History of Jefferson County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 16

Author: Durant, Samuel W; Peirce, H. B. (Henry B.)
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Philadelphia : L.H. Everts & Co.
Number of Pages: 862

USA > New York > Jefferson County > History of Jefferson County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 16

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" Thursday, Sept. 11 .- Directed a grave to he dug for the corpse, and sent Mr. Frey with the eanoe to bring it ; but, instead of return- ing, he sent one of his men to inform me that he was going to bury the body on the spot, and take care of Ward, to bring him to camp.

" M. G. Desjardines and I watched with Mr. Cantine, who is a little better. This disease, which was greatly aggravated by fear and by discouragement from desertions, is but little dangerous when the sick are treated rationally, and made to drink freely of ice-water, but it is fatal if they persist in drinking rum, and especially if they continue to eat salt pork, which is the principal, if not the only food they can get in the woods.

"This disease every year takes off a great many Americans in the new settlements, and it is regarded as an epidemic on account of its fearful ravages.

" Friday, September 12 .- Messrs. Frey and Broadhead brought in the sick man Ward. Warren, one of our men, declares himself at- tacked. All the men remaining with us engage to stay until the end of our operations. Agreed with Mr. Frey that we should take the sick up to the High Falls, and that in the mean time three men should stay in camp, under the direction of M. G. Desjardines, and spend their time in washing and mending as well their own clothes as those that belonged to the men who went with us."

The Castorland agents began the first mill at Carthage late in the summer of 1795, and the following extraets from their journal will show the early steps of their enterprise :

" Sunday, August 9 .- . . . Started at seven o'clock, after re-em- barking our things, which had been sheltered from the rain by our tent and two tarpaulins. The great new canoe takes in mueh water,

and will need to be calked. Arrived at the Long Falls at elevon o'clock ; landed our things, and arranged our tent, with the tarpau- lins on the upper side. In the mean time M. Pharoux and the first earpenter went to select a site for the mill. As the water was very low this year, and as we had found all the little streams dry on our route, we apprehended that there would not be found water enough at the place we had selected, but we found there more than enough, and the location is very fine. Below this there is another place very good for a corn-mill. The cost of sluices will be a small item, the rock coming up in very fragile masses, so that the excavation of the canal will be casy.

" After dinner we continued to arrange our camp. Went fishing, and found ourselves quite as much at ease as we could expect to be in the woods.

" Monday, August 10 .- Sent back Cross and Robinson in the canoe to get provisions at the High Falls, and with thein was sent a letter, informing M. Desjardines of our operations. Had some trees cut down and cleared a place for the log-house at the mill. Placed and leveled the foundation logs of the house. The great number of large trees, the roughness of the ground, which is encumbered with rock, the want of cattle, and the scanty supply of help occasioned many delays. Nature has indicated the place for a supply canal. We only want some powder and a couple of men who are accustomed to work in mines. The surface indicates that the rock will be easy to raise.

" Tuesday, August 11 .- Repaired the old oven below the falls and baked in it. The waters at Meridian Rock are at the same level as last year. At the landing they are not quite as high as at the foot of the oven, so that we may here construet what will serve as a land- ing for all who may come from below. We have leveled an excellent spring, which may be easily brought to the mill-house. Our work- men have labored well, and all the beams are hewed.

" Thursday, August 13 .- They have entirely finished flooring the log house. In the evening M. Tassart arrived in the large canoe, and brought us three letters that Mr. Broadhead had sent : one from M. Pharoux's father, one from M. Tardif, master-mason in St. Domingo, who seeks employment from us, and the third from Mr. Constable. This letter promised us no more satisfaction from him than we had got from his agents and associates. An hour after this Cross arrived with the two Indiuns, bringing with him the cattle, which had met with no accident.

" Friday, August 14 .- After breakfast they yoked the cattle to draw logs, and took advantage of so many men being together to raise the building. The cable and pulleys which we have received are not of much use. In the evening saw a water-snake . .. with its head out of water, holding a fish in its mouth. Saw also a large green adder four feet long. In the afternoon, the fire of the clearing having gained around the log house, the time required in checking it prevented us from finishing it. It now wants but two courses of logs.

