A VETERAN OF '37. 
 
 .ir. William L. Baby, a descendant of 
 
 >e of the oldest French families in 
 
 lerica, ari for twenty-two years an 
 
 Jcer in the Canadian customs, died 
 
 Jortly after two o'clock this afternoon 
 
 the British-American Hotel, Windsor, 
 
 lere he was residing . A week ago 
 
 had a paralytic stroke, but was ap- 
 
 ^rently recovering urtil this morning, 
 
 ^hen he took a turn for the worse and 
 
 ank rapidly. 
 
 ^William L. Baby was born at Sandwich 
 1811, His family was founded in 
 le seventeenth century by Jacques 
 faby de Rainville, son of the Seigneur 
 rfc Rainville. Jacques was an officer in 
 ♦;he famous Carignan Regiment, and 
 |9ame with it to America. Nearly a 
 centu-y later, in 1760, two of his de- 
 
 WM. L. BABY. 
 
 Descendant of Famous Frenclimen, wUo 
 died in Windsor '" 
 
 Bcendants, Jacques Duperon and M. 
 Baby, settled in Detroit and during the 
 fiiege of Pontiao the two brothers ren- 
 dered invaluable assistance to the garri- 
 son. 
 
 After the revolution the Babys re- 
 turned with the other United Empire 
 Loyalist?, and on the taking of Detroit 
 in 1812 one of them, Francis, was ap- 
 pointed marshal for the territory of 
 Michigan, which position he held till 
 1814. 
 
 Mr.' Ba^" was eHucated in ToronTo,'^ 
 and spenc his boyhood there. On com- 
 ing to man's estate he bought a farm at 
 Chatham, Kent county, and lived there 
 for a number of years. 
 
 During tl o rebellion of 1837-8 he was 
 a lieutenant, commanding a company of 
 the Kent county militia. He was not -, 
 called out till Jan. 8, 1838, when the , 
 'patriots' from Detroit made an attjvck 
 on Amherstburg. They had seized the 
 schooner 'Ann,' loaded her with arms 
 ! and sailed her down to Gibraltar, twenty 
 miles beloAv Detroit, on the American 
 side. The Canadian troops were posted 
 behind trees and kept up a hot fire on 
 the schooner. The man at the helm 
 was shot down, many of the crew were 
 wounded, and the halliards were cut, 
 letting the mainsail drop. The schooner 
 di.ifted down the stream till she ran 
 afihore at Elliott's Point, and there she 
 was boarded by Lieut. Baby and his 
 company. The patriots surrendered, 
 and Dr. Thaller being wounded, Lieut. 
 Baby carried him on his shoulders to the 
 siiore. 
 
 Mr. Baby was married three times! 
 His first wife was a cousin. Miss Baby, 
 daughter of the late Francis Baby, of 
 Windsor. After her death he married 
 TNlias Ja3obs, daughter of Mr. George 
 Jacobs, township of Raleigh, Kent 
 county. His tliird wife was Miss Eliza 
 C. Chipman, daughter of Judge Chip- 
 man, of Detroit, and sister of Congress- 
 man J. L. Chipman. By her he had 
 one son, Mr. W. E. Baby, the well- 
 known Detroit lawyer. — Detroit 'Even- 
 ing News,' Dec. 9. 
 
lyfAXlA 
 
 ('£C'^*u 
 
Souvcuire of tbc Ipiaet 
 
 Mitb Ullustrations 
 
 ^ 
 
 AN INSTRUCTIVE AND AMUSING WORK, GIVING A CORRB>CT 
 ACCOI'NT OF THE CUSTOMS AND HABITS OF THE 
 
 Ipionccre of Cana^a 
 
 AND THE SURROUNDING COUNTRY, EMBRACING MANY 
 
 ANECDOTES OF ITS PROMINErsfJ' INHABITANTS, AND 
 
 WITHAL AN ABSOLUTE CORRECT AND HISTORICAL 
 
 ACCOUNT OF MANY OF THE MOST IMPORTANT 
 
 POLITICAL EVENTS CONNECTED WITH THE 
 
 EARLY DA\S OF CANADA AND THE 
 
 TERRITORY OF MICHIGAN. 
 
 BY 
 
 MdUam lewis Bab^ 
 
 lUinCteor, ©ntario, 18^6. 
 
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1896, 
 by William L. Baby, in the office of the Librarian 
 of Congress, at Washington. 
 
 This Work has already been published in the Dominion of Canada 
 
preface. 
 
 In offering to the public these crude and hastily written 
 Reminiscences, I have thought it advisable to. open them 
 with one of the traditions of the renowned chief Pontiac, 
 who exercised such an extraordinary influence over the 
 various tribes of Indians with w^hom he was associated and 
 who for so many years drew the undivided attention of the 
 civil and military povvers of those days. He at length failed 
 in the accomplishment of his bold and comprehensive plan 
 of attacking a chain of nine forts'f'Mil Michigan to Niagara 
 on the same day; he himself besieging the F'ort Pontchar- 
 train at Detroit in 1763, but failed, an Indian woman having 
 discovered the plot and revealed it to ^lajor Gladwin, 
 commanding the fort. 
 
 Pontiac afterwards professed friendship for the English, 
 but an Englisli spy, having discovered treachery in his 
 speech, stabbed him to the heart, and fled. — "Morgan's 
 Celebrated Canadians," p. 55. 
 
^ablc of Contents. 
 
 An Old Family Legend during the Conspiracy of Pontiac.... i 
 
 Serving Jury Summons in 1839 13 
 
 The (^Id Family Compact — its origin, and what I know about 
 
 it 35 
 
 The Hon. James Baby — Obituary 58 
 
 Service on the Detroit Frontier during the Rebellion of '2,j 
 
 and '38 72 
 
 The Battle of Windsor, fought December 4, 1839 90 
 
 An Old Time Breeze on Lake Erie — Sailing in 1831 11/ 
 
 The Runaway Slave IJ9 
 
 Journey to Little York (now Toronto) in 1833 140 
 
 Visit to Col. Talbot in 1S41 148 
 
 An Unexpected Visit from an Old Schoolmate 156 
 
 Visit to the Village of Wickwimikong, Manitoulin Island.... 164 
 
 Thrilling Experience with an Indian Pilot 187 
 
 The Book Peddler 193 
 
 Visit to the Sault Ste. Marie 215 
 
 A Sketch Showing, Among Other Things, how the Bruce 
 
 Mines in Algoma were discovered 224 
 
 Farming in this Canada of Ours, and how it was I became a 
 
 Farmer 240 
 
SOUVENIRS OF THE PAST. 
 
 AN OLD FAMILY LEGEND DURING THE CON- 
 SPIRACY OF PONTIAC 
 
 Pontiac, the renowned Ottawa chief and warrior, came 
 down from his camping ground on tb Isle au Pesche, 
 (fishing island in French), situated immediately at the 
 head of the Detroit River. From time immemo- 
 rial Isle au Pesche was noted for its fishing qual- 
 ities. The deep and pure waters of the Detroit River (the 
 spawning nurseries of the noted whitefish) were so attract- 
 ive that on reaching the shallow waters of Lake St. Clair 
 they refused its allurements and consequently congregated 
 in tens of thousands around this island, and the feeding 
 and gravelly shores of charming Belle Isle. No wonder 
 that Pontiac loved this island. Pontiac proceeded to visit 
 his old friend and trader, Jacque Duperon Baby, and 
 
 found him at his store adjoining his house, situated on 
 a 
 
2 OLD FAMILY LEGEND. 
 
 the bank of the Detroit River, where Baby and Hanrahan's 
 liquor store now stands. It was a low log building eighty- 
 feet long by twenty feet wide, clap-boarded, and contained, 
 several rooms dn a row, and was almost opposite Fort Pont- 
 chartrain, then situated on what is now called Griswold 
 street. City of Detroit, close to the river bank. 
 
 "Sit down," said Baby. 
 
 Pontiac, looking suspiciously at him, reluctantly took a 
 seat before the log fire. 
 
 "They tell me," remarked the chief, "that those red coats 
 have offered to give you a basket full of silver if you will 
 betray me into their hands?" 
 
 "How foolish that would be," said his friend. "I, who 
 make a living by trading with you and your tribes. As a 
 proof of my friendship wc will smoke the pipe of peace," 
 handing him a four-pound plug of tobacco, in the sliape 
 of a huge cigar, and a clay pipe. 
 
 Pontiac, seizing his tomahawk, and pointing to its head, 
 said, "Here is my pipe," (and the handle formed its stem), 
 lit and smoked it. After Mieir smoke his host remarked: 
 "It's a long walk to the island to-night; there are my 
 
OLD FAMILY LEGEND. 3 
 
 buffalo skins; use them and sleep before the fire and see 
 if I betray you in the morning, but before going to bed 
 have some supper. Theresa?" (a black negress) Baby 
 called. "She has gone to bed," Mrs. B. replies. "What is 
 wanting?" "A bowl of bread and milk for Pontiac." "i 
 will fetch it myself," Mrs. B. replies, and enters with a sil- 
 ver tray, a large china bowl, a loaf of bread and a silver 
 spoon. "Good squaw, Baby; many paupooses?" Pontiac 
 asks. "Yes," and Baby holds up both hands twice, count- 
 ing twenty. 
 
 "Big camp," exclaims Pontiac, smokes his tomahawk 
 pipe after supper in silence, makes his bed of buffalo skins 
 and goes to sleep with his feet to the fire. The next 
 morning Pontiac gets his breakfast with Mackinac toast, 
 (slices of bread, dipped in batter and fried in lard or butter, 
 and when done to a turn, can be served on a napkin with- 
 out soiling), pork steaks, and a bowl of cofTee, and tells 
 him that he won't see him again for two weeks — squaw 
 sick and too far from home. 
 
 At this moment Mrs. B. appears and shaking hands with 
 the chief, said, "Good-bye, Pontiac; remember me to your 
 
4 OLD FAMILY LEGEND. 
 
 squaw, and when you return to see us bring me six mar- 
 ten skins, dressed, for a boa, and a beaver skin for my 
 bonnet. Here are eight yards of bkie cloth for a frock 
 and legg'ns, a red blanket, and twelve yards calico for her, 
 two shirts, a double handful of assorted glass beads and a 
 silver brooch (the size of a saucer) to wear on her breast, 
 with the profile of old King George III. stamped upon it. 
 Accept this also from me," handing him a silver box with 
 six flints, tinder and a steel for striking fire. If she had 
 left a $300 gold repeater and the silver box to choose from, 
 he would have left the watch and taken the silver box. "If 
 that is not enough my husband will pay ycu the diflference." 
 Pontiac gives a grunt and wraps them in the blanket, says 
 ^'bon jour' and leaves. 
 
 Jacque Duperon Baby, his majesty's Indian agent, In- 
 dian trader and farmer, and his wife, Susanne Reaume, 
 "were princely in their gifts to this monarch of forests, prair- 
 ies, lakes and streams, and no wonder they sought his pro- 
 tection and favor, for Parkman. the great American his- 
 torian, relates the following exhibition of his power over 
 his followers — page 258, Vol. i. 
 
OLD FAMILY LEGEND. 5 
 
 A few young Wyandottes were in the habit of comings 
 night after night, to the house of Baby to steal hogs and 
 cattle. The latter complained of the theft to Pontiac, and 
 desired his protection. Being at that time ignorant of the 
 intercourse between Baby and the English, Pontiac has- 
 tened to the assistance of his friend, and, arriving about 
 nightfall at the house, walked to and fro among the barns 
 and enclosures. At a late hour he distinguished the dark 
 forms of the plunderers stealing through the gloom. "Go 
 back to your village, you Wyandotte dogs," said the Otta- 
 wa chief. "If you tread again on this man's land, you 
 shall die." They slunk back abashed, and from that time 
 forward the Canadian's property was safe. The Ottawas 
 had no political connection with the Wyandottes, who 
 speak a language radically distinct. Over them he could 
 claim no legitimate authority; yet his powerful spirit forced 
 respect and obedience from all who approached him. 
 
 I. Tradition related by M. Francis Baby, of Windsor, 
 U. C, the son of Pontiac's friend, who lived opposite De- 
 troit, upon nearly the same site formerly occupied by his 
 father's house. Though Pontiac at this time assumed the 
 
6 OLD FAMILY LEGEND. 
 
 attitude of a protector of the Canadians, lie had previously, 
 according- to the anonymous diary of the siege, bullied them 
 exceedingly, compelling them to plough land for him and 
 do other work. Once he forced them to carry him in a 
 sedan chair from house to house to look for provisions. — 
 Parkman, 259, vol. i. 
 
 The same morning Baby said to Susanne, his v/ife, after 
 breakfast: "I will cross the river in my canue and see 
 Major Gladwin" (commanding the fort). He then crossed 
 the river and approaching, meets a soldier with two pails 
 of water on a wooden yoke across his shoulders, addresses 
 hini as follows: "My man, tell Major Gladwin that Jacque 
 Duperon Baby wants to see him. Have him send me the 
 countersign to pass the sentry. Here is half a crown for 
 you and be quick." The nicssage is soon delivered and 
 the soldier returned, breathing in Baby's ear, "Silence." 
 Approaching the sentry he is accosted with, "Who goes 
 there?" "A friend," he answers. "Advance, friend, and 
 give the countersign." When close to tlie sentry he an- 
 swers, "Silence." "Pass on," said the sentry, and he has- 
 tens to the major's quarters, gives the knocker (a brass 
 
OLD FAAIILY LEGEND. ' ' 7 
 
 rampant lion) three loud claps, which bring the major to 
 the door. "Hello, Baby, is this you? Glad to see you; 
 come in, make yourself comfortable. It's rather too early 
 to drink, but a glass of ol 1 Jamaica will do no harm after 
 paddling across the river." "Never refuse a good thing 
 in moderation," replied Baby. They take a horn and 
 P)rd)y says: "Well, Gladwin, what's the news?'"" "D — n bad; 
 these infernal savages pester the life out of us, with their 
 bows of poisoned arrows. We can't leave the fort but they 
 are dogging us; at night they are in their camps in the 
 thick woods and are (juict; but the worst of all, to-morrow 
 we'll be out of provisions.'' 
 
 "Whcit news from that cut-throat, Pontiac?'' "He paid 
 me a visit last night," said Baby. "Smoked the pipe of 
 peace with me. My wife gave him his supper and he slept 
 in my buffalo skins in my dining ruom with his feet to the 
 fire. He was up bright and early, got his breakfast, and by 
 this time is opposite the head of Isle au Cochon," (now 
 Belle Isle). "Good! you are a brick!" 
 
 "See here, Gladwin, to-morrow night set a lantern near 
 the water plank," (two stakes driven in the bed of the river 
 
8 ' OLD FA^IILY LEGEND. ' ' ' 
 
 and a stout rung passed through them to support the plank, 
 and extending into the river to the depth of four feet,) 
 "and at half-past 12 sharp, look out for me with 
 six canoes loaded with pork, corn meal and beef. Have 
 your soldiers ready at the gate with empty casks to unload 
 the meal, and I will make three trips in succession before 
 daylight. Will bring a five-gallon keg of old Jamaica, 
 five gallons of old port and five gallons of Madeira. Tell 
 your men to use all precaution and be as quiick as pos- 
 sible. Good day, Gladwin; I must hasten back home and to 
 work. Keep up your courage, old boy, and all's well.'' 
 Baby shakes hands and hurriedly leaves him. Gladwin re- 
 turns to his fireplace and in a musing mood says in a smoth- 
 ered voice, "What a brave and noble iM'enchman — and a 
 Loyalist at that.'' Rccrossing the river, Baby, calling his 
 hands together, said. "Boys," (he had thirty slaves, twenty 
 men and ten women), "you have your iiands full." (Ho 
 worked a large farm, 1,000 acres in size, and about 200 acres 
 in cultivation, now all buih over by the City of Windsor.) 
 "Pompy," to his foreman, "to-morrow by sundown have 
 forty hogs killed and dressed, ten head of fat cattle the 
 
OLD FAMILY LEGEND. 9 
 
 same, and sixty bags of corn meal; put two quarters of 
 beef and three hogs and six bags of meal in each canoe."^ 
 As agreed upon at 12:30 at night the lantern gave its dim 
 light at the water plank; six canoe-loads of provisions 
 were dumped in a hurry and returned till all was over by 
 daylight. And Gladwin thanked him, saying, "England 
 will not forget you," and Baby answered him, "I know it; 
 and V hen you want my services hereafter, suspend from the 
 flagstaf? the white ensign of St. George, and I will respond." 
 The following summer, not long afterwards, he noticed 
 the cross of St. George and crossed over the river and met 
 Gladwin in sore tribulation, and asked him, "What's up?'^ 
 and Gladwin replied, *'I am expecting a vessel up from 
 Fort Erie and she is overdue some three weeks, loaded 
 with arms, provisions and men for my garrison. Can you 
 find a way for me to get news of her and ascertain if she 
 is liable to be attacked before reaching here?" and Baby 
 replied, "I have traders all through the country on both 
 sides of the river and lake (Erie), and I will instruct them 
 to give me the news of her, if seen, and in the meantime 
 discover the attitude of the Indians and report to you the 
 
10 OLD FAMILY LEGEND. 
 
 result of my inquiries in forty-eight hours from now. Fare- 
 well." Returns home in his canoe and on his arrival there 
 asks his slave Therese, ''Where is Laframboise?" (his 
 trader). She answers, "he is in the barn knitting a seine." 
 "Tell him I want him immediately." Laframboise makes 
 his appearance, removes his capuchon rouge and says, "me 
 voici monsieur que voulez vous?" "I want you to get 
 ready immediately," said B., "and take with you in your 
 9anoe fishing twine, fish-hooks, tobacco and pipes, glass 
 beads,: etc., etc. I vyill make the assortment for you to 
 trade with the Indians. You will at once proceed in your 
 canoe to the' mouth of the Riviere au Canard; you will as- 
 cend it on one side for two miles, and return on the other. 
 Keep, your eyes open, and report to me by to-morrow 
 night what you have seen. Comprenez vous, prend 
 garde?" Exit the' trader, and in an hour he is oflf. On 
 the following day at tnidnight he reports. "I followed your 
 instructions, sir, and the Indians knowing me as a trapper 
 allowed me to enter among their tribes, and I found In- 
 dians encamped on both sides of the river; Wyandottes, 
 Hurons and Pottowattomies, engaged in making bows and 
 
OLD FAMILY LEGEND. il 
 
 arrows of young hickory wood; the sqviaws were twisting 
 strips of deersl^in, and using tlie iririer bark of elm for the bow 
 strings, and otliers tieing strips of wild turkey feathers on 
 the arrows to guide their flight, with a split to insert the pois- 
 oned flint barb, tying them' neatly and firmly, with the 
 finest thread of the raccoon gut. As I was leaving I 
 entered a camp where an old squaw was engaged in dyeing 
 porcupine quills in various colors for embroidering moc- 
 casins, etc. Seating myself beside her, I pulled from my 
 coat pocket a handful of assorted beads, a pound of to- 
 bacco and a pipe, a paper of needles and pins, and hand- 
 ing them to her J said in Indian, 'Ybu appear to be very 
 busy in your camps; what is it all about.' 'We expect,' she 
 replied, 'to soon see a vessel of red coats come up 
 the river, and we are going to capture her when 
 she passes Turkey Island.' Viola tout mon maitre." 
 "Good," said Baby, "Here is a guinea from Major Glad- 
 win for you,'' and Baby gives Gladwin the information he 
 sought for so anxiously within the promised time. It was 
 correctly concluded from his information that a large force 
 of Indians armed with bows and arrows would assemble 
 
12 OLD FAMILY LEGEND. 
 
 near Turkey Island and would make a night attack on the 
 vessel on her way up. This news was conveyed to Glad- 
 win, who in turn notified the captain, while the vessel was 
 anchored in the stream immediately opposite to that island. 
 In the dead of the night the crew and all on board, behind 
 the bulwarks, impatiently waiting and ready for the attack, 
 observed a flotilla of fifty or more canoes stealthily creep- 
 ing along the rushes. Suddenly the attack was made upon 
 the schooner, but so effectually were they received with 
 grape, cannister and musketry that they were swept from 
 the waters. (See Parkman, page 289, vol. i.) And on 
 the following day the vessel hoisted sail and reached the 
 fort in safety with au abundance of provisions, was un- 
 loaded and returned for another trip. 
 
SERVING JURY SUMMONS. 13 
 
 SERVING JURY SUMMONS IN 1829. 
 
 In the month of May, 1829, and for many years pre- 
 vious, my worthy uncle, the late William Hands, might 
 well have been called the Governor of Canada West, for 
 apart from being collector of customs, postmaster, treas- 
 urer and register, and holding other offices of minor im- 
 portance, he was sheriff of the western district, which em- 
 braced the counties of Essex, Kent and Lampton, cover- 
 ing a territory of 2,817 square miles. I was then sojourn- 
 ing in the picturesque old town of Sandwich. The young- 
 est son of Mr. William Hands, Felix, was acting as dep- 
 uty sheriff and was entrusted with the service of sum- 
 moning the jury for the court of assizes (then held but 
 once a year at Sandwich), and by his earnest request I 
 was persuaded to assist and accompany him in the ser- 
 vice. It was necessary to send a portion of these sum- 
 monses by way of the St. Clair river, to be left at Sarnia 
 for the northern division of the district, and as a steamer 
 (the Superior) was about to leave Detroit on her first trip 
 
14 SERVING JURY SUMMONS. 
 
 to Sault Ste. Marie, I was commissioned by Felix to pro- 
 ceed to Detroit and send them by her. To cross the De- 
 troit river in those days was not accompanied with the 
 same ease and faciUty that it is done nowadays. At that 
 time no person dreamed of such a place as the town of 
 Windsor, in fact, John G. Watson, merchant, Chas. Jean- 
 nette, Francois Baby, Vital Ouellette, Daniel Goyeau 
 and Francois Pratt were the only settlers in it, who lived 
 on the banks of the river as simple farmers. On the 
 Oiielette farm was an inn kept by Pierre St. Armour (on 
 the spot where the British American now stands), who 
 kept a ferry, i. e., log canoe No. i. Francoiis Labalaine, an 
 old and honorably discharged servant of the Hudson Bay 
 Company, who lived nearly opposite the residence of the 
 late Francois Caron on the Jeannette farm, and whose 
 old home is still standing on the bank of the river, ran 
 the other ferry, that is, log canoe No. 2. The fixed 
 price for the round trip was twenty-five cents.* Instead of 
 
 •The staunch steamers of the Detroit, Windsor & Belle Isle Ferry- 
 Company make this trip through one foot of solid ice in fifteen 
 minutes, and every r;omfort Is provided by Messrs. Campbell, Avery 
 and Clinton for their passengers. 
 
SERVING JURY SUMMONS. 15 
 
 a bell or whistle, Madame Labalaine had suspended over 
 the door a tin horn, exactly four feet long, which she 
 blew to call old Francois' attention to impatient passen- 
 gers. These places were called by the habitants "La 
 Traverse," that is, the crossing. Labalaine's canoe was 
 his home, for, being severely afflicted with rheumatism, 
 he was unable to get in or out of it without assistance, 
 and a rare treat it was to listen to the old chap's stories 
 of his exploits among the Indians and half-breeds of the 
 Northwest Territory, as he leisurely paddled you over, 
 and landed you wherever it suited his greater conveni- 
 ence, either at the foot of Woodward avenue, Griswold, 
 Shelby or Cass streets. Crossing over w'ith Francois and 
 landing at Griswold street, the first person I met was 
 my uncle, James Abbott, who was then the postmaster 
 for the City of Detroit and : gent for the Southwest Fur 
 Company, with the famous John Jacob Astor as Presi- 
 dent. The population of Detroit at that time was 2,222. 
 Now, 1894, 250,000. James Abbott was acting as steam- 
 boat agent. To him I entrusted the summons to be for- 
 warded to Sarnia by the steamer, and returned to Sand- 
 
i6 SERVING JURY SUMMONS. 
 
 wich by log canoe No. 2. Although I had but little ex- 
 perience in roughing it in the bush I had an idea that in 
 undertaking this long journey I required suitable cloth- 
 ing and equipped myself accordingly. Not so with my 
 good cousin, Felix, who was tricked out with a black- 
 silk velvet cap, with a gold band, a nicely fitting blue 
 cloth jacket, slashed with braid, tightly fitting black kersi- 
 mere pantaloons strapped over a pair of patent leather 
 shoes, in fact, he looked more like a lady's page than 
 the servitor of His Majesty's jury summons. Our tan- 
 dem team and dog cart being ready, we threw our sad- 
 dles and bridles into the tail end of it, and then started, 
 a jolly pair, on our peregrinations. Leaving Sandwich, 
 our road was along the Detroit river bank, which we fol- 
 lowed to its source. Lake St. Clair, and soon arrived at 
 what was then called La Valle's Point. The road here 
 was a heavy, sandy one and as La Valle kept a tav- 
 ern, it offered a good pretext to tarry and smile, which 
 we did. We then continued our journey along the shore 
 of the lake, arriving in the evening at the Puce (Flea) 
 river. A more appropriate name could not be given it, 
 
SERVING JURY SUMMONS. 17 
 
 which we learned to our cost, for on turning into bed 
 we were so besieged by the nocturnal disturbers that we 
 were soon glad to turn out of it, fly to our cart, which 
 we filled with hay, and in it passed the night comfortably, 
 at least flealess. Still following the lake shore brought 
 us to Stony Point, where an inn was kept. I think a 
 more appropriate name would be caravanserie, for if in 
 the east that name implied a place of rest and safety for 
 the weary traveller, surely this one answered the same 
 purpose in Canada West. Not that I would for a mo- 
 ment lead you to believe that there was danger from 
 highway robbers; far from it, as Pierre Langlols, Jacques 
 Parent and Dominique Pratt would attest, who were the 
 mail carriers that transported the mail from Sandwicli to 
 Little York (now Toronto) either on foot or on horse- 
 back, ever)' alternate week from 1820 to 1835, ^"^1 who 
 never dreamt of danger in that way. But there was dan- 
 ger in other ways, namely, the horrid condition of the 
 roads. At the time I am writing about and for many 
 years thereafter, the tide of emigration from the eastern 
 
 to the western states was through Upper Canada, through 
 b 
 
i8 SERVING JURY SUMMONS. 
 
 which a stage route had been established. Starting from 
 Detroit, after crossing the river, this road wound itself 
 eastward along the river bank and Lake St. Clair shore, 
 sometimes flanked by water on one side and marsh or 
 forest on the other; again a prairie was to be encountered 
 and anon an almost interminable forest through part of 
 which a corduroy road was constructed, between Chat- 
 ham and Hamilton at intervals. It consisted simply of 
 huge logs thrown together without a covering, to keep 
 horses and wagons from disappearing below. On arriv- 
 ing at the caravanserie kept by my old friend, Francois 
 Chauvin, you veiy abruptly left the lake shore road and 
 struck the prairie. Often have I been amused to see 
 starting from this spot two or three four-horse stage 
 coaches with from eight to twelve passengers in each 
 coach. The driver, on approaching the prairie, would 
 pause and survey closely the i)lace before him. Now, it 
 was not exactly what he saw. hut what he could not see, 
 that 'ippalled liini, for well he knew from sad experience 
 that there were holes and morasses sufficient to ingulf him 
 and his four-in-hand out of sight if !,e was unfortunate 
 
SERVING JURY SUMMONS. 19 
 
 enough to fall into one. But nerved with the stimulant 
 of various horns of "tangle-leg," freely supplied him by 
 his passengers, and whirling his 20-foot lash over his head, 
 which emitted a sound like a pistol-shot, he boldly made 
 for it. For what? Of course for what he could not see 
 — one of the aforesaid holes. Thus entrapped, there was 
 no help for the driver but to unload his passengers, who, 
 seizing the snake fence-rails surrounding the caravanserie 
 and using them as pries, succeeded in releasing the coach 
 from one hole to be precipitated into another, and thus 
 was the passage continued until the banks of the river 
 Thames, some twelve miles distant, were reached, where, 
 the road being passable, the travellers unshouldered their 
 arms (the rails). Francois Chauvin's inn (or caravan- 
 serie, I will persist in calling it) was popularly known as 
 the "Goose'' tavern. In fact, this aquatic bird was so in- 
 geniously prepared in various ways by mine host that it 
 constituted the principal and standing dish for breakfast, 
 dinner and supper. The surrounding inhabitants found 
 a lucrative occupation in propagating geese for the 
 "Goose" tavern's table, and feather beds, liefore bidding 
 
20 SERVING JURY SUMMONS. 
 
 adieu to my old friend Chauvin, it would not be out of 
 place to narrate what became of hiim . Shortly after the 
 Great Western Railroad was established, which event 
 happened in 1854, I believe, his occupation of keeping 
 the "Goose" tavern was gone. He then took to farm- 
 ing, and instead of raising geese, began to raise corn to 
 fatten hogs, and for many years his efiforts as a farmer 
 were crowned with success. But, unfortunately for Chau- 
 vin, a brace of cockneys came down from Chatham one 
 fine autumn day to have a day's quail shooting. They 
 flushed a bevy of quail in Chauvin's cornfield, in which 
 the corn was eight or ten feet high, and let fly the con- 
 tents of their four barrels, two of which poured into Fran- 
 cois' eyes, making, as it were, a "dead shot." Chauvin 
 at the time was perched on a rider of his snake fence at a 
 point where it was impossible for the huntsmen to see 
 him. He recovered from this eventually with the loss of 
 his eyes, but the shock was too great for him, and in a 
 short time afterwards, in a fit of desperation, he put an 
 end to his miserable existence by hanging himself in his 
 barn. Nor can I bid a final adieu to this prairie without 
 alluding to anotiicr incident which occurred to me some 
 
 years after 1836. 
 
 My friend, Harry Jones, then Crown Land Agent at 
 
 Chatham, made a wager with some friend that we could 
 
SERVING JURY SUMMONS. 2r 
 
 bag a certain number of clucks (25 brace) by a certain 
 time, and for that purpose we started for the prairie at 
 Janette's Creek, where resided an acquaintance of ours, 
 Mr. T., by whose invitation we made his home our head- 
 quarters. Immediately in front of T.'s house the prairie 
 road commenced. At that point it entered a slough or 
 quagmire, which, being covered with water, proved a ter- 
 ror to the western emigrants, who no sooner entered it 
 than they found it impossible to budge without additional 
 animal power. Appeals would therefore be made to our 
 friend, who kept a yoke of oxen always ready for the 
 occasion. T., for a certain sum (five dollars) would, in 
 a very reluctant manner, turn out his team from behind 
 a shed where they were concealed and extricate the con- 
 veyance from its difficulty. Five, ten, fifteen and evei 
 twenty dollars was often a day's compensation for this 
 kind of work. The country surrounding Janette's Creek 
 then was nearly covered with water and aflfordcd magnifi- 
 cent sport to the duck and muskrat hunter, It was to 
 complete the number of ducks we were to shoot on our 
 wager that led me to do the following hazardous and 
 
22 SERVING JURY SUMMONS. 
 
 most foolish act. I jumped into a trapper's canoe or dug- 
 out, which was about twelve feet long and twelve or fif- 
 teen inches wide. Seating myself in the center of it, that 
 being the only way it would carry my weight, I started 
 down stream. After paddling a mile or so in the center 
 of the creek, which was about eighty yards in width and 
 twelve or fifteen feet deep, I observed five wood-ducks 
 coi?iing towards me. As they were about passing over 
 me I prepared to give them the contents of a double-bar- 
 relled gun which was borrowed from James Perrier. Fol- 
 lowing them with my aim, I discharged both barrels at 
 he flock. Of course, what might have been expected did oc- 
 cur, i. e., the upsetting of the canoe in the twinkling of an eye. 
 Whether my shot took effect I could not tell, but one 
 thing certain was I found myself at the bottom of the 
 creek, twelve feet below the surface, encumbered with my 
 gun, overcoat, shot-bag and a pair of boots coming well 
 up to my hips. How I managed to reach the surface 
 puzzles me now, but I did so and found myself some 
 ten or fifteen feet from my canoe, to regain which I made 
 a desperate efifort. Upon reaching it I found it bottom 
 
■f"* 
 
 SERVING JURY SUMMONS. 23 
 
 side up, and immediately set to work to right it. This 
 task was accomplished only by great physical exertion. I 
 then threw my gun into the canoe, and seizing one end 
 of it, pushed it before me. On reaching the edge of the 
 rushes I became exhausted. My strength failed me. The 
 last ray of hope appeared to be fading away, and the 
 thoughts of a watery g^ave flashed vividly across my ex- 
 cited brain. As I was about to give up the contest I 
 found, to my infinite relief, that I could touch bottom by 
 standing on tip-toe. In this position my mouth was just 
 out of water, which enabled me to recover my breath. As 
 soon as I regained sufficient strength I hauled my boat 
 ashore, fully determined never more to shoot ducks in 
 Janette's Creek from a trapper's canoe. I find I have 
 been digressing from my subject and will therefore say, 
 in the language of my polite countrymen, "Revenons a 
 nos moutons." 
 
 The year Felix and I travelled this road the season was 
 comparatively dry. The road was in fair condition, so, 
 v/ith the assistance of a guide, we got along very well. 
 After leaving the "Goose" tavern, the next stopping place 
 
24 SERVING JURY SUMMONS. 
 
 was at Narcisse Dauphin's inn, located near the banks of 
 the Thames. Here we were kindly received by the wor- 
 thy host and hostess and regaled with a well served meal, 
 delightfully enhanced by being waited upon by their 
 charming daughters, who, it aflfords me pleasure to say, 
 are now all comfortably settled in life and honored mem- 
 bers of society. From Dauphin's we followed the banks 
 of the Thames until we arrived at John Goss' House of 
 Entertainment, the former residence of W. McCrae, M. 
 P., four miles below Chatham, where we spent the night. 
 The next morning we reached Chatham at 8 o'clock. If 
 my memory serves me right three squatters comprised the 
 population of this place at that time, which was then cov- 
 ered with a heavy forest of beech, maple, walnut and var- 
 ious other kinds of timber; these were H. Chrysler, black- 
 smith; Israel Evans, who operated a horse-power card- 
 ing machine, ana P. P. L., our kinsman, on whom we 
 greatly relied for proper information regarding the man- 
 ner and way of serving^ our jury summons in the south- 
 ern part of the district, then almost completely a forest. 
 What r. P. L.'s particular occupation was he scarcely knew 
 
SERVING JURY SUMMONS. 25 
 
 himself, but generally he was ready for everything that 
 turned up. Approaching his log house, situated on the banks 
 of the Thames, we observed in front of the door this illus- 
 trious individual engaged in the interesting occupation 
 of milking his cow. He was seated on a three-legged 
 stool. Between his legs, which were thrust under the ani- 
 mal, sat the milk pail. A bonnet rouge, jauntily worn, 
 adorned his head, while his black clay pipe, grasped firmly 
 by his well set teeth, emitted its gentle vapors, which he 
 appeared to ofTer up on high as incense for the perfect 
 happiness he enjoyed here below. A buckskin shirt en- 
 circled his shoulders and loins, while blue cloth breeches 
 faced in the seat and knees with large patches of deerskin, 
 covered his nether limbs, the extremities of which sup- 
 ported a pair of "souliers de boeuf,"' or unfinished tanned 
 leather boots. 
 
 P. P. L. was a philosopher, pure and simple, and noth- 
 ing under heaven seemed to disturb the perfect equan- 
 imity of his mind and temper. As an instance, my brother 
 Charles, the previous winter, left Sandwich for Little York 
 with his horse and sleigh, and encountered a terrific snow 
 
26 SERVING JURY SUMMONS. 
 
 storm before reaching Chatham and arrived at L.'s house 
 at eight or nine o'clock in the evening. The usual hos- 
 pitalities and warm reception was given him by mine 
 host, and no one in Cana.da could do it more gracefully. 
 Charles felt solicitous about his horse and inquired where 
 he was to be kept, whereupon P. P. L. instructed his 
 eldest boy to show him where the stock, consisting of a 
 cow and a yearling calf were wintered. To his dismay 
 and consternation he was led to a stack of marsh hay 
 into which a stake had been driven, and to this stake his 
 horse was secured by means of the lines, and covered 
 with a buflfalo skin, left to its fate. There was not much 
 sleep for Charles that night and daylight found him 
 searching for his horse, which v/as attended with some 
 difficulty, as everything was covered with a mantle of snow 
 to a depth of two feet. The outlines of the stack, how- 
 ever, were visible and approaching the lee side of it, he 
 encountered a sight which provoked a smile. There he 
 beheld a row of fowls perched upon the animal's back, 
 doubtless attracted there by the warmth of the heavy buf- 
 falo skin with which the horse had been covered. On 
 
SERVING JURY SUMMONS. 27 
 
 complaining to the host of the bitter suffering the horse 
 must have endured, the quiet response was: "De stack 
 was good for him and de blanket too." Mr. P. P. L. 
 received us with his usual courteous manner and advised 
 us to leave our conveyance with him and proceed on 
 horseback, as the roads were not opened for wagons, ex- 
 cepting along the banks of the Thames, and informed 
 us that we would have to strike at different points through 
 the woods and take the trails. Bidding him adieu we left 
 with the promise of seeing him in a few days. Our route 
 was along the banks of the Thames, until we reached the 
 town line between Harwich and Howard. By taking this 
 line we struck the Ridge road some nine miles distant, 
 now Ridgetown, where the country was more or less set- 
 tled. It is impossible for me to describe this town line. 
 Imagine, if you can, an opening through a dense and 
 heavily timbered forest, nine miles in length and sixty- 
 six feet wide. Along this line trees from two to six feet 
 thick were felled by dextrous axemen as close to each 
 other as possible. The cutting was usually done in the 
 summer months. Every branch and leaf was left upon 
 
28 SERVING JURY SUMMONS. 
 
 the trees to add fuel to the flames when fired. This 
 vague description gives but a sHght idea of it. To pen- 
 etrate this line was quite impossible, so after a short con- 
 sultation Felix decided to take one side of the line and I 
 the other, which was traversed by swails and swamps in 
 endless variety and covered with from one to four feet 
 of water. It was decided to give a yell or an Indian 
 "war whoop" to identify our locality. After penetrating 
 some distance I was not surprised at hearing a yell from 
 Felix, with the exclamation, "I can get no further." He 
 had encountered a prostrate patriarch of the forest in the 
 shape of an oak some five feet in diameter, over which 
 his horse was struggling to clear himself, encumbered 
 with his rider. Dismounting upon the oak, and taking a 
 survey around him, he exclaimed: "What's to be done?" 
 "Tie your pants and boots over your head," I replied, 
 "and leg it.'' To do this, however, when the mosquitoes 
 were as thick as the leaves on the trees, was not to be 
 thought of, so, after a few more desperate eft'orts the 
 horse was made to straddle and tumble over the oak. 
 Of course, my way was no better than my companion's. 
 
