Joseph Shorey of Maine: On the Kennebec: Volume One: Volume 1

Written by William Michael Wochna

In this first of a series set in early 19^th century Maine, Joseph, a young farm boy, is recommended by best friend, George, as a new worker at a lumber camp. The two paddle up-river and under direction select a site for the camp, initiate its construction, and begin clearing roads for log removal before the loggers arrive and the weather changes sufficiently to allow teams of oxen to drag the huge logs down the frozen roads. Because he is a fast learner, Joseph quickly becomes a teamster’s apprentice driving oxen and Morgan horses to lumber camps. and later pulling a Conestoga freight wagon while trading up and down the Kennebec. Both he and George find romance (although the stories end quite differently).

The story moves along nicely, bringing alive the activities of the various characters, with a virtual font of interesting factual information about the various crafts Joseph learns.