"Saturday, August 15 .- After breakfast MM. Pharoux and Tas- sart with a supply of provisions set out in a canoe for the High Falls. M. Pharoux wished to show on the way to M. Tassart the portion of land which commissioners had indicated to M. Olive for his 4050 acres, as the most advantageous of the 20,000 acres from which he was to select, according to his agreement. . . . Finished raising the log house, which will be covered with bark by the Indians on the return of M. Pharoux. The two carpenters have worked upon the frame of the roof, while I have caused to be transported all the things at the camp to the log house, where we are now settled. We all slept this night in our new camp.

" Monday, August 17 .- Employed the men in cutting bushes and felling trecs between the house and the river along the falls, and in helping the carpenters raise the last logs and joists. There are now only the rafters to put up.

"Wednesday, August 19 .- They placed the rafters on the log house, and made the oxen draw all the logs that would be needed for car- penter's wood, when they put fire to the rest of the clearing behind the log house. The carpenters sawed the openings for the windows on the left side, and put in the frame. In the afternoon the other window-frame was placed. . . .

" Thursday, August 20 .- A heavy rain, which quietcd everything at the house. The fires kindled yesterday around the camp had, notwithstanding our vigilance, threatened danger, and we had to water several times the space formed to separate us from them. The fire ran underground from root to root, and could not have been reached unless by this rain, so that our men were well pleased with

HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, NEW YORK.

it. After the rain abated they went fishing, with the exception of the first carpenter and Robinson, who went to get the door of the log honse, which had not been brought from the camp at the landing, and which they put in its place. Our men at last returned from their fishing, and were quite willing to take up the axe. After dinner the carpenter placed the logs and floor for the foundation of an oven. They made, with Allen, a hand-barrow to carry stones for the oven and the chimney, of which the hearth had been begun yesterday. The courses of the hearth have been laid in a very good clay, that we fortunately found near at hand. The stone is not so good, as it breaks casily, and does not resist the fire. M. Pharoux arrived at six in the evening, with the two Indians, thoroughly wet, but in good health.

" Friday, August 21 .- The first carpenter, with the help of Allen, laid np the stone at the back of our chimney, while the second car- penter and Robinson brought clay on a hand-barrow. Trueman brought stones. . .. After dinner the chimney was finished, and they began the oven. The two Indians, although inch fatigued with row- ing in the rain, went to work last evening as soon as they arrived, without our having occasion to speak with them. To-day they have eut and placed the poles which are to support the bark of the roof. . ..

" Saturday, August 22 .- Had them split and dress planks, to make a partition in onr log house. The Indians have entirely covered it with large barks, fastened on with cords of basswood bark, which serves in place of ropes. The newly finished oven has been kept constantly warm and attended by Trueman. Peck has been attacked with the dysentery aud is put on a regimen of ice-water.

" Tuesday, August 25 .- Cleared, trimmed, and set fire to clear out the road which is to be used in getting timber to the mill. Finished the closets, the two doors, and a floor over ours. The two Indians closed with seraped bark the opening by the side of the chimney. They then brought clay from the river and filled the joints between the logs.

" Wednesday, August 26 .- The Indians finished putting in the strips of wood and plastering with clay the chinks of the log house. They then made a shelter of bark over the oven. The carpenters and Allen have hewed timber for the mill. . . . The clearing begins to enlarge. They made as many fires as they could along the line of the canal to break np the rock by the action of fire.

" Thursday, August 27 .- Employed all tho men in cutting down and squaring timber. The two carpenters, working on a strife, our work is more advanced. M. Pharoux has verified the plan of the falls which he made last year.

" Friday, August 28 .- The same work as yesterday. Our first bar- rel of flour is consumed to-day. It lasted ten persons, on an average, eighteen days, which is about a pound and a quarter of bread a day to cach.

" Saturday, August 29 .- Work the same. Still much emulation between the two parties. The old Indian being lame, we have em- ployed him in fishing, but he brought in nothing but a little white- fish. The river is not as well stocked with fish here as at the High Falls.

" Sunday, August 30 .- Our Indians have started in the little canoe to return to the High Falls, and from thenee to their homes. Last night two of our workmen traded their own share of rum with them for their moccasins, and our Indians drank beyond measure, so that they waked us np in the middle of the night to demand of us some rnm, offering to pay us; but we refused them, as was necessary. They replied that they would go off then in the morning. They have accordingly kept their word, although ashamed of their fault and apparently sorry to leave us. We neither reproached them nor took any steps to detain theui, and as they left us we gave them the parting hand. After they had gone we scolded the men who had traded with them as being tho cause of their drunkenness. These Indians had no other fault ; but when onee they had drank beyond reason they will always have more, and if drunkenness makes them commit some folly their proud and independent spirits will not permit them to make amends.