SERVING JURY SUMMONS. 29 
 
 At length we both found it necessary to proceed on foot, 
 leading our liorses as best we could through this track- 
 less forest. When we left our friend L. we expected to 
 get through to the ridge by noon, but did not accom- 
 plish this task until seven o'clock in the evening, at which 
 hour we stumbled upon a welcome clearing (the first one 
 since leaving the banks of the Thames) belonging to Jon- 
 athan C, a squatter, I believe, situated about the spot 
 where the town of Ridgetown now stands, with a 
 population of 2,000 inhabitants. I'll venture to say 
 a more bedraggled, forlorn pair of riders, with their 
 sorry looking steeds, were never seen 'in this Can- 
 ada of ours. On asking friend C. if he could keep us for 
 the night, he replied, "Certainly, if you can rough it, but 
 you don't look like folks accustomed to our way of grub- 
 bing.'' Now the terrors and escapes experienced on that 
 town line were still fresh in our minds, added to which 
 was the certainty of not reaching another halting place 
 for ten or fifteen miles, so wc cpiickly rejoined: "Oh, 
 anything will do." To our great relief this squatter had a 
 small stack of oats, and, fastening our jaded and fam- 
 
30 SERVING JURY SUMMONS. 
 
 ished horses to a sapling, we served them with a boun- 
 teous supply. In attending to his horse Felix discovered 
 that one of the stirrups had been torn from the saddle 
 and occupied himself, with the assistance of Jonathan, in 
 making a substitute for it with strips of basswood bark, 
 whilst I thought it as well to proceed to the log hut to 
 see how the wind blew. As I approached the hut a fig- 
 ure appeared at the open doorway, which proved to be 
 the amiable spouse of our worthy host, and well it was 
 that the breeze was light, otherwise it would have blown 
 all she had on from her back and left her as sailors say. 
 "under bare poles." Her golden unkemj)t hair hung 
 loosely over her bare shoulders and, as she stood there 
 barefooted, she presented a singularly interesting picture. 
 Respectfully saluting her 1 asked her if she could get 
 supper for two. She answered in the affirmative, and 
 asked me to walk in and take a seat, remarking at the 
 same time that victuals were scarce, and not nutch variety. 
 In fact, pork and buckwheat cakes was their standing 
 dish. Seating myself on a block of wood next the wall 
 opposite the fireplace, I watched the busy housewife pre- 
 
SERVING JURY SUMMONS. 31 
 
 pare the frugal meal. She seized from a shelf a large 
 wooden trough which she quickly filled with buckwiieat 
 batter and then began to cut slices of salt fat pork for 
 the fry. A large wooden crane was swung from the side 
 of the chimney corner, suspended from which by a chain 
 was a huge iron griddle and on this griddle, by means 
 of a mequen (an Indian wooden spoon of large size) the 
 batter was emptied. It took exactly four spoonfuls of 
 batter to cover the solitary utensil. The fragrant odor 
 arising from the hot iron, as it permeated the surround- 
 ing atmosphere of this rural retreat, acted like a charm^ 
 for in an instant a bevy of young urchins, followed by a 
 half-starved cat and cur, came rushing in seeking what 
 they could devour. The youngest, a yearling, I shouldl 
 judge, was clad in nature's garb (with the exception that 
 a cloth was substituted in place of a fig leaf) and clung 
 tightly to its mother's skirt, from which it could not be 
 detached. I expected that some mishap would befall the 
 little chap, and my expectations were shortly afterwards 
 fully realized. Felix's sudden appearance at the open 
 door caused the good lady to (juickly turn round, in doing 
 
32 SERVING JURY SUMMONS. 
 
 which she switched the Httle brat pkimp into the batter. 
 You are mistaken if you think this untoward event dis- 
 concerted her in the least. She simply seized the imp by 
 the nape of the neck and swashed the batter from its 
 naked limbs into the trough whence it came, and pro- 
 ceeded with her culinary art as if nothing had happened. 
 There was a grave consultation held outside of the hut 
 immediately after that between Felix and myself. He was 
 for total abstinence, and so was I if T could, but couldn't. 
 It proved that hunger was an uncompromising foe, and 
 proved the victor. (Sic semper tyrannus.) The buck- 
 wheat was y' ed with sullen mood, and to our agree- 
 able disappointment afterwards, we found our digestion 
 imimpaired. About nine o'clock that evening Mr. C. in- 
 formed us that, when we felt inclined to rest he would 
 show us our sleeping apartment, which was in reality a 
 ^'lean to" or shed attached to his shanty — in fact a fowl 
 house. No floor or window marred its grandeur. The 
 furniture consisted of a bedstead constructed of strong 
 poles across which were strapped strips of basswood bark. 
 This formed our bed and bedding. I omitted to mention 
 
SERVING JURY SUMMONS. 33 
 
 the fact that Felix met with an accident in "brushing 
 through the Hne." He tore his pants in a conspicuous 
 place unhidden by his short jacket. It happened fortun- 
 ately for him that one Schneider, a job tailor by trade, 
 was residing with our host, and to him the pants were 
 gladly entrusted for repairs. We then turned into our 
 crib, while the tailor set to work. The picture of that 
 evening is vividly before me. Seated on his wooden stool, 
 with an empty flour barrel to serve as a table, a tin plate 
 holding a pint of melted grease provided with a bit of 
 rag for a wick, and with huge old-fashioned spectacles 
 on his nose, sat the weary looking tailor as he plied his 
 needle, enveloped in a cloud of mosquitoes. "Flies are 
 pretty , thick," remarked Felix. "Yaw," said Schneider; 
 then shaking his head, he said, "Mosquito bite not mi." 
 We were glad to tumble out of our rude bed next morn- 
 ing at daylight. Felix's horror can readily be imagined 
 on finding a white patch as big as a saucer on the seat 
 of his pants. The old chap had taken a piece of an old 
 white cotton wheat bag with which to mend the panta- 
 loons! 
 
34 SERVING JURY SUMMONS. 
 
 With great difficulty I succeeded in soothing Felix by- 
 assuring him that I would blacken the patch with a bass- 
 wood brand, which I did after a fashion. Mounting our 
 fresh horses and bidding our hospitable friends adieu, we 
 cantered ten miles to our next stopping place. After 
 serving the jurymen we returned to Chatham by the Ra- 
 leigh, and not the Howard, town line, and proceeded to 
 Sandwich by the old route. This was an exceptional por- 
 tion of the old western district, and at that time recently 
 settled. The older settlers in more favored parts were 
 as comfortable and thriving as in any other portion of 
 Canada. Sixty years have brought about a wonderful 
 change in the affairs of the nation. To perform the 
 same service now and reach this spot it is only neces- 
 sary to step on board a dining room car at Windsor at 5 
 p. m, and if you feel inclined for a meal you can regale 
 yourself with all the delicacies that the land affords, and, 
 if you could persuade the conductor to slack for a mo- 
 ment, he would land you at 7:50 p. m. very near the spot 
 
 where Felix encountered the old oak; in forty minutes 
 more you could reach the C. place by travelling over as 
 
OLD FAMILY COMPACT. 35 
 
 fine a gravel road and as well settled as is to be found 
 in Canada. Or, by taking the Canada Southern road, 
 with tht same speed and comfort, you could arrive within 
 a short distance of the same spot, which took us three 
 days to accomplish, but would have to look in vain for 
 anything belonging to Jonathan C, his amiable spouse^ 
 or Schneider, the job tailor. 
 
 THE OLD FAMILY COMPACT. 
 
 ITS ORIGIN AND WHAT I KNOW ABOUT IT. 
 
 Probably there is no subject relating to the history of 
 Canada requiring more careful research and an honest 
 and impartial pen to deal with than this very one. And 
 I feel at a loss to account for my presumption in approach- 
 ing it at all. In fact, the only excuse I can oflfer is thils: I 
 may consider myself as one of the few, and I am nearly 
 safe in saying, (to borrow a phrase from Cooper), "The 
 
Z6 OLD FAMILY COMPACT. 
 
 Last of the Mohicans," linked to it and surviving, in West- 
 ern Canada at any rate, and perhaps the only one who 
 has ever dared to raise a pen in its defense. 
 
 In dealing with this subject it will be necessary to turn 
 to the pages of the earliest history of Canada. 
 
 We must yield the palm to chivalrous France, whose 
 pioneers were the first missionaries, and following close 
 behind them, her nobles who first discovered and pene- 
 trated her vast domain from the Atlantic to the sources 
 of the Mississippi, aye, and on to the Rocky Mountains, 
 and what a living and imperishable monument to their 
 memory have they left, as we trace them step by step, 
 and the soul inspired sounds strike the ear of St. Laurent. 
 St. Thomas, St. Charles, Montmorenci, Quebec, Mon- 
 treal, Lachine, Laprarie, St. Anne, Frontenac, Detroit, St. 
 Clair, Sault Ste. Marie, St. Ignace, Marquette, St. Paul, 
 St. Anthony, St. Louis, Baton Rouge, Nouvelle-Orleans, 
 and so many thousand others. 
 
 The French, then alone, with the consent (and often 
 without it), of the aborigines, occupied and governed the 
 country up to the time of the taking of Quebec — 1759 — 
 
OLD FAMILY COMPACT. 37 
 
 after which a new tide of afifairs soon set in with an Anglo- 
 Saxon race, and was followed, not many years later, with 
 a further emigration from the colonies, now the eastern 
 states, when, at the close of the revolutionary war, 1776, 
 they declared their independence, the United Empire Loy- 
 alists, who had bravely contended for British suprem- 
 acy, abandoned their homes and fled to Canada, to rest 
 under old England's proud banner, and one they had 
 so long fought and suffered for. The same may be said 
 of the then territory of Michigan, when, in 1776, then 
 Canada, it was, by treaty, ceded to the United States, 
 and many of its oldest inhabitants for the same reason left it, 
 losing their homes and large possessions, and crossed the 
 Detroiit river into Canada in order to live under the old Eng- 
 lish flag. One of these was the father of the writer. 
 
 There was no question then as to the loyalty and at- 
 tachment to the crown, from Sandwich to Gaspe, of the 
 inhabitants, which was more forcibly proved when, in a 
 few years after, 1812, the American war was declared, 
 and Canada had to fight and win her own battles with 
 scarcely any help of Great Britain, then engaged in 
 
38 OLD FAMILY COMPACT. 
 
 war on the continent with Napoleon L Only four regi- 
 ments served in Canada during this war. The peace of 
 1815 found Canada in the same position as it was in 1812 
 — had gained nothing, and lost nothing, but secured the 
 confidence and attention of England. 
 
 Hitherto, but very little time was devoted by the thinly- 
 populated country to its government, but the time now 
 arrived when necessity demanded more active measures, 
 and those entrusted with its formation wisely (as they be- 
 lieved) selected, as became necessary, those who had 
 most distinguished themselves in the service and defense 
 of their country for loyalty, education and integrity. Like 
 all England's colonies, Canada suffered from British rule 
 at first, and the greatest hindrance to the development 
 and settlement of the country was the wretched and de- 
 plorable state of management of the public lands depart- 
 ment. For instance: One-seventh of the provinces of Up- 
 per Canada was reserved for the support of the estab- 
 lished church of England; the Canada Company formed 
 in England had secured large tracts of the finest lands in 
 Canada; Col. Talbot, a favorite of George the Fourth, 
 
OLD FAMILY COMPACT. 39 
 
 was intrusted with several thousands of acres of land in the 
 most favored part of the country, he retaining 100 acres 
 out of every 200 for himself to pay him for his trouble 
 in settliing the country; all British officers, leaving the 
 service, were entitled to draw 600 acres of land, and ad- 
 ded to this, private individuals purchased large tracts. 
 Thus it will be seen that the greatest obstacles presented 
 themselves to the rapid settlement of the country, whilst 
 our shrewd neighbors, the Americans, on the contrary, of- 
 fered every inducement to fill up their vast territories to emi- 
 grants:, offering them free homesteads and putting the upset 
 price of $1.25 per acre of their best lands in their forest and 
 western prairies, the latter yielding a return in one year to 
 the industrious settler. 
 
 Although laboring under these disadvantages, still Can- 
 ada slowly progressed, and, with a population far different 
 to that in the United States, the English, Scotch and Irish, 
 who left their homes wiitii strong attachments to their native 
 lands, were glad to find so welcome a reception. And 
 being generally persons of more or less means, intelligence 
 and education, and familiar with tlie modes of agriculture 
 
40 OLD FAMILY COMPACT. 
 
 in the country they had left, the majority being tenants and 
 farm servants, with a good sprinkhng of merchants, trades- 
 men and merchanics; and, as a consequence, Ontario wdll 
 surpass, if not compare favorably, with any portion of this 
 continent, in its successful and progressive state of agricul- 
 ture, education, intelligence and morality. 
 
 At the time 1 write of, say 1815 to 1835, a strong bond 
 of friendshiip prevailed amongst the peaceable inhabitants 
 generally, engendered and fostered, no doubt, by the diffi- 
 culties, hardships and privations surrounding them in a 
 new country. A man's word was as good as his bond. 
 Robbery or nuirder was very seldom heard of. The mails, 
 containing large sums of money, often carried on foot (it 
 took exactly two weeks to go and return with the mail 
 from Sandwich to Little York on foot), the roads being 
 impassable for horses or vehicles throughout the length and 
 breadth of the Province, it was a matter of frecjuent oc- 
 currence for the banks, merchants and others, to remit, by 
 private hands, large sums of money — no receipt asked for 
 or given. As an instance: In the month of November, 
 1834, on my way up from Quebec to Sandwich, I was com- 
 
OLD FAMILY COMPACT. 41 
 
 pelled to lay over at Brantford, the roads being impassable 
 for the stage. On the evening previous to my departure 
 thence, I had retired to rest when, about midnight, I was 
 aroused by the pressure on my shoulder of a heavy hand, 
 and confronted my disturber, who, in a night cap and gown, 
 with a lighted candle in one hand, and a package in the 
 other, startled me a little. Apologizing for the intrusion, 
 he asked me if my name was Baby, and answering him lin 
 the affirmative, he introduced himself as Mr. Buchanan, the 
 then British Consul at New York, stating that he was on his 
 way to the Township of Adelaide to visit his son, who was 
 settled there, and then proceed on to Sandwich, but 
 finding the roads in such a state, abandoned the idea, and 
 made up his mind to return home, and informing me that 
 he had a package from the Connnercial Bank at Little 
 York for their agent at Windsor, James Dougall, Esq., and 
 would 1 not take charge of it? I told him I would rather 
 not, as I did not know how I was to get through myself; 
 but, to get rid of him, I told him to pitch it into my trunk, 
 which was open, and it would have to run the chances. 
 After doing so, he bid me good-night, and retired. This 
 
42 OLD FAMILY COMPACT. 
 
 package contained $25,000, so Mr. Dougall, the agent, told 
 me when I deUvered it to him, a month after. 
 
 On the following morning I left for London on foot, and 
 my trunk to follow on the next stage, which did not reach 
 me until three days after. If it were possible, I found the 
 roads still worse westward, and made up my mind to float 
 down the Thames from London, and as there was no boat 
 to be had, I hired a carpenter, and, with my little engineer- 
 ing skill, built a kind of skiff with three boards, filled it 
 half full of straw — the weather being very cold — threw my 
 trunk, package and all into it, and annidst a flow of ice 
 running six miles an hour, started on my voyage, paddling 
 my own canoe and encouraged by a cheer from John Har- 
 ris, treasurer, Wilson, Beecher and Stewart, lawyers of 
 London, who stood on the bank watching my departure. 
 A three days' run brought me to Gardener's mill dam, in 
 Mosa, and landing above it, hired a mill hand to jump the 
 skiff, trunk and package still in it though, over the mill 
 race, which he successfully accomplished; but iiow, .it 
 puzzles me. Another two days' run brought me to within 
 four miles of Chatham, when the river being blocked with 
 
OLD FAMILY COMPACT. 43 
 
 ice, I landed and reached Chatham, on foot, the same day, 
 all right. 
 
 It was not surprising that a feeling of security was felt 
 throughout the land. A property qualification of i200 
 was required by the magistrates who were always chosen 
 to serve on the grand juries, traveling often many miles to 
 attend the assizes and quarter sessions, at their own ex- 
 pense and greatest inconvenience. This proved a good 
 school in after years, for the changes which took place 
 under the present form of responsible government, as none 
 knew better the wants of the country than those who filled 
 the ranks of our first municipal councils. 
 
 In 1822, or about that time, a noted character in the 
 person of William Lyon McKenzie, and a man of untiring 
 energy, ambition and unscrupulous audacity, occupied the 
 public mind and started in Little York a paper called the 
 "Colonial Advocate," which was destined to exercise a 
 great influence on many of the quiet and hitherto peaceful 
 inhabitants. Nothing was too vile, wicked, diishonest and 
 unprincipled for this flaming sheet's attack upon those en- 
 trusted with the government, whom he stvled the "familv 
 d ^ 
 
44 OLD FAMILY COiMPACT. 
 
 compact." It proved a failure in a short time, and the 
 editor left the country for the limited States to avoid the 
 bailiff's pressing demands. Fortunately for him, an event 
 occurred which soon placed him on his legs again. Some 
 dozen or more young dare devils, a few of whom were 
 sons of the traduced family compact, made an attack upon 
 his printing press, gutted it and threw the type, etc., dnto 
 the bay hard by, in broad daylight. I was an eye witness 
 to it, though not a participant. Nothing could have hap- 
 pened to him more opportunely. He returned immediately 
 to the country, prosecuted and recovered full damages — 
 some $15,000 or $20,000 — and started the paper with in- 
 creased violence, defamation and bitterness. At length, 
 finding his efforts for reform unavailable from the home or 
 Provincial Government, he raised the standard of rebellion 
 near Little York, was defeated, and again fled to the United 
 States, enliisted the sympathy of the American people, raised 
 a mob of Canadian refugees and, with the scum of Buffalo, 
 took possession of Navy Island, in Canadian waters, two 
 miles above the Falls of Niagara, and from which he was 
 dislodged by the capture of the American steamer "Caro- 
 
OLD FAMILY COAIPACT. 45 
 
 line," which had been employed by him in funiishing- 
 artillery, arms, stores, etc., from Buffalo to the island, and 
 was sent over the falls in a blaze, the bodies of several of 
 the crew who were shot or could not escape, adding fuel 
 to the flames. 
 
 When the rebellion was suppressed he remained in the 
 United States, but such was his restless and turbulent will, 
 tJiat he soon got himself into trouble there, was tried for 
 sedition, and imprisoned. After being released, he returned 
 to Canada, where he died in 1863, I believe. 
 
 In reviewung the character and standing of those who 
 were entrusted in carrying out the views of the British 
 Government in those days, in many instances, as in all her 
 colonial government, views entirely antagonistic to die 
 colonists, and which they could not control, was this 
 "fanwly compact.'' Now, 1 hope 1 will not be considered 
 egotistical in dealing with this subject. 1 find it necessary 
 to commence with my own family. James Baby, my father,, 
 in 1816, was appointed Inspector General of Upper Can- 
 ada, and for what reason? In Morgan's work of "Cele- 
 brated Canadians," he states: "That when the war broke 
 
46 OLD FAMILY COMPACT. 
 
 out, in 1 812, he commanded the militia of the then western 
 district now Essex, Kent and Lambton, and performed 
 many servnices highly essential to the preservation of the 
 Province. The people had unlimited confidence in him. 
 His merits had been so conspicuous during the war, his 
 services so disinterested, his losses and privations so great, 
 that the government was anxious to confer upon him 
 some honor for his loyalty, and at the same time, some 
 office, the revenue from which would in a measure com- 
 pensate him for the Michigan and Indiana properties which 
 he had abandoned — and he was appointed to the first high 
 office within its gift, viz.: the office of Inspector General. 
 So much for his merits. Now for his reward. 
 
 To be sure, he enjoyed his salary of £750 per annum, 
 and, when he died, he left a few hundred acres of wild 
 land which he was entitled to for his services and the 
 anost of which he had inherited from his father, and not 
 one of his children held a government appointment. 
 Probably one of the most traduced and villified members 
 of the Family Compact by this famous "Colonial Advocate'^ 
 was ihe Archdeacon, afterwards Bishop Strachan. Well 
 
OLD FAMILY COMPACT. 47 
 
 do I remember this person when he kept the common 
 grammar school in little Muddy York, and I was his pupil 
 at 8 years of age. Even at that tender age, I had the 
 most vivid recollection of hiis kindness, and unflinching in- 
 tegrity and liberality. For example: It v;as a rule of his 
 school, on Saturday forenoon, to have the Church of Eng- 
 land Catechism and the Bible taught, and the afternoon a 
 holiday. There being several of his pupils Roman Catho- 
 lics, he would say: "Boys, if you don't wish to stay, you 
 can go home and learn your own Catechism," which we 
 preferred not doiing, as we would lose our playmates, and 
 in consequence I know that one as well as my own. In the 
 discipline of his school he invariably showed the strictest 
 impartiality, and when any of his sons were implicated in 
 mischief, they were always the first to suffer, and no light 
 puniishment as nowadays, but a good birch, and to the 
 buff at that. I have often heard it said during the time of 
 his life (he died in 1883), that he lived a luxurious and 
 extravagant one for a bishop, that his table was sumptuous, 
 his wines of the best quality, and he kept his carriage. This 
 was all true to a certain extent, but I nuist not omit to 
 
48 OLD FAMILY COMPACT. 
 
 observe this about the latter, I never saw him once in it, 
 but I have met him repeatedly, and hundreds of times, on 
 foot, in town and country. To the liberal-minded Cana- 
 dian there could be no reasonable objection to this; on the 
 contrary, by occupying the prominent position he did, as- 
 one of the earliest pioneers, and obliged to entertain the 
 most distinguished strangers of Europe, such as clergymen, 
 soldiers, sailors, and noted travelers, and his distinguished 
 Canadian pupils as well, it was rather a source of pride 
 that he was one of them who could disabuse them of the 
 prevailing errors of the English people, who believed us to 
 be very little remote from savages. Now, as to the fulfill- 
 ment of his duties, no man could have perfoi-med his 
 mission with more faithfulness in such a wilderness as 
 Canada then was. When the cholera broke out in 1832, 
 and again in 1855, his labors were unceasing; ndght and 
 day was he to be met on foot in and out of town, visiting 
 the afflicted and administering the consolations of his re- 
 ligion. Again, iln Morgan's [^ketches: Bishop Strachan 
 has ever been the friend of the poor, to his name has been 
 ascribed many benefits conferred upon them in the promo- 
 
OLD FAMILY COMPACT. 49 
 
 tion of education, and establishing institutions for the 
 welfare of the old as well as the young. He has indeed 
 merited all the love and affection which his people cherish 
 for him. He is universally beloved and esteemed by his 
 clergy and parishioners. But for him the celebrated Trin- 
 ilty College would not have been built in Toronto. Apropos 
 of this college — when the Bishop visited England to procure 
 aid for its erection, the writer was informed, on good 
 authority, that he called upon the Duke of Wellington for 
 aid in this laudable enterprise, but the Duke declined on 
 the plea that he had no money to spare. The objection 
 was surmounted by the Bishop informing him that he 
 understood that he had £400 invested in the Welland Canal. 
 The Iron Duke had forgotten this and replied, "Take it 
 and welcome." It is not to be wondered at, that this man 
 exercised so powerful an influence in this young country 
 when from its extremest limits, the pulpit, the bench, and 
 the bar, and other professions have been so ably and 
 honorably represented in his pupils. We will hastily note 
 some of them: First, would appear Sir John Beverly 
 Robinson. Having known this man intimately, I consider 
 
50 OLD FAMILY COMPACT. 
 
 it an honor and pride to bear this, my humble tribute, to 
 hiis worth and character. It is difficult to say in which he 
 most excelled — whether as a finished scholar, a jurist, a 
 statesman, a patriot, or as an exemplary Christian, or 
 polished and refined gentleman. I again quote from 
 Morgan: "Born at Berthier, in Lower Canada, in 1791, 
 the son of a U. E. Loyalist. He attained the high posi- 
 tion of Attorney General at the early age of 22. He 
 enjoyed the confidence of three successive governors — Sir 
 Peregrine Maiitland, Sir John Colborne and Sir Francis 
 Bondhead. The thanks of the Legislature of Upper Can- 
 ada was voted to him for the part he took in adjusting 
 the financial difficulties of Upper and Lower Canada. He 
 never once incurred the displeasure of his superiors, while, 
 on the other hand, it was his good fortune to be honored 
 with the express approbation of his sovereign on at least 
 one occasion, and his public conduct especially elici ed 
 the approbation of colonial secretaries. On one occasion, 
 he appealed to the three governors above named, thf n all 
 living in England, to bear him witness that their approba- 
 tion had not been obtained by the suppression of his 
 
OLD FAMILY COMPACT. 51 
 
 opinions or the surrender of his judgment. Belonging to 
 one of the few prominent famiUes, who, having fought 
 under the British flag in the American war of independ- 
 ence, and took up their residence in Upper Canada, hi& 
 loyalty, as he himself said of U. E. Loyalists, was of no 
 doubtful origin, and when the war broke out in 181 2, he 
 was one of a company of 100 volunteers who followed Sir 
 Isaac Brock in the expedition which led to the capture of 
 Detroit, and who penned its surrender to Brock lin the old 
 Baby house, still standing in Sandwich. During the whole 
 of his political career he was identified wath the small official 
 party known as the Family Compact. They defended the 
 oligarchical system with a zeal fully proportioned to the 
 interest they had in maintaining it, and opposed the intro- 
 duction of responsible government as if it had been an 
 over tried project under which British interests were sure 
 to suflfer destruction. They opposed Lord Durham's mis- 
 sion as High Commissioner, and the Chief Justice, then 
 clothed with the judicial ermine, officially condemned the 
 report of that nobleman on the afifairs of Canada. If he 
 erred in this particular, if time has proved that responsible 
 
52 OLD FAMILY COMPACT. 
 
 government was not pregnant with the danger that he 
 supposed it was, but proved, to the contrary, the very thing 
 suited for Canada, this much may, at least, be said, that he 
 only showed the error of the entire official party in the 
 Province, and that his error was the error of the times and 
 a party, and that party systematically sustained by the 
 British Crown. Sir John B. Robinson ils a picture of 
 amiability and benevolence; he had a great flow of lan- 
 guage and was a pleasant speaker; as a judge, his impar- 
 tiality has never been impugned. He received the honor 
 of a baronetcy, having previously refused to accept a 
 knighthood. It will not be out of place here to insert the 
 followiing correspondence as a proof of his honesty and 
 disinterestedness: 
 
 Little York, Oct. nth, 1823. 
 The lion. James Baby, Inspector General of Privy Coun- 
 cil: 
 
 My Dear Sir — I must entreat you to say to the gentle- 
 men who in company with you did me the honor to call 
 upon me yesterday, that I have not been able to overcome 
 
OLD FAMILY COMPACT. 53 
 
 my first impression upon the subject of their visit. I have 
 no other reason for decHning so gratifying a proof of the 
 good opinion of my friends than that which I attempted to 
 assign verbally, and I must rely upon your good nature 
 for admitting it to be sufficient. I have never indeed ob- 
 jected to becoming a pul)lic character on our small stage, 
 so far as it became necessary in the discharge of any public 
 duty, but I have private feelings of repugnance to being 
 placed in conspicuous situations, however flattering the 
 occasion, which I will venture to beg of my friends to in- 
 dulge when they interfere with no public service. Let me, 
 however, beg of you to accept and convey my assurance 
 that next to the approbation of the government an(^ the 
 public expression by the two Houses of the Legislature, at 
 the result of my endeavors to be useful to the Province, I 
 nuist value most the testimony which the proposed compli- 
 ment conveys to me from gentlemen whom, independently 
 of every private association of friendship, I cannot but 
 respect the most highly, from their rank and character, and 
 who are exempt by their situations from the influence of 
 those feelings which in public matters, at least, often in- 
 
54 OLD FAMILY COMPACT. 
 
 sensibly bias the judgment. You will do me the justice 
 to believe, that next to the grateful sense I entertain of the 
 honor intended me, is my anxiety to learn that I shall 
 not be thought ungrateful in begging to decline it. 
 I am, dear sir, 
 
 Yours most faithfully and respectfully, 
 
 JNO. B. ROBINSON. 
 
 REPLY. 
 
 York, Oct. 14th, 1823. 
 J. B. Robinson, Esk., Attorney General: 
 
 Dear Sir — I am requested by the gentlemen, who had 
 tile honor of waiting ui)on you on Friday last, to acknowl- 
 edge your favor of the nth, and to express their acquies- 
 cence in your determination to decline the small proof of 
 private attachment and public respect which they intended. 
 But while they do justice to the delicacy of your motives, 
 they cannot but hope that some other manner of mani- 
 festing the high sense they entertain of your services more 
 
OLD FAMILY COMPACT. 55 
 
 congenial to your feelings, which have proved so beneficial 
 to the Province and so honorable to its natives. 
 I remain, dear sir. 
 
 Most truly yours, 
 
 JAS. BABY. 
 
 It cannot be said that he enriched himself at the ex- 
 pense of the countr\', and I am not aware that any of his 
 sons held positions under the Government lin his life time. 
 True, the present Lieutenant-Governor is his next eldest son, 
 and the more to his honor, as being chosen to carry out 
 the views of responsible government and guided by prin- 
 ciples no doubt he inherits from his honored and revered 
 father. 
 
 Another prominent member of the traduced Family Com- 
 pact was Chief Justice Sir J. B. McAuley, born at Niagara, 
 1793, and educated by the late Bishop Strachan. When 
 he joined the Glengarry Fencibles, raised for the special 
 ■defense of the Upper Province, he received a commission as 
 lieutenant, and afterwards was appointed adjutant in the 
 same corps. At Ogdensburg, Oswego, Lundy's Lane and 
 
56 OLD FAMILY COMPACT. 
 
 at the siege at I'^ort Erie, he was distinguished for his gal- 
 lantry, never shrinking from the severest conflict and 
 always ready to do his duty no matter where it might lead 
 him. As a laborious and painstaking judge, none ex- 
 ceeded him. We believe there are no two opinions as to 
 the way he discharged the many duties incumbent upon 
 him. His knowledge of the law was extensive, the ex- 
 perience he had gained was great, and ever desirous of 
 rendering justice to the utmost in his power, he laboriously 
 studied everything appertaining to the cases with which he 
 had to deal. Many gentlemen, too, who now stand high 
 in the legal profession, acknowledge wiith gratitude the as- 
 sistance they received from him while they were yet 
 students. His motto through life would appear to have been 
 "Whatever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy whole 
 might." In 1859 the honor of knighthood was conferred 
 upon him by Her Majesty the Queen. He left no sons and 
 a very little property. 
 
 Jn the hurried sketcii of these prominent men, I must 
 not omit to mention so many others ecjually deserving: 
 The McDonp.Ids, Sherwoods, the McLeans, the Hager- 
 
OLD FAMILY COMPACT. 57 
 
 mans, Boltons, Jones and McNabs. All but the latter 
 were prominent judges, all descendents of U. E. Loyalists 
 and educated by Dr. Strachan, and noted for their un- 
 swerving loyalty, honor and integrity, and for the defense 
 of their country, from Christler's farm to Detroit. 
 
 The impartial reader in reviewing the services and 
 private worth of these true types of Canadians, wall surely 
 and charitably remove the veil which might dim the luster 
 of their deeds, and forget their shortcomings, many as they 
 may have been, and who among our most celebrated states- 
 men nowadays, are exempt from them under any govern- 
 ment, Liberal or Conservative, and I would fain hope that 
 there are hundreds, nay thousands, in this proud domain, 
 who would cheerfully contribute to the erection of a monu- 
 ment conmiemorating their deeds, yes, even under the shad- 
 ow of the immortal Brock, once their companion in arms on 
 the battlefield, and at the council board, and would feel it 
 an honor and pride to trace upon its pedestal Old Eng- 
 land's crested motto: 
 
 "Honi Soit Qui Mai y Pense." 
 
58 HON. JAMES BABY. 
 
 THE HON. JAMES BABY— OBITUARY NOTICE. 
 
 (Taken from Whitby Repository, England.) 
 
 It is with extreme concern that we announce to the 
 pubHc the loss of so vahiable and respected a member 
 of this Society as the Hon. James Baby, who, after a 
 very short but severe ilhiess, breathed his last on the aft- 
 ernoon of Tuesday, the 19th of February last, in the 71st 
 year of his age. As very few persons had heard of his 
 illness, the report of his death produced a great sensa- 
 tion, for he was much beloved by all who knew him. 
 His disease was at first attended with excessive pain and 
 repeated convulsions, and when they abated he was re- 
 duced to a state of great debiliity, and had lost the power 
 of articulation. He was nevertheless quite sensible, knew 
 what was said to him, and recognized his friends when 
 they approached him. He seemed fully aware of his 
 approaching dissolution, and bearing his illness with great 
 fortitude and composure, he looked forward to the awful 
 ■event with tranquil resignation. 
 
lion. Janu's liaby. Inspector rjcncM-al. 
 
HON. JAMES BABY. 59 
 
 Those animating hopes with which he had always rested 
 in humble confidence on the mercies of his God enabled 
 hiim to contemplate death without dismay, and his last 
 moments were marked with that elevated serenity and 
 pious submission which well became the conclusion of a 
 life in which the great duties of a man and a Christian 
 had been conscientiously discharged. 
 
 In everything that relates to the life and character of a 
 person so extensively known through both provinces and 
 deservedly beloved, the public will naturally feel a lively 
 curiosity; and we lament that we are unable to meet this 
 laudable desire with any other than a hasty and imper- 
 fect sketch of both. Yet short as our notice must of 
 necessity be, there will be found something to stimulate 
 to moral ilmprovement, something to recommend and in- 
 spire the love of virtue, and to exemplify the rewards of 
 rectitude and the consolation of religion. 
 
 James Baby was born at Detroit in 1762. His fami'" 
 was one of the most ancient in the colony, and it was 
 noble. His father had removed from Lower Canada to 
 the neighborhood of Detroit before the conquest of Que- 
 
6o HON. JAMES BABY. 
 
 bee, where, tin addition to the cultivation of lands, he was 
 connected with the fur trade, at that time, and for many 
 years after, the great staple of the country. James was 
 educated at the Roman Catholic Seminary at Quebec, 
 and returned to the paternal roof soon after the peace 
 of 1783. The family had ever been distinguished (and 
 indeed all the higher French families) for their adherence 
 to the British crown, and to this more than to any other 
 cause are we to attribute the conduct of the Province of 
 Quebec during the American war. Being a great favor- 
 ite with his father, James was permitted to make an ex- 
 cursion to Europe before engaging steadily in business; 
 and after spending some time, principally in England, 
 he rejoined his family. 
 
 Unfortunately the limits assigned by treaty to the 
 United States embraced within it the larger portion of 
 his father's property, and the family attachment to the 
 British government being well known, they were looked 
 upon with little favor by the American population, and 
 found it necessary, after much loss and disappointment, 
 to remove to the south side of the river Detroit, which 
 
HON. JAMES BABY. 6t 
 
 constitutes the boundary of Upper Canada. When the 
 Province of Quebec was divided into two distinct govern- 
 ments. Upper and Lower Canada, the subject of this no- 
 tice became an executive and legislative councillor of the 
 former, and continued in the regular and efficient dis- 
 charge of the high and important duties of these emi- 
 nent stations to the day of his death. 
 
 Soon after his return from England he became exten- 
 sively concerned in the fur trade, and other commercial 
 pursuits; but war with the United States having broken 
 out, all business was suddenly and completely stopped by 
 a hostile invasion. Previous to this he had experienced 
 very serious losses in his commercial dealings, and alsO' 
 in the erection of mills on the property still retained with- 
 in the territories of the United States, and was endeavor- 
 ing to make such arrangements as would relieve him 
 from all such difficulties, and enable him to attend to his 
 farm and orchard, and to his promising family. The sud- 
 den war, and the calamities which it occasioned him, were 
 not the only evils which befell him — about the same time 
 he lost an afiectionate wife, leaving five sons and one 
 daughter, all very young. 
 
62 HON. JAMES BABY. 
 
 To this lady, a woman of excellent name, unblemished 
 worth, and attentive to every conjugal and domestic duty, 
 he had been married several years, and in her society 
 liad enjoyed the greatest happiness. Her death gave 
 him a great shock; nor did he, perhaps, ever wholly re- 
 cover from the blow, for there were moments when he 
 felt the loss, even to the last, most deeply, and he never 
 married again. The death of Mrs. Baby appeareci to 
 blast his hopes and derange his purposes, and tc throw 
 him, as it were, adrift on the ocean of life. 
 
 The commencement of the war was, perhaps, fortun- 
 ate for him under his heavy bereavement, for he was im- 
 mediately called to active service. He commanded the 
 militia of the western district, and performed many ser- 
 vices highly essential to the preservation of the province. 
 The people were anxious to win his favor; they had the 
 ■most unlimited confidence in his judgment, and at his 
 request their provisions, their cattle and personal services 
 were ever ready to support the king's forces in making 
 head against the enemy. When it was in contemplation 
 to withdraw the troops from the western part of the prov- 
 
HON. JAMES BABY- 65. 
 
 mce he sent his children to Quebec: and when this event 
 took place, he found his health so much impaired by 
 fatigue and privation, and the grief which still consumed 
 him, that he found it necessary to adopt the advice of his 
 physicians, and to retire to Lower Canada. There he 
 remained with his children till the re-establishment of 
 peace, but not in the enjoyment of health; nor v;as it till 
 after he had been some time at Sandwich that his strength 
 and energy returned. 
 
 His merits had been so conspicuous during the war — 
 his services so disinterested — his losses and privations so 
 great, that government was anxious to confer upon him 
 some mark of approbation; and, knowing that his means 
 had been very much impaired by the sacrifices he had 
 made,, it was determined to confer upon him the first of- 
 fice that became vacant, if worthy of his acceptance. As 
 if to meet these views, the office of Inspector General, a 
 place of great responsibility, was in a short time at the dis- 
 posal of government, and was immediately bestowed upon 
 Mr. Baby. The last seventeen years of his life have been 
 sp«nt at York, in the discharge of the duties of his office, 
 
64 HON. JAMES BABY. 
 
 and never has there been the slightest shadow of com- 
 plaint — a fact the more remarkable as he had to check 
 every other office in the province, and to pronounce in a 
 variety of questions, in which numbers were deeply inter- 
 ested; but such was the pubHc confidence in his integ- 
 rity and honor that not a murmur was ever heard. 
 
