Rensselaer Republican, Volume 27, Number 43, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 July 1896 — A Huckleberry Raid. [ARTICLE]

A Huckleberry Raid.

Monday mourning June 22 nd, Dick, Tom and Harry of Union and North Marion Tps., made a raid on Keener Tp. By halfpast 5 o’clock the rattle of wagons and buggies announced thAt the festive huckleberry season was on, and it was to be a gala day. It was whispered around all day Sunday, that Geo. Warren and the Sheffer boys had found a fine patch. Each man preferred himself to his neighbor and taking his head for a compass, started in search of the patch. But no such good luck, not every flit was a berry patch. And after much wandering, wagon load after wagon load began to collect at a point near Indian Lake. The crowd sepmed discouraged, when Geo Warren, who had slept a little late, arrived on the spot. Prior Rowen was spokesman and. demanded of Geo. if he knew where there were any huckleberries. After looking oyer the mob, Geo. said he did not, but he knew were there had been some Saturday. Then taking the lead of the delegation like a good Samaritan drove to the patch which proved to be poetically speaking a land of milk and honey. Now came a wild scramble, each trying to outstrip his neighbor. Lads and lassies, men and women. Dogs barked, friend called to friend, and all answered in concert, and the woods echoed it back. About 12 o’clock came on a thunder storm, at which under ordinary circumstances, the women would have all taken fright, but not so now, they were calm, and somewhat cooler, after the rain. At Toll call .the following families answered: Prior Ro wen, Green ThorJiop, Geo. Warren, Abe Warne, E veret VV arne, Theo. VV arne, B. D. Comer, The Shook girls, John Borem, The Widows, Chas. Martin. James Babcock, Michael Sholtz, William Sholtz, John Kressler and John Greenfield; the two latter gentleman refused to be called Nubbin Ridgers and would hot partake of the levities of the crowd. On collecting statistics it was found that each family had about a bushel of huckleberries and nobody lost. Geo. Warren declared the day on the wane and the crowd left saying there is no place like home.

BILL FUZZY.