LA CROSSE COUNTY HISTORICAL SKETCHES


others were placed along side it
and upon each other, parallel to the
first log. This process was kept up
until the logs might extend on up
the bank. The logs were     either
swung into place with the aid of a
block and   tackle or rolled  into
place. The former method      was
faster, and therefore the popular
method. A man was always need-


water, even while sitting upon It,
the work of the driver seems al-
most incredible. The ability  of
some of these drivers was remark-
able. A man      from Onalaska is
credited with  having been   able,
while riding a small log in mid-
stream, to gradually lie down upon
his back on the log and then rise
again, all the while without touch-


    Diagrams of skidways and cant hook. The peevy was similar to the
cant hook, but the handle was longer and the end terminated in a spike
some six inches long. It was used by drivers on the river and served
the purpose of both cant hook and hand spike.


ed to guide the log into its place;
if the rope slipped, the man might
be killed. On the "roll-way" thus
constructed on the bank of the riv-
er, logs were sometimes piled 20
feet high.
  When the ice broke up, the first
log went with it, the others fol-
lowing in rapid succession. The
straggling ones were canted into
the stream. The current carried
the logs downstream, while men
along the banks  prevented them
from grounding. If the water was
deep enough the drivers might ride
the  logs, meanwhile  preventing
them from jamming against the
bank or upon rocks. To anyone
who has experienced the sensation
of attempting to ride a log in the


ing the log with his hands.
  The driver was equipped with
spiked shoes   and a pike    pole,
which was from 12 to 15 feet long.
Thus with    pole and shoe    they
worked, the pole to right the logs
and the shoe to roll them about.
The steel point end of the pole was
twisted giving it the nature of a
screw, which, when it was thrust
into a log would enable the work-
er to draw the log toward him.
With a turn of the hand the point
was loosened. A "hookaroon" was
a pike pole which had a hook like
that of the cant hook at the end
just below the point. It was not
much used on Black river.
  The process of sorting logs as it
was carried on in Black river will


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