[159] One of the settlers in Shelby County, Missouri, was Peter Omundson Gjilje. As an illustration of the state of wilderness of the country around them it is related that Gjilje once walked for nine whole days in the forest tract before he found human habitation. One morning early he heard a cock crow, and then he found people. During these days he had lived on wild strawberries. These facts are related by Mr. B. L. Wick of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
[160] Jacob Slogvig was also among the first settlers; he had returned from Shelby County, Missouri, to La Salle County, in 1838, as also had Andrew Askeland.
[161] Helgeson may have come with Barlien from Illinois.
[162] Melkeveien, the Milky Way.
[163] See J. B. Wist, in Bygdejaevning, Madison, Wisconsin, 1903, p. 158; also First Chapter of Norwegian Immigration, pp. 235–236, and Republikaneren, February 9, 1900.
[164] The first was Ole Rynning. See above, p. 107, and Normaendene i Amerika by Knud Langeland, pp. 26–29.
[165] The first postoffice was established in Lee County in 1841.
[166] Veiviser for Emigranter, 1843.
[167] Immigration from Sogn was at first directed almost exclusively to Boone County, Illinois, and Dane County, Wisconsin.
[168] In the Fox River Settlement in Illinois many Norwegians joined the Mormons and later moved to Utah. Bishop Canute Peterson was one of these.