MOTHS OF THE LIMBERLOST 



It was a piece of forethought to work unceasingly at 

 that time, for soon commerce attacked the swamp and 

 began its usual process of devastation. Canadian lum- 

 bermen came seeking tall straight timber for ship masts 

 and tough heavy trees for beams. Grand Rapids fol- 

 lowed and stripped the forest of hard wood for fine 

 furniture, and through my experience with the lumber- 

 men ''Freckles' " story was written. Afterward hoop 

 and stave men and local mills took the best of the soft 

 wood. Then a ditch, in reality a canal, was dredged 

 across the north end through my best territory, and that 

 carried the water to the Wabash River until oil men 

 could enter the swamp. From that time, the wealth 

 they drew to the surface constantly materialized in 

 macadamized roads, cosy homes, and big farms of 

 unsurpassed richness, suitable for growing onions, celery, 

 sugar beets, corn and potatoes, as repeatedly has been 

 explained in everything I have written of the place. 

 Now, the Limberlost exists only in ragged spots and 

 patches, but so rich was it in the beginning that there is 

 yet a wealth of work for a lifetime remaining to me in 

 these, and river thickets. I ask no better hunting 

 grounds for birds, moths, and flowers. The fine roads 

 are a convenience, and settled farms a protection to 

 be taken into consideration, when bewailing its dis- 

 mantling. It is quite true that "One man's meat is 

 another's poison." When poor Limber, lost and starv- 



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