Pioneer history of Ingham County, compiled and arranged by Mrs. Franc L. Adams, secretary of the Ingham County pioneer and historical society.

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PIONEER HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY

time, and the history would be incomplete without taking it in
its natural sequence.
In O. W. Howe's " Chronicles of Break o' Day" he uses many historical facts as a basis for his story, tells of the "Jerusalem
Wagon" (mentioned elsewhere in this volume), the Bohemian
Oats scandal which was the main topic of conversation for some
years, and the depredations of organized bands of horse thieves
that had their strongholds in the swamps in the southern part of
this county. An article which appeared in the Leslie LocalRepublican in 1895 forms a sort of sequel to the story told by Mr.
Howe, and is as follows:
"The historical Johnson swamp, four miles west of Leslie, is
the famous Johnson swamp to which people came from all directions and from miles around in big wagons to pick the berries
found there in great profusion.
"Since the 'Chronicles of Break o'Day' appeared there has been
some discussion as to the part Onondaga contributed to the romance. Many interesting details have, unfortunately, been forgotten, but the Local-Republican, as correctly as possible, and as
fully as it has been able to gather it presents the fragmentary
traditional history on which certain chapters of Mr. Howe's novel
are based.
"In the spring of 1850 Rev. William Jones moved from Waterloo
Township, Jackson county, to what is now known as the Jones
farm, three and one-half miles west of Leslie. He owned a large,
powerful dog, which had bull blood, and was very ferocious. In
the night, just after he had retired, when the boxes, barrels and
miscellaneous traps that had been brought by wagon were still on
the porch and scattered around the yard, he heard the dog growl
from his newly-found den under the porch.
"Mr. Jones called to him to 'be still.' The animal continued
his growling, and at last barking angrily advanced into the yard.
He was quieted by Mr. Jones, who had gone to the door, fearing
that the dangerous brute might attack an innocent passer-by.
It was about midnight when the occupants of the house heard a
horse running furiously along the road to the eastward. The
next morning Onondaga Township was wild over the announcement that a horse had been stolen from Elmer D. Hunt, who lived
on the farm now owned by Thomas Symonds. Although Hunt