 As a member of both councils he displayed the most 
 wnconipromising probity; and no influence could induce 
 him to give up an opinion, which, after mature examina- 
 tion, he concluded to be right. Owing to his having cul- 
 tivated i>oth languages, French and English, and some- 
 times speaking in the one, and sometimes in the other, 
 he seemed, at times, slow of apprehensiion ; and, after hav- 
 ing made up his mind somewiiat pertinacious — but it was 
 the result of high principle — there was nothing of levity 
 or selfishness allowed in forming his conclusions. 
 
 There was a primitive simplicity in Mr, Baby's char- 
 acter, which, added to his polished manners and benig- 
 nity of disposition, tlircw a moral beauty around him that 
 is very seldom beheld. His favorite amusements par- 
 took largely of this simplicity. He was fond of fish'ing. 
 
HON. JAMES BABY. 65 
 
 The solitude with which it was attended was congenial to 
 his mind — it gave him exercise, fresh air, and an appe- 
 tite. For this amusement he had always a strong pre- 
 dilection. It required hope and much patience; and, in- 
 deed, few can sit quietly on the flowery banks of a calm 
 river, separated from the cares and business of the world, 
 without falling into such contemplations as shall benefit 
 their souls. 
 
 He had, perhaps, still greater pleasure in attending to 
 his garden. To prune, to bud and graft, to sow and 
 plant were among his most agreeable employments. He 
 delighted in watching the progress of his labors, and was 
 anxious to discover new methods of improving fruits and 
 plants, and ascertaining the most approved methods of 
 cultivation. He would frequently find him hastening in 
 the morning to enjoy his garden, and no man can be 
 fond of its fruits and flowers, and the delightful enjoy- 
 ment which they yield both to the eye and ear by their 
 perfumes and colors, witiiout having his heart touched 
 with gratitude to God, their Creator and the giver of all 
 good. This sweet and amiable disposition appeared in 
 
66 HON. JAMES BABY. 
 
 all his occupations, and was evident in everything around 
 him. He had a number of canary birds, which he tended 
 with great care, and rejoiced as much in their increase as 
 if he had received some great reward; and when the room 
 resounded with their songs, expressive of their joys, their 
 loves and their happiness, he appeared to participate in 
 their innocent delights. We might proceed to mention 
 the interest which he took in the comfort and happiness 
 of all domestic animals which he kept about him — but 
 we must hasten to a close. 
 
 His external accomplishments and manners v/ere highly 
 adapted to win afifection's esteem. To an address pecu- 
 liarly engaging from its dignity, urbanity and ease was 
 united a cordiality and kindness of deportment which in- 
 duced one to desire a more intimate acquaintance. 
 
 In his social intercourse he was a universal favorite for 
 the sweetness of his temper, and innocence of his heart 
 opened the affection of all in his favor. It was not that 
 he was distinguished for his colloquial powers, for he was 
 by no means the leader in conversation, but there was 
 the polish of the most refined manners ripened by innate 
 
HON. JAMES BABY. 67 
 
 benevolence which made him so acceptable in all com- 
 panies, that those only who have had the happiness of 
 meeting him often lin society can form a just conception 
 of the pleasure of his presence. 
 
 But highly as this excellent man was to be admired 
 and loved for his engaging manners and virtuous senti- 
 ments, the exalted qualities which dignified his moral 
 nature are still more worthy of approbation. These were 
 the gems which shed around his character that lustre 
 which made him so great a favorite. A strict probity 
 and inviolable love of truth were, perhaps, the most 
 prominent of his moral virtues. From those his con- 
 duct derived such a purity and elevation as could only 
 spring from a mind in which the finest sensibilities of 
 virtue had ever remained uncontaminated by the con- 
 sciousness of dishonor. To transmit this precious inher- 
 itance to his children by precept and example was the 
 principal study of his life; and to secure to them the per- 
 manent enjoyment of this valuable deposit he labored un- 
 ceasingly to inculcate that which he truly deemed the 
 foundation of every virtue — the principle of religion. 
 
68 HON. JAMES BABY. 
 
 His was not a religion of speculation, but a rule of life 
 which governed all his actions, and not only extended 
 its purifying powers to his intercourse with the world, but 
 it penetrated the retirement of the closest and the secret 
 recesses of the heart. Of christian charities his breast 
 was peculiarly susceptible; he was the friend of the widow, 
 the orphan, and of those who have no helpers, and 
 h'is regard was powerfully excited by every resemblance 
 to divine goodness, so that to the man possessed of moral 
 worth he was irresistibly drawn as to a brother. But 
 while his benevolence thus extends to all surrounding ob- 
 jects, its flame became more warm and bright to those 
 who were most near; and in the relations of husband, 
 parent and friend, all the kindlier affections of hiis nature 
 were kindled to their highest fervor. 
 
 It was, indeed, his lot to experience many afHiicting dis- 
 pensations in that quarter where his tenderest aflfecbions 
 were engaged; but here the consolations of Christian 
 hope and the unshaken assurance of divine goodness 
 were his refuge and support; and while he bowed in re- 
 signed submission to that searching discipline with which 
 
HON. JAMES BABY. 69 
 
 it was the good pleasure of his God to exercise his faith, 
 he turned with grateful contentment to those blessings 
 which he was yet permitted to enjoy, and which he con- 
 tinued wiith pious thankfulness and quickened sensibility 
 to cherish atid improve to the last moment of his earthly 
 •existence. 
 
 Thus the severity of his trials proved the stability of 
 his virtue, and his probationary sorrows, by softening his 
 devotion and refining his best disposition, served only to 
 render him better prepared for the felicities of another 
 world. He was a Christian without guile — affable and 
 polished in his manners — courteous in his conversation — 
 •dignified dn his deportment — warm in his affections — 
 steady in his friendship — and unshaken in his principles. 
 The great object of his life was usefulness, and the spring 
 of all his action was religion. With scarcely a faiiling to 
 cast a shade over the collective splendor of the estimable 
 endowments which were united in his character and con- 
 •tlust, who that kn- w him can avoid dwelling upon his 
 memory witli a sorrowful joy. and feeling that a great 
 blank has been made in our social circle, and that one 
 
70 HON. JAMES BABY. 
 
 of the most worthy of our elders has been gathered to 
 his fathers. 
 
 The funeral took place at eleven o'clock yesterday 
 morning. It proceeded with all the solemnities of the 
 Catholic ritual from his late residence to the cemetery 
 attached to the Catholic church of this town. It was- 
 preceded by about fifty boys in surplice, then the officiat- 
 ing clergyman, the Very Rev. W. J. O'Grady, B. D. V. 
 G., accompanied by the venerable the Archdeacon of 
 York, next the family physicians and then the coffin, sup- 
 ported by the members of the executive council as pall- 
 bearers. It was the largest and most respectable funeral 
 we ever witnessed in this country. It was attended by all 
 the virtue, rank and intelligence of the town and its vicin- 
 ity, and the countenance of every individual whom we had 
 an opportunity of observing lin that vast assemblage dem- 
 onstrated the high respect in which Mr, Baby was held. 
 All business was suspended — every shop and ofiice was- 
 closed — there was no manifestation of sectarian feeling — 
 the whole conmumity appeared as one common family 
 united together in bewailing this melancholy bereave- 
 
HON. JAMES BABY. 71 
 
 tnent. What an evidence does not this afford, that, how- 
 ever men may rave and look furiously at each other on 
 the minor questions of politics, all can yet agree in pay- 
 ing the tribute of their united respect to incorruptible vir- 
 tue and integrity. Catholics, Protestants, Presbyterians 
 and Methodists were amalgamated together on this la- 
 mentable occasion, and with their respective ministers at- 
 tended his last obsequies with the greatest decorum and 
 attention. During the funeral sermon, which was 
 preached by the Very Rev. the Vicar General, hfs audit- 
 ory appeared powerfully affected. We never before wit- 
 nessed the ceremonies of the Catholic church on such an 
 occasion performed with greater solemnity; and we sin- 
 cerely hope that the harmony and union which appeared 
 to pervade all classes of the conmiunity may long con- 
 tinue amongst us to heal the divisions of party, to pro- 
 mote Christian charity, to cement us into the nature of 
 one family, and that family into the nature of one heart. 
 — The Canadian Correspondent. 
 
72 SERVICE ON DETROIT FRONTIER. 
 
 SERVICE ON THE DETROIT FRONTIER 
 
 DURING THE REBELLION OF 
 
 '37 AND '38. 
 
 It was on or about the ist of January, 1838, and the 
 hour midnight. I was then Hving in my log house, two 
 miles above Chatham, keeping bachelor's hall on the 
 banks, "where wandered along the hoary Thames its sil- 
 ver winding way." I was aroused from a profound 
 slumber, induced by a hard day's chopping in the bush, 
 by a tremendous banging at the door, and desiring the 
 intruders to come in, (no bolting of doors in those days), 
 the leather latchet outside, and fastened to the wooden 
 latch within, was violently jerked and three of my boon 
 companions, viz.: James Perrier, Patrick Brereton and 
 V. Sunmer entered with a simultaneous exclamation, "We 
 are chilled to the bone, hungry as wolves, and dry as 
 powder horns." So tumbling out of bed I seized the 
 black bottle on the shelf, in the throat of which was 
 thrust a tallow candle, and lighting it threw two or three 
 billets of shag-bark hickory on the smouldering embers, 
 
SERVICE ON THE FRONTIER. 73 
 
 and in a few moments liad a roaring fire, and witlidravv- 
 ing a flagon of rye from underneath my bed, where I 
 kept it carefully concealed from my negro servant,, An- 
 drew Jackson, a bout or two of this soon thawed them 
 out, and taking from the beam in the adjoining room a 
 flitch of bacon of my own curing, and shaving some 
 very fine slices, parboiled for five minutes and frizzled i-n 
 a frying pan was a relish fit for an emperor. 
 
 In the meantime Jim Perrier had emptied the tin pail 
 of potatoes that stood in the cliimney corner to keep from 
 freezing, and carefully washing them chucked them into 
 a pot of boiling water for thirty minutes, and every drop 
 of water being poured from them, the cover taken of¥, 
 and a handful of salt sprinkled over them caused their 
 jackets to burst and their cheeks to bloom liike the rose. 
 No such bacon, no such potatoes nowadays. The time 
 is past, and Biddy has lost the art. So sitting around 
 the board and doing ample justice to the feast, I re- 
 marked : i 
 
 "What's up and what in thunder has brought you 
 chaps here to knock me up at this hour of the night?" 
 
74 SERVICE ON THE FRONTIER. 
 
 "Oh, enough, and the devil's to pay," was the rejoinder. 
 
 Mackenzie had raised the standard of revolt at Mont- 
 gomery's tavern, some six or eight miles back of Toron- 
 to. Col. McNabb, (afterwards Sir Allan), with his stal- 
 Vv^art men of Gore, and the Toronto volunteers, had gone 
 to the front and dispersed them. Mackenzie had run 
 the gauntlet and, by a narrow squeak, got to the Niag- 
 ara frontier, crossed it at Queenston, and a short time 
 .afterwards made Buffalo his headquarters, and Navy 
 Island, just above the Falls, his field of operations, and 
 irom which he was driven by the capture and destruc- 
 tion of the famed steamer "Caroline," which was set fire 
 tcT and sent over the falls in a blaze, several on l^oard, 
 who could not escape, adding fuel to the flames. Per- 
 haps it woidd not be out of place here to remark that a 
 short time previous to these events, Sir Francis Bond- 
 head, the Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada, had 
 sent all the troops in his province to aid and assist Sir 
 John Colborne in Lower Canada to suppress the rebel- 
 lion there, telling bim "he could depend upon the loy- 
 alty of the Upper Canadians for defense," and challeng- 
 
SERVICE ON THE FRONTIER. 75 
 
 ing Mackenzie and his rabble to "come on if they dared." 
 Rather a hazardous boast, as it proved afterwards. 
 
 Whilst Mackenzie was occupying Navy Island his aids 
 and abettors were busy in other portions of the province. 
 Doctor (quack) Theller, from Montreal, taking his cue 
 from Papiineau, in Lower Canada, made his appearance 
 in Detroit, and with the disaffected who ran pway with 
 him, and the offscourings of Detroit, succeeded in rob- 
 bing the arsenal at Dearborn of some 500 stand of arms 
 and two or three pieces of cannon. He made it pretty 
 lively for the defenceless Canadian frontier and the 
 surrounding country was called upon to at once 
 come to their aid. H. J. Jones, J. P. and Crown Land 
 Agent, had been sent from Chatham to Detroit to see 
 the authorities there and at Windsor and report the state 
 of affairs, and on his return gave the above information. 
 A meeting had been called in the evening at the school 
 house in Chatham and 100 volunteers enrolled at once. 
 Capt. Bell, late of the Forty-first or Forty-second Regi- 
 ment, who fought in Picton's division throughout the 
 
 Peninsular war, and was distinguished for his bravery, 
 f 
 
76 SERVICE ON THE FRONTIER. 
 
 having been shot through the jaw and laid on the battle- 
 field of Salamanca during the whole night, (thiis wound 
 interfered not a little in giving the word of command in 
 after years), was chosen captain. I was chosen first 
 lieutenant, T. McCrae second, and C. Cartier ensign. 
 
 So it was to impart this news to me that I was so un- 
 ceremoniously disturbed, and I was expected to join the 
 company at as early an hour as possiible the next morn- 
 ing. It being then 2 a. m. one of them turned in with 
 me, while the other two laid upon the floor with my buf- 
 falo skins and with the backs of chairs turned under for 
 pillows, slept soundly. After an early breakfast that 
 morning I shouldered my double-barrelled gun and we 
 started for Chatham. We found the village astir. James 
 Read, a merchant, furnished us with a loaf of bread and 
 two pounds of pork each and acted as commissa.y. He 
 engaged ten or twelve teams to take us to Dauphin's, 
 twelve miiles from Chatham, down the river a little below 
 which commenced the Raleigh and Tilbury plains, cov- 
 ered with two or three feet of water and two inches thick 
 of ice, through which the teams could not pass, so they 
 
SERVICE ON THE FRONTIER. 77 
 
 diT 'nped us there and returned home. With great diffi- 
 culty and hardship breaking through the ice, we got to 
 the lighthouse some six miles distant, where we struck 
 dry land. We reached Stony Paint that evening and 
 bivouacked among the farmers. The shrill clarion of 
 chanticleer awoke us the next morning and we proceeded 
 on our way to Brooker and Shaver's inns, about twelve 
 miles from Windsor on Lake St. Clair, a little below 
 which we encountered another marsh, suffering the same 
 hardships as through the Tilbury marsh or plains. As 
 we approached the ferry we were met by some of the 
 Windsor inhabitants, promiinent among whom was my 
 friend and kinsman, James Dougall, who g?ve us a kind 
 reception and was unremitting in his attention to our 
 every want, providing us with comfortable quarters and 
 serving out to each of us the next day a new four-point 
 blanket, which proved our greatest comfort. 
 
 On the might following, which, I think, was on the 
 7th of January, the steam ferry "United," Capt. Clinton, 
 (father of the present manager of the ferry company), in 
 command, was ordered to hold herself in readiness to take 
 
78 SERVICE ON THE FRONTIER. 
 
 us do\\'n to Amherstburg, as "General'' Theller, so-called. 
 threatened an invasion there that night. About 9 p. m. 
 ■we, that is, forty men of Major Ambridge's company,. 
 forty of the Kent voUuiteers (of which I was put in com- 
 mand), and twenty of the Windsor company under Capt. 
 W. G. Hall, in all one hundred men, with Col. RadclifT 
 in command, proceeded down the river, the thermometer 
 at zero. On nearing Fighting Island we met the steamer 
 "General Brady" on her way up from Bois Blanc Island 
 imder the control of Tom Mason, as he was familiarly 
 •called, the Governor of Michigan, who, at the request of 
 the authorities on both sides of the river, had gone down 
 that morning with the avowed intention of dispersing the 
 50-called patriots, but it was afterwards creditably re- 
 ported that he lindulged in several bottles of champagne 
 in his cabin upon the trip and knew no more of what 
 •was going on on board ship than if he had been in Tur- 
 key. As we approached and were passing this steamer, 
 to our great surprise, several shots were fired at us, but 
 fortunatelv no one was hit. 
 
SERVICE ON THE FRONTIER. 79 
 
 Proceeding on our way to Amherstburg we reached 
 the Lime Kiln crossing and, it being moonldght, we dis- 
 covered the schooner "Ann" moored in front of the old 
 barracks and now and then discharging her cannon up- 
 on the defenseless town. On discovering this, Col. Rad- 
 clifT ordered an immediate landing at the Lime Kilns and 
 we quartered ourselves as best we could in the Huron 
 Induan huts, they being the only inhabitants along the 
 river front at that time. Towards daylight an order came 
 from headquarters, viz., Col. Prince, Maj. Laughlin, and Col. 
 RadclifT, for us to proceed to Amherstburg and receive 
 orders as to our movements. On arriving there the 
 company halted and I proceeded to the house of the 
 late James Gorden, where the above named officials were 
 quartered, and finding Col. Prince, he cheerfully accom- 
 panied me to Bullock's tavern and, kicking open the door, 
 the house being unoccupied, desiired me to take posses- 
 sion and help ourselves to what we chose and to render 
 a strict account of everything used. We soon regaled 
 ourselves with what it contained in viands and wines, and 
 about 9 a. m. received orders to march to Elliot's point, 
 
8o SERVICE ON THE FRONTIER. 
 
 where we took up our quarters in the old Elliot house, 
 as also did Capt W. G. Hall with his twenty men. 
 
 About 7 p. m. on the 9th of January, 1838, the wind 
 being fresh from the northwest and bright moonlight, 
 the schooner "Ann'' was discovered leaving her moor- 
 ings and coming down the river with all sails set, fol- 
 lowed by a number of persons along shore peppering 
 away at her with shot guns, rifles, pistols, etc., and as 
 she approached the point, (Elliiott's), through floating ice, 
 a galling fire was opened upon her from behind the 
 large trees on the point, and immediately she grounded, 
 affording a splendid target for our sharpshooters, who 
 made it lively for the crew on board. 
 
 Col. Radcliffe had followed her down with the crowd, 
 and on his arrival opposite and close to the vessel, called 
 for volunteers to board her, I soon found myself with 
 others struggldng in the ice to accomplish this, and on 
 reaching the vessel one got on the back of the other, 
 who in turn assisted others, until some twenty or thirty 
 got on board, H. Leighton and two or three others were 
 on board before us. All appeared as sLill as the grave. 
 
SERVICE ON THE FRONTIER. 8i 
 
 Gen. Anderson laid alongside the bulwarks shot through 
 the chest, and died that morning in our quarters, in the 
 old Elliott house. Col. Dodge, a Toledo lawyer, was 
 found with his right eye hanging on hiis cheek, caused 
 by a spent ball. Capt. Brophy was also wounded, and 
 found near the cabin door, also one Davis. On inquir- 
 ing for the rest of the crew we were told that ''General" 
 Theller was in the hold of the vessel with some twenty 
 or thirty others, and had closed the hatches over them. 
 On the hatches being removed I called for Theller to sur- 
 render, which he did by standing up and handing me his 
 sword, and claiiming my protection. No doubt he was 
 terrified at our appearance, and with our blankets 
 wrapped around our shoulders, probably took us for 
 Mohawk Indians. He was bareheaded and in his stock- 
 ing feet, and wore a military frock coat, with a gilt star 
 on his left breast. Extending him my hand I drew him 
 up on deck and the others soon followed. I then or- 
 dered them to jump overboard and they would find many 
 on shore to receive them. Theller said he was exhausted 
 and bruised from the recoil of his cannon, so jumping 
 
S2 SERVICE ON THE FRONTIER. 
 
 into the water and ice he managed to get on my back 
 and I carried him ashore, on reaching which our clothes 
 immediately froze stiff, and it was with difficulty we 
 reached our quarters, some hundred and fifty yards or 
 more. 
 
 Towards morning (three or four o'clock I should say) 
 Col. Prince entered our quarters, wliere he found us 
 toasting before an open fireplace, and inquiired for "Gen- 
 eral"' Theller, who was lying on the floor in the corner of 
 the room, with my blanket for a covering, and a billet 
 of wood for a pillow. Pointing him out to the colonel 
 the latter, in the most unceremonious manner, awoke 
 him by a kick in the ribs. To my dying day I shall 
 never forget that ludkrous scene. Theller sitting on his 
 haunches and beholding the colonel for the first time in 
 his Hfe. If Tecumseh, Pontiac or Black Hawk had risen 
 from their graves and appeared before him they could 
 not have inspired more terror in his mind. A red fox- 
 skin bonnet, rather than cap, covered his head; a doe- 
 skin jacket encircled hus burly shoulders and loins, tied 
 by a red sash, in which was thrust a pair of horse pistols 
 
SERVICE ON THE FRONTIER. 8j 
 
 and a kind of cutlass; corduroy breeches and leather 
 gaiters reaching to the top of his English heavily spiked 
 laced boots finished his toilet distingue. Addressing Thel- 
 ler, after the kick, the colonel said: 
 
 "Get up, you d — d piratical scoundrel." 
 
 Theller appealing to me said: "Captain Baby, I sur- 
 rendered myself a prisoner to you, and now I claim your 
 protection." 
 
 To which I repliied: "The colonel is my superior officer 
 and I have nothing to say." 
 
 "Let me have my boots and cap, then," said Theller. 
 
 "You won't want either before daylight," was the colonel's, 
 rejoinder. 
 
 "Baby," continued the colonel, "see that a rope be pro- 
 vided, to which securely fasten all the prisoners two abreast 
 and then tie the same to the end of a cart (which had hastily 
 been provided) so that they can be safely conveyed to the 
 guard house at Amherstburg," which was done accordingly, 
 Theller, Dodge and Brophy were unable to walk and were 
 bundled into the cart, to the end of which the rope was tied, 
 and away it went with its kite-tail of prisoners to the guard 
 
84. SERVICE ON THE FRONTIER. 
 
 house, upon which being reached it was decided, by the 
 authorities, to send the prisoners at once to London by the 
 lake shore route, to avoid the danger of a rescue, if sent by 
 the frontier. They all reached London safely under a strong 
 guard of volunteers, twenty of whom belonged to my com- 
 pany. 
 
 Colonel Prince's treatment of Theller would appear to be 
 harsh, cruel, and unofificer-like, but when it is considered 
 that the inliabitants along the whole frontier, and he and his 
 family in particular, were in a constant state of fear and 
 trembling, expecting that every moment their houses would 
 be fired and they murdered by these piratical ruffians (which 
 they did the year following at the Battle of Windsor), Prince 
 well knew the characters he had to deal with and he treated 
 them as they well deserved. 
 
 Theller, Brophy and Dodge were sent to the citadel at 
 Quebec, to be there securely held for further disposal, but 
 from which, by some unaccountable means, the former and 
 the latter escaped and reached the American shore, and 
 some years after, Theller published a book of his adventures. 
 The other prisoners, some twenty-six in number, were tried 
 
SERVICE ON THE FRONTIER. 85 
 
 in London; half of them were hanged there, and the other 
 half transportd for a certain number of years, and returned 
 to the country after the time had expired. 
 
 A short time after the cart aforesaid and its kiite-tail of 
 prisoners had vanished in the distance, I received orders to 
 return, at once, with the remainder of my company to 
 Windsor, as another invasion was expected there at night, 
 which, on our arrival, proved a false alarm. 
 
 Nothing particular occurred along the frontier until in 
 the month of February (I forget the exact date) an invasion 
 of the so-called patriots was made on Fighting Island, about 
 six miles below Detroit, and we, the Kent volunteers, with 
 •others were ordered to the front. We left Windsor at 4 a. m. 
 The snow was a foot deep. We arrived at a farmer's 
 (Gignac's, I think) barn along the roid, which was situated 
 immediiately opposite the island, and to our agreeable sur- 
 prise found Major Townsend with a detachment of the 
 ,32d Regiment from Amherstburg resting in lee of it from 
 the piercing cold northerly wind. Ascertaining who we 
 were he gave us a warm reception, remarking, "We'll have 
 some fun before breakfast." He was only waiting for day- 
 
86 SERVICE ON THE FRONTIER. 
 
 light to see his way. In the meantime, Captain Glascovv^ 
 with three pieces of artillery, had taken up a position com- 
 manding a fair sweep of the island, which was covered with a. 
 thick growth of burr oaks with their dried leaves still upon 
 them. He opened a fire of grape shot upon the invaders, 
 who were sitting around their camp fires, and such was the 
 effect that before we had time to cross over to the island, not 
 a soul was to be seen. They recrossed the river on the ice, 
 which was a foot and a half thick, and were received with 
 open arms by hundreds of persons on the American shore, in. 
 sleighs, who were waiting to hear the result of the fight.. 
 The only trophy was a small six-pounder captured by the 
 Kent volunteers, which we took to Chatham, when we were 
 disbanded and relieved by the 2nd Battalion towards the- 
 end of April. Thus ended my four month's service as a 
 volunteer. 
 
 In reviewing the events of the Rebellion of 1837 and 1838 
 to-day, the fact is established that by its suppression this 
 Canada of ours has been preserved to the British Crown, its- 
 brightest gem, all praise to the descendants of the U. E. 
 Loyalists — those hearts of oak — the Corinthian pillars of 
 
SERVICE ON THE FRONTIER. 87 
 
 Canada to-day. All honor to those of the Old Family Com- 
 pact; and glory to the brave and gallant volunteers, who 
 belonged to neither, but put their shoulders to the wheel and 
 accomplished it. 
 
 As already stated we were relieved by the Second Bat- 
 talion in April, and being composed principally of farmers 
 and mechanics returned home. December 4th, 1839, the 
 T^attle of V/indsor took place. 
 
 The following account of the capture of the sf'hooner 
 Ann is taken verbatim from Thellers "Canada,'" 1837- 1838, 
 pages 136 and 137. 
 
 "As we n eared the town volley after volley was poured 
 into us with considerable efifect, and with more skill than the 
 might before. It was no boys' play now, many of our men 
 were wounded and considerable damage to the rigging. 
 Captain Davis, who was holding on to the anchor, was 
 shot in the wrist, and from which he afterwards died, and 
 away went the anchor. The enemy aimed with fatal pre- 
 cision at the helmsman, and he fled below, leaving the boat 
 to her own will, and as the down-hauls had been cut away 
 by the shot the sails could not be managed. Unskilled as 
 
88 SERVICE ON THE FRONTIER. 
 
 mariners, confusion reigned among us, and the schooner 
 drifting with the ice, we were in a few moments aground on 
 the main shore, our deck presenting an incHned front to the 
 irritated and triumphant marksmen of the enemy. Dodge, 
 Brophy, myself and a few others, determined to sell our 
 lives at as dear a rate as possible, and still hoping that the 
 force on the island would come to our rescue, nipjintained for 
 a while our position on the deck, and with much labor 
 brought our cannon to bear upon the ?hore. Another volley 
 and a rush to board us. The moon was shining bright, and 
 we were easily seen and marked by their riflemen, while they 
 were concealed behind the fences and the trees of an orchard 
 close at hand. Dodge was wounded in the eye, and fell, as 
 I then thought, dead at my feet ; Brophy was soon after dis- 
 abled by a wound. A little boy, a Canadian refugee en- 
 gaged in bringing us loaded muskets, was killed in the act, 
 
 fell overboard, and his body found on shore the next morn- 
 ing. All around me were soon disabled. The little time I 
 
 had to think disclosed my probable fate in case of surrender. 
 
 No other alternative seemed left but a preferable death 
 
 on the spot, and in the act of discharging the gun myself, I 
 
SERVICE ON THE FRONTIER. 89 
 
 'eceived a blow on the head that felled me to the deck and 
 down the hatchway to the hold. Stunned and senseless, I 
 was dragged out by the victors, and placed in custody for 
 future disposition. On recovering, I found myself and 
 others in the charge of Lieut. Baby (the author), who pro- 
 tected me from insult, and who was aided in this manly duty 
 by Captain Rudyard and Colonel Radclifif, the latter say- 
 ing in my hearing that we were prisoners of war, had con- 
 ducted ourselves like brave men, and must not be abused, 
 but be handed over to the proper authorities for judicial 
 treatment. I was taken to the hospital (the old Elliott 
 Homestead, our barracks pro tem., then unoccupied by W. 
 L. Baby), to which had been previously carried Dodge, 
 Brophy, Davis, Anderson, Smith and Thayer, all seriously 
 wounded." 
 

 COL. JOHN PRINCE. 
 
90 BATTLE OF WINDSOR. 
 
 THE BATTLE OF WINDSOR, FOUGHT DEC. 4, 
 
 : I 
 
 1839. 'v 
 
 The Report of the Battle taken from an Original Document, 
 Used in the Trial of Col. Prince. 
 
 The following narrative of facts connected with the action 
 of the 4th of December, is furnished by eye-witnesses and 
 
 actors in that affair. It has been withheld to this date, that 
 time might be allowed for excitement to subside, and oppor- 
 tunity afforded the authors of any erroneous or hasty state- 
 ments, given officially, or otherwise, to make the necessary 
 corrections. But the time has arrived when it would be 
 highly culpable longer to withhold its publication. Several 
 weeks have elapsed since the appearance of two statements 
 of the affair, both extremely deficient and erroneous in many 
 important points, and greatly calculated, whether inten- 
 tionally or not, to mislead the public. As no corrections of 
 these statements have been made, either by their authors or 
 others, a longer silence would tend to sanction and per- 
 petuate the misconceptions they have but too generally pro- 
 
BATTLE OF WINDSOR. 9^ 
 
 duced. The contributors to this narrative think it ciue to the 
 pubHc, and to themselves, that there should be no miscon- 
 ceptions in an affair of so much importance — that "even- 
 lianded justice" should be meted out to all concerned. They, 
 therefore, uninfluenced by partialities or prejudices, and 
 solely for the cause of truth, submit their statement to the 
 public, pledging themselves for its correctness in all its 
 essential points, and holding themselves ready to substan- 
 tiate what they thus set forth. 
 
 To give a correct view of the affair, it is necessary to com- 
 mence the narrative with a brief outline of the circum- 
 stances some weeks antecedent to the day of the attack. 
 
 From about the first of November it was reported, and 
 generally believed, that large bodies of brigands, from 
 all parts of the United States, were wending their 
 way to the State of Michiigan for the purpose of 
 invading our countr>'. The point of attack was var- 
 iously stated to be Maiden, Sandwich, and Windsor. 
 The inhabitants of the two latter places were kept 
 in a constant state of excitement and alarm by their 
 proximity to Detroit, the reputed head(iuarters of the 
 
92 BATTLE OF WINDSOR. 
 
 enemy, and the want of sufficient means to repel any serious 
 invasion. To add to their anxiety and alarm, Major Reid, 
 of the 32d Regulars, who held the command at Sandwich, 
 was called to the London District, and that important trust 
 devolved on Col. John Prince. The effective force at that 
 time consiisted of Company Xo. i, and ii men of Company 
 No. 2, Provincial Volunteer Militia, commanded by Capt. 
 Sparke, and four companies of Col. Prince's battalion, com- 
 manded respectively by Captains Fox, Lewis, Thebo and 
 Elliott. To Captain Lewis was conmiitted the charge of 
 the important post at Windsor. 
 
 With so small a force it was necessary to maintain the 
 .greatest watchfulness against any sudden attack; and to 
 ensure that vigilance so essential to our safety, nearly all the 
 inhabitants of Sandwich, not connected with any of the 
 above companies, acted as voluntary night patrol. As more 
 <lefinite and certain information of the strength and inten- 
 tions of the brigands was received, our situation became 
 the more alarming. Some of our most respectable and 
 influential inhabitants waited on Colonel Prince with a 
 request that he would ask Col. Airey, connnanding at Mai- 
 
BATTLE OF WINDSOR. 95, 
 
 den, to send up one or two companies of Regulars. Their 
 request Col. Prince declined complying with, intimating 
 something like a fear that such an application would be con- 
 sidered as an evidence of cowardice — assuring the gentle- 
 man that his battalion was abundantly able to protect them 
 from any attack of the enemy. His assurances, however, 
 had little weight in allaying the alarm of the public ; nor was 
 it lessened by the painful discovery that the post at Windsor 
 had been entrusted to an officer utterly unqualified for such 
 an important station. Niight after night was Capt. Lewis 
 detected by the Volunteer PatroUe in the most culpable neg- 
 ligence. His sentinels were placed without judgment, and 
 their duties were performed in the most slovenly and un- 
 soldier-like manner. Indeed, it became too apparent to 
 every reflecting observer, that the post was liable and likely 
 to be surprised whenever the enemy might think proper to 
 make the experiment. Under such circumstances, Francis 
 Baby, Robert Mercer and James Dougall, Esquires, ad- 
 dressed a request to Col. Airey that a part of Capt. Bell's 
 Company (No. 2 Provincial Volunteers), then doing duty as 
 sentinels at Maiden, might be sent to Windsor, and Capt. 
 
94 BATTLE OF WINDSOR. 
 
 Lewis' Company be called to Maiden to take their place. 
 This request, most unfortunately, as the sequel proves, was 
 not granted. 
 
 On F>iday, the 30th of November, information was re- 
 ceived from uncjuestionable authority, that a large body of 
 brigands, say from 400 to 600, were assembled on the farms 
 of Mr. Marrantete and Major Forsyth, about two miles 
 below the city of Detroit. Their watch-fires on that even- 
 ing were distinctly seen from Sandwich, and stimulated the 
 Volunteer Patrolles to double vigilance. On Saturday, the 
 1st of December, intelligence was brought that early on that 
 morning the greater part of them had left their camp and 
 spread themselves among the lower order of taverns in 
 Detroit, making "Uncle Ben Woodworth's" their head- 
 quarters. It was said that a considerable body had also 
 passed the city and encamped in the vicinity of the "Poor 
 House," on the Fort Gratiot road, about two miles out of 
 town. On Sunday, the 2d, it was known that the encamp- 
 ment on the farm of Mr. Marrantete had been visited by a 
 detachment of United States troops, headed by Gen. Brady 
 and Major Payne, wlio put to flight the few brigands who 
 
BATTLE OF WINDSOR. 95 
 
 were left there as a guard, and captured thirteen boxes of 
 arms. A report was current on that day that one of their 
 leaders, and a "sub-treasurer" of their military chest, had 
 absconded, and with all the funds. On Monday, the 5th, it 
 was stated, and generally believed, that disheartened by the 
 foregoing misfortunes, the brigands had abandoned their 
 undertaking and dispersed. Certain it is that very few of 
 the ruffians were to be seen on that day in Detroit, and 
 *'Uncle Ben's" was as deserted as it generally is, or as any 
 other establishment of the kind could be which had been 
 made the rendezvous of such polluting scoundrels. De- 
 ceived by these appearances, and trusting to the known and 
 untiring vigilance of Gen. Brady, and above all, relying on 
 what was believed the impassable state of the river, the 
 Volunteer Patrolle, unfortunately, on that night relaxed its 
 usual vigilance, leaving the safety of all our inhabitants, and 
 ail that was dear to them, to the keeping of Capt. Lewis. 
 Most unfortunately Gen. Brady, too, deceived by the same 
 circumstances, arfd depending on Judge McDonnell, Col- 
 lector, to have the steamer Champlain (the only boat not 
 laid up, or in the employ of the United States) rendered 
 
96 BATTLE OF WINDSOR. 
 
 useless oy the removal of her valves, relaxed also in his 
 accustomed vigilance. Judge McDonnell did not discharge 
 the trust reposed in him — and our watchful foes, possessed 
 of all these circumstances, took advantage of them, and at 
 one o'clock on the morning of Tuesday, the 4th, about 240 
 of them seized the Champlain. We do not learn that there 
 was any resistance on the part of her crew — certainly there 
 could have been none worth mentioning, or the alarm would 
 have reached Gen. Brady. After raising steam, the boat 
 was cast olT and landed our invaders at 3 o'clock a. m. on 
 the farm of Alexis Pelette, about four miles above the vil- 
 lage of Windsor, which latter place is directly opposite the 
 city of Detroit, the Capital of tne State of Michigan, and 
 two miles above the town of Sandwich. 
 
 It is here to be observed, that although so many on both 
 sides of the river were lulled into fancied security by the acts 
 of the brigands, yet, all were not so deceived. Several loyal 
 subjects residing in Detroit had ferreted out their deep 
 laid plans. Three of these truly "patriotic" fellows having 
 obtained certain intelligence that an attack would be made 
 on Monday night, came over late on the afternoon of that 
 
BATTLE OF WINDSOR. ^ 
 
 day and gave information at the Barracks to that effect. 
 One of the three enrolled the same evening in Capt. Lewis' 
 Company; another, his companion, remained with him in 
 the Barracks; and the third, knowing his doom should the 
 brigands prove successful, proceeded to Maiden. The two 
 former fell martyrs to loyalty and love of country, while 
 gallantly defending the Barracks. 
 
 From Pelette's farm the brigands marched down to 
 Windsor without being challenged or opposed. When they 
 had nearly arrived at the Barracks, occupied by a part of 
 Capt. Lewis' company, two of their number, who had beea 
 sent in advance to reconnoitre, were met and challenged 
 by the Cavalry PatroUe. As they did not answer the chal- 
 lenge, the Patrolle turned and rode back to the Barracks, 
 and relating the circumstance to the sentinel proceeded to 
 report to Capt. Lewis, whose quarters were about one- 
 quarter of a mile further down the road. As soon as the two 
 men had approached within sight of the sentinel he chal- 
 lenged, and receiving no answer, levelled his piece to fire, 
 the enemy simultaneously doing the same. By a singular 
 coincidenjce the pieces of both parties missed fire. The 
 
98 BATTLE OF WINDSOR. 
 
 sentinel stepped inside the Barracks to reprime and give the 
 alarm. When he stepped out again he found the head of a 
 column of brigands had reached the point where he had 
 first seen the two men. He fired his piece at this body, and 
 again entered the Barracks to rouse its inmates to action. 
 The few men on duty promptly answered the call by rush- 
 ing out and opening a galling fire upon the Advancing foe; 
 killing one of their captains.^ named Lewis, krrd Wounding 
 several of their men. The brave sentinel (Otterburj^), forc- 
 ing his vv^ay through his companions tO h^ve anotlier shot 
 and holding up his musket to facilitate his rrioV^nients, re- 
 ceived a ball and two buckshot in his left arm', xvliicti Obliged 
 him to retire from the conflict. As long lis their atnmunition 
 held out, our men made a most gallint resistance; and when 
 it failed, ten or twelve effected their retreat, and the rest 
 about 113, surrendered to the enemy, who set fire to the 
 Barracks and the adjoining' house belonging 'to Mr. 
 Francois Jannette, which, with the house occupied by Mr. 
 Retter, were burned to the ground. An inofTiensive' colored 
 hian, named Mills, who resided near the scene of action, 
 coming out of his house to see what was the matter, was 
 
BATTLE OF WINDSOR. 99 
 
 taken by the brigands, and on refusing to join them was 
 barbarously shot. From the Barracks the brigands pro- 
 ceeded to set on fire the steamboat 'l hames, belonging to 
 Duncan McGregor, Esq., and then laid up at Mr. Van 
 Allen's vvharf, nearly opposite. They did not succeed in 
 their first attempt, but in an hour afterwards accomplished 
 their purpose. When the boat was fired they compelled Mr. 
 Black and others of our people to assist them in getting her 
 yawl out of the ice, in which they placed some of their party 
 who had been wounded h; the attack on the Barracks, and 
 sent them over to Detroit. 
 
