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

LESLIE TOWNNSIPI AND ITS HISTORY

659

hope to see in the not far distant future, as a culmination of their
persevering efforts, a beautiful building erected in a central location, with all modern equipment, a building we may point to
with pride as the consolidated school building of the township of
Leslie.
LESLIE WOMAN GETS UNWELCOME CALL FROM CHIEF
OKEMOS IN EARLY DAYS.
(Editor's Note. This is the second in a series of articles concerning the early history of Leslie by Mrs. Ella Haltz. Other
articles will appear in The State Journal from time to time.)
Special to The State Journal.
LESLIE, Aug. 2.-While log houses were being built inl Leslie
during the early days it often happened that two or more families
occupied one house, moving into their own as soon as a shelter
covered the logs, doing chinking, fixing the fireplaces, hewing the
logs for a floor and other needed accommodations later. Blankets
were hung at windows until glass and sash could be procured. A
little better protection had to be given windows at night on account
of the wolves. One boy, seeing some wolves, said he thought there
were a good many dogs in these woods. One man on coming into
Leslie said he was looking for the village, and on meeting a man
asked how far it was to the village of Leslie. He was told that he
was already in the village, and in Main street as well. He said, "I
thought it looked more like the woods."
The Indians were quite annoying to the settlers, and especially
to the women, who as a general thing were afraid of them. They
were beggars, too, always wanting flour, bread, biscuit or something. Have often heard this amusing story told on one dear old
lady, who, on being left alone, always pulled the latch string in,
for Indians never stop to rap, but always stalk in unbidden. On
this occasion she was alone and protected herself from intrusion by
pulling in the latch string. Presently a rap was heard, and on
looking out she beheld the Indian chief, Okemos. She kept very
quiet, but the rapping continued with increased violence. She was
so terrified that she exclaimed "there's nobody at home. "He
went to the next house and laughing heartily said, "White squaw
wigwam head scare, me rap, she say, nobody home."