PIONEER HUNTERS OF THE KANKAKEE 

 high the distance was about a mile and a half 

 and part of the way was through a dense swamp 

 and a pathless marsh, in 1847 or 1848 there 

 was a United States mail route established be- 

 tween /Aichigan City and Rensselaer, Indiana, 

 and P\r. Eaton had the contract to carry the 

 mail across the Kankakee 5v/amps. In the 

 winter time was the river and marshes were 

 frozen up it was somewhat difficult. But in the 

 summer season when the v/ater was low the 

 mail was either carried through the swamps and 

 marshes on horse back or stage. In the v/inter 

 of "49" Eaton built a bridge across the river. 

 This was the first bridge built on the Kankakee 

 above /Aomence, III. On the fotlowing summer 

 it was burned,it is supposed on account of it be- 

 ing a toll bridge. Ar. Eaton continued to run the 

 the ferry up to the time of his death v/hich oc- 

 cured in 1851. His remains were laid at rest on 

 a beautiful knoll near the landing place. Ars. 

 Eaton, a woman of remarkable nerve and 

 strength, continued to run the ferry and deliver 



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