REMINISCENCES. 341 



Jersey, but the field was too small and could not compete with 

 the great prospects then opening in Kansas. 



It was not until 1857 that my agricultural experience 

 began. I had bought of John Yocam — a genuine Pawpaw 

 Missourian — a claim of one hundred and ninety-two acres 

 adjoining the town site of Atchison, for $450, and put thereon 

 an old German named Loui, who had been to me a kind of 

 body-guard for years. His career was short, being called hence 

 the same year, after an ilhiess of only one day. This calamity 

 made it necessary for me to take his place in person. My 

 house was a primitive log cabin with mud roof, and without 

 windows, into which I took my wife, the comfort of my life, 

 and our two little girls, Ida and Bertha. 



Now began my pastoral life, and without following in detail 

 ray many years of varied experiences and cares, I will simply 

 say that from that purchase of a pre-emption riglit, a farm of 

 seven hundred acres lias arisen, with abundant timber to sup- 

 ply ten miles of plank and hedge fences. There are seven 

 dwelling houses, barns for the storage of three hundred and 

 fifty tons of hay; a slaughter house, wool house, piggery, 

 blacksmith shop, etc., etc. Four hundred acres of this land is 

 in tame grasses, and is now known as Woodland Farm. 



REMIXESCENCES. 



Before describing the stock and appliances upon the farm, 

 a few reminiscences of pioneer life may not be out of place. 

 There were upon the claim ten acies broken, and ready for my 

 first corn crop. But I must tell of the good fortune that came 

 to us at that time. My old friend Jos. McCulley, shook off the 

 sand and cobwebs of New Jersey and broke for the West. 

 Joe was a good fellow, genial and smart, with a heart as big as 

 an ox, but when things did not go to suit him, he was cross 

 and irritable. But there was music in his soul, and Mrs. Chal- 

 lis, understanding his weakness, would, when crookedness 

 struck him, sing " Rosalie, the Prairie Flower," which woul^ 

 always straighten him out. Now Joe knew more about plant» 

 ing corn than we did, and he was made leader. The ground 