 From Captain Lewis' quarters the horse patrol pro- 
 ceeded to give the alarm at Sandwich. In a very short time 
 Captain Sparke with No. i and about eight men of No. 2 
 companies of Provincial Volunteer Militia (amounting in 
 the whole to not more than 40 men) together with a number 
 of the inhabitants of the town, were on the march for 
 Windsor. They were immediately followed and overtaken 
 before arriving at the scene of action, by about 60 men of 
 Col. Prince's Battalion of Essex Militia, under the com- 
 mand of Fox, Thebo, and Elliott. On their way up, they 
 
loo BATTLE OF WINDSOR. 
 
 were met by various persons retreating from Windsor^ 
 among whom was Capt. Lewis, who stated that his Barracks 
 had been attacked and fired, and his men defeated ; but with 
 what loss he could not tell, as he had immediately left the 
 place. 
 
 When the entire party had arrived at Mr. Mailldoux,.- 
 about half a mile below Windsor, Capt. Thebo, with his 
 company left the road and made a detour so as to come in 
 the rear of the village, a maneuvre, which in the sequel 
 proved of great advantage, as enabling our brave militia to 
 cut ofif many of the brigands in their subsequent flight to- 
 wards the woods. The other parties continued their march 
 up the road and at a short distance below the entrance of 
 tile village, Captain Sparke halted and formed his men — 
 while the militia under Captains Fox and Elliott, also' 
 halted and were marshaled by Capt. Bell, of the 2nd Com- 
 pany, Provincial Volunteers, assisted by Capt. Leslie, of 
 Col Prince's Battalion. Both parties then resumed the 
 march, and when arrived at the lower end of the village, 
 again halted to reconnoitre. Intelligence was quickly 
 brought by James Dougall, Chas. Baby and W. R. Wood, 
 
BATTLE OP WI::DS0R. ioi 
 
 Esquires, who had gone some distance in advance, that the 
 •enemy (about 130 in number) had been drawn up across 
 the road, but were then fihng to the left into an orchard 
 belonging to Francois Baby, Esq. Instandy the militia led 
 by Capt. Bell struck off the road into the orchard of Mr. 
 Jannette, and marching up along the fence opened a well- 
 directed fire upon the enemy. In the meantime Captain 
 Sparke with his command and the volunteer inhabitants, 
 who had joined him, continued his march directly up the 
 road, and on arriving at the spot where the enemy had left 
 it, discovered them ensconced in the orchard and in the act 
 of returning the fire which had been opened upon them by 
 Captains Fox and Elliott. Captain Si)arke wheeled his 
 conuuand off the road and after pouring a well directed fire, 
 led his gallant followers over an intervening fence to give 
 the brigands the steel. But the rascals waited not the touch 
 of British bayonets — returning the fire, they "broke cover" 
 and fled across the fields in the direction of the woods. 
 Pursuit was given by the whole party and continued to the 
 edge of the woods, by Captains Fox and Elliott, preceded 
 by Capt. Thebo, whose judicious position brought him well 
 
I02 BATTLE OF WINDSOR. 
 
 to the left of the enemy. Several of the brigands were 
 killed in the chase, among whom were their leaders, Put- 
 nam and Harvell, the '*Big Kentuckian"; and one of their 
 standard bearers (whose colors were captured by Ensign 
 Rankin, of Captain Sparke's company) and a great number 
 were wounded. Many of them, to expedite their flight, re- 
 lieved themselves of their arms, accoutrements, and ammu- 
 nition, and even of parts of their clothing. One man of 
 Capt. Elliott's company was killed, and another wounded in 
 this short but brilliant alTair. Captain Sparke finding the 
 pursuit in excellent hands, halted his party when about half 
 a mile from the main road, preparatory to marching back 
 to dislodge any party who might have remained in Windsor. 
 Just at this time Col. Prince made his first appearance on 
 the field, though some think he may have arrived a few 
 moments sooner, as being dressed in a fustian shooting 
 coat and fur cap, he might not have been immediately 
 recognized. However that may be, at this important mo- 
 ment he informed Captain Sparke and the other ofificers of 
 the party that he had just received intelligence that upwards 
 of two hundred brigands were marching down from Detroit 
 
BATTLE OF WINDSOR. loj 
 
 on the American side for the purpose of crossing over 
 and attacking Sandwich lin front, and that another body 
 had gone round through the groves to attack it in the 
 rear. From this statement of Col. Prince, it was deemed 
 advisable to retire to Sandwich without delay, in order to 
 defend that place, where all our ammunition, provisions and 
 the only guns we possessed were deposited. The men who 
 were in triumphant pursuit of the flying foe were immedi- 
 ately recalled, and Col. Prince ordered the whole force to 
 marcl; back to Sandwich at double quick time. Before the 
 party left the field Adjutant Cheeseman, of the 2nd Essex, 
 who had acted as a volunteer, brought up a prisoner whom 
 he had taken. He surrendered him to Col. Prince, who 
 ordered him to be shot upon the spot, and it was done ac- 
 cordingly. Previous to the commencement of our retro- 
 grade movement, and during its progress, several persons 
 joined us, bringing various accounts of the strengtii of a 
 rear guard or reserve of the brigands which was still in 
 possession of Windsor. This body, headed (as is said) by 
 General Birse, at the time the action commenced in the 
 orchard, was drawn up in front of the burning barracks. 
 
I04 BATTLE OF WINDSOR. 
 
 It afterwards advanced nearly opposite the place where 
 Captain Sparke had crossed the fence. Just at this time. 
 Mr. Morse, Commissary, and Doctor Hume, of the medical 
 staff, and others came from Sandwich in a waijon, and 
 •drove directly up to it. thinking it was a party of our own 
 miliitia. As Mr. Alorse jumped out of the wagon in front. 
 and was about to address them he was stopped by a young 
 woman, who informed him of their true character. Mr. 
 Morse quickly communicated the intelligence to Doctor 
 Hume and retreated round the corner of an adjoining house. 
 As the doctor attempted to retreat, holding a pistol in his 
 hand, and keeping his "face to the foe," the brigands pre- 
 sented their pieces at him. Mr. Tyas leaker, who had also 
 approached the party, believing them to ])e friends, called 
 out, "do not shoot that man, he is the doctor," and seeing 
 one of their pieces flash, in the attempt to kill him, again 
 called out, "do not shoot that man, he is our doctor." The 
 brigands turned towards Tyas and demanded, "then why 
 does he not surrender?" This pause caused by the enquiry, 
 enabled the doctor to get past the corner of a house, under 
 cover of which he crossed a fence and gained the rear of 
 
BATTLE OF WINDSOR. 105 
 
 the dwelling of Mr. Cole. Some of the brigands left the 
 ranks in pursuit, and one, said to be Bennett, a silversmith, 
 and resident of Detroit, taking the lead, rested his piece 
 upon the fence which the doctor had just crossed, and fired. 
 Bennett then turned to his party and said "you may go 
 and take his sv/ord, he will not run any farther." Several 
 then proceeded to "finish" him, as they expressed :it, and in 
 doing so, mangled his remains in the most shocking man- 
 ner. This minute statement of the transaction is given to 
 correct a fabrication got up, either as an attempt at a miser- 
 able palliation of the brutal act, or for the purpose of cfifect, 
 viz: "that the brigands had shot Dr. Hume, under the 
 impression that he was Colonel Prince." After killing the 
 doctor, they fired several shots at ]\Iorse, who had a most 
 miraculous escape — one of their bullets passing through 
 his hair. The others of the party in the wagon were made 
 prisoners by the brigands. 
 
 On our forces reaching Sandwich, it was positively as- 
 certained that no body of men had been seen either on the 
 American side of the river, opposite Sandwich, or in the 
 
 groves in the rear of the town, as stated by Col. Prince's 
 h 
 
io6 . BATTLE OF WINDSOR. 
 
 informants. Intelligence was also given by James Dou- 
 gall, Esq., and other respectable inhabitants who had 
 been reconnoitering at Windsor, that the brigands re- 
 maiming at that place certainly did not exceed one hun- 
 dred men; and that tliey were evidently preparing to 
 leave it, as they had fallen back from the spot where they 
 had murdered Dr. Hume, to a position in front of the 
 store of Gardner & Babcock. Col. Prince was made 
 acquainted with these facts and earnestly solicited by Mr. 
 Dougall and others, as he had now 200 men upon the 
 ground, to send up a force to dislodge the enemy. This 
 he refused :o do, giving as his reasons that the report 
 could nor be correct — that the party at Windsor must be 
 much stronger than represented — that his post was at 
 Sandwich and if he should leave it he would by so doing 
 subject himself ^o trial by a court martial, and the liabil- 
 ity of being shot. He further stated that he had on the 
 first alarm dispatched an express to Maiden for some 
 regulars and a field piece, and that he did not think it 
 advisable to move again.st the enemy until their arrival, 
 which might be expected in two or three hours. The 
 
BATTLE OF WINDSOR. 107 
 
 appearance of this reinforcement was now most anx- 
 iously looked for, as it was plainly seen that no move- 
 ment would be m ule until it had arrived. In the mean- 
 time information continued to be received from many re- 
 spectable dndividuals who had been closely reconnoiter- 
 m^, of the weakness of the enemy and their evident alarm 
 and dread of being attacked. It was confidently stated 
 that even fifty men could disperse or make prisoners of the 
 whole party; and Ensign Rankin, of the Provincial vol- 
 unteers, solicited Col. Prince for that numl)er, with whom 
 he gallantly volunteered to drive the polluting ruffians 
 from our soil. His reciuest was denied — and the enemy 
 remained for hours in possession of the village without 
 any attempt being made to dislodge them; and were 
 actually permitted to march off at leisure, with drum 
 beating, and colors flying. After they had vacated Wind- 
 .sor, horseman after horseman hurried down to apjirize 
 Col. Prince that they had retreated to the Windmills, 
 (their place of debarkation), and were escai)ing by canoes 
 to Hog Island; this intelligence, however, did not cause 
 
io8 BATTLE OF WINDSOR. 
 
 Col. Prince to change his determination to remain at 
 Sandwich until the arrival of the regulars. 
 
 When we had waited an hour or longer for the ex- 
 pected reinforcement a prisoner who had been wounded 
 and taken after the engagement was brought into town. 
 He was conducted, surrounded by several of our men, 
 towards Col. Prince, who was then standing in the most 
 frequented part of our main street. As the prisoner ap- 
 proached he was told by one of the officers to make his 
 peace with God, as lie had but a few minutes to live. The 
 wretched man, holding up both his hands, pleaded most 
 earnestly for mercy, but Col. Prince commanded him to 
 be shot upon the spot, and the same officer who had at 
 first addressed him, probably to disengage him from those 
 hy whom he was surrounded, ordered him to "run for his 
 life" — and in an instant a dozen muskets were leveled for 
 liis execution. At this moment Col. William Elliott, of 
 the Second Essex, who chanced to be near at hand, ex- 
 claimed, "D — n you, you cowardly rascals, are you go- 
 ing to murder your prisoner." This exclamation for one 
 instant retarded the fire of the party, but in the next the 
 
BATTLE OF WINDSOR. 109 
 
 prisoner was brought to the gr und; he sprang again to 
 his feet, and ran around the corner of a fence, where 
 he was met by a person coming from an opposite direc- 
 tion and shot through the head. From papers found up- 
 on his person it appeared his name was Bennett. It is 
 to be regretted that this painful afifair took place lin our 
 most public street, and in the presence of several ladies 
 and children, who had been attracted to the doors and 
 windows by the strange events of the morning, but who 
 little expected to witness so awful a tragedy. Another 
 brigand named Dennison, also wounded and unarmed, 
 was taken after the action and brought in during the 
 course of the morning. Charles Elliott, Esq., who happened 
 to be present when the prisoner was about to be shot by 
 Col. Prince's orders, entreated that he 1 might be saved 
 to be dealt with according to the laws of the country; 
 but Col. Prince's reply was, "D — n the rascal, shoot him," 
 and it was done accordingly. 
 
 To the great satisfaction of our anxious people, about 
 II o'clock a. m. a detachment of 100 men of the Thirty- 
 fourth, under Capt. Broderick, a few artillerists and a 
 
no BATTLE OF WINDSOR. 
 
 field piece, under Lieut. Airey, and some forty or fifty 
 Indians under Geo. Ironside, Esq., galloped into Sand- 
 wich. Waiting only a few minutes to inquire the state 
 of affairs at Windsor which place they were told was 
 still in possession of the brigands, (although it had actu- 
 ally been evacuated long before), they proceeded at full 
 speed up the road in search of the enemy. Col. Prince 
 having i)y this time discovered that there were no brig- 
 ands in the groves in the rear of the town, nor any cross- 
 ing the river, nor any anywhere else in the neighbor- 
 hood of Sandwich, except those which he had left in pos- 
 session of Windsor, and those who might have rallied 
 after he had recalled their pursuers — followed the regu- 
 lars with the whole of his command and all the male 
 linhabitants except some sixteen or eighteen men of the 
 artillery company under Capt. Chewett. This small force 
 with a nine-pound field piece, were posted at the north 
 entrance of the town, and to it was committed the de- 
 fense of the stores, ammunition, etc., etc., in the event 
 of Col. Prince being again misinformed, and any attack 
 from the groves in the rear, or from the opposite shore 
 
BATTLE OF WINDSOR. 1 1 1 
 
 being made upon the place. When Col. Prince reached 
 Windsor he was informed that one of the brigands was 
 lying wounded in the house of Mr. Wm. Johnson. The 
 man whose leg had been shattered by a musket ball had 
 been found by Francois Baby, Esq., after the action, and 
 by his orders was removed to Mr. Johnson's, with a prom- 
 ise of surgical assistance. Col. Prince gave the order for 
 his execution, and he was dragged out of the house and 
 shot accordingly. 
 
 The regulars and artillery lin wagons, and the Indians 
 on horseback, were by this time two or three miles in 
 advance of Col. Prince. They had discovered no enemy 
 at Windsor, and so continued the pursuit to the Wind- 
 mills, where they found the reported escape of the brig- 
 ands but too correct. Notning could be seen of those 
 whom the militia drove to the woods, nor of those who 
 had so long held possession of W^indsor, except one man 
 who was made prisoner, and five or six others who were 
 then crossing in canoes to Hog Island. The captured brig- 
 and made earnest appeals for mercy, to which Capt. Brod- 
 erick replied, "You have fallen into the hands of a Brit- 
 
112 BATTLE OF WINDSOR. 
 
 ish officer.*' On discovering the canoe Lieut. Airey or- 
 dered the field piece to be unlimbered and a fire to be 
 opened, upon the retreating rascals. Some capital shots 
 were made but without effect, until Lieut. Airey himself 
 pointed the gun, when one shot struck the canoe amid- 
 ships, just as it reached ice, and killed one man and se- 
 verely wounded another. 
 
 When the brigands first commenced crossing to the 
 island they dismissed some of our men whom they had 
 carried prisoners from Wiindsor; the rest they put into 
 the Windmills and detained there until the last of their 
 party was ready to leave, and then dismissed them also. 
 
 As soon as Gen. Brady was apprised of the invasion 
 of our country he dispatched Maj. Payne with a detach- 
 ment of United States troops and a field piece on board 
 the steamboat, to act as circumstances might require. 
 Maj. Payne, at the time the brigands were making their 
 escape in canoes, was crossing in the channel between 
 the island and our shore, and as it was afterwards ascer- 
 tained, intercepted and made prisoners of a number, 
 whom he delivered to the authorities at Detroit. 
 
BATTLE OF WINDSOR. 113. 
 
 Capt. Broclerick, finding there was nothing further to- 
 be clone, commenced his return to Sandwich, leaving the 
 prisoners whom he had taken to be brought down under 
 charge of a dragoon and some others. Col. Prince, 
 after meeting the regulars on their return, continued his 
 march to the Windmills, and about a quarter of a mile 
 below them fell in with Broderick's prisoner. He or- 
 dered the man to be taken from the guard and to be shot 
 upon the spot, which was done accordingly. 
 
 About the time Capt. Broderick had commenced his re- 
 turn the Indians had gone in pursuit of some of the enemy 
 who had taken to the woods. After a sharp chase they 
 succeeded in taking seven prisoners, one of whom in at- 
 tempting to escape after being captured was fired upon,, 
 wounded and retaken. When the prisoners were first 
 brought out of the woods the cry was, ''bayonet them," 
 but Martin, one of the Indian brave.s, replied, "No, we 
 are Christians, we will not murder them — we will deliver 
 them to our officers, to be treated as they think proper." 
 They were then brought to Col. Prince, who had now 
 commenced his return to Sandwich, When he had ar- 
 
114 BATTLE OF WINDSOR. 
 
 rived opposite the burning barracks he ordered the wagon 
 in which the prisoners had been placed to be wheeled 
 off the road. As soon as it had reached an open spot in 
 the rear of the ruins, he commanded the men be taken 
 out and shot. At this critical moment Charles Elliott, 
 and Robert Mercer, Esqs., and the Rev. Mr. Johnson, and 
 Mr. Samuel James rushed forward and entreated Col. 
 Prince not to commit murder by shooting the prisoners, 
 but begged him to leave them to the laws of the country. 
 In making this appeal Mr. James made use of the em- 
 phatic language, "For God's sake, do not let a white 
 man murder what an Indian has spared." Col. Prince 
 yielded to the entreaties of the gentlemen, remarking to 
 Mr. Elliott that he would hold him responsible for his in- 
 terference, as his (Col. Prince's) orders were to destroy 
 them all. 
 
 By information received immediately after the flight 
 of the brigands it was known that a large number had 
 escaped to the woods. No party, however, was sent to 
 scour the neighborhood, nor were any guards stationed 
 on the shore of the river or Lake St. Clc'.ir to cut off re- 
 
BATTLE OF WINDSOR. 115 
 
 treat nor were the means of transportation removed by 
 placing the canoes and boats under safe keeping. On 
 the following day five or six gentlemen volunteers went 
 out about fourteen males and captured eight of the brig- 
 ands. About thirty of the enemy succeeded in crossing 
 in a body at the river St. Clair and arrived in Detroit on 
 the following Friday, and parties of two to five continued 
 to escape for several days, and even weeks after their 
 defeat. 
 
 The number of the enemy killed in the engagement, 
 with those afterwards shot, was correctly ascertained to be 
 32; and the prisoners taken, brought in and committed at 
 Sandwich and Maiden amount to the same number. The 
 prisoners taken at Chatham are said to exceed twenty in 
 number. Many of the misguided and guilty fugitives no 
 doubt perished in the woods from cold, hunger and 
 wounds. Our loss was four killed and four wounded — 
 none mortally. 
 
 In closing this narrative it will not be deemed pre- 
 sumptuous to say that the greatest praise is due to Capt. 
 Sparke, his officers and the Provincial volunteers for their 
 
ii6 BATTLE OF WINDSOR. 
 
 gallantry and skill — not to add that the officers and men 
 of the militia are entitled to our high consideration for 
 their coolness, bravery and promptitude. The only opin- 
 ion we will hazard, where we profess to state solely facts,, 
 is that the brigands flattered themselves they should be 
 joined by our gallant Canadian miilitia men; we think they 
 are by this time cured of so vain a delusion. 
 
 *Colonel John Prince was publicly condemned for the 
 summary manner in which he disposed of the rebel pris- 
 oners, and the feeling became so pronounced that a com- 
 missiion was appointed to take proof of his acts and the 
 causes leading up to the same. The evidence was taken 
 at Sandwich and the deposition forwarded to the English 
 government, and a strong effort r:<tde to convict him, but 
 he had a powerful supporter in the Duke of Wellington,, 
 who at this time was Prime Minister, and who addressed 
 the House of Lords in his behalf and he was acquiitted. 
 He was soon afterward appointed District Judge of Algoma 
 and died some years ago at the Canadian Sault Ste. Marie. 
 
 ♦The defenceless state of Canada at the time of the rebellion and 
 the desperate character of the rebels wore among the principal argu- 
 ments used In Col. Prince's behalf. 
 

OLD TIME BREEZE. 117 
 
 AN OLD-TIME BREEZE ON LAKE ERIE— SAIL- 
 ING IN 1831. 
 
 The Baby Mansion, Around which Chister Historic 
 
 Memories. 
 
 In the winter of 1831 I was sojourning in the rural 
 town of Sandwich, under the roof of the old and vener- 
 able pile, the l^abv mansion, my place of nativity. There 
 is something so truly interesting in this place, identified 
 as it is with the past history of the country, that, although 
 1 have on more than one occasion alluded to it, I cannot 
 refrain from adding this, my last tribute to its history. 
 It was built about the middle of the last century and one can 
 scarcely imagine nowadays the difficulties then experi- 
 enced in accumulating the material and the labor to erect 
 so well l)uilt a structure. There was no such thing as a 
 saw mill or grist mills, except the scattered "moulins a 
 vent" (wind mills) along the shores of the River Detroit. 
 The nearest saw and grist mill by water power, even up 
 
ii8 OLD TIME BREEZE. 
 
 to the year 1828, I beliieve, was McGregor's at Chatham, 
 some fifty odd miles from Detroit, which served the wants 
 of the inhabitants generally. The siding and all lumber 
 required for use in construction of the building was cut 
 out by a .whip saw, such as we now see used only in the 
 ■construction of vessels or ships, and every board was fin- 
 ished with a bead, and every wrought iron nail driven 
 through a hole bored with a gimlet to avoid splitting. 
 The house is about 40x50 feet in size, two and one-half 
 stories in height, with a three-foot stone wall cellar, the 
 size of the house, and as it was Iniilt for the northwest 
 trade, it was made capable of holding 600 or more pipe> 
 of wine or liciuors, which were then of the best (|uality 
 in the world, and were brought from Montreal in "ba 
 teaux'' (four-ton open ))oats), the same as ail other mer- 
 chandise for the northwest trade. They were brought as 
 far as Queenstown in boats, then loaded in wagons and 
 conveyed to Chippewa and again transhipped in Imteaux, 
 threading their way along the Niagara River and the 
 shore of Lake Erie to their difYerent points of destination 
 — Detroit, Mackinac. Sault Ste. Marie, Green Bay, St. 
 
OLD TIME BREEZE. 119 
 
 Paul, etc. The frame work of the building was filled in 
 with bricks and mortar; the beams and the slieathiing 
 were of oak, and the sills of doors and windows of wal- 
 nut. In the hall was hung an iron hook, from which 
 was suspended massive scales capable of weighing 2,000 
 pounds of furs — otter, beaver, bufifalo, mink, etc. The 
 roof is steep to shed the tempest blasts of snow and rain. 
 It stands the silent witness of the cannon's roar on lake 
 and field, (battle of Lake Erie and the taking of Detroit 
 in 1813). Its walls, halls, and chambers have re-echoed 
 the voices of Hull, Brock, Proctor, Harrison and Tecum- 
 seh. After the battle of the River Thames, where Te- 
 cumseh was killed, the father of the writer, Col. James 
 Baby, of the Kent iTiilitia, was taken prisoner and returned 
 to Sandwich with Gen. Harrison, who occupied this house 
 as his headquarters, and his humane and honorable treat- 
 ment of the Canadians during this campaign was always 
 held in grateful remembrance by them. This house has 
 sheltered and entertained the mitered and ermined, and its 
 doors were ever opened alike to the Huron and the hab- 
 itant. 
 I 1 
 
120 OLD TUIE BREEZE. 
 
 The surroundings were in keeping with the house; it 
 had a well stocked garden of the choicest fruits the cli- 
 mate could produce. On October 3d, 1888, I measured 
 two of tits pear trees over a hundred years old; the bon 
 chretian, grafted on the stock of the old Erench pear 
 tree, the other, the French pear tree itself. They both 
 measured nine feet in girth, consequently about three feet 
 in diameter; in height seventy feet or more, and in full 
 bearing. These first and tenacious emblems of the gos- 
 pel and cross brought here from France nearly two cen- 
 turies ago, nursed and cradled by the tender care of the 
 missionary fathers in wet moss, and planted and inter- 
 nuingled with the primeval forest adorning both sides of 
 the Detroit River from source to mouth, irrigated by the 
 limpid waters of Superior and Huron, which flow on to 
 pay tribute to Niagara's fearful clifif, from whose caves 
 (wild nature's pealing organ) ascends in thunder's roar 
 and mingles with the rainbow's tinted spray, a pure and 
 holy incense, forever soaring to mark the finger of their 
 God. Tiiese emblems then are gradually disappearing, 
 but in the archives of Loyola will live forever. As did the 
 
OLD TIME BREEZE. 121 
 
 poet in bidding adieu to luis native land so will I to thee, 
 die place of my birth and say. "good night." 
 
 I find that I have ])een wandering, so will return to 
 my subject, the "Breeze." At the time before men- 
 tioned (the winter of 1831) 1 was not particularly occu- 
 pied, professionally or otherwise, and an idea struck me 
 that money could be made l)y a sailing vessel. As there 
 was one. unfinished, for sale on the stocks at Sandwich, 
 I bought her, excepting a few shares, fitted her out and 
 called her the Tecumseh. At that time an iron furnace, 
 built by Fields & Cahoun, was in full blast in the town- 
 ship of Gosfield, and there was a great demand for pig 
 iron freight by water to Toronto. I took a contract to 
 deliiver a certain cjuantity there, and sent the vessel 
 dirough with a full cargo whilst I followed by steamer. 
 On her arrival the crew mutinied. I paid them ofT. bought 
 out the shares owned by the other shareholder through 
 a generous act of my father, then inspector-general of 
 Upper Canada, and trod the deck as boss. I had ac- 
 quired a good deal of experience in my youth in Little 
 York (now Toronto) Bay in the way of managing a skifif 
 
122 OLD TIMK r.RKfiZE. 
 
 or sailboat, and often steered for the expert salmon fisher 
 up the Don, Credit and 1 lumber rivers, in pursuit of this 
 kinj;- of tiie finny tribe. It is to be observed (en passant) 
 that these now almost extinct fish, in former days, fre- 
 quented these streams in schools of thousands, for the 
 purpose of spawning-, which took place in the months of 
 September and October, and when then taken were almost 
 worthless and could be bought for 20 cents each, after 
 their long journey of 1,500 miles from the Gulf of St. 
 Lawrence, mostly in our fresh, and to them tepid waters, 
 streams and lakes, whereas, in the spring of the year, as 
 hiigh as .^4 or $5 could be had for them. It was not only 
 by boat they were caught, but in a more primitive way: 
 The settlers in the neighborhood of these streams de- 
 pending more or less upon g^un, or rod (they were 
 adepts at either) for fish or game, could be seen along 
 the shore with a flambeau, made from the pitch pine roots 
 and knots, l)urned in what waf, called a "light jack," made 
 of iron, the size of a half busliel measure, fastened to a 
 stafif, which was driven in the bank at the edge of the 
 stream, where the water ran swiftly over a rocky or peb- 
 
OLD TIME BREEZE. 123 
 
 bly bottom, two or three feet deep where a piece of white 
 birch bark, four by six feet in size, had been stniK, 
 Aveighted with stones; the unwary sahnon, intent upon 
 passing the rapid over this bark, was pierced and taken by 
 the unerring spearman. 
 
 The wiidow of the kite Cok George Dcnison. my inform- 
 ant, who resided at tlie first rapids of the 1 lumber, told 
 me that, "( )ft in the stilly night" did she and her friends 
 wile away many an hour in witnessing this interesting 
 scene. All has to succumb, however, to the transnnita- 
 tion of time. What a melancholy reflection! 
 
 To think that this priceless fish has become now nearly 
 extinct in our fresh waters, and the reason is obvious, 
 for no fish equals the salmon for its love for pure and 
 limpid streams, and they are now shut out from them by 
 mill dams and the filthy water produced by various man- 
 ufactories erected on them. To return to my subject, 
 what, with my experience in salmon fishing and that ac- 
 quired by sailing with Capt. Bill Bucket, in the Kings- 
 ton packet, and Capt. R. Oats, of the sloop "Duke of 
 Richmond," (the former announcing her departure by the 
 
124 OLD TIME BREEZE. 
 
 blast of a tin horn, six feet long, the latter by the yelp of 
 a four-pound swivel). I scarcely found myself capable 
 to sail or handle a vessel with compass and chart. It so 
 hai)pened I met Prideaux (liirty, a merchant and would- 
 be sailor from (josficld. He was looking^ out for the 
 owner of the Tecumseh to ship his goods to Amherst- 
 burg, so I appointed him sailing master. I was to be 
 super cargo, and I hired a lad as cooU, slush and bottle 
 washer. John Kirkpatrick, of Chippewa, merchant, dis- 
 tiller, miller and postmaster, then met me and asked me 
 to take a pair of millstones to Chippewa, which I agreed 
 to do. Having completed my cargo, I left Toronto with 
 a spanking north wind and had a quick run across Lake 
 Ontario to Port Dalhousie, the entrance to the Welland 
 Canal, and in two days climbed the ladder of the locks to 
 Port Robinson, on the Chippewa Creek, and arrived at 
 Chippewa; unloaded Kirkpatrick's millstones, received a 
 barrel of whiskey in turn for freight, hired a yoke of oxen 
 to tow us around the mouth of the Chippewa Creek into 
 the Niagara River — and I have often thought since that, 
 if the tow line had parted rounding the point, the Tecum- 
 

OLD TIME BREEZE. 125 
 
 seh's cargo, crew and barrel of whiskey in ten minutes 
 after would have gone over Niagara Falls and would 
 never more have been heard of, unless, perhaps, in the 
 debris of the whirlpool below. I again visited this spot 
 in 1845 *^^^ "ly wedding tour, and spent a few days with 
 the late Thomas Street, (my companion in youth), then 
 wilth his parents at their charming residence at the rap- 
 ids just above the Falls of Niagara. On one occasion we 
 left for Buffalo, and took the steamer "Emerald," Capt. 
 Vanallan, at Chippewa with a party of friends on their 
 way to see McCready play "Richelieu'' at Buffalo, and 
 passed through the present "cut'' leading from the village 
 into the Niagara River, constructed to avoid the danger- 
 ous trip around the point. We got to Buffalo all right, 
 hired John Fox and Joe Ridley, two sailors from Col- 
 chester; left Buffalo and ran up the lake on the Canada 
 shore when it came on to blow from the southwest, and 
 fearing, as sailors say, a dirty night, ran to shelter under 
 Point Abino, about twelve miles from Bufalo. It was 
 on this night I witnessed a most singular freak of nature. 
 I went on deck to reliieve John Fox on watch at 12 mid- 
 
126 OLD TIME BREEZE. 
 
 night. The night was as dark as Erebus. Fox instructed 
 nie in my first duties, telling me to keep a stirict eye 
 to the weather, and in making my rounds I was to place 
 my foot upon the anchor chain and I could easily find 
 out if the vessel was dragging the anchor, and if so to let 
 out more chain to give it a better grip. I was thus occu- 
 pied when to my utter astonishment and fear a bright 
 light appeared, making everything as light as day, and 
 casting my eyes to the mainmast discovered on the top- 
 mast a ball of fire about the size of an ordinary bucket. 
 Alarmed at this, to me, unusual sight I hastened to the 
 companion-way and called for the crew to come up, which 
 they did, when old Joe Ridley exclaimed: "It's the Jack 
 o' Lantern," (ignus fatuus), which vanished as soon as 
 they appeared, but has never been effaced from my mem- 
 ory. 
 
 W<i left Point Abino the next morning and ran up the 
 lake opposite Cleveland with a light easterly wind and 
 drizzling rain. Suddenly, about 5 p. m., a clear sky 
 opened in the west, and in less than five minutes Lake 
 Erie was a sheet of foam. I)efore we had time to take 
 
OLD TIME BREEZE. 127 
 
 in sail the squall struck us, blowing the jiib from its hanks 
 and carried it overboard and under the vessel. Let- 
 ting go the fore and main sail sheets with a run, we put 
 the vessel before the wind under bare poles and let her 
 scud. As night wore on the wind increased to a hurri- 
 cane and made things lively on board the Tecumseh. The 
 box stove broke loose and flew from side to siide in the 
 cabin; the light in the l^innacle was blown out; the man 
 at the wheel was lashed to the tiller and had to be relieved 
 every half hour, benumbed with sleet, rain and cold. The 
 howling of the tempest and the hissing of the raging seas 
 as they unfurled their maddened white caps I'll never for- 
 get. We succeeded at last in tying the tiger (stove) by 
 the leg to keep it from barking and biting, and were 
 crowded in the cabin, awaiting our fate, when at day- 
 light the man at the helm cried out: "Land, ho!" At 
 the time we were within two miles of Dunkirk lighthouse. 
 Then John Eox flew up the companionway to take in the 
 situation and proved ecjual to it. lie cried out: "If we 
 can't get up the foresail \ve'll be in the breakers iti less 
 than fifteen minutes." We followed him and found the 
 
128 OLD TIME BREEZE. 
 
 halyards unreeved. He sprang- to the rigging, reeved 
 them and, witli great difficidty (as the sail was frozen) 
 we got up abont twenty feet of it, brought the vessel to 
 the wind, and that moment about ten feet of the bul- 
 wark of the weather bow was broached in by a heavy 
 sea, but we held our own and cr::wlcd off the lea shore. 
 The stdi'm n.oderated rapidly and the sea went down. 
 We recovered our jib and entered Buffalo harl)or about 
 5 p. m., and found six vessels l:)lown high and dry on 
 Buffalo beach by the gale we had weathered. Having' 
 safely moored the vessel and left instructions for the dam- 
 ages to be repaired, I found my way to the then prin- 
 cipal hotel, called the Eagle Tavern, and kept by old 
 Ben Rathbun, and whilst at tea the alarm of fire was 
 heard. Hastening to the scene the fire was discovered 
 near the canal bridge, on Main street, I think it is, and the 
 wind, again dncreasing to a gale, the fire was swept to sev- 
 eral blocks in a few minutes. The annals of Buffalo 
 (1832) will record it as one of the most destructive fires 
 that ever occurred. I have every reason to remember it 
 wiith great distinctness, for I never spent a more wretch- 
 
THE Rl'XAWAY SLA\ E. 129 
 
 edly uncoinfortable and laborious night. Standing widi 
 a gronp of others and watching the progress of the tlanies, 
 a violent slap upon the shoulders by a policeman warned 
 me to fall into line and pass the fire buckets, and wdien 
 exhausted with this another chap placed me at the twenty 
 man-power engine to pump. In the meantime hogsheads 
 of molasses, barrels of oil, etc., were rolled in the 
 street and burst open, leaving us ankle deep lin their 
 contents. Thus did we work until broad daylight, when 
 we were relieved. We repaired damages next day, and 
 had a favorable run to Amherstburg, which we reached 
 tlie 5th of January. Enough sailing for me. 
 
 THE RUNAWAY SLAVE. 
 
 In the year 1830 I was residing with my brother 
 Charles in the old Baby mansion, in the primitive and 
 historical town of Sandwich. The house was built at 
 the close of the last century and was the headquarters 
 
i^o THE F^rXAWAY SLA\'E. 
 
 of (icn. Hull, when be invaded Canada in 1812; then in 
 the year followinj^ he re-entered it as a ])nsoner of war (after 
 the snrrender of Detroit) with the illustrious (ien. l>rock. 
 It was the head(|uarters of (ien. Proctor, and the brave 
 forest heroes, Tecumseh and Splitlo*^;-; and a^ain after 
 the battle of the River Thames (Ien. Harrison occupied 
 it as conqueror, and my father (the owner) as a prisoner 
 of war, when so taken at the aforesaid battle while in 
 connnand of the Kent militia, and was within pistol shot 
 of Tecumseh, the l)ravest of the brave, when he fell mor- 
 tally wounded. (In reality the house appears to be as 
 sound and substantial to-day, October 8, 1895. as on the 
 day it was finished.) We were keeping bachelors' hall, 
 and, as a matter of course, experienced the difficulties at- 
 tending housekeeping, as even now, for the want of proper 
 helj). In fact, servants in those days were out of the 
 question, and fortunate it was if you could procure a per- 
 son once a week to do the washing and scrubbing of the 
 house. The ordinary routine of indoor work was done' 
 by the mother and daughters, and that of the outdoor 
 work by the father and sons, even among the most re- 
 
THE RUXAW'AV SLANR. 131 
 
 spectable and refined of tlie coninuinity; and I question very 
 nuich wliether there is half the comfort, pleasure and happi- 
 ness with our present servants now as then without thcni. 
 
 These various occupations enil)raced all manner of work 
 but great store was placed on the successful raising of 
 fruit and gardening. In fact the mainstay of the house- 
 hold, and what constituted the greatest delicacy in the 
 vegetable line, was the asparagus, and this delicious suc- 
 culent when propagated as it should be with a deep, rich 
 mould for a top dressing, and cut when the pale and pur- 
 ple bulbs of 'an inch or more in diameter have made 
 their appearance, and with a sharp and pointed saw- 
 bladed knife inserted three or four inches below the sur- 
 face was (|uite a different sort of vegetal)le to that now 
 generally seen exposed in our markets, more like grass 
 going to seed than anytlving else. 
 
 The mild and genial spring showers in the month of 
 May that brought this vegetable to ])erfection was accom- 
 panied with another (as great a delicacy) namely, the 
 snipe, which in early days were to be found along the 
 marshes bordering the Detroit River at and l)elow Sand- 
 
132 THE RUNAWAY SLAVE. 
 
 wich and the swales back of it, where a bounti- 
 ful supply was always to be had by the keen sportsman 
 in the proper season. To connnence my story, it was on 
 a balmy morning in the month of May when occupied in 
 our garden cutting asparagus, that a young man ap- 
 proached us and inquired if we wanted to engage a ser- 
 vant. Strongly prepossessed with his appearance, we 
 asked him where he came from, to which he replied that 
 he had run away from his master lin Kentucky, had ar- 
 rived the night previous in Detroit, crossed the river into 
 Canada as soon as possible, and was recommended to 
 us for employment. 
 
