The Hazel Green Herald

A FOREST HOME
Vividly-Related Story of a Woman Pioneer.
Interesting Recital of a Journey to and Settlement in the Woods of Minnesota
-Indian Scares-Ridiculous Incidents.

My husband was a traveling man, and by strict economy we had saved considerable money and owned a number of houses. We had been married about seven years, when one evening in the spring of 185- he said: "I would like to go to Minnesota (then a Territory) and start a town. Are you willing to go with me?" I said I was. It was early spring and cold. We concluded to wait till the weather was warm and pleasant. We began to prepare for the journey, he in disposing of property and I in sewing and making ready to pack. We made a great mistake in our preparations. Instead of taking only what was actually necessary we packed furniture, etc., enough for two or three log houses. After talking the matter over he decided to go out first and locate a place before taking his family. I employed an experienced hand to pack our piano, and it was so well done that after being on the way some twenty-five miles, it was carried through the woods by eight men, it arrived in good condition and tone. I had, with the help of others, almost every thing packed and ready when my husband returned after an absence of a little over two weeks. He had fortunately met a man whose claim lay between two lakes and was twenty-five miles from any town. The man was willing to join with him in starting a town, and sold him the undivided half. It was one bright morning in May that, our household goods having all been safely stored on steamboat we said good-bye to our friends and started down the Ohio. Our journey by water was long but pleasant. I had become accustomed to being pointed at as the little woman who was going to live in the wilds of Minnesota. The boat landed one day and a man and woman came on board. The woman had a man's straw hat on, and belted around her waist were two revolvers and a knife. I was brought to her notice, and she advised me to turn back. She said the woods were full of centipedes, snakes, horrible bugs and spiders, besides the danger from Indians. Arriving at the end of our journey by water, my husband, after seeing the children and myself comfortably settled at the hotel, left in the company of two or three others with whom he had become acquainted during our journey, and who had decided to locate near his place. He left with the intention of returning for us as soon as he had a house built, but had to build a house for a store. I heard occasionally from my husband. Every thing was going on well. He had built two log houses, and had been to Dubuque and bought goods for the store. About this time I was taken very sick with typhoid fever. A physician was called, but I continued to grow worse. My husband was sent for, and for a few days it was a matter of life and death, when a change for the better took place, and in the course of a week or ten days I had become so much better that he concluded to take us back with him. Our household goods had been nearly all removed to our home. Among the furniture remaining was a large sofa. It was placed in the wagon, and, with some pillows loaned by the landlord, I was made as comfortable as possible. We then started on our wearisome journey of twenty-five miles, the most of the way through woods, no road, but over rough, uneven ground, obliged to stop occasionally to cut down a tree to make way for the wagon. I was completely worn out when, at dusk, we arrived at what was to be my home for the next few years. Of course, not expecting us out so soon, the house was still unfinished—no door, no windows. We had to nail up carpets and quilts for that and many other nights. No one could be an invalid long in that delightful country. I gained strength each day, our house was soon finished, and then commenced the pleasant task of making our home look like home. Our cabin was unusually large. The lower floor was one room, as was also the upper, the only difference between the two you had to lower your head somewhat in moving about in some parts of the upper floor. I began by having all furniture for which I had no immediate use stored in those parts of the upper floor that it wasn't convenient to stand up in. Then I drew an imaginary line dividing the lower floor into parlor, bed-room and kitchen. A large bed, with a sliding-bed underneath for the children, around which I suspended a curtain, was the bedroom: piano, sofa, rocker and two chairs was parlor: dining-room contained table, chairs and bureau; kitchen, cook stove and table. I covered the floor with rag carpet, thinking it the most suitable. I put some beds up-stairs for the accommodation of any travelers until a hotel could be built. We were now settled. My husband, in the mean time, had not been idle. Parties were buying lots and building houses, a saw-mill was going up, and the land was being cleared, for the town was located right in the woods. Those were pleasant days, for, although pressed with business, my husband would occasionally go hunting and fishing. I almost always accompanied him. He had bought me a small rifle and taught me to shoot at a mark until I had become quite expert with my rifle, so he was not the only one who brought down the game on our hunting expeditions. My first introduction to the Indians was rather unexpected. It was one Sunday. All had gone out for a walk, leaving the children and myself for the first time alone. Four big Indians stepped to the door, and all I could think of was the terrible things I had read about scalping, etc. I turned around without a word and cut up some pies and gave to them, remembering that some one had said that if you are kind to them they won't harm you. There was a smile on their faces when they took the pie and sat down to eat it. Now, when I think of it, I would say they must have been smiling in their sleeves had they any to smile in, for they could see how frightened I was. Our place was only a few miles from Winnebago Reservation, and the Indians now began to come back and forth to trade and buy at the store. We were often annoyed by them. One morning I had just mixed some bread dough and had put it nicely covered on a chair near the stove, when a big Indian walked in and deliberately sat down on it. I pulled him away and showed him the bread. He laughed. As the weather grew colder and the evenings longer we derived much enjoyment from our music. We had purchased all the latest songs before leaving home, and made good use of them. Many a traveler on entering our cabin home opened wide his eyes in astonishment when they rested on the piano. One gentleman from Philadelphia went so far as to say that had he came across a steamboat in the woods he wouldn't have been more surprised. I often had quite an audience, composed mainly of Indians, listening attentively. The land all around us was taken up and, in order to have our one hundred and sixty acres near the town, husband bought a claim from a young man who had not yet acquired title from the Government. It was about two miles from town. We were obliged to live on it thirty days before we could pre-empt it. We delayed living on it till the following spring, and came near losing it. Husband came in one evening in great haste and said he had heard that some man was building a cabin on our claim, and if we didn't take possession of our cabin that night we would lose it. I hastily gathered together a few things, and we