A Pioneer Family (Part 2 of 3) Mr. and Mrs. Eck took up a homestead of 160 acres on which they built a log hut which served for sleeping quarters and as usual in those days, about 100 yards away another small hut for kitchen and dining room. This home they called "Elms" after their two oldest daughters. They lived about a quarter of a mile from their nearest neighbor, and Mr. Eck's place of business was a mile distance. Here they spent, perhaps, the happiest part of their lives, but also many trials and privations and sorrows such as the pioneers of this section experienced. Mrs. Eck had never been away, and of course, used to the ordinary comforts of life, but here were the mere necessities, hard work, loneliness, and fright from the wild animals who wandered and howled about the house at night while she prayed and waited for Mr. Eck's return. The tale of one occasion when riding home on his horse through the woods, his horse shied and nearly threw him and there almost above his head was a panther. All he could see was his eyes. This was only one of many experiences. A Catholic Church was built some years before the War, constructed of logs, which was destroyed by the soldiers when marching through that section. After the arrival of Mr. Eck and with the assistance of Captain Hunter (his brother-in-law), Dr. Josephy Eck, (his brother), Mr. George Taafe, Mr. Bird, and many other, this little church was rebuilt and still stands on a hill in a beautiful setting with the cemetery just back of it, and services are still held there each Sunday. Mrs. Eck made the altar linens and some vestments out of some linen sheets which were her wedding presents, and Mrs. Hunter gave her wedding dress for the same purpose. A priest from Hot Springs, Father Garrity, made this trip on horseback twice a year, making his home at Mr. Eck's for two weeks or more and gave the comforts of their religion to the little flock there. **************************************************************** USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ****************************************************************