There is a stone on the western edge of the meadows along the Alquatka Branch that I have been meaning to look for and today was the day I decided to do just that. I had been almost to the location years ago with Manumuskin but at the time we did not know about the stone. It is 15 chains and 29 links (1009 feet) across the meadow from a large stone on the eastern side of the meadow. In 1888 there was a post at this location but all susequent deeds mention a stone.
This is the 1888 deed showing a post. Line 17.
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Access to it is difficult and we began our day entering along the power lines at Atco Dragway.
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We followed the same route that manumuskin and I followed the last time and were able to make it close to the meadow fairly easily. Hunters had set up a site along the route for their tent.
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The very edge of the meadow was still easy to walk.
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But when we arrived at the location I calculated the stone to be at we were treated with a washed out mess where stones disappear under the ground as the dirt around them wash away. We found nothing. Imagine being the chain bearer in 1883 having to pull a chain straight across the meadow and get the distance correct.
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In 2014 when manumuskin and myself visited the area we found this shovel.
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Today, it has climbed a tree.
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The way home.
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And after two and a half hours of constant walking and a little over 4 miles, the morning was over.
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