In this book you will find a collection of stories as they are preserved by my Great Grandfather William S. Bryan. My Great Grandfather was one of the last of the pioneers to settle the wilderness of St. Charles County as it is known today. His neighbors and the neighbors of his father and grandfather are well known names in and around the St. Louis, St. Charles and Franklin county areas. Although many of these names are now given to creeks, towns, counties and bridges. They are people that actually lived and carved out a life in the wilderness.