started on our tramp through the woods, husband leading the way, with child on one arm and lantern on the other, followed by myself and the rest of the children, with Pat, our man of all work, in the rear trundling a wheelbarrow laden with bedding, etc. I gradually became reconciled to living in a hut, for that was about what it was. I soon began to realize the truth of what that woman had warned me, for a large centipede, five inches long, fell from the roof to my feet one day, and at another time I brushed one from my bed. The children called my attention to a large snake near the house. It was as thick as a good-sized man's arm, and after it had been killed I had the pleasure of learning that they always went in pairs, but although we watched daily, its mate never put in an appearance. Our little cabin was right near the lake, and I often set the line at night and in the morning would always find a good-sized fish. One morning I caught a very large fish; had to get some one to help take it out of the water. We dined and supped from it, and afterward found out that it was called buffalo fish, a kind that not even the Indians ate. Husband laughed at me, but later on I was able to turn the tables. He brought home a large bird that he had shot. I plucked and roasted it, and we ate it. The next day in showing the head and plumage (which was beautiful), we were informed it was a loon, a bird that no one ate. I forgot to state that my husband staid over in town all day, only coming to stay with us at night. One evening when he came he said there was a rumor that the Sioux Indians were killing the settlers. We both passed a very uneasy night. In the morning he left saying: "I will ascertain the truth and come and tell you." He had only been gone a short time when he returned, saying: "It is true. Get ready quick." I hastily tied on bonnets, and in a short time we were fleeing to town, while, in imagination, I saw an Indian behind every tree. When we reached town the men were in groups talking over what was best to be done. Husband sent out two couriers, one to St. Peter to learn the worst, and the other to all the settlements near, saying if they would come with their families and build a stockade around his house he had plenty of provisions for all: also guns and ammunition. Thanks to the trading qualities of the Indians he had secured some thirty or more guns, and had also several revolvers. Not one responded to his offer, but all wished to buy a gun. He said: "I have no guns for sale, but you are welcome to use them if you stay here." The men with families, and some without, began fleeing to St. Paul. The news from St. Peter was not encouraging, and at length my husband said: "What shall it be? Shall we stay or go?" I answered: "All we have in the world is here. We will stay and defend it." I learned afterward that I was the only woman in the country around us that stayed. Husband then called the men of the town together, and while they were devising means of defense I molded bullets. It was arranged that when danger threatened all were to run to our house. In the meantime boards were gotten ready to barricade the door and windows. The ammunition was all placed up-stairs, where, at the slightest alarm, I and the children were to go. I was also instructed how to supply them with powder, shot and bullets. The men all assembled every night at our house, where they remained till morning. Each gun and revolver was loaded and in readiness. Our quiet little home presented a strange appearance, with guns standing around like an arsenal, and the floor strewn with boards, hatchets, axes and nails. Never shall I forget those days of fear and dread, not knowing whether another day would find us living. One night we had quite a fright. All the men had assembled but one. He had a store, and, thinking the danger over, decided to stay in his own house. He was the owner of a rifle and thought he could defend himself. About ten o'clock we were all startled by terrific screams, that seemed to draw nearer. Every one sprang to his feet, all murmuring with one breath "the Indians." The children and I were hurried up-stairs. A loud knocking at the door caused all to hesitate. The knocking was repeated. My husband cautiously opened the door, and discovered our friend, who informed them that some Winnebago Indians had called him from his bed, wishing to buy something. As they had always been friendly, he thought he would open to them. He no sooner unbolted the door than they rushed in, and, reaching for his gun, he didn't stop to dispute with them, but started for our house, giving a yell at every jump. On investigation next day the men concluded it was just a case of burglary, and afterward the Indians were compelled by the agent to return the rifle. We could hear occasionally from different sources that the Indians were killing, burning houses and carrying off women, but, fortunately for us, they never reached our place. Gradually as the weeks wore on the rumors ceased and the people began to return to their homes, and things began to look bright once more. Yet a little of the old fear hung about us. To show an instance, we went fishing one day, and while intently watching our lines a sharp crack caused us both to look up. Then another crack, and husband began to gather up his fishing tackle, saying: "I think the safest place for us is at home." I happened just then to let my eyes light on some water lilies near us, when one of the buds opened and we heard the same report. "Why," said I, "I think it's the water lilies." Sure enough, as each bud burst in bloom the same report was heard, but it had taken away all our desire for fishing that day. At another time we were frightened by the appearance of a strange band of Indians. They proved to be a party of Indians with a paper stating that they were a harmless band who had permission to leave the reservation and visit the towns near to amuse the people with their dances. They were given an empty house, and all went to see them that evening, myself included. I kept thinking all the time that perhaps it was a ruse to get the people together and massacre them. The idea became so strongly impressed on my mind that I stole out before the first dance was finished, glad to get back to the bedside of my sleeping little ones. My husband laughed when I told him of my fears, and said they would have had to kill us with their dead snakes and musical instruments, as they had no other weapons with them. We had now in the town a hotel, boarding-house, and several stores, and there seemed every prospect of success, but unfortunately the Indian excitement had put a stop to emigration, and particularly a large train of some eight or ten families who were on their way to join us, on learning the danger, changed their route. This, with the indifference shown by the other party owning half the town, discouraged my husband, and, after about three and a half years spent in the most delightful country in the world, we decided to return to our old home. I hear occasionally from there. Our little town never grew very large, but the lake that then only knew a canoe now has its steamboats, and some places that contained but one home when we left are now large cities, and have the finest institutions in the State. There are gentlemen now living in Chicago, whom I have never met since they partook of our hospitality, who will readily recognize this picture of our cabin home in the woods.—Chicago Herald.