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By Ernest G. Cook
Theresa, Sept. 18 - With Capt. John Hoover won over to a trip through the wilderness of the north, Robert Sixberry began to live over in his mind the good times they would have the next spring and summer hunting and trapping along the Indians' river. People were busy in the Mohawk valley getting a foothold on the lands and pushing back the timber line. They were not far beyond the pioneer stage themselves and most of them would see little reason for starting from new country to begin all over again, when they had just begun to live themselves. But with the young it was different. They were always ready for adventure and a summer. In the wilderness where wild animals were thick and fish plentiful was just a delightful vacation.
So Sixberry and Hoover talked over and over again of what they would do when they roamed the woods the coming season and of the profits they would make in the catch of fur. Everything was shaped to their early going - but still they didn't go. Sixberry seemed to linger upon one excuse or another. And it was not long before the older ones could see the reason why. The sister of Capt. John Hoover, who had looked with so much favor upon young Sixberry as he spun his tales of adventure that first evening he had returned from the north, had turned the heart of the adventurous Sixberry. He was much in her company and the two would take long trips alone in the woods. It was a new experience for Sixberry. Woodland adventures were nothing now. In the company of such a fine maiden all other joys gave way. It was not long before the young folks announced their engagement and proposed an early marriage. The parents gave their consent most readily and the marriage was performed.
Here is where there is a period in the life of Sixberry that is somewhat misty and vague, as recalled by "Tall Charlie". The great-grandson of Robert Sixberry is not sure as to how long Robert Sixberry and his bride resided in the Mohawk valley before coming into the north woods. He is not sure, even, that Sixberry made his trip into the woods with Capt. John Hoover the next season.
However, the conclusions reached seemed to indicate that Sixberry resided for a while in the Mohawk and made trips to hunt, trap and fish in the north, coming sometimes alone, often with others from the Mohawk. It is certain that Capt. Hoover came on one of these very early hunting trips and was very favorably impressed with the land and the prospects for a settlement.
Discovers Lead For Bullets.
It is generally conceded that Sixberry and Hoover made the trip in the north, prospecting over much of the ground that Sixberry explored when with the Indians the previous two years. Capt. John Hoover was anxious to see the country and Sixberry wanted to hunt and trap and secure a season's catch of fur so as to have some ready money for his start in housekeeping.
Captain John Hoover was greatly impressed with the new lands. He was like Sixberry, however, quite sure the lands near where Sixberry first made his lodge on the Indian river were the best and if they should locate in the north they would select lands from that very section. Sixberry had taken Capt. John Hoover to his first home by the river where the Indians had their camp. It was home to Sixberry and it appealed to the thrifty Mr. Hoover and a place quite ideal.
It is stated that on this trip, in his desire to show Capt. Hoover the wonders of the lake region, the two went far down the Indian river - in fact trapped for some time on the main lands below the high falls of the Indian. But Sixberry was doing more hunting than he expected and his supply of bullets was getting to be very limited. They couldn't go back to the Mohawk for more and they did want to remain longer and hunt. Besides, one wanted a supply when one was in a wilderness of wolves and some bear. In exploring through the lake region and the lower Indian river Sixberry suddenly stooped and reached into the shallow water of the shore. He lifted out a small chunk of rock and gave a satisfied expression that brought Capt. John to him at once.
Sixberry believed he had discovered some lead that was nearly pure enough to make into bullets. Further search revealed more of the rocks and a supply of the better ones were taken to their camping place. Moulds were made of wood and the rock melted in the fire. To the great satisfaction of both hunters the plan worked. They could make their own bullets right out in the wilderness. It is thought that Sixberry searched other places in that section for lead and probably found several deposits. He doubtless knew of the lead veins that were afterwards worked in the Rossie section, for the Indian river goes not far from the mines.
Time to Make Settlement.
Just how many hunting trips Sixberry made into the north is not known, but he knew the country pretty well when about the year 1800 he decided it was time to bring his wife north and make a home for her in the land he was sure would be a thriving community some day.
It is said that Robert Sixberry guided the Quaker delegation to the falls on Indian river where Philadelphia is now located and worked with the party when the road was put through from the settlements at LeRaysville to Philadelphia and other points. Sixberry's task was to supply the fresh meat for the party making the surveys, as well as for the road makers, and in this he was an expert.
When the road was surveyed to the St. Lawrence river where Alexandria Bay is now located, Sixberry was at his usual job of supplying the meat and didn't fall in his task. But the crew cutting the roadway failed to get other supplies and were getting down on short rations outside of the meat diet. In fact the situation grew so serious that Sixberry found his way to the St. Lawrence and halted a boat for supplies. Getting some supplies on the plea that his party was in great need, he backed his supplies in to camp and there was general rejoicing when he arrived.
When he and Capt. John Hoover did actually come into the north to settle upon lands they at first decided to go a little southeast of where Evans Mills is now located. The reason for going there was because Capt. John Hoover thought it better to locate on cleared lands and gain that much time. A pioneer by the name of Daniel Coffeen had cleared a patch of land and was inclined to turn back a little towards an earlier settlement and sold out his rights to Hoover and of course Robert Sixberry also.
But Sixberry always favored the lands to the north and soon he was headed for the wilderness on the rolling lands some four miles in a northerly direction from Evans Mills. There he located upon a small tract of land, never having desire to farm. Hoover followed and located upon lands nearby. On his small farm Sixberry spent the remaining years of his life - not as a farmer, but always a hunter and trapper.
Captain John Hoover took some time off from his settlement to guard buildings and supplies during the war of 1812 near Theresa. It was where Lafarge had caused a clearing to be made and it was at that point that Hoover single handed made his capture of some British.
It is said that Sixberry never really settled down, but was a wanderer during his active life, gaining his living, and a very good one too, from hunting and trapping. The little brown jug was often his companion and the stories of him and his jug form quite a collection. In fact the little brown jug was the real reason why he went to sleep with his leg in the fire-place and ever after was obliged to hunt with one leg - but an expert even then.
(To be continued.) |
