The settlers and pioneers moved into the Midwest and beyond, building homes and barns and bringing their families and livestock. Soon, in order to keep safe what was theirs, they looked to fencing. It was the advent of the cheaper and available barbed wire that allowed them to fence in their fields and cattle and to define their territory. Soon they were planting orchards and gardens and fields of corn, outlined and defined by a fence.
With landowners building fences to protect crops and livestock, and those opposed fighting to keep their independence, violence occurred requiring laws to be passed making wire cutting a felony. After many deaths, and uncountable financial losses, the Fence Cutter Wars ended.
When we moved onto our homestead, LJ was called to deal with trees and brush, protect from insects and to fortify the cabin. One of the first things I had the need to do was plant garden and soon I had chives blooming, winter onions sprouted and now tomato plants set in. This inherent urge to feed the family and to provide a little beauty with a pretty flower or two has led me to this. This weekend I put a fence around the garden to keep out, as yet unknown, a creature that wanted only to dig what I had already dug and consequently destroyed my tri-color bean crop.
The fence is up -- the battle line drawn!
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