Framingham State University - Dial Yearbook (Framingham, MA)

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24: and chopped down the tree. Then they limbed it outg that is, cut OH' the branches. After this, oxen were hitched to the tree and, if it was a large one, it was drawn directly, to the millg otherwise it was left until they could get three or four and then they were drawn to the lumber yard by fastening one end of the trees to a sled and permitting the other end to drag. After this they waited their turn to be rolled in on the carriage on which they were run into the mill to be sawed by the large circular saw. If it was an average sized log a slab was removed and then two or three boards were sawed off. Then the log was turned over and a slab was taken from the other side. Then boards were sawed out until the log was used up. The slab or bark pieces were taken to a small circular saw and there sawed into short lengths. As each board was sawed olf a man placed it on a series of rollers and gave it a push sending it to a man outside. Here was a sled on which the boards were piled and drawn away to be piled or stacked. This was an interesting piece of work. First two poles were laid on the ground about ten or twelve feet apart. Across these the first layer of boards was placed. On this, about a foot and a half from the end, small strips or narrow boards were placed, running in the same direction as the poles and so on' until the pile was several feet high. All this care is taken to let the air have a chance to circulate through to dry the boards and season them. , Later these boards were drawn down the mountain and sent away for building purposes. Large derricks were also con- structed there. Now all this sawing, the running of the carriage, and so on, required power, which was furnished by an engine run by steam power. The water in the boiler was heated by the fire in the fire box underneathg this caused steam which went through a large pipe to the steam chest. This pressure caused the engine to work, turning large wheels over which were run large leather belts con- necting with other wheels, until all the machinery was in motion. The power is gauged by a brake. VVhen wood is sawed there is always sawdust. This could not remain beneath the saw as in hand sawing because it would soon be in the way. To prevent this it fell into a trough-like receiver called a blower. In this was an arrangement called a fan which was run by a belt causing a rush of air strong enough to blowl the sawdust far out from the mill. A point of especial interest to me was a regular track built for the dump car. This car was really a three-foot square on wheels. Child fashion I soon began to get acquainted with it.

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23 All that I can recall of the furnishing of the house is that it was very simple. The old fashioned box stove was a prominent feature. The table service has completely faded from my memory. I have a very distinct image of the back door, because the house was built on a steep side hill making this door very high from the ground. A few rods away was a well constructed barn in which they kept horses, oxen, hay and g'rain. Several rods beyond this was a large sawmillg and this completed the settlement. As mother and I were strangers we had to be introduced to our new surroundings, a duty all were anxious to perform. By the time I had taken in the details I have just described, it was supper time. Soon it was dark and the play was about to begin. One of the men stepped just out of doors and gave a most agoniz- ing shriek. I thought it was about time to get frightened and began to prepare, but, instead, I was taken to the door to hear the result of the apparent distress. Soon in the distance came an answer in about the same tone. This continued until the answering object came comparatively near. Much to my surprise I was informed that this was a bear. From then on I used to hear them quite often, see their tracks, and find the remains of rabbits which they had killed. One of the best games I had was to go out in the morning and see how many of these I could find. Before very late we were glad to go to bed and get a chance to rest. During the night we were awakened by a loud, gnawing and lighting on the roof. In the midst of the excitement the lady of the house called to us saying: Do you hear that noise? Don't be alarmed, it is only hedgehogs. They come every night. I intended to tell you before you went to bed but I forgot it. Her duty was done so she returned to slumberland. I recall a slight trembling, a chill I suppose, but sleepiness soon overcame it. As time went on I found our visitors were very constant. We were often awakened in the morning by the tapping of the wood- peckers. Although there were nearly all kinds of the common trees to be found on the mountain, the forest was chiefly composed of spruce. I remember well the large pieces of the gum which the men used to chop off of the trees and bring to the house. I will now attempt to give you an idea of how they conducted the lumbering business there. Of course on my arrival the build- ings were up, the roads made, and the work in progress, so I can not explain the beginning. Several horses were used about the mill but oxen did the work in the woods. To be definite, we will choose one tree in the woods and follow its different stages. Early in the morning a man, sometimes two men, approached

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25 I found that I could easily push it down the track from the mill and even ride on it when I got it to going well. I might say that this sport took place fifteen feet above ground and was very enjoyableg but the thing absolutely refused to be pushed back. Now all I had to do was to run off and soon some of the help would want the car and so they would go after it. VVhen they were through with my plaything they would leave it at the mill. As soon as the men were out of sight I participated in another ride. This afforded me much amusement for some time, but one day I met with a surprise. Now some surprises are very acceptable but I will let you be the judge of this one. I was just completing one of my car trips when suddenly I was seized by some one back of me and lightly tossed into the sawdust piles several feet below. I got up, taking a load with me, and, although unharmed, I de- cided that my friendship with the car must come to an end. In this manner the summer passed with very little excitement until one day mother and I went for a walk to a charming spot, two miles distant, on an old wood road. Late in the afternoon we began retracing our steps when mother became aware of the presence of a panther which was calmly watching us. I was quite ignorant of the fact at the time and, by the way, continued to be for several years. As we proceeded, our unwelcome companion did likewise. From reports, I suppose I was a very troublesome child that day. My desire for flowers grew more intense every moment and I insisted on rushing into the bushes directly in front of the terrible beast. It seemed that our spectator was not very hungry because he did not give any signs of attack and, when we were about a quarter of a mile from the mill, he coolly made his departure. None of these seekers of prey came very near the buildings as they were afraid of the mill whistle. Thus ended a most delightful afternoon for me and an experience quite to the contrary to my poor mother. It was now nearly fall and the woman who had charge of the boarding house had so far recovered as to take up the work again. Consequently mother and I returned home. For the next few years, I failed to make any advance in my study of lumbering. About twelve years ago I went to a new home situated in the Connecticut valley, sixty-five miles north of my former dwelling. From this place I had a fine chance to watch the proceedings on and along the river. During the winter, men cut a great many logs and piled them along the water course. In the spring, when the water was high, the logs were rolled down the bank and they