There were many wrecks towed into our harbor, where they were left until
repaired enough to be taken to dry docks in cities. Sometimes in spring
and fall the canvas would be nearly all torn off a schooner in the
terrible gales which swept the lakes, many of which I have been out in,
in my trips on the lakes and among the islands.
One of our pioneers, Capt. Robert Roe, of Buffalo, N. Y., had settled on
South Fox Island in 1859. He put out a dock, built a comfortable house,
and bought the land the Mormons had occupied. He farmed, and furnished
cord wood to lake steamers for many years. Many were the gales he sailed
through in his trips passing from the island to main land. His brother
was keeper of the light-house several years at South Fox Island.