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 /Ar. Eaton had the contract to carry the 

 mail across the Kankakee Swamps. In the 

 winter time v/as the riveF and marshes were 

 frozen up it was somewhat difficult. But in the 

 summer season when the water was low the 

 mail was either carried through the swamps and 

 marshes on horse back or stage. In the winter 

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

 This was the first bridge built on the Kankakee 

 above /Aomcnce, 111. On the fotlowing summer 

 it' was burned,it 's supposed on account of it be- 

 ing atoll bridge. A\r. Eaton continued to run the 

 the ferry up to the time of his death which 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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