" Monday, August 31 .- Allen, who was indisposed, has been attacked by the fever. M. Pharoux, in the letter that he gave to the Indians for Baptiste, requested him to send down, by Mr. Broadhend, ipecac and rhubarb. The same work of cutting and howing timber. Found many young plum-trees, with red fruit, near the camp, above the falls. We propose to plant some of them this fall at the High Falls.

" Tuesday, September 1 .- Allen is a little better. Our oxen, about 1

which we have been uneasy, returned of their own accord in the afternoon. . . . Work the same as yesterday.

" Thursday, September 3 .- The weather being rainy, we ordered Peck and Robinson to bring into the log house the wood needed for kitchen-tables, oars, tool-handles, etc. . ..

" Friday, September 4 .- Fell timber, cut it into logs, and ranged the wood near the house, in the place that is to be the yard. In the afternoon Dixon and Trueman cut down and sawed some oak, to be nsed in the machinery. . . .

" Saturday, September 5 .- Cleared out the place of the yard ncar the house, so as to be able to superintend the work more easily. Had the oxen draw a part of the square timber, which is piled in the new yard. Dixon worked on parts of the machinery, and made four ox-bows.

" Wednesday, September 9 .- Dixon made a large wooden horse for sawing, and did not need help in cutting down oak-trees. Still look- ing for the oxen without success. Made a road to connect the one of last year with the new one. The river is much swollen.

" Thursday, September 10 .- After dinner M. Pharoux set out for the Iligh Falls with Allen, who is still sick, and who will go home. . . . Dixon made some posts for the mill, and then began a little sled to draw framing-timber more easily. Trueman, having brought back the oxen, drew some sticks to the yard.

" Friday, September II .- IIad them draw the square timber to the yard. The carpenters finished the little sled, aud then worked on the machinery of the mill.

" Monday, September 14 .- Trueman went to find the cattle, and brought them in to finish drawing square timber to the yard. The carpenter was employed on the little pieces of the mill. .. . M. Pharoux arrived at eight o'clock in the evening with five men. The waters are very high.

" Tuesday, September 15 .- Caused some logs to be drawn to make a forge, and transported the provisions and tools. The forge is almost entirely raised. Cut down some pines to split for floors.

" Wednesday, September 16 .- A great rain, which preveuted the workmen from splitting planks to cover the forge. Peck and Robinson tried in vain to peel some bark. M. Pharoux and Dixon improved some intervals and set stakes for the mill-race, which will pass in frout of the house, to avoid a ditch that might be too long and expensive. Our men were employed in making wooden pins. Washed, oiled, and mended the forge bellows. Made scaffolding and other structures, so as to employ all hands on the roof. In the after- noon cut wood to make a coal-pit. Cleared out from the head of the projected canal some great pieces of dead wood which the river had thrown in. M. Pharoux took the level from the upper part of the caual to the lower end. Cut some rafters to cover the smith's shop. Atseven in the evening M. Tassart arrived with letters, and inform- ing ns of the return of my brother at the High Falls.

" Thursday, September 17 .- We had the cattle draw up some large pine blocks, to split into boards for covering the blacksmith-shop. The men were employed in entting wood, some for the coal-pit, the rest along the line of the canal. At nine in the evening Mr. Broad- head at last arrived, with all his men in good health.

" Saturday, September 19 .- At seven o'clock this morning Messrs. Pharoux, Broadhead, and company set out, happy and in good health. . . . We have covered a part of the forge with planks, and will finish the roof with plauk split from white cedar. They worked on the coal- pit, which will be finished to-morrow. Had some square timber drawn np, this being a pressing necessity, as the cattle must be sent back to the Iligh Falls, where they are much needed for the wagons.

" Sunday, September 20 .- The river having risen considerably, I sent the carpenter with some ropes to the camp at the landing to se- cure our canoes in case of need. . . . It rained incessantly.

