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

REPORTS OF PIONEER HISTORICAL MEETINGS

79

timber, and the ashes would bring cash, or, if we saw fit, as was
frequently the case, we could make them into black salts, and by
so doing would realize more money for our labor. Perhaps an
incident that occurred in connection with the making of black
salts would be in harmony with my subject.
My brother, O. M. Barnes, had made arrangements to go back
to the State of New York to attend school, and to raise the money
for that purpose a quantity of black salts had been made up, and
they, together with his grip sack, boots, etc., were loaded up and
we started for Jackson. One of the young ladies of our neighborhood was also on board with us. On our way as I was driving
over what was known as Marrell's mill dam the road running
along on the top of the dam, the oxen made a dive for the water,
and it was only by the greatest effort we were able to get out of
the wagon before it went over, black salts and all, to the bottom
of the mill pond. The wagon uncoupled, and the oxen swam out
with the forward wheels. The mill pond was drawn down and
the balance of the wagon secured, but the salts had gone down
the river. This was a sad blow to O. M., and he had to turn
around and come back home with me. He charged me with
having been paying attention to the young lady and not to the
oxen. Although I did not plead guilty, yet I wouldn't wonder if
that was the case. I have not set up any defense, and I know
this much was true, that it took the earnest efforts of us both to
save her and us from going into the water.
As time passed on we young people began to want some sort of
amusement, so we used to take the ox team, take on a full load and
drive from three to five miles to an evening party. And today I
behold faces in the audience of both teacher and scholars whom I
have taken on board the ox sled and driven to Leslie to attend a
spelling school, or to Mason to attend a singing school.
But pioneer days, together with the greater part of the pioneers, have passed away, but occasionally we meet a genuine
pioneer, and here and there we find relics that take us back with
the speed of thought to the days of long ago. Recently while at
the old home I stood near where the old house was built, and
found, yet standing, a huge oak stump, whose massive trunk
after centuries of growth, was laid low by the ax of my father
over fifty years ago.