My Great, great grandfather, Samuel Arms was one of the first black settlers in Wisconsin. He was an escaped slave from Georgia. After serving under General Sherman as a Civil War drummer he came to live in Wisconsin. His daughter Mamie is my grandmother.

I remember Samuel's' civil war drum - now on loan to the Wisconsin State Historical Society in Madison. My uncle Otis (Samuel's son) had it on top of his piano. That same piano brought my uncle and I together for afternoon jam sessions. I played guitar and he would play some of his rag time music, and "Frisky" his Chihuahua would sing with us.

The "Valley" was a integrated, racially tolerant community during the 19th century. A time when there was much turmoil about with race. It was a community that was based on working together no matter what the skin color and consisted of peoples of European, Native American and African decent. I have heard many stories that in the toughest of times, there was someone or many in the community that would help out. These traditions continued into my childhood with the gathering of family and neighbors for Sunday dinners. People of all skin color arriving with dishes to pass.

One of these neighbors was Algie and Flora Shivers. Algie attended George R. Smith College in Sedalia, Missouri and studied carpentry among other subjects. He later supervised the construction of 15 round barns in Monroe and Vernon County with the help of his brothers. Building about 20 barns total, approximately 4 to 6 of these barns are still standing today.

I spent most of my summers growing up on Uncle Otis's and Aunt Blanche's farm. They lived pretty well off of the land, so I would help with gardening, harvesting and gathering eggs. I was not much of a milker - to much of a city girl. Aunt Blanche would make butter from the old wood churn. She would homogenize the milk for me, my sister Mamie and brother Paul (still that city thing). My aunt would go trout fishing when she was not canning, gardening, making butter or bread. My uncle would hunt and smoke fish in an old refrigerator. He could make a carp taste like ham.

Much has been written about Cheyenne Valley and it's community, still research continues. On May 30, 2002 the "Cheyenne Settlers' Heritage Society" was formed, "to preserve, educate and promote the rich history and culture of the multi-racial settlement in and around the Cheyenne Valley." The committee holds a bi-annual "family reunion", with attendence reaching between 250 to 300 people for the day. Speakers have included: Forrest Hazel, tribal historian for the Occaneechi Indian tribe in North Carolina; UW-Whitewater historian Stephen Vincent; Tom McKay, Wisconsin State Historical Society; Jack Holtzhueter, retired - State Historical Society and direct decendants to the origanal settlers.

 

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Wilderness Canoe Base

One of my passions is the Boundary Waters in Minnesota. I worked as a canoe guide in 1974, '75 and '77 after taking my first trip in 1973. I had the chance to return to my old stompin' grounds September 2003 during the full moon as an alumni to Wilderness Canoe Base. It has been many years since my return, but the spirit of the wilderness is still beautiful and strong.

We paddled and portaged approximately 100 miles through the heart of the Quetico. Quite a feat since most of us are approaching 50 years and some. The work load immediately gave me full contact with my physical being, and the spiritual followed feeding off the land, sky and water. Our first night out as we sat by the campfire we heard the howling of wolves. It's not the same as listening to the recordings, as they are processed and amplified. It reminded me of the whale call, a bit sad and exciting. On the portages we would find a family of moose tracks and did some trekking through heavy moose terrain. In the eight days out on the trails I watched my fellow alumni shed some of the city weight and become light physically and spiritually.

I have many memories of this trip and returning brought back old ones as well. I wish I could share it all with you, but it needs to be experienced. I hope for those that can't take part you might try to help someone else. Wilderness offers scholarships through donations.