" Monday, September 21 .- The rain continuing, I had the bench and wooden horses brought in, so as to ocenpy the men under cover. . . . The weather having cleared np I sent two men to the coal-pit, and employed the rest in splitting planks. At three o'clock I noticed some persons on the other side of the river, whom I recognizo l as belonging to M. Pharoux's party, and felt alarmed lest some accident had happened. Half an hour later my fears were realized, on the ar- rival of Messrs. Broadhead and Tassart, with one of their men, who in- formed me that, yesterday morning, as they were endeavoring to cross the river on a raft to the other side, they had been drawn into the falls by the violence of the current, and that M. Pharoux and two men had perished. The rest had been assisted by 'M. Tassart and his hired

HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, NEW YORK.

man, who had fortunately refused to embark with them. They had built some fires, and searched along the shores, hoping to be able to assist their unfortunate comrades should they be able to get ashore ; but all their searches were in vain. The place selected for crossing was narrow, and consequently rapid, and the great flood had still further increased the velocity of the current, which prevented them from touching the bottom with their poles, or of offering any resist- auce. M. Tassart had gone down two miles below the falls, where he had found still water and a safe erossing-place; but the zeal of M. Pharoux had led bim to disregard the representations of M. Tassart, and even the fears of the Indian, who had refused to cross with them. The dread of losing time in making another raft, and the belief that there was no danger, occasioned this irreparable loss that has befallen us. I had urged M. Pharoux to give up the journey, as the season was so far advanced; but his anxiety to procure at Kingston infor- mation as to provisions, men, etc., which we might depend upon next year, and above all his desire to verify for himself the operations on Peuet Square and in Lower Castorland, drew him on to the end of his career. Mr. Broadhead had been wounded on the bead by a piece of the raft as it went to pieces and was swallowed up in the falls. Money, instruments, provisions, all were lost, and his men lost all their effects.

" This unfortunate event happened yesterday morning at half-past nine o'clock, and of the seven persons who were on the raft four only were saved. Our friends looked upon the danger with firmness. They went down the first two rapids without breaking, and he did not cease encouraging his men till the moment when they were pre- eipitated over the third fall, which is more than fifteen feet high. Their raft went to pieces, and they disappeared in the cauldron below. Mr. Broadhead got ready to return to the place with two men to seek for the bodies of the victims of this sad catastrophe, and to render the last dues of a friend. We shall earnestly and constantly hope for their success in this enterprise, which would prove the very greatest consolation to us in this foreign land. M. Tassart will start to-morrow to carry my letter, and one from Mr. Broadhead to my brother, so that, should it be thought necessary, he ean come down with some provisions to await the return of Mr. Broadhead. We finished covering the shop with planks, as well as the ends of the roof. The oxen drew fire-wood to the forge. We have made a wood-pile, which we have kindled and attended, so as to have some charcoal while waiting for the coal-pit. . . .

" Tuesday, September 22 .- M. Tassart set out with bis man Robin- son and N. Hobley. One of Mr. Broadhead's hired men, finding him- selt sick, joiued them to return home. I gave M. Tassart the large eanoe, as the most convenient for my brother to come down in with the provisions. In that case Baptiste will take care of things at the establishment at the High Falls. Mr. Broadhead, having no more instruments, could uot continue his operations. After conferring with him, he decided not to go further than the bay, and to take only pro- visions enough for ten days, as this time would be sufficient to make the search. If they find the body of our friend they will not bury it, but wrap it in barks tied with moose-wood, so that it may be brought here on a horse, when we will take it up to the mouth of Independence creek, where he had chosen a site for his dwelling, and there we will ereet such monument as we may be able. While Mr. Broadhead is searching for the body with a man, the two others, with hooks and in a canoe, will drag the bottom of the river, to endeavor to find either the bodies or the things that have been lost. They finished the black- smith's forge, so as to make some hooks at onee. Mr. Broadhead will have with him Hitto, the Indian, and Peck and Warner, two of our men. . . . Notwithstanding what Mr. Broadhead had told me, I climbed many times upon the rocks, fancying to myself that my friend had been able to save himself by gaining the shore, and that he had come up to opposite our place ; but all iu vain.

" Wednesday, September 23 .- At half-past nine Mr. Broadhead set out with the three men, some blankets, and other articles that they might want. They did not take all their provisions, as the road which they had marked in going was very good, and in four hours a man can go from here to the fatal place where they attempted to cross. Mr. Broadhead, on his returu, will procure new men to con- tinue the survey, and to run the road from here to Kingston by way of Penet's Square. I will lend him M. Pharoux's compass and a sur- veyor's chain, if he does not recover his own. ..

