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

BITNKERIIILI TOWNSHIP AND ITS HISTORY

333

Indian who said "Boshoo." When we got home and told mother
there was a big black hog crossed the road we learned that it was
a bear. We frequently heard wolves, but I never saw one.
Wild horses, or Indian ponies, were there in droves, and any one
who wished to could catch a pony and tame it for his own use.
Brother Hiram tried it and got a broken arm for his pains.
I think it was 1842 that I attended a funeral with several other
girls. It was very warm so we carried our shoes and stockings,
also our pantalets tied up in our handkerchiefs, and when we came
near the house where the funeral was we sat down on a log and
finished dressing ourselves. A miserable wag called our pantalets
"shin-curtains."
Spelling schools were among the entertainments for the winter,
the others were pumpkin bees, husking bees, occasionally a house or
barn raising, a logging bee or quilting. These quiltings were enjoyed by ladies old and young, and a rule was established that
each one must sing a song or tell a story. The thread used was
made from fine cotton yarn doubled and twisted on a big wheel
and dyed with maple bark. The common thread of that day was
made from flax raised among us, and mother divided her time
between the big wheel, the small wheel and the baby in the
cradle.
We carded the wool, spun and dyed it, and then it was woven
into cloth for our dresses. We also knitted all the stockings and
socks for the family, all the suspenders for the men, and braided
straw and sewed it into hats for the family.
It was a common thing for the Indians to lift the latch and walk
in without knocking, sit down flat on the floor until ready to go.
Chief Okemos frequently called and would always say, "Okemos,
me hungry," and if we fed him he would bring several hungry ones
with him the next time he came.
The contrast between those days and now is quite pronounced,
good roads, excellent schools, and church privileges having made
the difference."
During the last year of her life Mrs. Potter knit eleven sweaters
and many pairs of socks for our boys in service.