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

BEPORTS OF PIONEER HISTORICAL MEETINGS

83

one was pleased with his neighbor's prosperity, and if one met with
reverses each added his mite to help repair the loss. Well I remember when we would hear through the forest the rumbling
sound of a wagon, soon we would hear the men calling to their
teams, and then we would hear the sound of the axe as they
chopped down the trees to make a road, and we would begin
preparations for entertaining the strangers.
If it was in the spring there were leeks to be gathered, and the
brush piles to be searched for eggs. If it was later in the season
we sampled the growing corn and potatoes, and if any of the neighbors had the good luck to kill a deer some one would go after a
piece of venison so that we could make as good an impression as
possible, and induce all to come that would.
Then by the time the men and wagons emerged from the woods
into our little opening all things would be in readiness. Mother
would have our faces washed and hair combed, and some of the
rents in our clothes sewed up, and the table spread in as good shape
as the times would permit.
If the meal consisted only of roasted potatoes and salt, with
what relish it was received. Often this was the case. I well remember one instance in particular: A man quite well dressed
came along looking land. It was nearly noon and as he started
to go on father asked him to stay for dinner. Well, I can see just
how mother looked; but she prepared the dinner. It was in harvest time and we could get no flour until some one went to Pinckney
or somewhere else to mill. We had new potatoes, butter, salt and
crust coffee. It was the same with all the neighbors, no chance to
borrow.
Now there are but few of those who experienced the events of
those days left. They made the beginnings on some of the beautiful homes we see scattered over Inglham county, and a few of
their children are left to tell, in a broken way, what we remember
of their hardships and with what courage they met every emergency. As we meet year after year it is good for us to remember
and tell what brave, energetic people they were. Could we find
young men now who would take their family, a team of oxen, a
wagon and an ax and go into such a wilderness as this county was
and try to make a home?
Let us raise our sons to be independent through labor, to pursue