 Strange, I thought, that he had ever been a slave; his 
 finely-chiseled features and bright hazel eyes were not 
 those of a negro in the slightest degree, and save the 
 slight shade of his bronzed complexion, he could at most be 
 classed a quadroon. "How did you make your escape?" 
 we linquired. "In the dead of the night I mounted my 
 masters fleetest horse, passed the line in Ohio, and trav- 
 elled on the underground railroad (a cordon of abolition- 
 ists; plainly speaking, scattered through the state, who sue- 
 
THE RUNAWAY SLAVE. 133 
 
 coiired and aided these unfortunate serfs in their flight), 
 
 got to Cleveland and the rest has been told." "What 
 
 was your occupation?" lie was then asked. "]\Iy master 
 
 hired me to a stone and brick mason, and when master 
 
 of my trade and of age took building contracts, made lots 
 
 of money, and so I left him with barely clothes to cover 
 
 me, as you see. In my youth I was brought up to do 
 
 all kinds of work, now in the kitchen, then in the garden, 
 
 and again in the stable as groom. ]\Iy mistress, being a 
 
 French lady, prided herself on being a famous cook, and 
 
 taught me how to prepare game and vegetables in the 
 
 proper way." "Cest le garcon q'ill nous faut, engage 
 
 le," I said to Charles in French. "The boy we want, hire 
 
 him.'' No sooner said than done. Turning to him I said, 
 
 "Well, then, try your skill in gathering up the cuttings 
 
 of the asparagus." He followed me to the kitchen, and 
 
 as we passed through the porch, I pointed out to him 
 
 six brace of snipe, and desired him to prepare them, and 
 
 miind not to remove the trail! It is needless to say 
 
 he implicitly obeyed instnictions, and had them served 
 
 on toast and done to a turn. Andrew, for such was his name, 
 J 
 
134 THE RUNAWAY SLAVE. 
 
 proved a treasure. Respectful, cleanly, capable, lithe and 
 active as a panther. We became much attached to him, 
 and he to us. Some time elapsed, six months or so, 
 when one morning while we were engaged in my brother's 
 office writing up briefs, a knock was heard at the door, 
 and the knocker desired to come in. A tall, slender per- 
 son, with broad brimmed white felt hat, a cord and tas- 
 sel in place of a hat band, dressed in Kentucky grey and 
 the type of a Southern planter, addressed Charles, with- 
 out taking of¥ his hat, and asked, "x\re you the proprie- 
 tor here?" "In our country," replied Charles, "we are 
 accustomed when past the threshold to uncover our heads; 
 when you do so I will answer you." A crimson flush 
 suffused his visage, and with a reluctant air he removed 
 his hat. "Be seated, sir," said Charles, and in so doing 
 he, the stranger, drew forth a cigar case and proffered 
 each of us one, remarking at the same time, "I hope it 
 will not be offensive to you to light a cigar." "Not at 
 all, sir," we said, at the same time declining his offer. "I 
 have reason to believe you have a runaway slave in your 
 employment, and being a horse thief, I suppose you would 
 
THE RUNAWAY SLAVE. 135 
 
 be glad to get rid of him. In Michigan I could claim 
 liim, but in Canada your laws are different, I am told." 
 "Decidedly so," was Charles' answer. Now continued the 
 planter, "If the matter of two thousand ($2,000) dollars 
 is an inducement, wiill you both lend me your aid in se- 
 curing him?" Astonished at this proposition, Charles re- 
 plied, "We don't barter in human flesh in Canada; your 
 proposition 1 Jook upon as an insult, and the sooner you 
 get out of this country the better for you." As he was 
 about to leave, I said, "Hold on for a minute; if Andrew 
 consents to go with you, all right; if not, he remains with 
 us." So, hastening to the stable, I found Andrew busy 
 grooming our horses (and a better pair never were sad- 
 dled). "Andrew,'' I said, "do you know Mr. T., erf Ken- 
 tucky?" "Yes, sir," lie replied. "He is in the office now 
 and wishes to see you.'' If a thunder clap had unroofed 
 the stable he could not have shown more terror. Drop- 
 ping his currycomb and brushes, he exclaimed, "Great 
 Heavens! My old master! What will become of me, Master 
 William?" "Fear not," I said to him, "you are as safe 
 here as in the fortress of Quebec, as far as the law us con- 
 
136 THE RUNAWAY SLAVE. ' * "' 
 
 cerned, and you have many friends to protect you while 
 with us. Come on, and meet him face to face; we'll take 
 care of you." 
 
 Thus assured, we entered the ofifice together. The 
 Kentuckian, with an eagle eye fixed upon him, said: 
 "Andrew, do you know me?'' "Yes, sir, I know you too 
 well." "What became of > my favorite horse, Sweep- 
 stakes, that you stole from me?" "Sir, I never stole your 
 horse. I used him as my best friend to gain my liberty. 
 He was not saddle-galled, for I rode him bareback, and 
 when he carried me twenty-five miles I dismounted on 
 the road he was accustomed to travel, took the bit from 
 his mouth, secured the bridle around his neck, turned his 
 head homeward, and I am as sure that he reached it as 
 I am th.':t I tied from it." "You will not return with me, 
 then?" "Never! The punishment I would receive at 
 your hands would be death." "That's enough, And.ew; 
 go now to your work," I said. Exit Andrew, exit planter, 
 and as the latter left the door, grinding his teeih, he mut- 
 tered, "I'll fix him." A short time after this interesting 
 interview, Andrew re-entered and said, "I'm not safe here, 
 
THE RUNAWAY SLAVE. 137 
 
 aii'l ril get further into the interior of the coiintr}-. T 
 thank you sincerely /or your kinchiess and friendship, 1)Ut 
 I feel that you would be lin danger as well as myself, if 
 I remaiined. ^'ou little know his desperate character. [ 
 have seen him bram a colt that would not ft)llow him 
 without a halter." "You must do nothing of the kind/' 
 said Charles. "During the day there is no danger; at 
 night there may be. We'll fit up the room at the left 
 hand of the stair landing; keep the key in your pocket; 
 make your Ijcd there; load the two single and double- 
 barreled guns you will find in the room with swan shot, 
 and if anyone dares to o])en the door or window, blow 
 out his infernal brains." These precautionary instructions 
 were carried out to the letter. "Tliere was a sound of revelry 
 by night with pipe" and bowl, for a fortnight after in the old 
 ancestral hall, 'till one or two in the morning keeping viigils 
 wiith several friends in Andrew's defense, wiien it ceased, 
 and we were tired out. 
 
 It so happened that oifr every movement through spies 
 was watched, and it was discovered that usually on a 
 Sunday Andrew was left at home alone. Fortunately 
 
138 THE RUNAWAY SLAVE. 
 
 • 
 
 for him on this occasion, Charles was unavoidably de- 
 tained there, and was engaged in reading in the front 
 room with doors and windows wide open, when an un- 
 usual sound struck his ear as if brickbats or rocks were 
 striking against the board fence and the side of the house. 
 It would appear that the man with the broad brimmed 
 white hat had hired five desperadoes in Detroit to kid- 
 nap Andrew while we were at church. 
 
 They crossed the river in a rowboat and landed it ilm- 
 mediately in front of the old mansion, some one or two 
 hundred yards from the house. Andrew had gone to 
 the, baker's for a fresh loaf of bread, and on his return 
 met the six ruffians awaiting him in the yard. l\\ a flash 
 he took in the situation, armed himself with two or three 
 stones lying loose hi the yard, and made for the stable 
 door, which was standing wide open. It w'as the noise 
 of these stones striking on the fence that drew diaries' 
 attention to the yard, and observing the knot of scoun- 
 drels endeavoring to tie Andrew hand and foot, he seized 
 the handle of an axe close by, and, bareheaded and in 
 shirt sleeves, went at them with the will of a tiger. 
 
THE RUNAWAY SLAVE. 139 
 
 Surprised at this unexpected attack Andrew found 
 himself rehevcd of two or three of them, (and the assur- 
 ance of help g-ave him redoubled streng-thV, and so min- 
 j:^led in the fray that it was doubtful who had the best of 
 it. At this moment a cavalcade of horse carts and cav- 
 alry men hastening' home from church (in a cloud of dust, 
 and with the racket of a tempest), passed hard l)y. and 
 jumped from their carts and dismounted their horses to 
 see what the row was about. 
 
 Panic stricken at tliis invasion it did not take long for 
 the kidnappers to shake the dust from their feet and, 
 running to their 1)oat. as if the devil was after them, 
 they shoved from the shore, and were soon across the 
 river. It was at this stage of the affair that I arrived 
 from church and met Charles and Andrew at the gate, 
 a sorry looking pair, truly; covered with dirt and blood, 
 the clothes nearly torn from their backs, faiint and ex- 
 hausted, but neither seriously hurt. This was sufificient 
 proof that there was no safety for him to be with us and 
 the next day Andrew was paid of¥, a subscription was 
 made up among our friends, and he was advised to go 
 
140 JOURNEY TO LITTLE YORK. 
 
 to Toronto by stage. He was suppl'ed with letters of 
 recommendation and when Charles ^net him repeatedly 
 for several years after, he was ever grateful for our sorely 
 tried friendship, and remained contented and prosperous 
 in his place of refuge. i 
 
 JOURNEY TO LITTLE YORK (NOW TORONTO) 
 
 IN 1833. 
 
 The sad and unexpected news of our father's death in 
 the town of York (the present city 01 Toronto) on the 
 19th of February, 1833, caused the hurried departure of 
 myself and brother Charles from Sandwich. On the even- 
 ting of the 23d we reached Chatham with good sleighing, 
 where we put up at an inn kept by one Claude Cartier, 
 immediately on the bank of the River Thames and oppo- 
 site the present Rankin House. Chatham was then but 
 an in3ignificant hamlet. Sauntering about while supper 
 was getting ready, we entered the sitting room, where we 
 
JOURNEY TO LITTLE YORK. 14T 
 
 observed the rather unusual sight of a person seated lin 
 an arm ehair with his feet in a tub of water and envel- 
 oped in a blanket from head to foot. Asking the land- 
 lady who this person w^as she replied diat he was a stran- 
 ger and was badly frostbitten. A natural feeling of sym- 
 pathy prompted us to approach him, and we asked him 
 whence he came and how he came to be in this pitiable 
 plight. ' 
 
 "My name,'' he replied, '"is Mdal, a captain in the Royal 
 Navy. I arrived in Little York (Toronto) from Eng- 
 land about a month ago, leaving my wife and young fam- 
 ily at an hotel there for the purpose of visiiting, and per- 
 haps settling in this part of Canada. I arrived here by 
 stage yesterday morning, and engaged the landlord Car- 
 tier as a guide, who told me that he was (as he appeared 
 to be) familiar with the country for forty miles around. 
 My intention was to examine some lots of land hi the 
 seventh concession of the township of Raleigh, and after 
 taking a hasty breakfast started ofif on foot, making a 
 bee line through the unbroken forest with not even a 
 clearing in sight. We found the lots, but not until day- 
 
142 JOURNEY TO LITTLE YORK. 
 
 light was waning, and a heavy snowstorm had set lin. All 
 traces being thus hopelessly obliterated we soon lost our 
 proper course homeward, ind found that we were 
 traveling in a circle (invariably the case with a lost wood- 
 man). In this emergency Cartier proposed that I should 
 remain behind and he would attempt alone to find his 
 way to the river whence he could return with some con- 
 veyance to take me back to Chatham. As I was pretty 
 well used up I consented, but he informed me that I 
 should be buried in snow to keep from freezing. To 
 this I agreed, and the storm having abated, Cartier, 
 guided by the north star, found his way out to the river, 
 whence he returned to within a short distance of the place 
 where he had left me, and found me walking about 
 briskly, havdng become very nervous and restless in my 
 snow tomb, and fearful of the wolves, which I preferred 
 meeting on foot. Hastening to the sleigh which he had 
 provided we arrived here, w^hen I found that I was se- 
 verely frostbitten, and instead of rubbing me with snow 
 they put me into this tub of warm water, which I think 
 makes matters worse." We then asked him if we could 
 
JOURNEY TO LITTLE YORK. 143 
 
 be of any service. "Certainly you can," he replied. "As 
 1 can't write and will not be able for some time to come," 
 he replied, "will you ])lease drop a line to my poor wife 
 and tell her as gently as possible how I am situated." We 
 told him that we were making all haste to get there, and 
 would call on Mrs. \"iidal and inform her as he desired. 
 This seemed to cheer him up and give him great relief. 
 What was to us surprising was the courage and fortitude 
 of this afflicted British sailor. Thrown upon the mercy 
 of strangers, suffering excruciating agony his pluck and 
 endurance never for a moment forsook him. He related 
 to us the following incident. "When I was in Paris, 
 France, last and strolling along the Boulevard St. Ger- 
 main, I entered a cafe and ordered a dejeuner a la four- 
 chette. and seating myself outside, two elderly gentle- 
 men approached, and seated themselves at a table next 
 to me; one said to the other: "You are a martyr to- 
 rheumatism, you tell me; is it painful?" "Well, I should 
 say so," he replied. "I can only compare it to one put- 
 ting his finger in a vise, and give it one turn, that's it." 
 "Oh," replied the other, "that's nothing like gout, with 
 
144 JOURNEY TO LITTLE YORK. 
 
 which I am tormented; give the vise another turn, and 
 that's the ddea." "Well," said the captain, "had I those 
 two old codgers here 1 would tell them to give that vise 
 another turn, and that is frost bite." 
 
 On our return from I ittle York eight or ten days after, 
 when passing through the Dorchester woods, we met a 
 double (boxedj sleigh, in which we observed as it was 
 passing a man lying at full length on his back, covered 
 with bufifalo robes and blankets, his head only visible. It 
 turned out that this was Capt. Vidal. He told us he was 
 getting on all right, and he hoped to be soon out again. 
 He \.as much pleased to hear that we had seen Mrs. 
 Vidal, who was quite well, and that we had delivered 
 his message. Two years after this I happened to be at 
 the Windsor and Detroit crossing, and observed a small 
 craft anchored in the stream opposite what was then' 
 Pierre St. Amour's inn, now the British American hotel, 
 and I asked Pierre to whom the craft belonged. "To 
 Capt. \^idal, of Sarnia," he said, and the captain shortly 
 after making his appearance, I asked him if he remem- 
 bered me. "I don't know you from Adam,'' he replied. 
 
JOURNEY TO LITTLE YORK. 145 
 
 "Well, Captain," I rejoined, "I shall never forget you, 
 and your venture in the Raleigh woods, and tlie figure 
 you cut in Cartier's washtub!'' "Ah/' said he, "I now 
 remember you distinctly, and the adventure you refer to, 
 and our meeting in the Dorchester woods. On that oc- 
 casion lit took me four days to reach York, and I never 
 left my sleigh during tliat time, as I found it nuich more 
 comfortable than the wretched bedrooms at the taverns 
 where there was no fire. The driver took good care of 
 me during the day, and his bulldog slept in the sleigh 
 and guarded me at night. On my arrival at York I sent 
 for Dr. Widmer, a celebrated army surgeon settled in 
 Little York, who, after examiming me, pronounced my 
 case a serious one. I said to him, 'Doctor, I am an old 
 sailor, and would like to have as much of my hands 
 saved as would haul in a rope or hold a tiller.' He did 
 so, and brought me through, as you see," (exposing his 
 right hand, with part of his thumb and four fingers gone). 
 He did not show me hils left hand or his feet; probably 
 they fared a little better. He had purchased a farm and 
 
 was settled at Sarnia, adjoining the town, and eventually 
 k 
 
146 JOURNEY TO LITTLE YORK. 
 
 became collector of customs at that port. (Father of the 
 present senator.) 
 
 On our journey and on our return home we stopped 
 at an inn in the Long woods with the sign "The Trav- 
 ellers' Home/' and drove directly to the stable, where we 
 found the landlord, who apparently was in a very bad 
 humor. "What's up?" we asked him. "Oh,"' he replied, 
 "I never was lin such an infernal stew in all my life. Last 
 night I was here in the stable doing up my chores, when 
 my wife, whom I had left alone in the house, came rush- 
 ing in, exclaiming, 'John, run quickly to the house, for 
 the devil is there, sure!' Arming myself with my pitch- 
 fork, I hastened to the house and entering the barroom 
 found the devil there, sure enough, facing me, with his 
 back to the fire, clothed in a suit of sheepskins, with the 
 wool on from head to heels, with a ram's head so dressed 
 that the shape was perfectly preserved, the horns being 
 well set up, and two glaring glass eyes the size of a sil- 
 ver dollar. 'Who and what the devil are you?' I asked 
 him. 'Why, what's the matter wiith you?' he replied, 'and 
 what's all this fuss about? Can't a man in this free coun- 
 
"WHO, AND WHAT THE DEVIL ARE YOU?" 
 
JOURNEY TO LITTLE YORK. 147 
 
 try dress as he pleases in this blasted climate of yours? 
 I see folks driving about wrapped in bear, buflfalo and 
 wolf robes, why not I in sheep skins?' and throwing off 
 his suit and taking a seat before the open fireplace as 
 cool as a cucumber, ordered his horse to be put up, (he 
 had tied him to the signpost), to wash him with cold 
 water, rub him dry and bed him up to his belly in straw, 
 to prepare supper for him inmiediately, and ordered a hot 
 whiiskey punch, to make him warm, all done according 
 to his directions. At night he ordered a tub of cold 
 water up to his room to take a bath before retiring to 
 bed. No fire and thermometer at zero. Next morning 
 after his breakfast he called for his bill, in which I had 
 charged him for extras for his horse and luimsclf. He 
 flew into a towering rage at this, and said, '.Sir, you are 
 a knave and an extortioner, and I shall haul you up 
 before the first magistrate that I can find,' and strapping 
 on his sheep skins strode out to where his horse was 
 tied to the signpost. My wilfe making her appearance at 
 this moment, said to me, 'John, receipt that man's bill 
 and let him go, for he may give us a deal of trouble.' 
 
148 VISIT TO COL. TALBOT. 
 
 So stepping up to him I said, 'Here is your bill, receipted, 
 sir; but should you ever come this way again, give my 
 house a wide berth, for if you don't I'll pepper you with 
 a dose of buckshot, and there is no judge or jury thac 
 will find nie guilty for shooting a wolf in sheep skins.''' 
 This eccentric individual was a brother of the late Col. 
 Talbot, and he was then on his way to visit his brother, 
 whose home was on the banks of Lake Erie, and not far 
 from St. Thomas. I never heard if he ever paid his bill; 
 but of course he did, for this class of individuals, though 
 rough and cranky, are seldom dishonest. 
 
 VISIT TO COL. TALBOT IX 1841. 
 
 My first glimpse of this remarkable man was in th<,' 
 .winter of 1820, when I was 8 years old. He was then 
 a guest of Sir Pcrigrine Maitland, Lieutenant-Governor 
 of Upper Canada. So well-known and distinguished a 
 person could not make his appearance in Little York 
 
VISIT TO COL. TALBOT. 149 
 
 (now Toronto) without notice, and particularly did he at- 
 tract attention to his extraordinar)'^ winter dress. Seated 
 by the side of Lady Sarah ]\Iaitland in a sleigh, and 
 driving along King street in his sheepskin coat and cap, 
 with its sheepskin tail of eight or ten feet long wound 
 round his neck to serve as a muffler, w'ith the end trailing 
 by the side of the sleigh. But w^ien this garb was thrown 
 ofT and he made his appearance in parlor or drawing- 
 room, how changed his appearance! — the very type of an 
 aristocrat, a handsome and thoroughbred nobleman. 
 What a jolly time must these old soldiers have had toast- 
 ing their shins before a blazing fire of billets of maple, 
 beech, or shag-bark hickory wood, with pipe ahght and 
 flagon of good old Absalom Shades (of Dumfries, now 
 Gait's) whiskey at 20 cents per gallon, and fighting their bat- 
 tles in the peninsula over again — Salamanca, Tores Vidras, 
 Badajos, etc., etc., winding up with Quatrc Bras and 
 Waterloo, and the thrill when they heard Napoleon cry 
 out, "Sauve qui pen," — "run who can,'' and interlarded 
 wiith such questions and answers as this: "Well, Talbot, 
 what think you will Canada be one hundred years from 
 
150 VISIT TO COL. TALBOT. 
 
 now?" Talbot replies, "It's pretty hard to say, but one 
 thing is certain — I won't give an acre of my 100,000 to 
 any chap who will not swear allegiance to the old flag," 
 etc., etc. 
 
 Col. Talbot landed on the 21st of ]May, 1803, at Port 
 Talbot. Terms were that for every settler whom he lo- 
 cated on fifty acres he should himself be entitled to 200 
 acres. The grant to each settler was afterwards increased 
 to 100 acres. I was always under the impression that 
 he served in the Peninsular war, but was mistaken. He 
 was settled lin Canada at that period. 
 
 Having lost sight of him from that year (1820) until 
 the year 1841, an opportunity ofrered to renew our ac- 
 quaintance, and having occasion to pass his residence in 
 company with my brother Charles on our way to St. 
 Thomas, our attention was drawn as we approached it to 
 the remains of an old hedge fence planted alongside of 
 the road, grown up at lintervals to full sized forest trees, 
 presenting a most neglected and unsightly appearance. 
 Hitching our horses to the gate, we proceeded to the 
 house, a couple of hundred yards from the road, which 
 
VISIT TO COL. TALBOT, 151 
 
 was situated on the bank, and fronting Lake Erie, and 
 mounting a flight of steps leading to the kitchen, found 
 ourselves on a gallery extending the length of the house. 
 Inquiring of the servant at the kitchen for Col. Talbot, 
 we were directed to proceed to a door at the other end 
 of the gallery, and passing an open window, were saluted 
 in a very gruff voice with his usual salutation, "What do 
 you want?" Brought up all standing with this extraor- 
 dinary interrogation, and trying to collect our senses, I 
 ventured to reply, "A proper respect and a high regard 
 for a friend of the late James Baby, of Toronto, our 
 father, has ijnduced us to call on you." "That being the 
 case, gentlemen, I am only too glad to see you. Proceed 
 to the door and I'll let you in,*' and doing as he desired, 
 and opening it, a swami of geese, turkeys, ducks and 
 fowls made for it. Still holding the knob of the door, 
 he desired us to quickly enter, and slamming it w'ith. a 
 bang, closed them out. This place served as a khid of 
 store-room, where h. kept all manner of farm products, 
 and from which he fed hiis poultry. From this apart- 
 ment he led us into his office or sittingroom, and having 
 
152 VISIT TO COL. TALBOT. 
 
 been seated, he thus addressed us: "You will, I hope, 
 pardon me, gentlemen, for saluting you in that uncere- 
 monious way, but the fact is, I am so pestered with these 
 land grabbers wdio squirt their vile tobacco juice lin every 
 direction that 1 find it impossible to endure it, and I have 
 adopted this plan of transacting all my business, through 
 this open window. You will, I hope," he continued, (it 
 being nearly i p. m.), ''do me the pleasure of staying to 
 dine with me. Not much choice in the country, you 
 know. Excepting ham and eggs and poultry, there is 
 little else." "Nothing better," we replied. "But, Col- 
 onel, you must excuse us; we are in a hurry to get on 
 to St. Thomas." "Well, a glass of old port or brandy will 
 do us no harm," and descending into his cellar, soon re- 
 appeared with a bottle in each hand, and after regaling 
 ourselves and about to depart, led us into his store-room 
 to show us the products of his sheep-farming, and cer- 
 tainly if one could be a judge of such articles as bolts of 
 cloth and flannels, and blankets of softest texture, the dis- 
 play would have given credit to the best woolen factory 
 in the countrv. From this room he led us into another 
 
VISIT TO COL. TALBOT. 153 
 
 elegantly furmished apartment, hung with crimson velvet 
 paper, Turkey carpet and furniture to match. "This," he 
 remarked, "is my sanctum sanctorum. Wlien my lady 
 friends visit me this is their room'' — and nothing could ex- 
 ceed as a rural scene the view from its open window — 
 perched upon a hill of some 100 feet in height, and over- 
 lookiing a meadow of twenty or thirty acres, with its 
 fllock of snow white sheep c[uietly grazing, and girt with 
 a belt of forest trees still untouched by the ruthless axe. 
 Our visit ended we left the Colonel with many thanks 
 for his cordial and hospitable reception. 
 
 A rumor prevailed in Canada that this eccentric man 
 had been disappointed in some love afifair in the old coun- 
 try, and he made up his mind to lead the life of a recluse 
 in the one of his adoption, and vowed eternal celibacy. 
 He carried that out, but at what a heavy charge, for he 
 burdened himself with all the cares of his household, do- 
 ing the most menial work about it, even to the milking 
 of cows and making butter. How sad and melancholy 
 a reflection when one thinks of the awful sacrifices made 
 in Canada in those days by such men as Talbot, John 
 
154 VISIT TO COL. TALBOT. 
 
 Prince, of Sandwich; Deblackyears, Vansittarts, Grahams, 
 Lizars and Alexanders, of Woodstock; the Dunlaps, of 
 Godcrich; Crooks and Hydes, of Plympton; Jones, Fath- 
 orms, Vidals, Wrights and Sutherlands, along the shores 
 of Huron and river St. Clair, and a thousand others lost 
 to memory. Nursed and cradled in the lap of luxury, ac- 
 customed to all the refinements of civilized life, with am- 
 ple means, then abandoning their comfortable homes in 
 the old country (many of them with grown up sons and 
 daughters fit to grace a throne), and scattered like wild 
 pigeons throughout the length and breadth of Canada's 
 then wilderness, to encounter a hfe of toil, privation, dis- 
 appointment and sorrow. The result could be easily fore- 
 told. In less than three-quarters of a century they have 
 been swept away, and scarcely a vestige left behind. After 
 clearing up their farms and beautifying their country 
 homes, their means were exhausted, and at that time 
 no market to dispose of what they had to sell, which 
 they were as unfit to do as to black boots or sweep chim- 
 neys. Consequently the sturdy, iron-fisted, economiical 
 and laborious field hand often became the owner of the 
 
VISIT TO COL. TALBOT. 155 
 
 farm lie helped to log and clear up. The difference be- 
 tween gentility and well directed labor. 
 
 These distressing events could not possibly have trans- 
 pired without ieaving in the province an indelible stamp 
 behdnd them, and what was that? Unswerving loyalty 
 to the British flag (many of them had been iu the army 
 and served during the rebellion of '-^^y and '38 in Can- 
 ada), the soul of honor in all their dealings, educated 
 and refined in their manners, and many of them became 
 from necessity useful servants in the civil or municipal 
 service. 
 
 How different a row to hoe had the \2 . E. Loyalists 
 and their descendants, as also their fellow settlers of 
 French, English, Scotch and Irish descent. Tliey were 
 "to the manor born." Inured and trained in dire neces- 
 sity, their wants were few, and depended upon them- 
 selves to supply them. Their neighbors helped to build 
 their log houses and barns. A genial climat^i and a 
 fruitful soil, which they loved, supplied them with their 
 necessary wants, and as time rolled on the country im- 
 proved and supplied them with luxuries they never 
 
156 VISIT FROM A SCHOOLMATE. 
 
 dreamed of. But the greatest boon attained was edu- 
 cation, and following it moral and religion?- training. 
 Hence there is no portion of the habitable globe that 
 can boast of a more sturdy, hardy and intelligent race 
 of beings and a more favored soil and cliimate than Can- 
 ada and its people. All it wants is good, stable govern- 
 ment, with honest, liberal minded, intelligent men at the 
 helm, and well can she then bid defiance to the restless 
 croakers who are anxious and willing to sell their birth- 
 right for a mess of pottage. 
 
 AN UNEXPECTED VISIT FROM AN OLD 
 
 SCHOOLMATE. 
 
 In perusiing the interesting and highly valuable book, 
 "Mrs. E.'s Ten Years in Canada,'' what scenes of my 
 youth are not vividly called to my memory; one in par- 
 ticular. When about ten years of age there were few 
 persons of any note I was not acquainted with in Lit- 
 tle York, and most certainly one that I have never for- 
 
VISIT FROM A SCHOOLMATE. 157 
 
 j^fotten. He was mcrjrinjT^ from youth into early man- 
 hood, perhaps twenty or twenty-two years of a^e, about 
 five feet nine inches in height, well-knit frame, lithe and 
 active as a panther. His countenance as remarkable as 
 his physique. His wavy hair was auburn. His large 
 blue eyes were prominent, his complexion as fair as that 
 of a blonde of eighteen ; was noted for his love c>i manly 
 iports, of fishing, shooting and boating, and a lover of 
 song and music. His delight was to roam among the 
 Indians, camped on the island, or on the banks of the 
 beautiful Don, whose vales and meadows are so pic- 
 turesque. 
 
 He was employed as a clerk in the old Upper Can- 
 ada bank, I believe the first one in Ontario, and lived 
 in a charming cottage near the Don. His great delight 
 was to man his northwest bark canoe with a picked crew 
 and race with the steamer "Canada'' for miles in reach- 
 ing her wharf. 
 
 Unfortunately, his only domestic female companion 
 was one of questionable reputation, As time wore on 
 a deficiency in the bank occurred, a meeting of the bank 
 
158 VISIT FROM A SCHOOLMATE. 
 
 directors was called and the guilt was fastened upon liim. 
 A messenger was dispatched to his home, but the bird 
 had flown, and the messenger informed that he had left 
 early in the morning in his bark canoe. It was at once 
 conjectured that he had crossed the lake (Ontario) at lie 
 nearest point to the United States and Capt. Richard- 
 son, of the steamer Canada, was dispatched by the bank 
 directors in pursuit of the fugitive, and overhauled him 
 near Fort Niagara, and upon ordering him to surren- 
 der, he stood up in his canoe and deliberately swallowed 
 the contents of a vial of laudanum. Capt. Richardson 
 immediately returned wnith his prisoner to Little York, 
 and stopping at the garrison, took on board the surgeon 
 of the regiment, stationed there, and with the aid of a 
 stomach pump, ejected the poison. While the patient 
 was lin convulsions, and from which he recovered, was 
 tried and found guilty, and banished from the country. 
 
 No event that had ever occurred in the town had 
 proved such an astonishing and painful sensation. 
 
 A short time after his banishment he committed a for- 
 gery on the bank's cashier by signing his (the cashier's) 
 
VISIT FROM A SCHOOLMATE. 159 
 
 name to a draft; was tried and found guilty and impris- 
 oned in Detroit's jail, situated at this time where the pub- 
 lic library now stands. The woman followed him and 
 was hiis constant visitor while in prison. My brother 
 Charles, who was living with my uncle, Baptiste Baby in 
 the old mansion in Sandwich, (still standing), hearing of 
 his incarceration, and having been one of his old school- 
 mates in Little York, called to see him, and felt deeply 
 in his misfortune and disgrace, and contributed to his 
 wants and comforts pending his trial. 
 
 I had paid a visit to Little York a short tir.ie before 
 this and had but just returned to Sandwich, when Charles, 
 in a confidential way, broached t'-'e subject I am about 
 to relate. "Who do you suppose paid me a visit last 
 night? Our old schoolmate, F. R. I had retired to 
 bed," he continued, "and windows wide open from ex- 
 cessive heat, and about four a. m. (my lamp still burn- 
 ing), I heard my name called softly several times, and 
 putting my head out of the window heard him say iln a 
 suppressed tone of voice, 'Is that you, Charley?' and I 
 
 replied, 'Yes, who are you?' And he said, 'Let me in, 
 1 
 
i6o VISIT FROM A SCHOOLMATE. 
 
 quick. I am a friend.' So I slipped on my pants and 
 slippers and descended the stairs, let him in and con- 
 ducted him to my room upstairs. When brought to the 
 light h'is appearance appalled and frightened me. A red 
 silk handkerchief tied around his head, with ends hang- 
 ing down his back, his short blanket coat on, and around 
 his waist the useful sash, under which was stuck a but- 
 cher' knife and in his stocking feet (he lost his blanket 
 shoes in the marsh), and luis story added to my conster- 
 nation. I will repeat it in his own words. 
 
 For a fortnight past I led the turnkey to believe I was 
 partially insane, and kicked up a d — 1 of a row in my cell,, 
 played on my flute (he was an excellent player) and ham- 
 mered on the W'indow sill, and my female friend 
 supplied me stealthily with what I required. First, we were 
 allowed to walk in the corridor of the prison, and with a 
 piece of dough I took the impression of the keyhole of my 
 cell door and with a piece of puter or zinc hammered a key to 
 fit it. I then cut a piece out of my blanket coat tail, and 
 made a pair of slippers to avoid noise, chose a dark and 
 stormy night for the purpose and about two a. m. rolled up 
 
VISIT FROM A SCHOOLMATE. i6i 
 
 my blanket coat, tied it to one end of my sash, and started 
 for the end of the corridor where slept the turnkey near the 
 door. I had made up my mind to sell my life dearly if in- 
 terrupted, and held the knife aloft, this is it (showing me a 
 butcher knife), and had he attempted my arrest he would 
 have felt its keen blade; approach'ing die door I felt for the 
 lock, which fortunately was unlocked, and loosening the 
 clasp it fell, and awoke the turnkey, who, sitting on his 
 haunches in bed, demanded "Who is there?'' I could hear 
 my heart beat, and suppressed my breath; I held my knife 
 ready to destroy my victim if he attempted to seize me. 
 The howling and racket of the wind deceived him, and turn- 
 ing in his bed, he soon again slept and snored. I then 
 quietly opened the door sufficiently to let me pass through, 
 and mounting the stairway like a scared monkey, was soon 
 in the upper story of the old jail, which was surrounded 
 by a row of pointed cedar pickets about 15 feet 
 high. Unloosening my sash, with one end of it 
 tied to the blanket I threw the latter from 
 an open window over the picket fence some six or 
 eight feet from me, and holding on to the end of the sash 
 
i62 VISIT FR( m A SCHOOLMATE. 
 
 jumped clinging to it. 1 then hauled myself hand over 
 hand to the top of the fence, and dropping down outside, 
 made for the river, and when opposite here, now Clark's 
 dock, stole a skiff and landed nearly opposite, and not 
 knowing the road to the river struck the marsh and waded 
 through it, up to my hips, as you see. Now, said 
 Charles, here was a dilenuna that perplexed me and 
 which would have puzzled a Philadelphiia lawyer, as 
 to what was to be done. I could not keep hin?. with 
 safety to myself, or him either, so I got him to clean him- 
 self up of his marsh mud, dressed him in a suit of my own 
 clothes, and called with Irlm on a confidential friend, and 
 had him stowed away in the garret of his fowl house, where 
 he can neither stand up or walk, but is crouched like a tiger 
 in his lair. It was in this hole, which I climbed up to the 
 next da\- on a short ladder, that I had my first glimpse of 
 him since I had last seen the dashing, gay and festive 
 Lothanio in Little York! His w-ild and glaring eyes, and 
 distended nostrils, and trembling voice, attested the soul- 
 harrowing fear he labored under, so we soon left him with 
 the promise to see him soon again. As we well knew, the 
 
VISIT FROM A SCHOOLMATE. 163 
 
 authorities in Detroit were wide awake and came over tin 
 squads in search of the culprit, but he was so well con- 
 cealed that he remained undiscovered, and shortly after 
 midnight with our aid he left Sandwich, tlirough the back 
 woods, bound for Moravian town, an Indian village near the 
 famous battle ground on the River Thames, and after a few 
 days rest there started for another Indian village (Muncy- 
 town) in the township of Delaware, not far from London, 
 thence to Little York again, but Canada had ceased to 
 protect him, and again he got back to the United States, 
 was arrested, tried, incarcerated in Auburn's State prison 
 for life, and where by his prepossessing appearance, his 
 courtly and gentlemanly manners, he so ingratiated himself 
 in the good will of its managers, that he became usefully 
 employed there, until by some unlucky chance, he fell down 
 stairs and broke his neck. 
 
 Note. — In my brother's frequent visits to the jail he so 
 well informed himself as to the locality of the house that 
 otherwise he never would have reached it. 
 
i64 MANITOULIN ISLANDS. 
 
 VISIT TO THE VILLAGE OF WICKWIMIKONG, 
 MAXITOULIN ISLAND. 
 
 On a sultry evening" in the month of August, 1864, I 
 was seated on my veranda in Sandwich, watching the 
 vapors h'om my favorite T. D. pipe as they gently as- 
 cended and assumed various forms (suggestive of huild- 
 ing castles in the air) when my meditations were sud- 
 denly interrupted by the appearance of my old friend, 
 J. R. B., of Milwaukee, who cordially joined in this 
 agreeable pastime, and the following subject was 
 broached: 
 
 'T have just returned,"' he commenced, "from a trip in 
 the Lake Superior region, in search of timber limits, and 
 copper, gold or silver mines, accompanied by Mr. L. (a 
 noted geologist of New York), and on our return home 
 passed through the great Manitoulin Island, and on our 
 passage through while skirting the shores of South Bay, 
 on the southern portion of the island came in sight 
 of a promontory of singular and striking appear- 
 ance on its shore, as white as snow and resem- 
 
MANITOULIN ISLANDS. 165 
 
 bling an old ruined castle, and on our near approach to 
 it composed (as the geologist thought) of white lime- 
 stone or marble in layers of two, six and twelve inches 
 dn thickness, and a shelf landing of the same rock, where 
 a seventy-four-gun ship could be moored directly along- 
 side of it." So striking and favorable an impression did 
 this rock produce on the mind of the geologist, that he 
 remarked to my friend "that were he liviing in Canada, he 
 would not leave a stone unturned until he could secure a 
 right to work the quarry." 
 
 "Now," continued B., "I am living in IMilwaukee, and 
 engaged in business there, so I can't attend to it, but if you 
 will undertake to secure the location from die government 
 and the Indians, I will pay all your expenses, and further- 
 more, Willi send you a map and trace upon it every step 
 necessary for you to take as a guide to find it. What say 
 you, will you try it?" 
 
 "I have no particular objection," I replied, "but I think 
 the difficulties will be hard to overcome. First you have to 
 deal with the government, then with the Indians, and last, 
 though not least, the missionary fathers (S. J.), who regard 
 
i66 MANITOULIN ISLANDS. 
 
 with a jealous eye the welfare of the Indians, and prevent 
 as much as possible the contamination of the white man in 
 their settlements." 
 
 "Very true," my friend replied, "but your knowledge of * 
 the country, and the people you have to deal with, places 
 you in a position as favorable to succeed as any other per- 
 son. In short, nothing ventured, nothing won, is my 
 motto." 
 
 With this logic I consented to go. I was instructed by 
 my friend, on reaching Collingwood to prepare for the expe- 
 dition a steel drill (an inch bar about four feet long, sharp- 
 ened and tempered), a mason's hammer, a shovel, two 
 pounds of blasting powder, fuse, etc. It is needless to say 
 that in the course of six or eight days, my friend complied 
 with his promise promptly and liberally, and a very short 
 time after, I started on my voyage of discovery. Took the 
 Great Western Railroad at Windsor to Toronto, and 
 reached Collingwood via the Northern Railroad got my 
 supplies, and took passage on the steamer bound for the 
 Sault Ste. Marie, and landed at Killarney, at the head of 
 the Georgian Bay, near the foot of the Lacloche Mountains^ 
 
MANITOULIN ISLANDS. 167 
 
 some twenty miles distant from the Manitouliii Island. 
 
