CHArTEE IX 



RURAL LIVING CONDITIONS 



The first care of the pioneer farmer of Michigan 

 was his home, at least some sort of shelter for the 

 family against the inclemencies of the weather. This 

 he was not left to erect unaided. Willing neighbors 

 and even Indians gathered for the raising. Ample 

 material was at hand in the forest. Skillfully the 

 four corners were carried up, even and perpendicular, 

 and when the roof-trees were in place, a bottle of 

 whiskey and a loud hurrah dedicated this new wilder- 

 ness abode. "Shakes," or shingles riven from the 

 oak, or a covering of bark of elm or basswood kept 

 out the storm as well as might be, while puncheon 

 floors, also hewn from the logs, shut out the earth 

 beneath. Doors swung on wooden or leathern hinges, 

 while the wooden latch responded to the tug of the 

 latch-string, which seldom was drawn within, for the 

 days of tramps and thieves had not yet arrived. One 

 glazed window was considered very liberal. "At one 

 end of the house was a hugh fire-place five to six 

 feet across, the back consisting of flat stone, the 

 sides or jambs, of curved beams, above which rested 

 a square stick-chimney, the slender sticks piled up 



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