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

23. The Broadax Situation

• Chapter 23 The Broadax Situation October 1865 A fter his two-day "vision quest," Increase Joseph was back to his usual self, mostly. His mental state improved dramatically when he read the news that General Robert E. Lee surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865. The very next Sunday, Increase Joseph delivered one of his most sobering sermons. Fellowship members arriving for the afternoon services came with smiles and celebration on their minds, as they all knew about the war's end, and even though none of their loved ones marched off to fight, many of their neighbors had. Increase Joseph began, "We are gathered here this afternoon at a time that should be joyous, for the awful war that has struggled on for four years has finally ceased. We have learned about the freedom granted to our black brothers who lived in slavery their entire lives. For this we are thankful. But wars are never joyous. There is never cause for celebration, before, during and after bloodshed ." The Travels of Increase Joseph 177 "Do you know how many Wisconsin boys are not coming home? Do you know how many of Wisconsin's young men, many of them still boys, were shot dead, died of disease, rotted in prisoner of war camps? Do you know how many?" Increase Joseph held the Red Book high over his head and his voice came near to rattling the windows of the round church. "I have the numbers," Increase Joseph roared. "I know the carnage. Nearly 81,000 of our Wisconsin boys served in the Union Army. And .. ." he held the word. "And more than eleven thousand did not come home. Eleven thousand of our finest young men. Eleven thousand members of our future. Killed. Shot down. Struck down by disease. One in seven. One in seven who bravely marched off fell dead." "And now we must begin the healing. Friends who became enemies must work at becoming friends again. It will be difficult, for old animosities are hard to overcome. But we must serve as examples. It is our God given mission. We must extend our hand to our non-Fellowship friends. We must extend the hand of friendship, for we are all God's people, no matter what our religious beliefs ." Increase Joseph sat down with his head in his hands. Members of the Fellowship quietly filed out the church. It was not the message they expected to hear. The letter from Broadax, Wisconsin, arrived on a warm day in early October, 1868. The Civil War and all of its agonies was fading into memory. The letter was addressed, Editor, Link Lake Gazette. 178 Apps Henry Bakken tore it open and read. "Dear Fellow Editor: "I own and edit the Broadax Crier. Couldyou help me? Do you know of an itinerant preacher who always wears black and goes by the name of Rink, Dink, Link - something like that? "OlafLarson, a cook in one ofour logging camps, said he heard this preacher in a tent last summer. Olaf was quite impressed with this Rink, Dink, Link or whatever his name is and was wondering if I'd inquire about his coming up to the Northwoods with his tent. Olaf also mentioned the tonic he bought at the performance. He said it was the best medicine he'd come up against in some while. "Ifyou know the whereabouts ofthis fellow, could you drop me a line? "Much obliged, "Sadie Marks, Editor." Bakken shared the letter with Increase Joseph that afternoon. The preacher smiled, "They may not remember my name, but they never forget my message." He suggested Bakken write back offering some dates when Increase Joseph and Little Joe could go north to the great pinery. Increase Joseph and Little Joe, who was 18, set out for the Northwoods with their wagons, sacred tent and many bottles of Link's Restorative Tonic. Little Joe closely resembled his father, except for the white hair of course. He was tall and slim with sharp facial features, a prominent nose and deep set eyes, and also wore black when they went on the road. His voice, which was always strong, had become even stronger. Increase Joseph consid- The Travels of Increase Joseph 179 ered giving him an opportunity to share the preaching one of these days. So far, Little Joe was content to sell tonic. His voice had...