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 INGIIAM COUNTY

if you can find the trail." The first circle was made to no effect,
and another larger to no effect, and still the third and he could not
find it. By this time another idea had come into my mind-that
we get down low to the ground and follow our track back until we
struck the trail, and this we did. After walking some distance
we found it and felt to rejoice. Then we mounted our horses and
went on our way, hoping soon to come to a clearing where someone
lived where we could stop and get warm at least, for we were
nearly frozen.
"Please bear in mind we were a couple of children lost in the
dense forest and death almost staring us in the face, but yet we
were brave. None but pioneers could have held out. After a while
we could see that we were coming to an opening, and a small
shanty stood near the road; we did not know who or what was
there, but we summoned all the courage we could and went in,
and found an old couple there by the name of Strickland. I
think they must have been perfectly dazed at our unexpected
appearance. We asked them if we could stay with them all
night, and have some supper and get warm. They asked us
many questions-where we were from, and where we were going?
We told them we were from Clinton county and going to Hiram
Parker's, an uncle of ours. He said, 'Oh, yes; we know Squire
Parker; he is our justice of the peace; fine man he is, too, but we
can't keep you, but one mile from here is a good place for you to
stay, and it is a good road.' So we went out and got our horses
and started again. I had not gone but a few rods from the
house when my horse got his feet hung in the logs or poles thrown
in a bad place in the road and frozen in. He made a desperate
spring to extricate himself and broke the girt of the saddle and
threw me to the ground. Fortunately I came to my feet unhurt,
and then had to repair the break and get ready to start again.
This we did and hastened on our way; found the rest of the road
very good. Now we came to a place called Jefferson City, with
one or two houses and a sawmill, but best of all we found a hospitable lady by the name of Lewis, and she took us in and cared
for us.
"She made me some composition tea and warmed my feet, got
us some supper and was a real samaritan. Gave us nice beds,
and in the morning we were ready to make the rest of the journey,