntington but he lived on the other side of the river at some distance so I did not see him.
The R.R. will be finished to Galena in two or three weeks.
I have seen a great many people from Vermont in my travels. One fellow I saw at Plattville was lately from Morristown. He lived near [Jenery?]’s and his name was Dodge.
One fat speculator from White river inquired about Doane. I saw him in Michigan.
When I first arrived in town I made my way directly to Uncle Allen’s office where I found him and Uncle Cyrus & Frank Hyde.
Uncle Cyrus me very quick. Aunt Sa’h and Grandmother thought Augustus had returned after a severe sickness.
I felt and no doubt looked some as David Copperfield did when he got to his Aunts.
I have been very kindly received and cared for by all my relations wherever I have been. I am staying now at Aunt Fanny’s. Helped Cyrus pick corn this forenoon it rains nice this P.M. As to the country, the lay of the land &c. I hardly know what to say.
~ History of George Alcorn
I can fully endorse the sentiments of others who have praised the west but I think there are more beautiful places in the vicinity of Freeport and Warren than the country around Lancaster. Jo. Alcorn and his family arrived here a few days since.
He wants to carry on your land next year. Shoemaker does not want it as he is going to carpentry next year.
There is also another Shoemaker coming from Ill. who wants it.
The appletrees Augustus set out are most all doing well – the hops are rather scarce.
Think the [People?] of Lancaster are very kind, good hearted people but I have not got acquainted much yet.
Grandmother is perfectly captivated with Aunt Em, since being there, she thinks there is no place like Uncle Ham’s house – well it is a modest home.
But it grows dark and I must wind up. Please let Am write some in the next.
My love to all
Allen
P.S. I saw Mr Dewing a few days ago
He is swift to have me come out to this place to fish and shoot ducks &c.
Allen
Superior Nov. 7th 1854
Brother Allen
I received your letter of the 18th ult. today, and was glad to hear from you in a place so much to my fancy as Lancaster. Of course you are charmed with the western country, though you don’t say so in your letter, and though other places may offer more immediate chances for entering some lucrative employment [now?] seem more calculated to make a quiet and pleasant home than L. and its beautiful environment. I feel quite flattered by your account of the bustle among the fair ones occasioned by my supposed return, and am quite inclined to [create?] a genuine ‘furor’ by appearing in “Persona Profile” among them some of these days, and prevent the recurrence of their mistake by staying there.
But grateful and precious as are the joys of friendship and free social converse, they are only flowers beautifying the margins of the nigged path to wealth and honor, and he who presents their delights to enthrall his senses or entice him aside, is sure to stumble.
If I strive for wealth it is to enjoy it; if I fail to acquire it I hope to make none wretched by my inefficiency or misfortunes.
Perhaps you would like a little information in regard to my operations –: well Stuntz’ survey is finished and I have some writing to do for him, which will occupy me several days; as for subsequent “doins” you will be dully appraised.
I presume you will stay in L. this Winter, and I almost envy you the pleasure of mixing in the young society of the village – perhaps you will teach the village school. You will remember enough of my letters to look out for the deviltry of the boys about town, but lest you wrong the innocent I will say that with two or three exceptions they are fair and candid.
~ Lancaster Teller, April 30, 1891
You cannot and need not avoid the lately returned Californians, but a little prudent circumspection will not be any injury them and may keep you clear of some petty embarrassments: Some good luck and some good guessing kept me clear of sundry little “contrived plans” of their hatching, and I warn you, perhaps needlessly, but candidly.
Am glad Aunt Lucy has selected and called her little girl after one she knows to be among the best of good girls: she declared she would never call her Eleanor because I wished her to; but I [mistanded?] all the time that she rather meant to, finally. I think this will do at present, for I intend writing soon.
My love to all
Your affct Brother
Augustus
I went to election today and voted for the republican candidate for Congress – Mr. Washburn. All [Lokiss?] here
Johnson, November, 26th 1854
Dear Brother
As it is vacation with me now, I thought I could write a short note to you, not knowing but it might be acceptable. We have all sorts of weather here now, for today it has shone, rained, snowed, & hailed [illegible words] & rained [toreously?] [Jo?] I attended the funeral of Charles Daniels & walked up to his folk’s house with father through the mud and it was about [shortest?] one I ever attended. He died of consumption. Merrill Pillsbury died last Tuesday & was buried Thursday. I don’t know but Father has written you about it before [illegible] I believe he also died of consumpt. We had a great time here Tuesday night. There was a grand [feast?] in the [Town Hall?], and we had pig & almonds & raisins & apples &c. to the [casts-offs?] Would you not have given a quarter as I did to have been here to [both]? Every body there enjoyed themselves greatly. It was a new-fashioned dance in more respects than one for invitations were sent to all the people in the [village?] to attend and many of did so [illegible] in a manner very amusing to the swing generation. The 7th [?] of the United States Magazine came last week & also the last of the Phrenological Journal with a little paper index to the [illegible]. Do you wish to subscribe to it another year? Do you wish the volume bounds? We have prescribed [a large number nicely?] so that it might be bound. But it is time for the mail to go out. I must close.
Goodbye
Amst
Detail of an abandoned copper exploration at Big Manitou Falls from T47N R14W. Augustus worked on the Exterior and Interior Surveys here during June of 1852.
[ca. 1854]
Augustus,
When the draft comes in if you will send it down you will much oblige me.
What are you doing. Would you not do well to make some improvements about the place such as getting or making rails to hew in the pasture. Setting out trees lining for an orchard or any way to make it like a home. I hope you will find something to do for idleness will beget mischief any way you can fix it. My leaving off business so long nearly deprived me of business facultys, at least it is like leaving one again. I feel it very much as Mr. Felt left me the very day I became [introduced?] in the business. Any employment is better than to remain idle. If God will forgive me for wasting so much time will try and do better in future. Any honest business faithfully followed is doing vast good business [betting?] our own condition and enabling us to become much more useful.
Excuse me for making these suggestions for experience has prompted me so to do.
Will you be kind Augustus as to write frequently to me. Again I say forgive my plainess of speech.
Love to all
[illegible]
Chequamegon History 