ith reference to free-flowing springs.
Pasture land for immediate use was desirable; and of course the
soil must be fertile. As a rule, the settler had the alternative of
establishing himself on the lowlands along a stream and obtaining ground
of the greatest productiveness, with the almost certain prospect of
annual attacks of malaria, or of seeking the poorer but more healthful
uplands. The attractions of the "bottoms" were frequently irresistible,
and the "ague" became a feature of frontier life almost as inevitable as
the proverbial "death and taxes."

The site selected, the next task was to clear a few acres of ground
where the cabin was to stand. It was highly desirable to have a belt
of open land as a protection against Indians and wild beasts; besides,
there must be fields cleared for tillage. If the settler had neighbors,
he was likely to have their aid in cutting away the densest growth of
trees, and in raising into position the heavy timbers which formed the
framework and walls of his cabin. Splendid oaks, poplars, and sycamores
were cut into convenient lengths, and such as could not be used were
rolled into great heaps and burned. Before sawmills were introduced
lumber could not be manufactured; afterwards, it became so plentiful as
to have small market value.

Almost without exception the frontier cabins had log walls; and they
were rarely of larger size than single lengths would permit. On an
average, they were twelve or fourteen feet wide and fifteen or eighteen
feet long. Sometimes they were divided into two rooms, with an attic
above; frequently there was but one room "downstairs." The logs were
notched together at the corners, and the spaces between them were filled
with moss or clay or covered with bark. Rafters were affixed to the
uppermost logs, and to one another, with wooden pins driven through
auger holes. In earliest times the roof was of bark; later on, shingles
were used, although nails were long unknown, and the shingles, after
being laid in rows, were weighted down with straight logs.

Sometimes there was only an earth floor. But as a rule "puncheons,"
i.e., thick, rough boards split from logs, were laid crosswise on round
logs and were fastened with wooden pins. There was commonly but a single
door, which was made also of puncheons and hung on wooden hinges. A
favorite device was to construct the door in upper and lower sections,
so as to make it possible, when there came a knock or a cal