 Hunted up Charles Lamarandier, Indian trader and mail 
 carrier, and worked my passage in his birch canoe, and 
 reached Wickwimikong village, on the Great Manitoulin 
 Island. As the inhabitants were all Indians or half-breeds, 
 there was no place for a stranger to lodge, and it being 
 twelve, midnight, I was advised by the trader to ask for 
 lodgings at the mission house. Leaving him to sleep or 
 pass the night in his canoe, I ascended a rocky faced hill 
 some one or two hundred feet in height, and found tlie 
 church and mission house adjoining it, built near its edge 
 and commanding a charming view of the bay and country 
 for miles around. A loud knock at the door soon after was 
 answered by a lay brother, who opened it, and upon being 
 informed who I was, provided me with a comfortable bed. 
 
 At five o'clock that morning I was disturbed by the same 
 brother with a gentle knock at the door and the usual salu- 
 tation of the house: "Benedicamus Domino" (praise the 
 Lord). "Who is there?" I replied, instead of "Deo Gratias" 
 (the proper answer) "thanks be to God," and he passed on, 
 satisfied that I was alive, for w^hen the answer is not 
 
t68 MAXITOULIN ISLANDS. 
 
 promptly made, an entrance to the chamber has occasionally 
 disclosed the fact of sudden death or helpless illness. 
 
 At that time five of the fathers, viz: Kohler (the supe- 
 rior), Chone, lilatner, I'errar anrl llanepeau, were at the 
 miission house, assisted by four lay brothers. The latter 
 attended to the labours of the farm and indoor work (no 
 women beini^ employed by the Jesuits as house servants), 
 but in harvest and pressing; times the fatliers gave a helping 
 hand. The same brother who let me in, invited me to take 
 breakfast, and directed me to the dining-room, telling me 
 that I would find a coffee pot, containing three gallons, 
 kept hot on the kitchen stove, and the table supplied with 
 bread and butter, and bowls with maple sugar; all that con- 
 stituted their breakfast. 
 
 After this repast, which the fathers took standing, and in 
 silence (as no conversation is observed at meals, but pas- 
 sages from the lives of the saints or other religious books 
 are read by one of the lay brothers). Father Hanepeau 
 enquired of me "what was my errand?" I then frankly 
 told him all about ilt, and asked him if I had their consent, 
 as well as the Indians, to prosecute the search. He gave 
 
MAXITorLIX ISLANDS. 169 
 
 111c every encouragement, and said he would assist nie in 
 procuring a faithful guide, a 1)ircli canoe of his own. a bag 
 of Hour twenty-five pounds, a piece of pork fifteen pounds, 
 one pounil of tea, a tin kettle, cups, knives, baking i)owder 
 and salt, maple sugar, a trolling line and spoon hook, for 
 which I paid him. Collecting these together with my drill, 
 shovel and luunmer, and t\ing them in a bundle with my 
 plaid shawl, which was to serve me as a blanket, it was 
 quite equal to one man's pack (about forty pounds), which 
 I would have to carry across two portages. We soon 
 found Pierre Lafrance, a half-breed, the guide, a smart, 
 active and intelligent fellow, who spoke French, of course, 
 broken English, and Indian. Struck a bargain with him, 
 and found him ripe for the occasion. Bidding the father 
 adieu, and thanking him for his trouble and kindness, we 
 struck a path for Manitowoning Bay via Bayfield Inlet. 
 Pierre, with the canoe upside down over his head 
 and shoulders, and I with the pack on my back, 
 crossed the portage, about five miles, in two hours, 
 and struck the inlet, launched our canoe, took 
 off our boots, and paddled for the head of the bay, some 
 
I70 MANITOULIN ISLANDS. 
 
 fifteen or twenty miles distant, and from which point to 
 South Bay, another portage of four or five miles was to be 
 made. About one p. m., after three hours coasting, Pierre 
 said we must land and have dinner. These hungry chaps 
 would eat twenty times a day if you would give it to them,, 
 and I was curious to see him prepare for it; with an axe 
 Avhich he carried he soon collected along shore plenty of 
 dry wood, and soon had a brisk fire, then going to the 
 shore, took from the water a clean flat stone the size of a 
 soup plate, and stuck it up on edge before the fire to heat, 
 and seizing the bag of flour, turned down the mouth of it 
 even with the flour, scooped a hole in it, threw in a pinch 
 of salt and baking powder, and a cupful of water, and 
 worked a lump of dough the size of his two fists, flattened 
 it out on the stone, and again set it before the fire, hung 
 the tin kettle up over the fire, filled with water, cut three or 
 four slices of pork and chucked them into the boiling water 
 for about five mmutes, then held my shovel over the fire 
 and fried the pork, threw in half a cup of tea and one cup 
 of maple sugar into the kettle, and served the dinner on 
 pieces of biirch bark. Whether it was the exercise, or the 
 
MANITOULIN ISLANDS. 171 
 
 bracing air, or both combined, which hungered me, I know 
 not, brt I never partook of food with greater rehsh. All 
 that was to be cleaned after this repast was the shovel, 
 which Pierre did, by jabbing it into the sand. Great Scott, 
 I thought, if my lady friends would take a leaf from Pierre, 
 w^hat a deal of bother there would be saved, to be sure. 
 
 Again we took to our canoe, and with our trolling line 
 caught six black bass. Arrived at the head of Manitowon- 
 ing Bay at seven p. m., and slept under our canoe, tan- 
 talized by fleas insiide of our clothing, and devoured by 
 mosquitoes outside. Spent a horrible night, but Pierre 
 swore he never slept better. At daylight we commenced to 
 cross the portage of four or five miles, with the woods on 
 fire, and with great difficulty, climbing over burning trees 
 obstructing our path, arriving at South Bay about nine a. 
 m., and had breakfast, with the addition of black bass. 
 
 Launched our canoe and coasted along the barren and 
 bleak shore, with my map as a guide, and on the bright 
 lookout for the object in view, which made its appearance 
 some six or seven miles ofif, and with striking effect. On 
 landing, I found it unnecessary to resort to blasting, as any 
 
172 MANITOULIN ISLANDS. 
 
 quantity of different specimens could be 1)roken off from 
 the layers. Secured them, and prepared to return home^ 
 but my first object was to get rid of the fleas, which still 
 tormented me; so, jumping into the canoe, 1 landed on a 
 solitary rock, stripped myself of every vestige of clothing, 
 spread it in the bright sun, and took a good bath, resulting 
 to my entire satisfaction. After carefull} examining and 
 taking soundings at the entrance of the bay, and satisfied 
 of its safe navigation to Lake Huron, I returned to camp 
 and found Pierre in good humor, with a supply of green 
 corn, potatoes and a male white fish just caught, which he 
 obtained from an old Indian. I asked him how he intended 
 cooking lit, and if he was going to fry it on my shovel. "Oh, 
 no, spoil," he said; "I show you." So, cutting a stout 
 switch the size of his forefinger, twice the length of the fish, 
 sharpened it at both ends and ran the small end of it 
 through its mouth, nearly to the tail, then stuck it firnilv 
 into the sand, before a bright fire, when one side was- 
 cooked, turned the other, and when the drip from the mouth 
 fell clear the fish was done, and served on a piece of clean 
 birch bark. Epicures rave about snipe and woodcock 
 
MAXITOULIK ISLANDS. 173 
 
 served on toast, but give me a whitcfish cooked in this way 
 and served on birch bark. But mind, it must be a male fish. 
 Getting ready to start for home, and a favora])le breeze 
 springing up, Pierre suggested tliat we should sail instead 
 of paddling and working so hard. "Where are your sails?" 
 I said. "Monsieur, votre chale est tout ce (|u"ille faut'* 
 (your shawl is all we want), and giving him my consent to 
 use it. we put ashore, and in about twenty minutes cut two 
 cedar saplings, used my shawl as a sail, and away we 
 scudded at the rate of about six miles an hour. As neces- 
 sity lis the mother of invention, I was fully impressed with 
 the belief that of all garments invented by man (or woman) 
 the shawl is the most useful. Towards night, approaching 
 our cami)ing ground at the head of the bay, the wind had 
 increased to a living gale, when Pierre directed my atten- 
 tion to a bright light on land some distance off, wiith the 
 simple remark, "Big fire," which it proved to be, for in an 
 incredibly short time it was abreast of us, moving- with the 
 whirlwind, and the roar and flashing of a thunder storm. 
 Old patriarchs of the forest, with extended arms aflame and 
 yielding to the tempest's blast, would rock to and fro for a 
 
174 MANITOULIN ISLANDS. 
 
 inonient and suddenly fall and disappear in the devouring 
 element with the noise of thunder; anon the screeching night 
 owl, or the startled and bewildered wood grouse (partridge), 
 would be seen darting through the fire-lit clouds and sud- 
 denly disappear. 
 
 Fortunately our camping ground was out of its course, 
 and safely landing, turned our canoe over us on the wind- 
 ward side, and with a good supply of new hay, slept 
 soundly. On my return to Wickwimikong, I found the late 
 Bishop Farrel of Hamilton there, who was on a tour of his 
 diocese, and whose present mission was to confirm some 
 fifty or one hundred Indian children, and I can scarcely 
 express my surprise at the enthusiasm and respect shown 
 to this venerable dignitary, when on his departure from the 
 mission house, he was escorted to Killarney by the chiefs 
 and Indians in their canoes, with all the pomp and cere- 
 mony due to royalty itself. On the day following, when 
 ready to start for home, Father Blatner, a Swiss, I think, 
 and a most learned and accomplished linguist (since 
 appointed to a professor's chair at Fordham, N. Y.), 
 
MANITOULIN ISLANDS. 175 
 
 approached and enquired how I had succeeded in my 
 search for stone? 
 
 After giving him full particulars, he remarked, "I think 
 there is something far more attractive and lucrative on the 
 island, and that is oil." At this startling revelation I 
 pricked up my ears and eagerly desired further information. 
 He then told me that he would, in company with the prin- 
 cipal chiefs of the island, accompany me across the bay and 
 I could judge for myself. At the appointed hour we started 
 and arrived at the desired spot, and as we approached lit, 
 discovered for several yards around it a perfect calm, and 
 a peculiar colour reflected by the rays of the sun on the 
 water, indicating the presence of the much sought for 
 treasure, and for further proof, on landing the Indians 
 spread a blanket over the water, and after several attempts 
 wrung from it a sufficient quantity to fill a quart bottle. 
 Thus did I strike oil. 
 
 Returning to the mission house, the approval of the i)rin- 
 
 cipal Indians and the missionaries was secured, and the 
 
 lease afterwards confirmed by the government of 75,000 
 
 acres of that portion of the island not ceded, for the explo- 
 m 
 
176 MANITOULIN ISLANDS. 
 
 ration and testing of the territory including the whole of 
 Cape Smith. I could not leave this interesting spot with- 
 out expressing my sincere thanks to these friendly Indians 
 and missionaries for their hospitality, and the confidence 
 they reposed in me, a perfect stranger; and how often and 
 with what deep interest have I reflected siincc, upon the 
 incidents of my first visit to their establishment. How men 
 of such cultured minds, varied talents, nursed and schooled 
 in the lap of luxury as many of these missionaries are, and 
 suddenly plunged into this rude, uncultivated, uncivilized 
 and inhospitable region, with no associates save the untu- 
 tored children of the forest, is diflficult to understand. It 
 is not surely for filthy lucre, for that the poor savage does 
 not possess. Then what is it? It must be the anchor of 
 faith, hope and charity alone! During my short stay, 
 leather Hanepcau, the one who procured me a gmide, 
 invited me into his room, where he had a printing press, 
 and where he taught his young Indian pupils how to print 
 in the Indian language their hymn books. 
 
 Seeing no bed in the room, I said: "Father, where do 
 you sleep?" "There." he replied, pointing to a shelf with 
 
MANITOULIN ISLANDS. 177 
 
 a buffalo robe to lie on, and another rolled up for a pillow. 
 He was then seventy years old, and for six months in the 
 year spent them in visiting the different encampments for 
 hundreds of miles around, often obliged to draw his tobog- 
 gan and his traps in winter over two and four feet of snow, 
 on his snow shoes. "How do you celebrate mass in these 
 camps?'' 1 enquired. "This is all I carry on my toboggan 
 or in my canoe," he answered, pointing to a box about 
 four feet long, two feet wide, and eight inches deep; "when 
 I open it in camp it stands on four legs, and when it is 
 empty it serves as my altar. My vestments, chalice, candle- 
 sticks, crucifix, etc., are packed in it." "What about your 
 provisions?" I enquired. "Where an Indian can live, so 
 can I," he answered, "dried fish and Indian corn boiled 
 together is breakfast, dinner, and supper." "Pretty tough?" 
 I (jueried. "Yes, for those who live to cat. I eat to 
 live." I asked no more questions. I dreamed that night 
 I met this old and weatherbeaten pilot of the cross 
 in a gorge of the Lacloche Mountains, just twenty miles 
 distant, and in sight from where I slept, and as the 
 first rays of the morning sun gilded their hoary peaks 
 
178 MANITOULIX ISLANDS. 
 
 and the vaults of heaven, his only chapel, I heard the 
 tinkling bell of the lonely savage (his only guide and 
 companion), as with head bowed down, on bended 
 knees he announced the elevation of the host. And 
 I beheld the silver-haired and bare-headed pilot in 
 purple chasuble, with arms uplifted and pointing heaven- 
 ward, and in his fingers were held the ofifspring of Mary, 
 the Lamb of Ciod, who taketh away the sins of the world, 
 as he implored our Heavenly Father, that through the love, 
 suffering and thorn-crowned agony of this, hiis dearly 
 beloved Son, in whom he was so well pleased, his wrath 
 against fallen man would be appeased, and the ten thousand 
 angels that were present at the nativity, with the star illum- 
 inating the manger in JJethlehem one thousand eight hun- 
 dred and ninety-two years ago, and the same shepherds 
 then tending their flocks, and the three wise men from the 
 East enthroned on their snow white camels, burdened with 
 their offerings of gold, myrrii, and enveloped in clouds of 
 incense, exclaimed in one voice, "Hosannah, Glory to 
 God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will to men.'' 
 And the chorus of these angels, shepherds and wise men, 
 
MANITOULIX ISLANDS. 179 
 
 added to the savages and pilots, reverberated throughout 
 these mountains of Lacloche, and the awful detonation 
 awoke nie in fear and trembling. 
 
 The soliciitude for the more destitute of tlie inhabitants 
 of the village is worthy of note. In the basement of this 
 mission house a large room is set apart for their special 
 use, rough benches are placed arc.Mind it, and in the center 
 a table, and as you enter the outside door, a bell pull is con- 
 spicuous, and upon ringing this bell a sldde window opens 
 to the kitchen, through which is passed by a lay brother a 
 pan of milk, a loaf of bread, tin cups and spoons. It was 
 seldom the room was without occupants, either with poor 
 squaws and squalid children or old, decrepit men. No 
 charge. For what could these poor creatures offer in 
 return, unless it were a dish of strawberries or huckleberries 
 plucked from the hillside by the squaws and children, or 
 maybe the first whitefish or trout snared in the gill-net of 
 the crippled Indian? In witnessing this scene, how sen- 
 siibly is one reminded of that beautiful passage, "Simeon 
 Peter, lovest thou me? Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I 
 love thee! Feed my sheep. Feed my lambs!'' This pre- 
 
i8o MAXITOl'LIX ISLAXDS. 
 
 canton is taken to save time and nnnccessary intrusion in 
 other parts of the house, as their poverty enjj^enders filth 
 and vermin, and is to be avoided by keeping: them at arm's 
 length. Nor are the more thrifty children of both sexes 
 neglected. A school is established close to the missiion 
 house, where the boys arc tauj^dit by the lay brothers of 
 the order in the most necessary branches of education, such 
 as Eng^Hsh, I'rench, and geography, simple rules in 
 arithmetic, writing, etc. At a future time I had frequent 
 occasion to visit this school, and was much interested in 
 studying the character of these wild children of the lakes 
 and forests. In reply to my c[uestion, are they apt schol- 
 ars? their old teacher replies: "Yes, very.*' They are 
 extremely sensitive, however, and require mild and per- 
 suasive treatment. Instead of the rod when they deserve 
 it, we imprison them lin the school room as their greatest 
 punishment. Such is their innate nature, that like the 
 young duckling which runs to water ere it is full fledged, 
 or the quail or partridge to cover; so does the Indian love to 
 come and go wath perfect freedom. For the girls, there is 
 also established an admirable school bv a sisterhood of 
 
MANITOL'LIX ISLAXDS. i8l 
 
 charity from Cleveland, ().. who conduct a small farm con- 
 nected with their establishment, and attend to all the manual 
 labors of ii. Nay, build their own houses, and are most suc- 
 cessful in all branches of refined husbandry. Their exam- 
 ple in this line, apart from education, is of incalculable 
 worth to the natives. In studying the Indian character 
 one cannot but admire the skill and readiness of both men 
 and women to acquire and perform mechanical labour in 
 its various and useful branches. With the assistance of a 
 head mason and carpenter, they have built a stone church 
 and mission house, with altar, pews, and windows, display- 
 ing as much taste and craft as their more fortunate white 
 brethren. Where they display their greatest ingenuity and 
 skill, however, is in the construction of their birch bark 
 canoes and Mackinaw boats, unrivaled in their safe, buoy- 
 ant, and saiiling qualities. I took the steamer at Killarney 
 in due time, and arrived at Sandwich, and made no delay 
 in showing my specimens of stone and oil in Detroit. The 
 former was pronounced of too flinty a nature to be easily 
 worked, but Professor Duf^ield certified to the superior 
 quality of the oil, after being thoroughly tested, pronounc- 
 
i82 MANITOULIN ISLANDS. 
 
 ing it equal to the best Pcnnsylvpnia oil; I hastened to Miil- 
 waukee to meet P>. and report, who when I met him, eagerly 
 inquired, "How about the stone-quarry?'' "A failure, I'm 
 afraid," I replied, "but I have struck oil," and producing the 
 bottle gave him its history. Surprised at the sudden turn 
 of affairs, he immediately proposed forming a company, 
 and I was to proceed at once to Quebec, then the seat of 
 government, to ratify our proceedings. A company was 
 formed and $50,000 paid in, and after two years of hard 
 iabor sinking six wells from twenty to three hundred and 
 sixty feet deep, purchasing machinery and employing the 
 Indians in the construction of houses, building a dock, 
 chopping cordwood, etc., we only succeeded in producing 
 one hundred barrels of refined o'A, pronounced by Parsons, 
 the refiner in Toronto, as the best in Canada, but which 
 exhausted our means, and forced us to abandon the enter- 
 prise. In throwing these crude and hastily written remin- 
 iscences together, to those who feel interested in the sub- 
 ject it may prove interesting to learn the actual state of 
 things as noted below in the present, day. I found the 
 Indians :In 1864 scattered over their reservation, but princi- 
 
MANITOULIN ISLANDS. 183 
 
 pally in and about Ihcir village (Wickwinnikong), aiul occu- 
 pying niiscnible log huts and destitute of every comfort in 
 their surroundings. Indeed, after planting their small 
 patciies of corn and potatoes in the spring, they abandoned 
 theiir houses, leaving the squaws and children to tend to 
 their crops until the fall, to gain a precarious living by fish- 
 ing and hunting in the regions of the Cjeorgian Bay and 
 Lakes Huron and Superior country. Impressed with the 
 idea of their poverty and discomfort, I felt a strong desire 
 to know how they progressed, not having seen or heard 
 from them since then, and I had the temerity to write to the 
 missionaries and requesting the information I so much 
 desired. To my agreeable surprise I received a prompt 
 answer from the superior, Rev. F. J. Hebert, dated October 
 15, 1 891, from which I take the liberty of making the fol- 
 lowing extract: "The fathers mentioned in your letter have 
 all passed away. We number seven priests and seven lay 
 brothers (it must be borne in mind that this mission em- 
 braces the Lake Superior region, to P'ort William, and this 
 is theit headquarters). The population of the Indians lis 
 860; many of them are living in comfortable and commo- 
 
i84 MANITOULIN ISLANDS. 
 
 dious houses, with carpeted floors, musical instruments and 
 gardens well stocked with fruit trees. 
 
 They have progressed rapidly in farming, raising wheat, 
 oats, potatoes, etc., have fine horses and cattle, an industrial 
 school with fifty pupils in regular attendance, where they 
 are taught shoemaking, blacksmithing, tailoring, etc., partly 
 supported by the Canadian Government. Many of them 
 are excellent mechanics, such as masons, plasterers, house 
 builders, etc. A temperance society has been established 
 within the last year and now numbers ninety-six members. 
 They have a large convent, which is at the same time an 
 industrial school with fifty pupils, besides regular boarders. 
 Two large general stores are doing a thriving business, also 
 a saw mill and door and sash factory." The Rev. Father 
 concludes his interesting letter with the humorous remark: 
 "They are not all saints, but I believe they can compare 
 favorably with their more favored white brethren." It is 
 gratifying to learn at all events, that the labours of these 
 isolated missionaries have not been fruitless, and are lin 
 profound sympathy as expressed in Pope's beautiful lines : 
 
MANITOULIN ISLANDS. 185 
 
 "Lo the poor Indian whose untutored mind, 
 Sees God in clouds, or hears him in the wind." 
 
 In the summer of 1866 (I think it was) I happened to 
 be in the village of Killarney, on the Georgian Bay, wlien 
 the late Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario, Sir Alexander 
 Campbell, landed there with the Hudson Bay Company's 
 bark canoe, and Factor King, of Aiichipicotons post, with 
 twenty voyageurs in command, on his return from Lake 
 Superior, and on has way to the city of Ottawa via that river 
 and after leaving Killarney landed at the first portage late 
 in the evening. At early dawn the next morning Sir Alexan- 
 der arose and though cjuite lame, with the aid of a cane took 
 the path for a short walk while breakfast was getting ready, 
 and had proceeded but a short distance when he descried the 
 curling smoke from a camp fire, and approaching it, to his 
 surprise observed a priest in his vestments saying mass, with 
 his two Indian guides serving him, directly in the path ; wait- 
 ing for a short time until he had finished, he approached and 
 introduced himself to the priest (Father Hanepeau),to whom 
 he gave a pressing invitation to return witJi him to break- 
 fast, which the father modestly declined. Observing a po*. 
 
i86 MANITOULIN ISLANDS. 
 
 on the fire with a mixture of fish and Indian corn, and three 
 tin pans placed upon the ground, with as many miquens (an 
 Indian wooden spoon) to serve it, "At least," remarked Sir 
 Alexander, "allow me to send you something to diversify 
 your fare.'' "My guides, no doubt," he replied, "would be 
 glad to receive it, but when that gives out we'll have to fall 
 back on our usual dish." "You have chosen a rough path 
 to follow heavenward," Mr. Campbell remarked. "To you, 
 perhaps, it appears so," replied the priest, "yet I never 
 find my burden too heavy to carry; and we get used to 
 it, like ever>'thing else; as the galled shoulder on the 
 plough-horse burns when raw, at first, yet in time it 
 gets callous and ceases to pain." It is needless to say 
 that one of the guides returned with Sir Alexander to 
 his camp, who supplied him with a generous basket of pro- 
 visions to return with. 
 
THE INDIAN PILOT. 187 
 
 THRILLING EXPERIENCE WITH AN INDIAN 
 
 PILOT. 
 
 While prosecuting our search for coal oil at Cape 
 Smith, on the great Manitoulin Island, it became the 
 duty of one of our officers to proceed to Killarney, (the 
 steamboat landing), eighteen miles distant, and receive 
 some thousand feet or more of two-inch iron pipe and 
 have the same transported in open boat to the cape. 
 
 The gentleman in question, whom I shall call B., was 
 not long in finding the owner of a large built Mackinaw- 
 boat, a tall athletic Indian by name Joe Miconce, (Bear), 
 who, with his brother, was engagetl to make the trip, 
 our friend B. to accompany them and give directions. 
 
 The owner of the boat was of the quiet order of In- 
 dians, who seldom speak unless there be absolute neces- 
 sity for conversation. He was rather a fine looking 
 specimen of the red man in physique and intelligence, 
 although he appeared sullen and his expression of coun- 
 tenance was not altogether pleasiing. He managed his 
 
i88 THE INDIAN PILOT. 
 
 boat well, however, and after a smart trip with a fair 
 wind the part;- landed at Killarney, and under the order 
 of B., ]\Iiconce and his brother proceeded to put on 
 board the iron pipe, while B. went to the office of the 
 freight agent to attend to some other engagement in re- 
 gard to shipping. 
 
 It was about five o'clock in the afternoon when B. 
 returned to the Mackinaw Ijoat and he was somewhat 
 alarmed to find that she was loaded to witlnin six inches of 
 the gunwale. The Indians did not seem to be at all 
 uneasy in the matter, however, and having by much ex- 
 perience witnessed the extraordinary skill and nerve of 
 the Manitoulin Indian and half-breed in the manage- 
 ment of the canoe and Mackinaw boat, our friend sought 
 comfort in che easy manner of the two Indians, and got 
 on board. 
 
 As the craft was making her first tack ofi the point 
 at Killarney our friend noticed for the first time that the 
 weather was rough outside and that even where they were 
 the wind ])lew almost a gale. About this time B. also 
 observed that Miconce was intoxicated and was acting 
 
THE INDIAN PILOT. 189 
 
 in a very strange manner. In the first place he left his 
 tiller and stern sheets to the care of his brother and our 
 friend B., and reaching through a porthole lin the bow 
 of the boat produced a tin gallon canteen and took a 
 good swig of its contents, handed the same to his brother, 
 who followed suit, then repeated the first attack, set his 
 canteen down, scowled at our friend, coiled himself up 
 in a ball and went to sleep. 
 
 The wind was increasing from the northwest, the craft 
 was taking in considerable water, which our friend was 
 obliged to bale out the best he could, for the Indian 
 alongside him was becoming too drunk to realize the 
 situation or care for the boat, and after rolling around 
 he, too, slipped down in the boat, and left our friend to 
 its sole management. To haul in sail was a matter at- 
 tended with considerable danger and exertion, but our 
 friend, being somewhat of a land lubber, and afraid to 
 handle the boat in such a gale, made up his mind that 
 he was much safer with the sails down (which in all 
 probability under these circumstances he was). The 
 boat tossed about in the gale and waves, while our friend 
 
I90 THE INDIAN PILOT. 
 
 sat watching and waiting for tlic Indians to awake and 
 proceed with the journey. 
 
 They had made but about half of the distance of the 
 trip when his position flashed upon his minil, that, wiith 
 the lieavy gale and four tons of iron in an open boat, 
 with two useless Indians, a single gust of wind or wave 
 to swamp it, his situation was a serious one. 
 
 As these thoughts passed in rapid succession through 
 his mind ii. determined to take the licjuor, if possille, 
 from the Indians whiU- they slept and throw it over- 
 board. Our friend l\. was of large build, athletic, cour- 
 ageous and was 'ry handy ^^ith his fists. As he was 
 about to carry out hiis intentions in regard to the can- 
 teen, Miconce awoke and glared at him with sullen 
 countenance and bleared eyes. He again beckoned to his 
 brother, and reached down for his canteen. This was 
 too much for our friend, who threw ofT his coat, sprang 
 upon Aliconce, and seizing him l)y the collar of his coat 
 with the left hand and catching hold of his canteen with 
 the right turned it suddenly upside down and the stop- 
 per being out the contents in an instant were in the lake. 
 
THE INDIAN PILOT. 191 
 
 The struggle to empty tlie whiskey (for such it proved to 
 bej histed but an instant, after which ^liconce jumped to 
 his feet and, drawing a long clasp knife, m?.ae a pass at 
 B., which almost readied him. IJefore the Indian could 
 recover for another pass our friend, throwing his weight 
 with a well directed blow, caught him under the chin and 
 he fell like a log. The brother then came at 15. with 
 a short bar of iron, but he met his match, for another 
 punch sent lulm sprawling beside the other Indian. Our 
 friend then reached over for the knife, but Aliconce, who 
 had recovered from the blow, fought desperately, and in 
 the scuFHe a vein in die Indian's left wrist was laid open 
 and the boat was bespattered with blood. The Indian's 
 frantic exertions, yells and execrations became some- 
 what modified by the loss of blood and bursting into a 
 loud whoop he was seiized with an hysterical fit fell in 
 the bottom of the boat, where he soon slept soundly 
 alongside his brother, who lay there half conscious, but 
 not caring to renew the fight. Our friend then took his 
 white pocket handkerchief, tore it into strips, bound up 
 
 the bleeding wrist of Miconce. and signalling a passing 
 n 
 
192 THE INDIAN PILOT. 
 
 fishiin^ smack left the iwu Indians to the hrm-cv of the 
 storm, which was still at its height. Tie arrived 
 at the cape safe and sound and ^iwc his experience to 
 the missionaries, who had, by the way, recommended 
 foe Mic(Mice to him as a reliable man. The following 
 morning Miconce and his brother arrived at their des- 
 tination with their iron pipe in good order. c|nite sober 
 and humble, and after having his wrist dressed by one 
 of the missionaries, who took occasion to g^ive him a 
 good dressing at the same time, sought t)ut our friend 
 1). and humbly asked his forgivenness, which was granted. 
 lUit, sad to relate, these ])()or fellows the following 
 vear were caught in a gale of wind of¥ Bears Rump 
 Island with their boat loaded with gravel, when the boat 
 swamped and they never were seen or heard of after- 
 wards. Too nuich fire water again. 
 
THE BOOK PEDDLHR. ujs 
 
 THE BOOK PEDDLER. 
 
 On the i8tli of Jiiik\ i.Srxj. the anniversary of the bat- 
 ik- of Waterloo — the day on which the fate of JCuropc 
 was scaled by the Iron Duke i)laeinjT his iron heel on 
 the neck of Napoleon the (ireat, from which it was not 
 released until death, on St. Helena's barren isle. i)Ut an 
 end to his eventful career — 1 found myself saunterins>" 
 down Main street in the City of .Milwaukee, dejected in 
 spirit and absorbed with the troubles that then over- 
 whelmed me. Suddenly and unexpectedly thrown out of 
 emj)loyment by the removal from the city of my gener- 
 ous employer, 1 bent my steps to the Young Men's Li- 
 brary, of which 1 was an honorary member; and here "I 
 will pause to remark*' that I know of no institution tliat 
 I have yet seen that will compare with it for its admir- 
 able arrangement, the collection of its library, and the 
 courteous and gentlemanly dej)ortment of its attendants. 
 Entering this seat of learning I seized the first volume 
 within reach, threw myself into a capacious arm chair. 
 
194 THE BOOK rEDDLI-.R. 
 
 and was soon lost in follouinjij^ the drift of that ilhunincd 
 and oxaUc'd mind. "l''onolon," when a gentleman of quiet 
 and pleasing address approached me and thus introduced 
 himself: 
 
 "Your name is B., is it not?" To this rather unex- 
 pected (|uestion I nodded assent, whereupon the stranger 
 continued: "Your friend, the librarian, has recommended 
 you to me as a fit per^on to canvass this city for the 
 most attractive book of the times, viz: 'Lossing's Life 
 of George Washington,' illustrated; my name is J. Rogers, 
 of the firm of Rogers Bros., Lake street, Chicago, book 
 publishers, and if you feel inclined to accept the job, say 
 so." Taken rather by surprise, with the idea flashing 
 across my mind that I was about as fit for a bookseller 
 as the man tin the moon, I replied to Mr, Rogers that 
 I would think about the matter and let him know on 
 the morrow at his room, 20 East Water .street, Kirby 
 House. Agreeably to appointment, the next day I found 
 IVIr. R. and told him I would accept his offer; he there- 
 upon instructed and directed me in my duties, which were: 
 
 First — On his return to Chicago he was to send by re- 
 
THE BOOK PEDDLER. 195 
 
 turn steamer a certain nuiiiber of volumes one, two and 
 three, in different styles of binding — Xo. i, pilt UKjrocci); 
 No. 2 calf, and Xo. 3, cloth — to be sold at $4. $3, and 
 $2 respectively. 
 
 Second — To be careful in getting reliable subscribers, 
 for in that depended our success of course. 
 
 Third — Never to expose the prospectus (sample book), 
 for folks generally had an aversion to book peddlers. 
 
 Now, how in "Sam Hill" was I to sell a book 'Mike a 
 pig in a poke " without exposing lit, puzzled me. Still, 
 it was my duty to obey linstructions no matter what hap- 
 pened, consequently I had suitable cords or pieces of 
 braid attached inside of my coat which afforded a means 
 for carrying the prospectus unobserved. Thus schooled 
 and armed with my prospectus concealed in the breast of 
 my coat, I made my exit on Main street. "What," I 
 reasoned with myself on reaching the pavement, "has it 
 come to this? I, the descendant of an honored name, 
 reduced to this strait?" Sad and cruslning thought. Then 
 came the counter reflection: "Is it honest; is there any 
 position, occupation or service that man is called upon to 
 
196 Tin: KOOK PEDDLER. 
 
 fulfil! tliat \\c. should fuul fault with or repine at? Perish 
 forever the craven thouj^ht! Let man aspire to higher 
 aim. In Ciod is our trust, and we'll never submission to 
 His will refuse." Thus moralizinfjf, I started for the first 
 ward. This was generally occupied hy laborers and me- 
 chanics. It was my impression that I could face people 
 of that class on more e(|ual grounds than the elite, in 
 my tirst lessons. Approaching a shoemaker's shop I 
 found the door wide open. A sign, representing a large 
 boot, on whiich had been artistically painted the name of 
 the proprietor and sole occupant of the building. Patrick 
 O'h'laherty, adorned the U)\> of the doorway. The noise 
 produced by the shoemaker's hanmier and lap-stone in 
 poundinpr a piece of sole leather seemed to drown and 
 absorb everything else. (Jn approaching the industrious 
 pro{)rietor T incpiired, "Would you be kind enough to 
 make me a pailr of shoe thongs?" "Certainly," he replied, 
 and bade me take a seat on a comfortable leather-covered 
 shoemaker's bench in front of him. Seizing his cutting 
 board and throwing it across his lap he picked up a piece 
 of calfskin, drove his awl through the center of it, then 
 
THE BOOK i'EDDLER. 197 
 
 trininied the leather until it assumed the f<jrm of a per- 
 fect circle, wiitlulrew the awl, imbedded his knife finuly 
 in the board, n/atle a slit in the leather the width of the 
 lace or strin|^ desired, placed his left tluunb nail at a 
 proper distance from the knife to serve as a j^uai^e, seized 
 the end of the leather with his ri<;ht hand, gave it a quick 
 jerk, and, in the twinkling of an eye sput out a yard of 
 it; he then rt)lle(l it upon his board, blackened it and 
 handed to me. "What have I to pay you," I asked. 
 "Five cints, yer honor." i)n handing him the change I 
 observed that the way he pronounced that coin would 
 lead a person to b<lieve that he came from the "ould 
 sod." "Yis, indade, and shure the way ye deteckted me 
 ye must kum frum the same." "The best half of me 
 on my mother's side did," I repliied, "but I have become 
 so galvanized with the people surrounding me that I am 
 fast losing my nationality." "Faith, thin, I cud well bc- 
 lave ye; I feel the same myself," rejoined O'Flaherty, as 
 he scrutinizingly surveyed me from head to foot. 'Still 
 this is a great country," I said. "The gratest lin the 
 wurrld," was the response. "And Washington was the 
 
198 THE BOOK PEDDLER. 
 
 greatest man and soldier in it," said I. "That's true for 
 ye," was the quick reply of my new acquaintance, who 
 began to evince a disposition to be sociable and talkative. 
 "Was he an Irishman?'' I asked. This question rather 
 puzzled the thrifty cobbler. After pondering over it care- 
 fully for a few moments in a vain endeavor to give a cor- 
 rect answer, he inquiringly remarked, "Wasn't Welling- 
 ton?'' "I'm not so sure about that, but I'll see." This 
 afiforded me an excellent opportunity to exhibit my pros- 
 pectus, which was quickly removed from lits hiding-place 
 and opened in such a manner as to attract attention. I 
 then took great pains in showing Washington's Virginia 
 home, his house, furniture, boots, etc. "That's a moighty 
 foine book ye hev there," exclaimed O'Flaherty, as he 
 glanced at the prospectus with its elaborate binding. "Yes, 
 indeed,'' I replied, "next to the bible the finest book 
 printed." "Where did ye get it?" he asked. "Where 
 there are plenty more," saiid I. "Is it cha-a-pe?"' he in- 
 quired. "That depends on the quality — $4, $3 and $2," 
 I rejoined. "Faith'n I think I'll tak the $2 one,'' said 
 he. "All right,'' I replied, "you shall have one to-mor- 
 
THE BOOK PEDDLER. 199 
 
 row morning. Put your name down." "I can't write," he 
 said, "you put it down fur me." This I gladly did and 
 bade Mr. O'Flaherty good morning, who, on accompany- 
 ing me to the door, loudly exclaimed "Long loife to yer 
 honor." On hearing this I said to myself, "if Pat only 
 knew I was making a dollar out of him he would have 
 wished me to the devil instead." After leaving Mr. 
 O'Flaherty's establishment I visited a baker's shop, the 
 proprietor of which, Jules Vc'ntrampe, as his name 
 implies, was a Dutchman. On entering the door 
 an awful clatter caused by a bell suspended by means 
 of a steel spring over the doorway greeted my ears, whiich 
 also aroused Jules, who was busily engaged at a bread 
 trough in the back room at the time. \^antrampe quickly 
 made his appearance wearing upon his head a square-top 
 paper cap, while a sheet or table cloth reaching from his 
 jaws to his toes covered his person. His sleeves were 
 tucked up to the elbow, displaying a paiir of well-formed 
 hands and arms which were partially covered with flour 
 or dough. Huge drops of sweat were coursing down his 
 red chops and he was looking about as savage as a meat 
 
2<)o THE BOOK PEDDLER. 
 
 axe. I mildly informed him that I had a valuable book 
 I would like to show him. This chap apparently did not 
 believe in fooling away li'is time with a book-peddler, for 
 he gruffly replied, "Xix furstand Henglish," at the same 
 time slamming the door in my face. This rebuff served 
 to whet my appetite, to appease which, it being near noon- 
 time, I wended my way to Best's lager beer saloon. Best 
 made his own beer and in addition ran the largest sa- 
 loon in the place, the magnitude and splendor of which 
 was quite surprising. Twenty-five or thirty tables cov- 
 ered the floor at which were usually seated four persons. 
 I approached the bar as near as I could, seated myself, 
 rapped upon the table and called for a schuper of beer, 
 a pretzel and a piece of limburger cheese. The landlord 
 waited upon me. I asked him, as p. stranger, to join me 
 in a glass, to which he raiised no objection, but quickly 
 got his glass and sat down beside me. "If I'm not mis- 
 taken you are fond of literature," I ventured to remark 
 after clearing my throat by a good draught of refreshing 
 and exhilarating beer. "Very," he replied, "but my time 
 is so engrossed with beer that the brain is sadly neg- 
 
THE BOOK PEDDLER. 201 
 
 lected."' *'Ver>' likely you have grown up sons and 
 daughters," I continued, "who are of your turn of mind. 
 I have an excellent book, and it will surprise me greatly 
 if you do not pronounce it a work that no true American 
 should be without." "What is it," he inquired. "The 
 greatest work of the age — 'Lossing's Life of Washing- 
 ton, illustrated,' " 1 rejoined, at the same time producing 
 the prospectus. The superb binding immediately caught h'is 
 eye and he subscribed for a $4 edition. We drank to the 
 health of IJismarck, and as I was about to leave he said: 
 "When you first came in I took you for a (ierman. and 
 you may think yourself very nuich flattered when I tell 
 you if I met you five times a day I would be forcibly 
 remiinded of Kaiser William." We then drank a bumper 
 to Kaiser William's health, whereupon I thanked Best for 
 the compliment, promising at the same time to return the 
 following day with the book. This sale led to our tak- 
 ing many schupers together afterwards. Somewhat elated 
 at my success I sauntered forth to new fields. After walk- 
 ing a short distance I approached a respectable looking 
 residence on the same street and rang the door bell. In 
 
202 THE BOOK PEDDLER. 
 
 response to my ring the door was partially opened by 
 the maid of all work, sliip shod, who, with a napkin round 
 her head, snappishly yelled. "What do you want?" "I 
 would like to show the lady a very fine book,'' was my 
 polite reply. "Misses told me never to let a book-man 
 enter the house; if I did she would discharge me,'' say- 
 ing which she closed the door, which closed the scene. I 
 then returned to Main street, one of the most fashion- 
 able streets of the city, and entered a large millinery es- 
 tablishment, whose plate glass windows filled with bon- 
 nets, caps, ribbons, and corsets attracted my attention. 
 Here I found a half dozen girls operating their tread-mills 
 and kicking up an awful racket. An elderly lady occu- 
 pied a prominent seat overlooking the 'fry.' On approach- 
 ing the girls I asked if Miss Cinderella Tompkdns (ficti- 
 tious, of course), was within. The girls stopped their 
 tread-mills, looked at each other and giggled. The old 
 hen of this full-fledged brood, looking over the upper 
 rim of her gold specks, said, "There's no such person 
 here.*' "I am exceedingly sorry for that," I replied, "she 
 lis a lady of my acquaintance, and being an expert needle- 
 
THE BOOK PEDDLER. 203 
 
 woman I thought it Hkely she would be engaged in this, 
 the most fashionable establishment in the city.'' Grace- 
 fully bowing to her 1 was about to depart when she asked 
 me if there was anything in her line that I wanted. "Xo," 
 I replied, "but there may be something in mine that would 
 exceedingly linterest you as well as these industrious young 
 ladies.'' She asked me what it was, and drawing forth 
 my Prospectus, I exposed it to their delighted gaze. The 
 old lady took a $4 volume, and two of the girls a $2 vol- 
 ume, remarking at the same time that they could not pay 
 immediately. "Oh, that makes not the slightest differ- 
 ence," I said, "in a month will do." Thanking tliem for 
 theiir kindness I bade them adieu. On the whole I could 
 not complain of my canvass. I found it more successful, 
 however, with the laboring classes, and for that reason 
 made it my aim to watch for the time of their leisure 
 hours, particularly at noon, when they could be seen by 
 the hundreds at their different factories. This class of 
 people I found far more eager to read than I dreamed of. 
 I had attended one of these factories some distance from 
 the heart of the city, and on my return homeward was 
 
204 TIIR r.()v)K rp:i)l)LER. 
 
 struck with the ai)])caraiice of a mansion f|uite out of the 
 way of onhnary l)uil(Hn.c:s in point of architectural design 
 and in the tasteful ornamentation of the s^rounds sur- 
 roundinjj;- it. in fact denoting the residence of a million- 
 aire, or hog, corn, or beef speculator, or, ])erhaps, a rail- 
 road magnate, or banker. To tackle this place re(|uired 
 brass, strategy, and considerable self possession, otherwise 
 it would be a deplorable and mortifying failure. Arous- 
 ing my spirits with the old proverl), "nothing ventured 
 nothing won,'' 1 opened the gate and found myself on a 
 neatly-kept, wide, gravelly walk leading to the marl^le 
 steps of the mansion. On either side of this walk, were 
 beds of choicest flowers whose delicious odor filled the 
 air. Two whirligig fountains in full play, one on each 
 side, cast their beautiful silver spray which glistened in 
 the rays of the declining sun. Ascendiing the steps, a 
 massive mahogany door met my gaze, by the side of which 
 was the usual plated bell-pull. vSeizing this I gave it a 
 desperate pull and the sound of the tinkling bell could 
 be heard from cellar to garret. Presently a voice was 
 heard from upstairs saying, "Susanna, go to the door.'' 
 