" Thursday, September 24 .- Employed the oxen in drawing the wood cut for the mil !. The blacksmith split some ash into thin strips

to make a crate for carrying coal. I went to visit the coal pit, which is buruing very well, notwithstanding the bad weather. They have finished the planks necessary for covering the coal-house. The In- dians had made sugar at the place where the pit is located, where there were many maple-trees cut into, and almost all the other young trees and dead wood had been cut by them to boil their sugar with; so that it will be very easy to establish a farm there; the soil, more- over, being of a good quality and near a good meadow. . . .

" Friday, September 25 .- The oxen drew carpenter's wood. Visited the coal-pit, which is quite advanced, and would have been done if it had not been necessary to use green wood. The blacksmith pretends that it will still require six or seven days. The English and Indians, during the war of independence, coming from the Oswegatcbie here, made the portage and went up the Black river to surprise Fort Stan- wix. There occurred a skirmish on the other side, between the Oneidas and the English, guided by other Indians, in which many of the Oneidas were killed, and the rest were obliged to fall back upon Fort Stanwix. The Indian, Hitto, pointed out to M. Pharoux the place where the combat took place on the banks of Black river. Made a large sled to transport the coal in the crate.

" Saturday, September 26 .- Found this morning, along the river- bank, a kind of potato that is natural to the country. Our Yankees told me that it was excellent when cooked under the ashes. It is called the ground-nut. They are now scarcely formed, or green, and are attached one after another on filaments, like a string of beads. I found their taste to be like the turnip, and very insipid. At four o'clock in the afternoon Robinson and Hobley returned with the little canoe, and brought letters from my brother, who informed me that he had sent for provisions. He asked from me a report on the con- dition of the labors, so as to be able to judge whether he ought to continue or suspend the work at the mill till next year. . . . At eight in the evening Robinson returned with a letter from Mr. Broad- head, who had made a canoe, but had as yet found nothing, and re- quested me to send him some fresh provisions.

" Sunday, September 27 .- Last evening Warren, on his return from Mr. Broadhead's eamp, found nothing at the landing-place opposite to us but the rope that had held the canoe, and which had probably been carried off by the water. . . . The steady rain to-day prevented us from sending any provisions, and also suspended all our oper- ations.

" Monday, September 28 .- After breakfast I sent Hobley and Rob- inson to carry provisions to Mr. Broadhead, with my brother's letter and one from myself. I asked him to send back Peck, who would be more useful as a carpenter here. They did not find the eanoe again. The coal has been finished. Trueman did not bring up the oxen till nine o'clock, and did not find the cow. The search for the cattle made us lose precious time, and a well-trained dog would save us much care. The blacksmith having brought a basket of coal, put the two picks in order. . . . In the mean time I had some trees felled in the direction of the canal and on the site of the mill. The blacksmith made a trough for dipping, and forged some little pieces to fasten his bellows, after which he arranged his hearth and twyre iron.

" Tuesday, September 29 .- Employed the men under cover on ac- count of the bad weather. Had some plank taken up, and the space paved with stone, to enlarge the hearth, and prevent danger from fire, as the Indians will be sure to come and lodge here in the winter while engaged in hunting. I visited the coal-pit, and we hope it will be burned to-morrow. Peck and Hitto returned at half-past three, with a letter from Mr. Broadhead, announcing his intention to return to-morrow. . .

" Wednesday, September 30 .- We had the first white frost. Mr. Broadhead returned, and complained to me that Peek had refused to go as far as the bay. He had recovered none of his effects, and he informed me that besides this he had lost more than two hundred and sixty dollars in specie. I gave attention to his elaims, and sent a statement to my brother, who will surely lay them before the company for their favorable action. They have cut and squared two more pieces for the mill. The smith worked at his forge. Trueman, with the cattle, drew off the rest of the burnt logs that encumbered the place of the canal, and threw them into the river. ..

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History of Jefferson County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 16

Author: Durant, Samuel W; Peirce, H. B. (Henry B.) Publication date: 1878 Publisher: Philadelphia : L.H. Everts & Co. Number of Pages: 862

Author: Durant, Samuel W; Peirce, H. B. (Henry B.)
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Philadelphia : L.H. Everts & Co.
Number of Pages: 862