In a 1849 interview with Mary Forsyth, she described her and John’s move and establishment of a tavern. She drove a covered wagon pulled by oxen. Tied to one side was a plow and on the other a coop with six chickens. The family cow was tied to the back of the cart. Following them was John on horseback leading three or four sheep and the same number of hogs. The trip took them five or six days. She indicated that early settlers had a difficult time co-existing with the indigenous wildlife and that livestock such as hogs had to be protected from bears and wolves. On their arrival a temporary abode was constructed. In the fall a more commodious log house was erected near the site of the current homestead.
