The Travels of Increase Joseph: A Historical Novel about a Pioneer Preacher

8. Village of Link Lake

II. Chapter 8 Village of Link Lake August 1852 The newly founded Village of Link Lake straddled a fast moving trout stream that flowed out of the south end of the lake by the same name, on its way toward Lake Winnebago, the Fox River, and eventually Green Bay. While the Fellowship members had earlier been busy building cabins and clearing land, Amos Trutweiller, who was built like a burr oak tree and had been a miller in New York State, worked with his five sturdy sons to build a flour and saw mill near the rapids where Link Creek flowed out of Link Lake. Other businesses sprang up in Link Lake - a mercantile store, wagon making shop, barbershop, livery stable and blacksmith shop, a combination furniture store and undertaker, and the office for the Link Lake Gazette. The Standalone Fellowship church stood on top of a little hill, overlooking the village and not far from the Link Lake one-room schoolhouse. Because the Standalone Fellowship was violently opposed to strong drink, no tavern was allowed in the village, or anywhere in the country- The Travels of Increase Joseph 57 side within ten miles of the village of Link Lake. Tale is told of the German, Adolph Smidmaier who opened the livery stable and blacksmith shop. He had a ruddy red face, a prominent nose and milky eyes. He was not a member of the Fellowship, but was encouraged to settle because he owned several horses and knew how to shoe and care for them. Smidmaier soon discovered that to buy a glass of beer he must travel to Willow River, some fifteen miles south. Smidmaier knew about the Fellowship's disdain for the amber drink, but he thought he might be able to start a tavern in town, if he named the place something else. So in the vacant lot next to the livery he constructed a little building that he called, "Smidmaier's Sweets Emporium ." He would offer a variety of candies, but he would also sell beer - he called it barley water. Smidmaier's building was completed quickly, thanks to the cooperation of Amos Trutweiller at the mill who sawed out just what Smidmaier requested without delay. Smidmaier was even able to enlist some of the Fellowship's farm boys with the construction. Smidmaier invited everyone in the community, Standalone members included, for a gala opening at which time he offered free candy and barley water. He offered a special invitation to Increase Joseph and Elwina. Soon everyone was gathered around the barley water tap - none of the group had ever tasted barely water before - and proclaimed what a wonderful drink it was. A couple of men said under their breath that it tasted like beer. Someone suggested a song might be in order . The entire group, young and old alike burst 58 Apps into song, singing the songs that had become a part of the Standalone Fellowship's Sunday services . They especially enjoyed singing what was fast becoming the theme song of the Fellowship, "We Are Alone Together." We are alone together, Of God and the land Yet together we stand As alone we are too. Simple yet not A direction but no. We stand for the land May it always be so. The singing and merriment went on into the night as everyone continued to have a good time drinking Smidmaier's barley water. Adolph Smidmaier thought he had succeeded in his great deception until the next day when Increase Joseph Link tied his horse outside the candy store and walked slowly inside, holding his head. He carried the Red Book in his hand. Without saying a word, he walked up to Adolph Smidmaier and began shaking the Red Book in his face. Increase Joseph's eyes were bloodshot, and he looked like he had slept in his clothes. "Do you know what this is?" "No, I don't think I've seen that little book before ." "Well, this book guides the Standalone Fellowship ," Increase Joseph said. "Yah," Smidmaier said. He had no idea where the conversation was headed, but he had talked with Increase Joseph before and he wasn't always coherent. The Travels of Increase Joseph 59 "This book is clear. As clear as the water in Link Lake." "Yah." Smidmaier was thinking that at times the water in Link Lake was a little on the cloudy order, but he didn...