News: Clark County, Wis. - Famous Log Drivers (1929)

Contact: Dolores Mohr Kenyon

Email: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: French, Levis, Seymour, Bruley, Miller, Hogue, Stafford

----Source: Neillsville Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI.) March 28, 1929

Famous Log Drivers (1929)

Anent the proposed log drive on Wedge’s Creek; Bob French of Levis calls to mind some of the old Black River log-drivers and their remarkable feats.  Johnny Levis was long conceded to be the champion, though "Black Bill" Seymour of the same town was nearly his equal and especially in long jumps from one log to another.

Ed Bruley and George Miller are said to be the only two Neillsville men who ever rode a log from Ross Eddy to the mouth of the Cunningham without getting into the river.

Will Hogue of Greenwood was also a noted log driver.  He still lives at Greenwood and was a candidate last year for sheriff.  Jim Stafford, the founder of Staffordville, went through the Mormon Riffles at Hatfield twice in one day on a log, without falling in.  This is where Hatfield dam is now located.

Doubtless there were many other experts in those old days up and down Black River.