| OCR Text |
Show between the regular water-turns the clay soil baked and bound. It was necessary to carry river water daily to revive wilting seedlings. Since sagebrush and cedar stumps were their only source of fuel, John K and Frank used most of their extra time in cutting cedars and brush in the Cedar Hills, trimming and hauling them to their barnyard where they built a large round woodpile. A constant supply replenished the pile as it was depleted. Wolves, coyotes, and other wild animals were sometimes terrifying, especially after dark, so the family felt safer in doing all evening chores well before nightfall. At first the boys staked their farm animals to graze, for there were no fences. But gradually, as they fenced the land, everything began to take shape. There were wild ducks, sage hens, and rabbits, and even a few fish in the Sanpitch River flowing along the west boundary of their property. During those first years of living on the farm there were roving bands of Indians camped nearby. They were friendly, but expected food, and Wilhelmina was pressed in the feeding of her own family. However, she always shared with the Indians for all settlers had been advised to feed them, and having them close was frightening, so it was better to maintain friendly relations. Sometimes in the long summer twilight, Wilhelmina sat in or near the doorway to view the flaming sky. She had 39 |
