Recollections of Early Days In La Crosse County
                           W. E. BARBER

    My parents were pioneers of Lewis Valley, settling there in 1851.
They were farmers, sharing the experiences of early pioneers' constant
struggle and privations of which the generations of these later years
have but slight conception.
    Public conveniences, such as schools, churches and markets for
their produce and all of the advantages which the generations of these
later years are enjoying, are all built upon the foundation laid by those
men and women.
    They were mostly a Christian people, deeply impressed with the
teachings of the Bible and interested in spreading the gospel among
the people. Sunday school for teaching the children the spiritual side
of life was held in the district school house during the summer months.
There were some parents who took no interest in the church and Sun-
day school, just as there are today.
     For amusement, parties were held at different homes where they
gave vent to their mirthful, pent-up spirits in dancing on the kitchen
floor and in playing social games. There was a fiddler by the name of
Paul Sullivan who could awaken the dead with his jig music, which
put everyone on his toes when the fiddle started and the dance was on.
Talk about good times! Those pioneers had them, too. Those parties
Were a Godsend to that struggling community. They brought to the
surface that mirthful spirit that had been smothered in ceaseless care
and toil. They opened the pent-up avenues of mirth and gave balance
to their lives.
     The lives of those pioneers were not all drudgery and humdrum.
They found amusements just as we do today. Their amusements were
of a different character, of course, but they enjoyed their pastimes. The
women had their sewing societies where they gathered at different
homes in the community and made garments for the poor and needy.
In case of sickness in a family, they were on hand to give assistance.
It was all done in a spirit of helpfulness, which was the dominating
characteristic of the pioneers.
     The donation party for raising funds for paying their minister
 was one of the affairs of the church. It was usually held at a member's
 home, where a sumptuous supper was served. The members turned out
 enmasse, bringing with them articles of food or things that could be
 of use in the pastor's home. Only a small part of the pastor's salary
 was paid in money.
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