THE BOOK PEDDLER. 205 
 
 The door was opened and I was struck with Susanna's 
 appearance. She was the living image of the liright Creole 
 1 had often read about. Her dark wavy hair fell in 
 graceful curls over her shoulders, in striking contrast to 
 her white nuislin dress, which encircled a form of fault- 
 less beauty. .Staring in her dark, liquid eyes provoked 
 from her a smile which disclosed her handsome ivory 
 teeth. There is a kind of mesmerism at times, that we 
 cannot account for, which asserts its sway. She seemed 
 to be aware that I was struck with her appearance. I 
 politely inquired if Mr. S was at home. She an- 
 swered, "No, he will not be home from the bank till six 
 
 in the evening." "Is Mrs. S wiithin?" I asked. *"Yes," 
 
 was the reply. "I'ray be kind enough to sa\' that a gen- 
 tleman wishes to see her." "Give me your card," she 
 said. "Oh, never mind the card," 1 replied, "she'll know 
 who I am before 1 leave." She then invited me in and 
 led me to the drawing room, very likely taking me for the 
 uncle of her mistress or very intimate friend. 1 made up 
 my mdnd that the poor girl made an awful faux pas and 
 would catch it after I was gone for letting me in. On 
 
2o6 THE iUJ( )K PEDDLER. 
 
 entering this drawing room 1 was struck with my noise- 
 less tread, lost in a thick Tuikey carpet. A table occu- 
 pied each end of the room, while in the center vases of 
 choicest flowers filled the well ventilated apartment with 
 delicious fragrance. vScattered about the vases were richly 
 bound works of latest editions. Commodious arm chairs 
 invited you to their embrace. Heavy lace curtains drooped 
 from ceiling to floor. The crimson velvet papered walls 
 were embellished witli choicest works of art both in paint- 
 tings and engravings. A harp stood in one corner of the 
 room while at the other end, and in an opposite corner 
 was a $2,000 Weber grand piano. A guitar, apparently 
 of great value, occupied a conspicuous i)lace on one of 
 the finely upholstered sofas. I thought to myself there 
 must be music in the air. Everything denoted refinement, 
 culture and taste. Seating myself in an arm chair 1 was 
 soon lost in reflection. P^ive, ten, fifteen, twenty min- 
 utes elapsed and yet no word from the lady. R'ising 
 from my chair, assisted in so doing by the elastic spring 
 cushion, I sauntered to a picture inmiediately in front of 
 me. It was a steel engraving, a copy of Claude Lor- 
 
THE BOOK PEDDLER. 207 
 
 rainc's celebrated painting, "Roman Edifices in Ruins.'' I 
 was faniiiliar with this clief d'euvre, having- had one in my 
 possession for many years, hut which, alas, was unfor- 
 tunately lost by fire. Huge elm trees occupying the fore- 
 ground cast their deep shadows over a stream that invited 
 the thirsty herds to slake their thirst, some of 
 which were standing in it up to their knees. The 
 goat herd, a girl tending her stubborn goats, 
 formed an attractive feature, while in the dis- 
 tance the faiintest outlines of the ruined edifices all in- 
 spired to fill the soul with admiration for such a scene 
 and such an art. Lost in reverie in admiring this sub- 
 lime work I came suddenly to my senses on hearing the 
 rustling of a moir-antique sweeping the broad and circling 
 staiirway. In a moment after the lady of the house floated 
 in, as it were, on airy wings, and, with an inconceivably 
 gracious bow, presented herself, as nuich as to say, "here 
 I am, sir, what do you want?" From her appearance I 
 could tell that she had been carefully studying her dress, 
 no doubt thinking that T had come to neirotiate a loan, 
 
 perhaps, of a million dollars or so from her husband to 
 o 
 
2o8 THE BOOK PEDDLER. 
 
 secure a ^np on sonic wheat, timber or pork transaction. 
 She was very handsome. (I fomul out afterward she was 
 a younjj;- bride.) 1 (elt as if I would sink throuj.;h the 
 floor for haviuij^ placed myself in such an awkward and 
 humiliating- position. h'oldinj;- my arms, and rever«jntly 
 bowing' to her. I opened the ball as follows: ''Madam, 
 1 have a tlujusand apolojj^ies to make to you for this un- 
 timely intrusion, but. attracted by this beautiful ])alace and 
 the cJiarmini;- tout ensemble of its surroundinj^^s, 1 could 
 not resist the tem])tation of ofTerinj^^ to your cultured mind 
 a book which would help to adorn the beautiful collection 
 of works l)efore me, and which would probably to you 
 be a volume the most interesting, 'Lossing's Illustrated 
 Washington.' a luistor)- of the father of this great coun- 
 try." With my truthful and earnest gaze I watched her 
 countenance and if she was at all angered it was for a 
 moment and as quickly disappeared. She remarked that 
 of coiu-se in subscribing to so valuable a work she would 
 like me to bring it to her for inspection, whereupon the 
 prospectus was immediately withdrawn from its place of 
 concealment. On producing the captivating article she 
 
THE UUUK PEDOLKK. J09 
 
 was (juite charmed with its morocco hiiuhiip^ and or- 
 dered two copies, one for hcrsch' and one for her sister 
 in (Ireen luiy. At this moment the door bell rant; and 
 in bounced her husband, who was rather taken by sur- 
 l)rise on beholdinj^ a stran<^er. A red Irish setter was at 
 Ills heels, who, on seeinsj^ his mistress, tlew to claim her 
 caresses, observing; which his master cried out, "IJruno, 
 to kennel," and to kennel the doj^ flew like li.i,ditning'. I 
 \Tas struck with the gentleman's appearance, in one hand 
 was his light straw hat and in the other was ij;rasi)ed a 
 knotty black thorn stick, his auburn curly hair was mat- 
 ted on his forehead with perspiration; his face had never 
 been touched with a razor; his well knit frame was clothed 
 in a ligiit grey sununer suit of admiral)le fit; no gold chain, 
 finger rings, etc., were to be seen on Ivis person; he seemed 
 to think that beauty unadorned was adorned the most. 
 Just the kind of a chap to ride a steeplechase, spring over 
 a six-foot barred gate, swim the Niagara river or captivate 
 the Irish l)eauty near him. The lady, addressing her hus- 
 band, said: "Arthur, this person brought here a book 
 for my inspection, and I have bought two volumes from 
 
2IO THEIUJOK 1'EI)1)1J:R. 
 
 liini." "I am only too j^lad tliov please you," he replied. 
 ( )n turning over the cover and seeing^ my name on the 
 tlv-leaf the hushand in(|uired, "Are you from Canada?" 
 "Yes," 1 replied. "Are you any relation to Charles B., of 
 Sandwich, George and Horace B., of Montreal, or 
 l''rancois I)., of Ouehec?" he asked. "They are all 
 brothers or cousins," I replied. "lUess me," continued the 
 gentleman, "they are all my most intimate friends who 
 have always extended me the warmest hospitality. Glad 
 to see you. My wife, Mr. B."' I bowed gracefully 
 to her salutatiion. "Caroline," he added, "I have had a 
 long walk and feel dreadfully oppressed. Order some re- 
 freshments, please." The lady immediately disappeared, 
 and in a few moments returned, accompanied by Susan- 
 na, (the sylph), who carried a silver tray containing a 
 bottle of Cognac, two liottlcs of sparkling Catawba, and 
 a silver pitcher filled with lice water. "Brandy or Cataw- 
 ba," the gentleman asked. "Ih-andy I can get any day, 
 Catawba never," I replied; "so I'll take the wine." He 
 drew the cork, which flew like that from a champagne 
 bottle, filled a glass for madam and then requCvSted me to 
 
TIlEliOOK IM:i)l)Ll':k. 211 
 
 help myself. I generally obey orders and consequently 
 followed his instructi(/ns. We saluted each" other and 
 imbibed the sparkling; and delicious drau,i;;ht. "Oh, Sam 
 Hill/' said 1 to myself lin thinkin*^^ of my prospectus, "what 
 a weapon; thou feedest the hungry, slaketh the thirsty 
 and clothe the naked." The exhilarating glass warmed 
 the banker's Irish heart, and, addressing himself to mc, 
 he said, "Mr. B., I crossed the Atlantic in February last 
 and stole from Erin this gem of the dear Emerald Isle 
 and she brought her harp with her. Caroline," he said, 
 looking at hiis wife, "give us the song you captivated mc 
 with on the flowery banks of the LifTy, 'The Harp that 
 Once Thro' Tara's Hall.' " With the most graceful ease 
 she moved to the harp, seated herself, swept with deli- 
 cate touch the strings of the instrument, and then poured 
 forth her soul in song, as none but a child of Erin can 
 do. The pathos, the melody, the voice; what can I com- 
 pare to it. Oh, for the pen of a Scott to describe that 
 scene and the pencil of a Raphael to paint it. After express- 
 ing the Vielief that I had been sorely trespassing I bade 
 my host and hostess adieu, leaving them to their reflec- 
 
212 THE ROOK PEDDLER. 
 
 tions and they to mine to dream of that divinity which 
 shapes our ends, "rougli hew them as we may." On the 
 following day while in the vicinity of the Menominee 
 bridge a comical looking sign attracted my attention. 
 Two whitewash bnislies, crossed, were painted over 
 the doorway, as also the name, "gEorGe WasHinO 
 ton, ciTy white waShEr." The door stood wide open. 
 The air was clear and hot, Sol's meridian rays striking 
 you to the brain if not well guarded. Immediately oppo- 
 site this rude structure was a large brick school house, in 
 the cupola of which the l>ell was striking the hour of 
 noon, while from its portals belched forth two streams, 
 one of boys and the other of girls. One of the latter, 
 about fourteen or fifteen years old, black as ebony and 
 sprightly as a fawn, made for the door where I had taken 
 refuge. It was her home. I inquired lif the whitewasher 
 could be seen. She replied, "Pap will be here soon for 
 his dinner.'' Presently the father made his appearance. 
 In one hand he carried a large tin pail while with the 
 other he firmly held the ten-foot handle of a whitewash 
 brush which was thrown across his shoulder. His old 
 
THE BOOK PEDDLER. 213 
 
 white stovepipe hat was battered out of shape and was 
 very much discolored. The l)lack clay pipe which he 
 sported was about three inches in length and turned up- 
 side down, and it appeared a matter of perfect indifference 
 whether it was alight or not. His arms were bare to 
 the shoulders. The blue cotton shirt and pants which 
 he wore appeared to have been made in one piece. The 
 heels of h'is red, lime-burned boots were turned under, 
 compelling him to walk with a kind of halting gait. "Your 
 name is George Washington," I observed as the old man ap- 
 proached me. "So de white folks calls me," was the re- 
 ply. "And are you from old Virginia?"' "Jis-so." "How 
 many years since you left there?" "About forty-tw.) last 
 plantin'." "You come from a very large and distinguiishcd 
 family?" "Can't tell much 'erbout 'cm, it's so long, long 
 ago." "Do you think you would know any mcm1)ers of 
 the family if you saw their likeness?" "I mought, and 
 again I moughten't," was the response. "Well, we'll look 
 and see," I said, at the same time drawing forth my pros- 
 pectus, exposing to the old man and his daughter .1 view 
 of George and Martha Washiington, their Virginia home, 
 
214 THE BOOK PEDDLER. 
 
 etc., wlicrciipon the younji^ fawn exclaimed, "Pap, dem's 
 white folks, des no kin to us." "Hold on," I replied, 
 "they were all black once and after a time turned white. 
 After two or three generation you'll all turn white, too, and 
 be of one famih'."' "lloss, what's dat book woth env- 
 how," asked the anxious-looking fawn. "The cheapest 
 edition is two dollars," I rej^lied. "We can't pay you for 
 it befo' three months, we am so poo'." iaid the girl. "Well, 
 then," I said, "Pll make you a present of one. Come 
 with nie and get it, for it would be a pity to live without 
 knowing who your ancestors were." It is perhaps need- 
 less to add that the girl followed me and got the book. 
 
 Considering my deficiency in brass, self-confidence and 
 strategy my career as a book canvasser was about as suc- 
 cessful as could be ex])ected. There w'as one tlning I 
 learned, to my entire satisfaction, namely, that tridy one- 
 half the world knows very little how the other half 
 lives, and if you wish to satisfy yourself on that subject 
 get a boox agency from J. Rogers Bros., book publish- 
 ers, Chicago, as I did, and prove it. 
 
TRIP TO SAULT STE. MARIK 215 
 
 VISIT TO THE SAULT STE. MARIE. 
 
 A new route to the Sault from Windsor and Detroit was 
 established in the summer of 1894 (by way of the North 
 Channels leading to St. Mary's river, by the steamer 
 Cambria), embracing one of the most attractive, pictur- 
 esque and charming lands'^^nes on the continent of 
 America — attractive to the lovers of sport by gun or 
 rod, where twenty thousand islands or more afford varied 
 and innumerable opportunities to whip the dark and limpid 
 waters with gaudy fly, or snare the unlucky bass or dore, 
 with killing and treacherous spinning spoon encircling 
 them. 
 
 Although familiar with the old route from Collingwood to 
 the Sault by way of Killarney, this new one is different, and 
 I felt not a little interested when I found that the Cambria 
 had connnenced to run on it this fall, preparatory to resum- 
 ing it in the ensuing spring, after undergoing a thorough 
 overhauliing this winter. 
 
 Stepping on board on the 9th instant, with a party of five, 
 we secured double staterooms, furnished with all the con- 
 
2i6 TRIP TO SAULT STE. MARIE. 
 
 veniences reasonably recjiiircd. The hour having arrived 
 to depart, Captain Gidly, in uniform (the very type of a 
 dauntless and brave Acadian sailor), climbs the iron ladder 
 leadiing to the pilot house, with the agility of a panther, and 
 his ever ready and trustworthy Mate IMcKay, anxiously 
 waiting for the order, in loud and stentorian voice, cries out, 
 "Let go your headline, haul in your sternline," and the 
 shrill, thrice-sounding whistle is heard, and slowly the Cam- 
 bria leaves her quiet sleeping berth, and prepares to buffet 
 with the angry waves of Huron's Lake and the turgid waters 
 of the Georgian Bay. Touching at the beautiful City of 
 the Straits (Detroit) for passengers and freight, we bend 
 our course to the Canadian channel and hug the shores of 
 the beautiful Belle Isle, affording us a charming view of its 
 mos(|ue-like buildings, its sinuous canals and flower-decked 
 islets, and passing the tidy little brick lighthouse at the end 
 of the island, steer our course for the lighthouse on Grosse 
 Pointe. flanked on our right by the Isle au Peche (vulgarly 
 called Peach Island), with Hiram Walker's summer villa 
 looming in the distance. We are now fully entered upon 
 the quiet waters of Lake St. Clair, and in full view of 
 
TRIP TO SAULT STE. MARTE. 217 
 
 Grosse Pointc proper, which, with marine glass in hand, 
 gives lis a connnanchng view of its milhonairc summer 
 retreats, beautified In- ornamental trees and shrubs, close- 
 clipped hedges, and clouded with choicest flowers of 
 autunm. Diirectly here our attention i-^ claimed by two 
 enormous dredges, employed by the American Govemmcnt 
 to deepeti the channel to twenty-one feet, and gradually we 
 lose sight of them as they plunge their mighty iron clad 
 arms in the watery deep, and, with 1 [erculean sweep 
 deposit their well-filled spoons in the dumping scows. As 
 we are about to lose sight of land the stalwart, eagle-eyed 
 captain steps down from the pilot house and (juietly 
 instructs his wheelsman to steer "north east (|uarter east," 
 which will bring us to the mouth of the .St. Clair Elats 
 Canal. As we gradually apj^roach its wide and open chan- 
 nel, it appears planted on either side with rows of dwarfed 
 willow trees extending a mile in length, and its entrance 
 guarded by iis ever watchful lighthouse. 
 
 Emerging from the canal, the spacious and \^enetian 
 club houses, hotels and villas come in full view, with strik- 
 ing effect, each varying in design, color and size to suit the 
 
2i8 TRIP TO SAULT STE. MARIE. 
 
 caprice of their respective owners, and each one perched 
 upon knolls, dredged from the surronndinj;' flats. As we 
 plow tlirouj^h the swift waters of the St. Clair River, we 
 soon approach W'alpole Island, tlit; favorite resort of excur- 
 sionists, and innnediately opposite is Ilarsen's Island, a 
 fashionable retreat also from summer heat. Here the som- 
 ber sky shuts out the view, and we retire to our saloon, 
 delighted with our day's experience. Touching at Sarnia 
 during the night, we are well into Lake Huron at seven a. 
 m. on the loth, enjoy a comfortable breakfast liberally pro- 
 vided by our courteous and gentlemanly purser, ]\lr. Kelly, 
 and waited upon by civil and attentive waiters. After 
 breakfast we step to the promenade deck, and with field 
 glass survey the Canadian rugged shore, and reach Gode- 
 rich, whose harbof is formed by a cleft in the high clay 
 bank, through which the River Maitland flows, with light- 
 house perched on its sununit on the right, and the pictur- 
 esque residence embowered in dwarfed evergreens on the 
 left, once the residence of the Gait family. Not a great 
 deal can be said of this harbor in its present state, as we 
 found it difficult with our steamer to turn in it, for want of 
 
TRIP TO SAULT STR. MARIE. 2U) 
 
 water, but an improved and powerful dredge is at work, 
 with prospects of great results. 
 
 Leaving Godericli, we touch at Kincard'inc and South- 
 ampton, then steer for the Isle of Coves, the entrance to the 
 Georgian I'ay. The night is dark and temi)estuous, and 
 as we leave its lighthouse the. Cambria feels the buffets of 
 its chopping seas, but forges on and with steady roll (un- 
 pleasant to our lady passengers) doubles Cape Smith at 
 early dawn, and with the village of Wickwimikong looming 
 in the distance at the head of its bay, we soon enter the 
 north channel, and call at Manitowoning, an Indian village 
 on the Great ^Manitoulin Island. The scenery now assumes 
 an air of grandeur, and as the misty atmos])lierc dears, the 
 chaiin of the Laclochc Mountains ap])ears in sight, and as 
 we thread our way through these intricate cnannels spread 
 at their feet, some of them the size of large lakes (the favorite 
 haunt of the sea gull), we descry one following at a long dis- 
 tance in the wake of our steamer. With measured Maj") of 
 wing, he approaches within j^istol shot, with head linclined 
 and eye intent upon the blue and crystal waters. We throw 
 a morsel of broken cracker in the wake of the steamer, and 
 
220 TRll» TO SAULT STE. MARIE. 
 
 mark his graceful evolutions, Tnlike the bird of prey, who 
 darts like a thunderbolt and pounces on his victim, this 
 white-winged visitor is strikingly different; the crumb has 
 scarcely touched the water, when his eagle eye sees it, he 
 changes at once the Hap of wing and extends his broad 
 pinions to full extent, changes his ctjurse of flight, and 
 with graceful circling curves descends to the precious mor- 
 sel, extends his webbed feet, alights with the grace of a 
 dancing nymph, settles upon the rufHed waters, sc^izes his 
 crumb, and again ascends and pursues his flight, to renew 
 the feat, to the envy of his fellow fleet-wings, who are clam- 
 orous to participate in the feast, and rapidly increase in 
 numbers. 
 
 We emerge at last into Lake (leorge's devious channel, 
 I'Yom this point of view our course wt)uld be abruptly 
 stopped at the foot of the mountaiin, miles distant, but as we 
 near the end of the lake a sudden turn northerly brings us 
 into the St. Mary's River again, flanked on either side by 
 the thriving settlement of Clarden River, etc. We soon are 
 in sight of the Sault Ste. Clary's city, and stopping first on 
 the Canadian side, cross over to the American shore, when 
 
TRIP TO SAULT STE. MARIE. 221 
 
 our captain receives a message from ]\Ir. Brown, of Port 
 Arthur (the courteous and gentlemanly manager of our 
 boat), desiring us to wait for him, as he is on his way down 
 per steamer [empire. This happens most opi)ortunely for 
 our party, as it gives us ample time to see both canals. ( )ur 
 boat lands us near the foot of the canal, and we hasten to 
 see its wonderful locks, passing on our way the beautiful 
 public park tastefully laid out with ornamental trees, dark 
 in foliage, peculiar to this climate, and a fountain in full 
 play, with a spacious basin catching the falling spra\'. in 
 which disport the liivcly speckled trout. Mounting a Hight 
 of stone steps, we are on a level with the top of the canal, 
 and innnediately opposite the engine house of hydraulic 
 power, managed by a gentlemanly ofticer in uniform, who 
 extends to us every courtesy. A large steam barge loaded 
 with lumber, with her two consorts, are in the lock, and 
 presently the lever is turned, the gates from below are 
 opened, and the torrent of water rushes out with the noise 
 of thunder. Slowly sinks the imprisoned fleet until the 
 water level is reached, when they glide gently away. A 
 new lock is being constructed alongside of the present one. 
 
222 TRIP TO SAULT STE. MARll". 
 
 which is to be of far greater capacity. We visit the large 
 Hotel Iroquois, overlooking the park, and return to the 
 Canadian side by one of the steam feriy boats that ply 
 between the two places. Through the kindness and polite- 
 ness of Mr. Tenipleton, the otificer of the customs, who 
 kiindly offered us his carriage, we were enabled to visit the 
 canal now being constructed on the Canadian side. l)Ut 
 could form but an imperfect idea of its construction, owing 
 to the enormous debris witli which it is encumbered, but 
 were informed that every effort is being made to complete 
 it next year. 
 
 Leaving the Sault on our return at early dawn to thread 
 our way through the intricate passages by daylight, we stop 
 at St. Joseph's Island for su])plies of ice. milk, tish and pota- 
 toes, the former remarkable for its thickness and piuMtv. and 
 the latter famed for their delicious qualities, and also its 
 maple sugar, with which we supplied ourselves. Our next 
 principal stopping place is at Gore Bay, an inlet of the 
 Great Manitoulin Island, remarkable for the beauty of its 
 entrance, its bluff highland, clothed with dwarf evergreen, 
 hiding the naked rocks from top to the very edge of its dark 
 
TRll' TO SAl'LT STP:. MARIE. 223 
 
 and (Icej) wattTs, affordinj^^ a safe and (|iviet harbor. ( )ur 
 vigilant and wideawake captain and mate tliink it proper 
 to remain here, and wait till morning-, until the fog lifted, 
 and we then proceeded on our way. Again, on doubling 
 Cape Smith and entering (leorgian IJay, we encounter the 
 un(|uiet ripple of its restless waters, wliich increase to a 
 stiff breeze, portending a stormy nig-ht. So the captain 
 puts in at Tober Mory. formed by nature, one of the most 
 perfect harbors in the world. We leave at daylight and 
 reach ( ioderich in time to avoid a liivinjg gale, which detains 
 us two nig-hts and a day, and are agreeably entertained 
 there by Mr. Ira Lewis and family and friends, and on the 
 i8th arrived at Windsor at five a. m., much pleased with 
 our pleasant trip. 
 
 ! i 
 
224 THE liRUCE MINES. 
 
 A SKETCH SHOWING, AMONG OTHER THINGS, 
 
 HOW THE 15RUCE MINES IN ALGOMA 
 
 WERE DISCOVERED. 
 
 The peace of Europe, declared after the bloody field 
 of Waterloo in 1818, was the cause of a great reduction 
 in the liritish army, and hundreds of its officers sought 
 a place of rest in Canada, and among the many was a 
 Capt. D., wdio, with ample means and a grant from the 
 government of 600 acres of land to which he was entitled 
 for his long and faithful scrviices, settled down in the town- 
 ship of Barric, He had married an Italian lady of rare 
 and singular accomplishments, highly educated, the mis- 
 tress of several languages, English, French, Spanish and 
 Italian, the latter denoting the home of her birth, gifted 
 in music, song and poetry, and with all a connoisseur in 
 the culinary art of the most refined English, French and 
 Italian taste. She had been twice a widow before her 
 last marriage, the first of an Italian gentleman, by whom 
 they had no issue, the second of an English clergyman 
 
THE BRUCE MINES. 225 
 
 by whom she had two sons, her third marriage was to a 
 distinguished ofificer in the British army, of blunt, severe 
 and arrogant manner, by whom she had one son. It was 
 the pride and aim of their hves to give these three sons 
 the best education they could in their unsettled and ram- 
 bling life, with a view of completing theiir studies in the 
 gay, festive and alluring city of the world, seductive Paris. 
 Consequently they became pronounced linguists and 
 adepts in the knowledge of the finest brands of cham- 
 pagne, mozelle, Hock, Burgundy, etc. Versed in all that 
 pertained to operatic style and song, unapproachable ad- 
 mirers of female beauty, and an ungovernable and recher- 
 che taste for the most pronounced epicurean diishes of 
 the times. Added to these so-called accomplishments, the 
 three sons were remarkable in physique and gentlemanly 
 bearing. 
 
 The father settled in Canada about tlie year 1820 and 
 the sons followed about two years after, and such were 
 their accomplishments that, drop them into any portion 
 of the habitable world, they would make their mark. 
 
226 THE BRUCE MINES. 
 
 They were, indeed, the pride and envy of tlieir devoted 
 parents. 
 
 The eldest, in making- his appearance in Little York 
 in 1822, soon became the lion of the town. Marked at- 
 tention was paid to him by the ladies, and gentlemen 
 courted him for his polished manners and bis versatile 
 and broad knowledge of the world, politically, morally 
 and socially. His thorough knowledge of the French 
 and English languages was a free and easy passport to 
 him in any circle of society. The ordinary pursuits of 
 life, involving application, study and la1)or, however, were 
 too irksome to him and an annoying restraint upon his 
 various inclinations to shoot, fish, sail, dance, dine and 
 sup, and he secretly fancied a wider field, an unlinnited 
 scope in the mountainous districts of Ontario and Al- 
 gonia, whose mountains, lakes and streams would give 
 him free liberty to enjoy the scope of his inclinations. 
 After a time he became tired of hus luxurious life in Lit- 
 tle York (now Toronto) and sought the quiet, cozy and 
 comfortable home of his stepfather in the county of Bar- 
 rie. Here his occupation was indeed a diversified one. 
 
 » ' .». 
 
. THE BRUCE MINES. • 227 
 
 Getting up at five tin the morning, cleaning out the cow 
 and horse stables and the pig-pens, and in pressing times 
 helping the milkmaid witli her dozen or more cows, chop- 
 ping and carrying in wood to cook his own breakfast, 
 yoking his oxen and jilowing till noon, with an hour for 
 dinner and again at the plow or harrow till six, then sup- 
 per on mush and milk. Then with the fowls to roost, 
 and repeat the next day the same toil, variegated only 
 to suit the weather and seasons. Now logging the wood 
 piles and firing the brush heaps, again husking the corn 
 in the open field. Then in the fall butchering twelve or 
 fifteen hogs, (scalding himself in the operation), then 
 obliged to rip them open and plunge both hands into 
 the h^tt entrails, and completing the labor by washing and 
 cleaning thoroughly the carcases for market. 
 
 While one day employed in the latter occupation, ex- 
 hausted, weary and unwashed, a former school-mate in 
 Paris, (St. Martin), fished him out and thus saluted hum: 
 "Great Heavens, my friend, this you? Reduced to this 
 situation, far worse than abject slavery. What has 
 brought you to this state of miserj'^?'' "Fate," he inno- 
 
228 THE BRUCE MINES. 
 
 cently replied. "Why do you remain here?" continued 
 his school-mate. "Come where 1 have been! See what 
 I have seen! This continent lis ours, unlimited in its 
 prairies and forests, its lakes and streams of crystal vv'aters, 
 teeming with golden-eyed and speckled trout; its vales 
 and mountains, unexplored and filled with untold wealth; 
 its dusky inhabitants free from all care in this transitory 
 world, but to feed on nature's bounteous gifts, their sole 
 occupation to trace the timid deer, to seine with finest 
 thread the warry whitefish and trout in the invisible gill- 
 net, to pluck and gather the luscious huckleberry and the 
 prickly goose and raspl)erry. The Indian has indeed a 
 fine life, and the dusky squaw, untranmieled with the care 
 of her infant papoose, suspends it under the foliage of the 
 shady maple, to be rocked to sleep by the lullaby of the 
 waving branches and rustling leaves. The life is enchant- 
 ing, my boy, and unknown to the white man." "Truly, 
 your description is very alluring and worthy of consider- 
 ation. Gladly would I make the change from this detest- 
 able drudgery, but, pray, where lis this state of bliss to 
 be found, St. Martin?" "Why,'' continued St. Martin, 
 
THE BRUCE MINES. 229 
 
 "in the charming islands of the Georgian Bay, the straits 
 of the Saint Marie's river and the honndless regions of 
 Lakes Hnron and Superior, where the trace of the white 
 man is scarcely known." Then almost in the same 
 breath he asked, "I say, old fellow^ I am d — d thirsty 
 after a twenty-nnile tramp through the woods. Has the 
 old man anything in his cellar in the way of a glass of 
 old sherry. Hock or St. Julian?" "Xo," replied the other, 
 "not a drop of anything, but cursed rot-gut Canadian 
 whiskey, fit only to cure the bite of a rattlesnake or cur 
 with the rabies, or kill the botts in the paunch of a hor.se, 
 but, say, how will a bowl of but.ermilk do?"' "Well, all 
 right, give me a pull at anything; that's better than water " 
 He then takes his buttermilk with a grin and tells his 
 friend, "I'm off for the Sault Ste. Marie, old chap, and 
 a line from you hereafter would be most accejitable. I'^are- 
 well, au revoir." In the evening, while sitting around the 
 capacious and glowing wood fire the stepfather noticed 
 hiis stepson with pipe ablaze in thoughtful mood, and ob- 
 served to him, "What has ruffled and disturbed you?'^ 
 "Why, my friend St. Martin has given me such glowing 
 
230 THE BRUCE MIXES. 
 
 accounts of the upper lake region, their mineral moun- 
 tain resources, the abundance of game, fish and fruit, and 
 withal the ease and comfort of their dusky inhabitants, 
 that I feel a very strong inclination to test the alluring 
 bait, with your kind indulgence," replied the son. "I 
 would only be too liappy to further your inclinations, my 
 boy," replied the father. "You certainly appear quite out 
 of place in your present occupation here. The house 
 would liave been in ashes but for our timely ijnterferencc 
 in building your fire yesterday; the sheep fold was left 
 open last week and had I not closed the gate in time we 
 would have l)een without wool or mutton lor the next 
 five years by the destruction of the whole fiock by a score 
 of famished wolves that arc nightly prowling 'round, and 
 Mary, the milkmaid, says that half the cows yesterday 
 were turned into pasture without milking, she not being 
 able alone to milk them." Then, after a pause, "Yes, I 
 think a change would be advisable," replied the father. 
 "But one thing I would most strenuously observe to you: 
 Beware of the seductive blandishments of those dusky 
 buxom maidens, far too captivating to the unsophisticated 
 
THE BRUCE MINES. 231 
 
 white man'" "Xo fear," said the son. "One who has 
 l^one throiig-h the firey ordeal of lovely Paris is a livin"^ 
 proof of his safety in this rejii^ard.'' "When do you pro- 
 pose to start?" said the father. "Not later than Tuesday 
 next," was the reply. "Well," returned the father, "the 
 sooner. 1 think, the better." ( )n the Tuesday following 
 the sun slowly crept upon the horizon with that peculiar 
 smoky orange color, denoting the advent of that lovely 
 genial Indian sunmier, when nature lavislies in all its 
 beauty, the comforts to man and the animal creation, the 
 perfection of its fruits and flowers, with a warning to the 
 provident tillers of the soil to shield their helpless and 
 confiding animals from winter's blighting blasts, and 
 store the well-filled woodshed, destined to feed the glow- 
 ing embers of the cheerful hearth. It was on the event- 
 ful Tuesday the stepson was seen with glowing and smil- 
 ing countenance, in the garb of a sportsman; his well 
 laced English walking shoes, surmounted by a pair of 
 sheepskin gaiters buttoned well up to the knee, the tightly- 
 fitting cdrduroy breeches, the capacious waist and shoot- 
 ing coat, replete with roomy pockets, a red flannel shirt 
 
232 THE BRUCE MINES. 
 
 with crimson cravat, a cloth cap with sun-proof peak com- 
 pleted his toilet a la chase. Thus cciuippcd in well-knit 
 frame, gold-rimmed spectacles and his douhle-barrelled 
 shotgun* on shoulder, he looked the type of a London 
 cockney. "Adieu, mon cher pere," he said, extending his 
 hand to his stepfather. "I Jon voyage, mon cher fils, et 
 (pie (lieu vous benisse," he replied, and the son left for 
 the Sault Ste. Marie. 
 
 After a long and tedious journey overland and by canoe 
 around the devious coast of the Georgian Bay, the chan- 
 nel islands, he arrived at the beautiful island of St. Jo- 
 se])h, on St. Mary's river, sound in limb, to be sure, but 
 worn out with fatigue and privation. 
 
 For two days he had scarcely tasted food, excepting 
 the wild raspberries plucked along his path. Carefully 
 lifting his birch canoe over the gravelly beach, he seized 
 a bundle of wild hay from the bottom of his canoe, rolled 
 it up in a bundle, turned over his canoe and coiled him- 
 self under it, with the hay for his pillow, and fell sound 
 asleep. How long he remained so he could not tell, but 
 he was awakened by the barking of a dog close by, and 
 
THE IJRLXE MINES. j^^ 
 
 hastily arisinj^ from liis couch he noticed the dog- hark- 
 ing; up a tree, and soon ohserved to his astonishment and 
 extreme gratification a hew of partridge, some fifteen or 
 twenty, scattered al)out on the hmhs of the tree. Seiz- 
 ing his douhle-harrelled gun he hrought two down with 
 the first shot from the lowest limh. and to his amazement 
 the rest stood still, while the dog continued harking. He 
 then took another shot and another couple fell until he 
 picked out and killed in the same way the whole hew. 
 
