#14 pedigree chart & Elizabeth Blancett & the wolves

I thought some of you might appreciate a chart so you can see where I am at, in the family, when I bring up a family name. This is only a 4 generation chart so will do more later. 

Hopefully the chart above is helpful for those that are interested. The story below is about Moses Blancett's mother, who is not shown on above chart---Elizabeth Harris who was married to Josiah Blancett.

TRUMAN TELLS A STORY OF HIS MOM AND THE WOLVES OF NORTHERN IOWA:

"In northern Iowa near the line of Minnesota was a noted place for what was known as the timber wolf. He inhabited the woods mostly. He was dark-colored, large and savage, and

        usually traveled in packs, sometimes as many as half a dozen or more. 

There were a few cases known where the trapper had to climb into a tree to escape this black denizen of the forest.

I well remember a thrilling experience mother and the children had one night---it was in the early winter. Father was in a hurry to get away to look after the traps, as he had about thirty of them scattered thru the locality. Our house was the common log house, built of round logs fairly good size, with the customary fireplace in one end. Father thought we must have a supply of fresh meat. He killed a medium sized elk, brought it inside of the house and hung it up. Mother could remove the pelt a little at a time as it was needed for the meat. In that way it would keep fresh. After piling a lot of wood near the door for the fireplace, father was ready to go.

Mother seemed little concerned about being left alone with the children.  She had become so accustomed to the wild scenes on the frontier, she was immune from fear. So father got away to look after the traps, leaving the family in the care of two large bloodhounds that we allowed to remain in the house during the night. At that time there were but four children at home I being the oldest, about 12 years.

Just after dark mother was seated in the dim light of a tallow dip mending some clothing for the children.

Suddenly there was a great bellowing and howling of wolves all about the outside of the house. They had been attracted by the smell of the fresh meat, and were trying to get into the house. They would tear at the bark on the logs. They continued to howl as the children gathered about mother trembling with fear. The bloodhounds listened with a sullen growl, but mother smiled as she looked at the children, saying: "Don't be afraid---the ugly wolves can't get us."

What a job to care for your family on the frontier! This is our grandparents who did the work they needed to do to bring about our family. Our grandpa Moses was not living at home at this time. He was almost 15 years older than Trumon, but he always lived close by his parents. He may have even went with his dad. I am not sure what Trumon was talking about when he said there were 3 children younger than him at home. I only show 2 in my records and that is John and Enos. hmmm. Patty