THE early settlers labored under many disadvantages, but it is unlikely that any of them ventured thus far into what was then "The Wild West" with the hope of finding their pathway strewn with roses.  They were blessed with strength and health, and, better than all, with good courage, and, sustained by the hope of "a good time coming," could cheerfully and manfully work early and late.  Humble as their work may appear when attention is given to its details, there was, nevertheless, an element of heroism in it.  Men of stout hearts, strong arms and determined spirits have always been in the vanguard of the army of progress.  The axes of the back-woodsmen have cleared the road; civilization follows them.  The work of the early settlers was noble, and the memory of it deserves to be perpetuated. 
     The pioneers of this county found the lands which they had selected for occupation covered with a dense growth of heavy timber.  Usually the settler constructed a temporary shelter of poles and bark, then took his axe and proceeded to clear a small spot of ground, or at least to clear it enough so that a small crop of corn could be raised.  Wheat, being less hardy, he did not usually attempt to raise until the ground had been planted to corn a few times.  As a result, during the first years in their rude house the food of the settler's household consisted of corn-bread and wild game, with but little variation in the bill of fare.  Cornmeal was not easily procured even if corn was plenty.  The early mills were not numerous, neither was their capacity extensive.  Frequently a dry season would leave every "tub-mill" and "corncracker" in a settlement as dray as the sands of the desert.  Then long journeys on horseback must be undertaken to the nearest settlement which had a mill in running order.  The roads of those days were mere paths, marked by blazed trees, and very difficult for one not accustomed to them to follow.
     Of amusements there was no lack, especially where the settlers were gathered quite closely in neighborhoods.  Raisings, log-rollings, corn-shuckings and similar gatherings were constantly occurring, and were usually well attended.  On these occasions whiskey was used liberally; sometimes it made great "fun" for the assemblage; at other times it was productive of fights, which were also regarded in the light of pleasurable diversions.  Visiting was far more frequent between neighbors then than now, and anyone who lived within a half dozen miles was considered a neighbor.  There was a genuine fraternal and helpful spirit prevalent between families;  fends and jealousies were rare.  All were about in the same condition financially; that is, all were poor, and all stood on equal social footing. 

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[PORTRAIT OF NICHOLAS COBURN, JR.]

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