Pg. 38 brother, Alma and I were under the table. My mother used a large umbrella to keep herself dry. The water from the creek washed into the house. “All the men were farmers. The grain raised was wheat, oats and barley. Corn and potatoes were also raised. “Our only mean of transportation was on foot or by ox teams. Many of the old wagons were brought across the plains. The tires were so loose that some would walk and drive the oxen and pound on the tires. Driving through as many streams as possible to set them. “If a band of Indians chanced to come along the oxen would sniff, and run anywhere they could go. Whether it was over the fence or into the river. “The Indians used to pass through the valley quite frequently in early days. “The grain was cut with a cradle and raked with a wooden rake by hand. The binding was also done by hand. There was no concern in those days. The famers depended on blue grass for hay. This was also cut with a scythe. “The oxen during the farming season, were turned into the Pg. 39 hills at night, and the men and boys would walk after them in the morning. It would sometimes take several hours before they could be located. Plowing, harrowing etc. was very slow work with an ox team. All the grain was soon by hand. “The homes were lit by tallow candles; or tallow placed in a saucer and piece of candle wick, or cloth, with one end to light. That made a very dim light. “The women were very industrious. All the washing was done on the wash board. “Nearly every farmer raised cattle and a small bunch of sheep. During the summer the sheep were turned onto the hillside in one big herd. No one took care of them. When a family wanted a mutton they hunted up the herd. No one was afraid to trust his neighbor. “When the sheep were sheared some of the wool was kept for the family. It was washed and picked clean of burrs, dirt, etc. and made into rolls and spun into yarn. Some of the women used spinning wheels, some large and some small. All the women and girls