We just came in from about the shortest walk ever. It looked so nice outside with bright sunshine and reasonably calm, and when I was out to get snow measurements this morning at 9 a.m. it felt like spring, so I was eager to go for a walk after being cooped up for several days. When we got to the mail boxes at the end of our drive, we realized the wind was out of the north. In cold weather, I like to start my walks facing the wind so when I get too cold to continue, coming back feels much warmer with the wind at my back. So we headed along the flat towards the big field, expecting to get at least to Brickett's Crossing Rd. At the end of the flat where the road dips down past the big field, there was a blast of icy wind that literally took my breath away. Heads down, we stuck it out for another few yards, but then it was too much for me and we turned around and gratefully let the wind push us back home. I figure that was at least a 25 m.p.h. wind, and we might have been walking 4-5 m.p.h., and the thermometer was showing 15 degrees, so that wind was feeling like about 5 below. I'm content to stay inside at my computer.

We got about 3.5 inches of new snow overnight, but we can still see spots of bare ground above Rt. 15 where the wind has swept it almost clear. We definitely don't have the usual amount of snow for February 1st. Now the sun is beginning to disappear behind the hill in back of our house and the thermometer is slipping downward again. I guess our warmup is going to be brief.

I need to get back to my work. I've been scanning old documents for the past couple of days and am beginning to see real progress in getting this last donation of papers in order. I found an interesting history of the Yellow House that was the first frame house built in the Town of Cabot. It was on the Plain and served as a tavern and stop-over for travelers for many years. Although it was against the law to do business in Canada during those years (War of 1812), according to history, many barrels of potato whiskey, hundreds of cattle, and tons of potash and other products were delivered there from area settlers who broke the law in order to survive. The Yellow House was also known as the Smugglers' House.

It's hard to believe, but according to historian J. W. Stone, who wrote the piece I copied yesterday, it was not unusual for 60 or more heavy freight teams to pass over the Plain in a day's time. Taverns were placed about 6 miles apart, generally, and the Yellow House would usually have 12 or more teams with their drivers and helpers on any given night, plus other travelers. There was a large barn where 40 or more horses could be kept, and during the smuggling days, cattle would be held there until there was a full compliment to begin the drive on foot to Canada. The authorities apparently had little or no clout, and the need of the settlers far outweighed any fears of getting caught.

Eventually, Market Road was opened along the shore of the pond connecting directly to Walden. That is now known as West Shore Road and Brickett's Crossing Road. It was a much easier route than taking the Bayley-Hazen Road over the hill to the Plain, but then the Yellow House no longer had patrons and was abandoned. Travelers then probably stayed at the Walden Tavern at the four corners, which still stands today and is the Walden Store.

I hope to have a new web site up soon for the Cabot Historical Society and Mr. Stone's account of the Yellow House will be posted there. It's too long to include here. And so, back to work.