 In the meantime the owner of the dog. hearing the 
 report of guns in ra])id succession, hastened to the tree. 
 She ])roved to he an old s(|uaw. the mother of the girl 
 she was leading. She was hut a child of fifteen years 
 and seemed even younger. She wore a neat pair of 
 deerskin moccasins elaborately embroidered with porcu- 
 pine c|uills. these fitting perfectly her well-shaped feet 
 and ankles, a pair of blue cloth leggins fringed with the 
 same adorned her limbs, which a loose bright colored 
 calico gown covered a little below the knee, a broad 
 leather belt around her well-proportioned vvaiist loosely, 
 suggesting her maidenly beauty, the curl of her smiling 
 
234 THE BRUCE IMNES. 
 
 lip displaying her ivory teeth, lier dark gazelle eyes 
 fringed with long blaek eyelashes, her raven hair tied on 
 the hack of her neck and falling to her waist, a broad 
 brinnned straw hat with a wreath of wild roses completed 
 her 'island costume. Such did this angelic beauty appear 
 to this bcwiildered brain. Addressing the mother, the in- 
 truder asked. "Cestil I'lsle de St. Joseph?" (is this St. Jo- 
 seph island)? "Oui, monsieur,"' replied the dove of fif- 
 teen. "Ma mere pari pas I'rancais." (My mother does 
 not speak ]">ench.) "Can you direct me, my dear, where 
 I can procure a loaf of bread," he asked her in French. 
 "(3uii, monsieur." she replied, "die nous," (at home). 
 "And will you allow me to eat in your cabin?" he in- 
 cpiired. "I have tasted no food but wild raspberries for 
 several days." "Yes," replied the dove, "my mother 
 says you can. and you are (|uite welcome." 
 
 The stranger was about shouldering his double-bar- 
 relled gun and gathering up his wood grouse, when the 
 dove said. "Permettez moi de vous aider, monsieur, s'lil 
 vous plait," (permit me to help you, sir, if you please), 
 and this did he cheerfully do. "Avez vous des pomme 
 
'J UK 15RUCR MIXES. 235 
 
 (Ic terre?"' (Have yon potatoes at lionio) asked the stran- 
 ^vv. "iieau coup." (plenty) re])lie(l the anjj^el. 
 
 "Now I am in hick," thonp^ht the stranj]^er, so on ar- 
 riving at their wit^wani. plnckinj^^ and preparinj:;; four of 
 h.iis lairds, two for himself and one for each of his g"uests, 
 he rolled them up separately and folding them up in 
 large basswood leaves buried them in live ashes. They 
 turneil out beautifully browned with enough juice to 
 make them relishable. and with a bowl of tea made from 
 the wild teaberry, he dined like a king. As evening ap- 
 proached it was with reluctance that he parted wdth his 
 entertainers, but with a heavy heart he finally left the 
 beautiful dove and returned to his canoe, to recline his 
 troubled brain on his hay pillow and be lulled to sleep 
 by the plaintive cry of the whip-poor-will. The soft 
 and smoky amber-tinted sun was slowly rising aliove the 
 blue ethereal horizon when the stranger crept from un- 
 der hiis canoe, stripped to the bufif and plunged head- 
 long into the limpid waters of this beautiful island and 
 rolling and puf^ng about like a playful porpoise, struck 
 for shore, and shaking himself like a Newfoundland dog, 
 
236 THE iiRLXE MIXES. 
 
 clothed himself and hied aj^faiii to the tent of the Indian 
 fifirl, and to breakfast on ash-roasted wood grouse, corn 
 bread, potatoes and teaberry tea. 
 
 A fleet of canoe and Mackinaw boats, containinj^ many 
 of the island Indians, arrived while he was at his break- 
 fast. Their boats were loaded with lake trout and 
 whitefish. which were freely distributed among"st the in- 
 habitants, denotinj:^ peace and plenty, and the stranger 
 a^ain realized what his friend !~^t. .Martin had told him 
 and he came to this conclusion: "This shall be my 
 home, and the dove my wife, if she will have me," and 
 he asked her. and she replied. "Ask the priest." and he 
 did so. and the ])riest said, "Make him marry you ac- 
 cording to the rules of your church," and under these 
 rules he married he., and at the end of the first year a 
 child was born to the dove, but as time rolled on the 
 fish and game disappeared. It had been a disastrous season 
 and starvation almost stared them in the face. What 
 was to be done? An appeal to his stepfather was the 
 only course, and for him they started. Winter had set 
 in; the earth was mantled in two feet of snow. It was 
 
Till' r.kL'Cl-: MIXES. 237 
 
 a journey of two hundred and lil'ty miles on snow-shoes. 
 I'ut the yount^ wife, with her papoose wra])ped in a bhm- 
 ket upon her shoulders, followed him. Three weeks 
 elapsed and their journey was accomplished. I'2xhausted 
 and half starved, with feeble step.s they reached the home 
 of his father in the township of Barrie. She waited 
 outside whiile he entered and approached his parents, who 
 were appalled and thunderstruck at the unexpected re- 
 turn of their prodigal son. "Who is this person who 
 has accompanied and awaits you?" the stepfather de- 
 manded. "My wife," he replied. "What? You marry 
 a (1 — d low-bred squaw, and disgrace yourself and fam- 
 ily forever. If you do not leave her, never shall 1 for- 
 giive you; never shall I own you again. Leave her or 
 leave rny house at once. Return to your camp, if you 
 choose, but never enter my door again until you give 
 her up." His poor wife had entered the house unobserved, 
 heard this conversation in the adjoining room and quietly 
 raising the window slipped out so gently that she had dis- 
 appeared from the scene before any further notice was taken 
 of her by the inmates of the house. She had never ser- 
 
 Q 
 
238 THE BRUCE MINES. 
 
 iously considered lier situation l)efore. The harsh and 
 cruel words of the father rang in her ears, v^he reahzed 
 then for the first time what a sacrifice her husband had 
 made, which would ultimately result in the disinherit- 
 ance if she remained with him, and she determined that, 
 come what might, she would give him up and retrace 
 her steps back to her native isle of St. Joseph, where 
 she would never burden him again. She was all but 
 prostrated with fatigue and hunger; a heavy snow storm 
 was raging; it was late at night, but she never flinched 
 in her purpos for an instant, but tightening the blanket 
 which held her tender babe to her back, she disappeared 
 in the gloom of the storm, turning her steps to the north. 
 Her pride had been trampled under rough-shod heels, but 
 she cast no blame on her husband; neither did she weep 
 or bemoan her own condition. A servant of the house 
 had entered before the stormy interview was over and 
 informed the son that she had gone. "Aly God," said 
 he, "Gone? Where?" "Why, back to her wigwam," 
 sneeringly replied his father, "the proper place for her." 
 Then continuing the father said, "Once more I ask you 
 
THE BRUCE MIXES. 239 
 
 to leave thiis woman for the sake of your family, your 
 interests, your own respectability." "Hush!'' said the 
 son, "Xot another word; my mind is made up now, 
 if it never was before. This woman is my wife; it was 
 no fault of hers, and 1 cannot cruelly forsake her and 
 ■he babe of my own blood to please my family. Jt is 
 too late now. You can bestow your wealth and posi- 
 tion upon someone else. Disinherit me if you choose, 
 but I'm ofT to overtake my Indian bride. I will never 
 abandon her." And he kept his word, followed and 
 overtook her, and together shared the misery and fatigue 
 of the journey. 
 
 Years rolled on and the mother of the dove had secretly 
 known of copper deposits in what is now called the 
 "Bruce mines." The stepson was aware of this and 
 divulged the fact. A company was formed and the 
 result followed of working the mine. He sold out and 
 reaMzed a large sum. 
 
 Being well known .throughout Ontario, and having 
 moved in his youngor days in the best society, his fin- 
 is'.'.ed cducaticn and suavitv of manner secured for him 
 
240 OLD TIME !• ARM IXC. 
 
 a prominent g^ovcrnnion-t a])pointnicnt and he died Icav- 
 m^ a large family in civilized life, but not on St. Joseph 
 .Island. 
 
 FARiNlIXG IX TTI IS CAXA] )A OF OURS. AXD HOW 
 IT WAS I r>ECA:\IE A FARRIER. 
 
 When Lasalle and Hennepin, the French explorers, on the 
 loth of August, 1679, were groping their uncertain way, on 
 the square rigged vessel "Le Griffon'' 213 years ago, up the 
 stream from Lake J^rie and debouched into the Lake St. 
 Clair, they found it no river at all. and being Frenchmen, 
 they called it in their own language by its proper name, De- 
 troit, that is strait, and named the Indian encampment they 
 had just left the same which it has held till to-day; and on 
 the opposite side just a little below they called it "Les Hur- 
 ons;" and why? because it w^as another Indian encampment 
 occupied by that tribe, who cultivated it as other tribes did, 
 along its shores, and when in after years the poor Indians 
 
OLD TI.ME FARAIIXG. 241 
 
 were dispossessed of their cornfields, the Frenchmen took 
 possession, and the first thinj^ they did was to plant pear 
 trees brought from France in groups, and so the shores 
 were ornamented with them. At this late day many of 
 these old French pear trees are still standing, some of them 
 yielding the delicious fruit, but their days will soon be 
 numbered. When John P.ull came along and conquered 
 the I'Yenchmen, he changed the name of "Les Hurons" and 
 called it Sandwich, but that was all he did, for he left them 
 in full possession of their homes, their customs and their 
 religion, it was here I first drew breath on the 30th of 
 Ajiril, 1812. In 1816 my father, for his valuable services 
 in the war of 1812, was ai)pointed Inspector Cieneral of 
 I'pper Canada and moved to Little York (now Toronto) 
 with his family. At that time there were no steamers on 
 the lakes, only small schooners and batteaus. Landing at 
 Chippewa, above the falls of Niagara, a portage was made 
 to Queenston, then by vessel to Little York. 
 
 In the year 1819, my father, intent upon giving me the 
 best education in his power, placed me, at an early age, 
 under the tutorship of that remarkable man, Archdeacon 
 
242 OLD TIME FARMIXi;. 
 
 Jock Straclian, as he was irreverently called, and who kept 
 the t^raniniar school in muddy Little York, lie was soon 
 succeeded by the Revs, r.ethune. Elms, .\rmour and Ehil- 
 lips. My progress in A, \\ and C beine^ very slow 1 was 
 transferred to Mr. I'atheld's school. L'nder the care oi this 
 worthy person I first be^an to feel an interest in. niy studies, 
 and to him 1 am indebted (if I may be credited) for writing 
 a legible hand, as also for my slow progress in arithmetic. 
 About this tim:\ 1823, the late Roman Catholic and first 
 bishop of L'pper Canada, Alex. McDonnell, of Regio])()lis 
 of (Ilengarry, was making a tour of his diocese, then em- 
 bracing the whole i)rovince of Ontario. This noted pioneer, 
 bom at Glenurquhart, Scotland, in I76(), emigrated to Can- 
 ada with his settlers of one thousand Highlanders and set- 
 tled there on one hundred and sixty thousand (160,000) 
 acres of land granted by the government in the then wil- 
 derness of Cilengarry in 1803 and 1804. He was noted for 
 his distinguished services in Canada in the war of 181 2 as 
 soldier and chaplain at the battle of Chrystler's Farm on 
 the St. Lawrence, and again at the storming of Ogden? 
 
OLD TIME FARMING. 243 
 
 burg in the same year. Died in Dumfries, Scotlam!, the 
 14th of January, 1840. 
 
 As there was no chapel, much less a church in Little 
 York then, he was a welcome guest in my father's h()use, 
 whose diningroom served as a chapel for the spare Catho- 
 lic population of the town and surrounding settlement. 
 A brief sojourn of the bishop led me to form a great rev- 
 erence for this venerable old pioneer, and his offer to take 
 me in charge as pupil in his new college of St. Raphaels, just 
 opened, was eagerly accepted by my father. 
 
 Leaving Little York in the depth of a severe winter, to 
 my youthful imagination, I thought myself singularly fa- 
 vored in having so distinguished an individual as my pat- 
 ron, and luxuriated in the rich fur-robed sleigh that pro- 
 tected me from the keen winter's blast, and driven by his 
 faithful negro valet, Herbert, whose emancipation he had 
 purchased. This journey then from York to St. Raphaels, 
 in Glengarry, involved the necessity of a short visit at all 
 the towns and villages along the travelled road, i. e., Peter- 
 boro. Port Hope, Cobourg, Belleville, Prescott and Corn- 
 wall. At the last place w^e tarried for the night with a Mr. 
 
244 OLD TIME FARMING. 
 
 Angus McDonald, if I mistake not the father of the late 
 Premiere, Hon. John Sandfield, of Ontario. 
 
 It was (luring this evening tiiat a few noted persons 
 called to pay their respects to the bishop, and among them 
 was a Aliss Ellen Greenfield McDonald, from near St. 
 Raphaels, a great favorite of the bishop's, and who paid 
 me marked attention, I suppose as his companion de voy- 
 age. 
 
 Unaccustomed as I was to the soothing and kindly influ- 
 ence of ladies' society, having lost my dear mother in my 
 infancy and my sole companions, many of them rude and 
 uncouth playmates; her attention to me was gratifying in 
 the extreme and doubly enhanced my esteem when, in the 
 course of the evening, she was urged to sing, and comply- 
 ing, in the most unaffected and cultivated voice, with thrill- 
 ing pathos, sang, "Ye Banks and Braes of Bonny Doon," ac- 
 companying herself on the harp. On the next day a ride 
 to her home in the bishop's sleigh was offered her and ac- 
 cepted, resulting in my seeing her home, not far from St. 
 Raphaels (his lordsbip leaving us at his residence). On 
 parting with her she cordially invited me to repeat my 
 
OLD TIME FARMIXG. 245 
 
 visits on holidays, which I was only too glad to do. There 
 was something so charmingly delightful and attractive in 
 this sweet girl's character that I can never forget the im- 
 pression siie produced upon me, as we stood upon the ver- 
 anda for the last time, her rich auburn hair ruffled by a 
 gentle breeze, the friendly clasp of her hand, the smile of 
 her dimpled cheek, the sparkle from her lustrous blue eyes, 
 enshrined in the most faultless form of a woman, as she 
 bade me adieu. 
 
 How pleasant it was, in after years, to look back to this 
 journey; not alone in making me familiar with the locality 
 of these places, but thrown into society of the most noted 
 families in the province as nothing could exceed the atten- 
 tion and respect paid to this distinguished missionary. I 
 was not too young to observe a remarkable feature in the 
 state of society through the route I had travelled, for many 
 of the most distinguished were represented by Catholic 
 ladies married to Protestant husbands, and nearly all de- 
 scendants of U. E. Loyalists. 
 
 Ensconced in St. Raphaels, a new* phase presented itself 
 to my mind and experience, and I was not a little sur- 
 
246 OLD TIME FARMKXG. 
 
 prised to learn that I was expected to take care of myself; 
 that apart from my studies I was to make my bed, sweep 
 out the slcepinj^ and study room (the l)rooms made l)y 
 ourselves of cedar Ijouj^Iis taken from a swamp hard by), 
 replenish the water pitchers, clean or black my shoes, and 
 make a respectable appearance withal ; and 1 conceive no 
 more salutary practice than this very one. as if taught me 
 to help myself. Aly sojourn at St. Raphaels did not pro- 
 duce the result ho]KHl for by my anxious and induljT^ent 
 father, for althouji^h every attention was paid to moral and 
 religious training, the education I received was far from fit- 
 ting me for a profession, owing, more to my dullness than 
 anything else. I suppose. 
 
 A readiness with the pen, however, served a good pur- 
 pose for the bishop, who put me to the task of copying the 
 census roll of Glengarr}', to form a petition to the govern- 
 ment in favor of his new college just started. I was aston- 
 ished to find that out of one thousand or more names en- 
 rolled, ninety-nine out of a hundred were McDonalds or 
 McDonnells, between which two clans there appeared a 
 strong rivalry, and the men were distinguished by gallic 
 
OLD TIMl-: 1-ARMIXG. 247 
 
 nicknames, tlenotinf]^ a long or short nose, or a blue or red 
 one, or l)y the cars, eyes, complexion or size; but 1 am sorry 
 to say that 1 cannot write them down in that beautiful lan- 
 .i^^uas^e. What surprise*' me the most was the stalwart and 
 hardy physi(|ue of these.' llijj^lilauders, for often did they ap- 
 ])ear at the old St. Raphaels churcli in their kilts, when we 
 school l)oys could scarcely keep warm with warm winter 
 elothinj:^-. Donald, however, proof asLjainst cold in winter 
 in his kilts, was no match for the elephantine truncated 
 mos(|uitoes in sunnner, which were to be found in myriads 
 about the (ilencj-arry swamps, as the followinj^;- incident will 
 prove: Connnencing his first sunnner's residence in Canada, 
 just from Scotland's (irampion Hills, he called upcjn the 
 I'ishop. who asked him how he fared in Canada, and 
 in reply said. "All right, your lordship, but for the infernal 
 mosquitoes, which are devouring me." 
 
 "Throw away the kilts then," said the bishop, "and get 
 a pair of buckskin breeches," which he said he would do. 
 On meeting again his lordship he told htm he had fol- 
 lowed his advice, but the breeches were not, he had found, 
 proof against the pests, for they pierced him through the 
 
248 OLD TIMI*: I A KM IXC. 
 
 buckskin, causing his legs to so Gwell that lie had to rip his 
 breeches up to pull them off. The bishop doubted this, but I 
 believed it, and in after years, to my torture, they have 
 pierced me through a canvas hanniiock on the shores of the 
 Georgian Bay. 
 
 That these men were loyal, brave, and not over scrupu- 
 lous, could not be denied. When their services were re- 
 quired to suppress the rebellion in lower Canada in 1838, 
 they went down infantry and returned cavalry, and would 
 have driven home before them the flocks and herds of the 
 rebels, had they been allowed by their superior officers. 
 
 Another interesting winter scene to me was the long 
 train (thirty or forty in a string) of traineaus of the habit- 
 ants loaded with goods from ^Montreal, where they had 
 been detained by the closing of navigation; and to be taken 
 to the different points in Upper Canada. Let me describe 
 this, if I can : Standing knee dee]) in snow, and just out 
 of the way of the track, we hear the live tinkling of sleigh 
 bells as merrily approaches the dwarf, hardy Norman bred 
 pony, with the step, strength and agility of a tiger, his 
 shaggy forelock shading his eyes and forehead, and his 
 
OLD 'II MI-: I'AKMIXC. 249. 
 
 flowing' iiic'uu' liis iK'i'k and shoulders, otlu'rwisc his coat is 
 as sk't'k and smooth as that of a nioK-. ( )n tlu' traincau 
 is a IiofTshcad of su<j^ar seventeen hundred (1,700) pounds 
 in weight, or a hoi^shead of rum, mohisses, or bales of dry 
 jToods e((U<'il to that \vei,i;ht, but he moves alonji;' on his joj;' 
 trot with the ease of a ship at sea. l'\)llo\vin.S4 close behind 
 is Jean l)ai)tist, the owner and driver on the same trot, 
 but \v]K'n tired, steps on the sleit;'h. I le wears the conical 
 bonnet l)lue, pulled down over his ears, his gray capot 
 and tu(|ue of etoffe du pave (home spun) wound tightly 
 around him, and kept there by a red or blue sash, the bot- 
 tom of his pants tucked under his socks and lapels of his 
 soulliers de boeuf (half tanned cowhide) well greased and 
 defying snow or rain. The never absent short clay pipe, 
 with its silver tube in which is inserted the bone of a turkey 
 wing, which makes it portable, otherwise carried in his 
 pocket it would break. The strong and fragrant vapors from 
 this fired clay, impregnates the cold and frosty atmosphere 
 and when it is out, he enlivens the air with the stirring song 
 of "A la Clair Fontain" or a "L'omber d'un bois je m'en 
 vais dancer," contented and happy as the day is long and 
 
250 OLD TIME FARMING. 
 
 proving the proverb "that wliere ignorance is bHss, 'tis 
 folly to be wise." 
 
 After I had been three years with the worthy bishop he 
 closed his college, I believe for the want of support, his 
 means being very limited, and I returned with iiim to 
 Toronto, and just at that age when the Piost important 
 step generally decides the make or break of one i:>ursuit in 
 after life. As already mentioned I was not educated clas- 
 sically, and my inclination led me to a lural life. Intent 
 u])on this, I consulted my worthy parent, who had grave 
 and serious objection to that kind of occupation, and he 
 thus reasoned: 
 
 "You are unaccustomed to the manual labor that is 
 required in the life of a Canadian farmer, nor are you pre- 
 |)ared for the privations, hardships and self-denials involved 
 in such a life, and again you cannot expect to live alone 
 without a helpmate. In all prt)bability you may be blessed 
 with children. Can you imagine the difficulty of raising 
 a family in the back woods, removed from schools, churches, 
 etc? Weigh, then, well the consequences. However, if 
 you have fully made up your mind to follow it, T will give 
 
OLD TLME I'ARMIXG. 251 
 
 you the choice of a farm in any part of Ontario you may 
 select." I have often thought since what wisdom and 
 ])lain c jnnnon sense there was in this wholesome advice. 
 I thought seriously of it and for the time abandoned the 
 idea, hut I had left school and something nnist be done, 
 so 1 entered a lawyer's office, tried my hand in a grocery 
 store, and at last purchased and sailed a schooner, in 
 hYM)ruary, 1833, my father died, leaving mean ample share 
 of his small fortune, principally in wild lands, and had it 
 been carefully nursed would have left me comfortably 
 provided for in after life, Init my old idea for a country 
 life retun^"d, so 1 took to farming. 1 had allotted as my 
 share a beautiful farm on the river Thanujs, two miles 
 above Chatham and containing two hundred and forty-six 
 acres (246) comparatively in i: wild state with scarcely any 
 improvements, save a log house and six or eight acres 
 that could be cultivated. I hired a man and his wife to do 
 the housework and commenced chopping and clearing up 
 the land. It was while thus engaged that I met with my 
 first mishap. I had been resting myself after felling a tree 
 and was watching my man cutting through a large one 
 
252 OLD TIME FARMING. 
 
 upon which he was stan(Hng, with my right hand resting 
 on a saphng and nearly within reach of his axe, and as he 
 was reaching further below the cut, I suddenly felt a sting- 
 ing pain, and to my consternation found two of my fingers 
 split to the bone (it was lucky my hand, or my head, for 
 that matter, was not chopped olT, for we were both green 
 with the axe). Wrapping my fingers up vviith dead leaves, 
 we went home, got a bunch of cobwebs in wliich my 
 fingers were enveloped and sent for Dr. Ironsides at Chat- 
 ham, who soon appeared and fastened the fingers to- 
 gether with sticking plaster. It was some time before 
 I could again shoulder the axe, but quite recovered from 
 the injury, though the scars are still left. I then began 
 to realize the truth of my father s admonition, but this did 
 not intimidate me in the least, and when I recall the first 
 years of my farming experience it often provokes a smile 
 at the ridiculous straits I was put to, yet what extraordi- 
 nary tilings have been done with this simplest of imple- 
 ments, and how often from the stately forests, will we see 
 the change that it will effect in a few short years. In my 
 short span of life I have witnessed whole townships one 
 
OLD TIME FARMING. 253 
 
 dense mass of forest with swales, swamps and marshes 
 intersecting- them in every direction, and the soHtary wood- 
 pecker, the drumming partridge, and that king of the fea- 
 thered tribe, the golden crested wild turkey in company 
 with the red deer their sole occupants; and now what do 
 we behold: Commodious and comfortable brick houses 
 and barns, extensive meadows and fields stocked with the 
 finest cattle and sheep in the world, with teeming orchards 
 of the best fruits in America and everything pertaining 
 to the comfort, wealth and edification of a farmer's life 
 adorning then- homes; therefore I contend that the sturdy, 
 noble and lion-hearted farmer who has hewed out such 
 a home (^and I know thank Providence, many of them) is 
 as equally deserving of a crown, and far more so, than 
 the greatest heroes of the age. 
 
 In pursuing this secluded life deprived of all amuse- 
 ments, the greatest pleasure is to make the most of your 
 surroundings, and rejoice in the successful efforts in sub- 
 duing the stately forests, and witnessing the vigorous 
 growth of your first crops from the virgin soil, and pleased 
 
 to make of your patient ox and faithful steed your con- 
 r 
 
254 OLD TIME FARMING. 
 
 stant companions in labor, and their only reward meted 
 out to them by gentle treatment and care for their com- 
 forts. The fruits of vour labors should afford vou nmnite 
 pleasure, as you obsor\'e the thrifty orchard, and well 
 stocked vegetable garden, supplying you with delicious 
 fruits and vegetables, and what with the ornamental trees 
 judiciously laid out and beautifying your country home, 
 what more could one reasonably desire. To bring this 
 about, however, cannot be accomplished without ceaseless 
 toil, excessive labor and patience, or abundant means 
 (money) to employ others to do it. Not l^eing inured by 
 j)ractice in the days of my youth to the former, and not 
 possessing the latter, I struggled along. 
 
 1 will now return to my first straits. I think about the 
 greatest difficulty I had to contend with was the making 
 of bread; as we had no rooking stoves in those days, the 
 old-fashioned Dutch oven (simply an iron pot with a cover) 
 was the sole one in use, but as only one loaf at a time 
 could be baked, it was exceedingly troublesome, so I de- 
 terminerl to l)uil(l a clay one, such as were seldom seen, 
 and originated witli the first and probably French or Dutch 
 
OLD TIME FARMING. 255 
 
 settlers, and as a neighl)or of mine liad some little knowl- 
 edge of their construction, 1 secured his services. So we 
 went to work and sank four posts in the ground, four feet 
 high, and across the top of these we laid split puncheons 
 or staves of bass wood to form a bed or foundation, say 
 four by six feet, over which it was to be covered with eight 
 inches of mortar, or clay, then we took an empty barrel 
 with the head knocked out, and laid it on its side length- 
 ways. Xow this was to form the shape of the oven, then 
 we commenced preparing the mud cats. My readers, I am 
 sure, never heard of that name. Well, I will tell you 
 what they were, and how made. We made a hole in the 
 ground, throwing the top soil away, and came to the clay, 
 which we had worked u]) with the spade and hoe, to the 
 consistency of tlidck mortar, then a hay rope about two 
 feet long and size of your thumb, which we souced and 
 worked in this mortar until it was about as thick as your 
 arm, then laid it carefully around the barrel and over it; this 
 is a mud cat. Leaving a place for the door and shaping it 
 the size you want it with a piece of hoop iron ; then we give 
 it a thick coat of mortar, making it about eight inches 
 
256 OLD TIME FARMING. . 
 
 thick — ^beliold the oven built. Now \vc fill the barrel 
 chock full of kindliug aud set it on fire, and when it is 
 burned out your work is done, and I'll wager there is no 
 invention of man that will equal it in turning out a batch 
 of bread, pumpkin or apple pie, roast pig, turkey or beef. 
 Regarding this oven business, as everything must be 
 economized to make a successful farmer it has led to 
 all the improvements of the age, and the saving of 
 labor has been the first consideration. Now, when my 
 oven was built I had not taken a wrinkle from my good 
 friend and neighbor, Jake Shepley, and if "an honest man 
 is the noblest work of God" he was one, but he did away 
 with the hoe and spade to a great extent, as I will try 
 and explain. Going to Jake's one fine day I found him 
 seated by the side of a pit which he had dug out, with a 
 pail of water on one side and a half bushel measure of peas 
 on the other and six thundering barrows (hogs) in the 
 pit. I saluted him thus: "Jake, what in Sam Hill are 
 you doing?'' Squirting a mouthful of tobacco juice clear 
 over the pit he replied, "I am preparing for mud-cats." 
 He then threw in a handful of peas, then a bucket of water, 
 
I 
 
 i 
 
 
OLD TLME FARMiXG. 257 
 
 and the way those hogs went at it was "root hop^ or die;" 
 and thus he prepared clay for his oven. Nothing' hke 
 necessity, the mother of invention. 
 
 About this time 1 had a visit from my neighl)or, John 
 Arnold, who asked me to ride with him to Chatham, when 
 the following conversation took place: "Well, Mr. B., 
 how do you like farming?'' "I rather like the country life," I 
 replied, "but 1 don't think there is much money in it.'' 
 "You are right," he said, "there is not. Keep out of debt, 
 economize and utilize all you can. Now, I think," he 
 continued, "that you labor under great disadvantages, and 
 I'll tell you what I mean. You are lucky in getting your 
 farm without paying for it, but you have io pay out money 
 for all you touch; for instance, you paid lor your horses, 
 wagon, harness, plough, etc., and even your hats, coats, 
 shirts, boots and socks and everything you have. That is 
 your case. Now here is mine. Father gave me my lot 
 and an old mare and cow, and after a few years I had 
 enough land cleared to keep a dozen sheep. On my 
 father's farm we were four or five boys and as many girls 
 and brought up to all kinds of work. On the farm was 
 
258 OLD TIME FARMING. 
 
 a blacksmith and carpenter shop, and we were taught all 
 kinds of work on rainy days; to make or repair a wagon 
 wheel, make a biill-plougli (made entirely ot wood, and 
 faced with a plate of steel. The> lasted for years in the 
 clay soil of Kent, where there are no stones.) I raised 
 my horses from the old mare, and made my wagon, plough 
 and harrow. The harness, a breast strap and rope traces, 
 and no britchen required, as there are no hills. My hat a 
 straw," he continued, "is made by my daughters; my coat^ 
 pants and shirts are home made; even my shoe packs I 
 made myself out of a hide that Peter Ralston, alias 'Peter 
 Rawhide,' tanned on shares; and my harness the same. 
 Now all I have to pay for is a pound of tea a month for 
 the old woman ; I don't buy any sugar, for I have a sugar 
 bush and make lots of sugar to sell." Now here was a les- 
 son for me, and it reminds me now of another instance 
 of a successful farmer who settled on the shores of Lake 
 Simcoe many years ago, and who came to Canada from 
 England with some ten or fifteen thousand pounds ster- 
 ling, and purchased four hundred acres in a block there. 
 He brought with him his young wife, just mairied, an ac- 
 
OLD TIME FAR.MING. 259 
 
 coniplished and liighly educated person. After cleaning 
 up a hundred acres or so and building commodious barns 
 and beautifying his forest home, his poor wife, suffering 
 from the great wants and privations attending so secluded 
 and laborious a life, sickened and died. Plunged in the 
 deepest affliction at this irreparable loss, he tried to sell out 
 and leave Canada, but was dissuaded from it, in fact he 
 had spent so much of his means that no purchaser could 
 be found. Knowing the inutility of farming without a wife, 
 and not disposed to marry again, except an English 1 iy, 
 he went to England and brought out another one, equally 
 accomplished as the first, and io! in a few years she passed 
 away as did the previous one. It was at this period that 
 my informant called upon him and found him in a state 
 of frenzy, crushed by his dire misfortunes and resolved to 
 quit the country forever, but he had spent so much im- 
 proving his place that again no purchaser could be found. 
 In this state he left him, and when my informant paid him 
 the next visit, a few years after, he found him in his har- 
 vest field with several loaded wagons securing a bountiful 
 crop of one hundred acres of wheat, joyous, happy and 
 
26o OLD TIME FARMLNG. 
 
 contented. "Why," he remarked, "Mr. S., you appear in 
 a very different mood than wlien I last saw you." "Yes," 
 he replied, "then I was crushed indeed, but time has its 
 soothing influence and finding that I could not sell out 
 except at a ruinous sacrifice I determined to take another 
 wife. She is to the manor born, inured to the climate, 
 familiar with all the duties of a backwoods life, makes our 
 own clothes, goes to market and provides for the house 
 with sales of butter, poultry, eggs, etc., and we are mak- 
 ing money hand over fist." How many similar cases have 
 I known in Canada, but how few succeeded as well in a pe- 
 cuniary way. 
 
 Now came the tug of war — plowing. 1 had a pretty 
 good span of horses, but they were as strange to the plow 
 as I was, who never handled one. I was then twenty- 
 four years old. They were in good order, fat, frisky and 
 playful, and I was strong, active and fearless. I had opened 
 two or three furrows around the field (instead of in lands, 
 ten or twelve feet wide, the proper way) and following 
 the plow and horses sometimes at a trot, the sweat pour- 
 ing from my face and the horses in a lather, when an ex- 
 
OLD TIME FARMING. 261 
 
 traordinarv sensation seized nic, as if some fiend had 
 brained me with a ckib. Recovering from my stupor I 
 found myself straddle of the beam of the plow, 
 and the horses out of sight. The plow had struck a hid- 
 den root, the double tree had parted in the middle and the 
 lines around my neck jerked me suddenly over the handles 
 and onto the beam. Limp and sore T found my poor 
 horses at the stable door, who saluted me with a snort. 
 Patting them gently I led them back to the plow. Do 
 you think that that intimidated me? No, but still I could 
 not forget my poor father's counsel. I learned afterwards 
 to hold the lines in each hand and not around my neck, 
 and thus avoid another thunder clap. 
 
 It was not only with the plow tliat I found myself astray, 
 but in a thousand other things. Laboring then under 
 these serious disadvantages I struggled along for want of 
 being educated in the mysteries of a farmer's life; for 
 though ever so simple, they are as necessary to learn and 
 master, as is lUackstone to the advocate, Abernethy to 
 the physician, Watts to the engineer, or belles letters to 
 the philosopher. 
 
262 OLD TIME FARMING. 
 
 It was while intent and determined to follow this pur- 
 suit in life, that 1 took to myself a partner, and although 
 unaccustomed to life in the backwoods, she cordially 
 and cheerfully aided me r'n my every effort — but man pro- 
 poses and God disposes — alas, in nine months on a tem- 
 pestuous and stormy night in February she passed away, 
 leaving a still born infant as a pledge of our love. 
 
 My hearth and home became too desolate, and T left 
 it to allow- the current of time to allay the troubled stream, 
 and after a four years' respite again took another part- 
 ner, and lo, the avenger cleft from my side another flower 
 of Eve. Many would suppose that this was enough to 
 discourage me, but no, such are the attractions of "Home, 
 sweet Flome," that it is difificult to part with the shade 
 trees that you have planted to screen the rays of the mer- 
 idian sun from the cottage door, the thrifty fruit trees that 
 have contributed their luscious fruits to appease the thirsty 
 palate, and the creeping rose and honeysuckle perfuming 
 the air that invites you to repose. Again did the third 
 partner link her fate to mine. Nurtured and accustomed 
 
OLD TIME FAR.MIXG. 263 
 
 to the refinements and luxuries of a city life, attractive 
 by 'her charms, she forsook all to share my lot. 
 
 The privations, exposure and hardships of her forest 
 home preyed upon her health, and as if to crown all our 
 misfortune in the depth of a cold winter night, with two 
 feet of snow mantling the earth, a blaze was discovercl 
 in the roof 01 the house, and in the space of one short 
 hour all was swept as by a tornado, and our child of two 
 years old was with difficulty snatched from the devouring 
 flames. Did this even intimidate me? By no means. 
 On the very spot where lay the ashes of my once happy, 
 home another was erected, of far more commodious and 
 comfortable proportions, but for various reasons I aban- 
 doned it to cast my lot in a different sphere of life with- 
 out a regret, for events have proved to me that I struck 
 a wrong track when I took to farming, and I am reminded 
 of a jocular remark made to mc by my old friend, John 
 Prince, who, when he first came to Canada in 1832, said, 
 "my father kept a pack of hounds in England, but they 
 soon ate him up.'' Now in comparing my lot to his 
 there was but this difference, the hounds did not con- 
 
264 OLD TIME FARMIXG. 
 
 Slime me, but my farm did, and I would certainly advise any 
 young- man or old one (if he desires to farm in Canada), 
 to apprentice himself to a prosperous and practical farmer 
 and accpiire a thorouj^^h knowledge of it before launch- 
 ing^ on so precarious a sea of life. 
 
 In 1858 I bade farewell to my forest home with mingled 
 feelings of pleasure and regret, and a broad field of un- 
 certainty l)efore me, but the active life I had led unsuited 
 me for a sedentary one, and I was soon induced to em- 
 l)ark in a trade, which unfortunately proved as disastrous 
 (juite, if not more so. than farming for want of knowl- 
 edg-e and experience, for in the former the loss came by 
 slow degrees, whereas in the latter it came with a run- 
 ning hop, ski}) and a jump. Xeed 1 say it was the trade 
 of tanning-. Xot having the slightest experience in the 
 matter, 1 had to trust entirely to others, i started in an 
 old tannery, with vats tilled with old liquor (extract of 
 tan bark which had lost its strength for several vean^ 
 standing), but used by my ignorant foreman with fresh 
 liitjuor. Conse(juently, hides and skins to the value of 
 thousands of dollars were turned out, after six months' 
 
{)LD TIME FARMING. 265 
 
 Ln\;'jib:. waitiiif^, almost worthless. The reverse was ap- 
 pareiit, 1 was tanned, instead of the leather. I never re- 
 covered from this false step sufficiently to continue in this 
 trade, so left it with dear bout^ht experience. The £^reat 
 .\apoIeon wisely said, "C'est !e premier pas (|ui cont." 
 Hie first step, wisely or unwisely taken, leads to success 
 or failure, or in other words, "There is a time and tide in 
 the affairs of men; if taken at tiie ebb, leads on to fortune." 
 ] always struck it at the wron^" time. Resting on my oars 
 at this juncture, a bait was thrown out to me by a friend 
 tliat I easterly seized, which was to open a stone quarry 
 on the (ireat Manitoulin Island. The enterprise ended in 
 forming- a company to bore for oil instead, and after ex- 
 l)ending- $50,000 of the company's money 100 barrels only 
 was pumped out, and with it my last dollar. So ended 
 that venture. 
 
 A northerly current drifted me into th(^ reg^ions of Lake 
 Michigan and (ireen IJay in the service of the United 
 States Lake Surveys of the Racine Reef and locating the 
 present Sturg:eon i'.ay ship canal. Too nuich praise can- 
 not be said in favor of the discipline, order and efficiency 
 
266 OLD TIME FARMING. 
 
 of this admirable corps. After an honorable discharge 
 from this service I struck the Great Western Railway, and 
 at last came to anchor in H. M. Customs at Windsor, 
 from whence it is not likely I will be ever able to hoist 
 sail for another port.