PIONEER HUNTERS OF THE KANKAKEE 

 the late fifties and early sixties were: Joshua E. 

 Essex, better known among the old-time hunt- 

 ers as "Essex, the Beehunter" from the fact that 

 he was one of the greatest wild bee hunters that 

 ever hunted the Kankakee region. He began 

 hunting and trapping in 1859 in partnership 

 with J. E. Gilson, of whom mention has been 

 made. They built a log cabin on what is known 

 as Butternut Ridge and near the Swift Cut Off. 

 Here he trapped for three years then went into 

 partnership with Charles Cassel and on Shanty 

 Island built a shanty and trapped three y^ars. 

 In the summer of 1862 he enlisted and was en- 

 rolled in Company I, 5th Regiment. Indiana 

 Cavalry. He was Quartermaster Sergeant and 

 served to the close of the war, being discharged 

 on June 15. 1865, when he returned and again 

 went into the swamps and continued hunting 

 and trapping until 1880. /Aost of his time in 

 the swamps was spent in hunting bees. He be- 

 came famous as a bee hunter. After retiring 

 from the trapping business for many years he 



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