The Illinois free trader and LaSalle County commercial advertiser. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1841-1843, 1843-08-11


ling patriots, and she was the surgeons
assistant in staunching wounds, taking off
shattered limbs, and administering drink
and food to the wounded and dying.
Thus Mary's time was spent during that
long and bloody struggle. At its close
she found herself separated forever from
her friends. At the recapturc of New
York, her step-father had removed to No.
va Scotia, whittier he took all Of Mary's
family, and circumstances prevented them
from ever meeting again.
The war ended, but not MarVs hard
ships and exposures. Soon a,ar the re-
voluion she was married to a young man
who had accompanied Judge Symmes in
his first tour to the Mamies, with which
be was so delighted that he determined to
emigrate to the new country. In 1888,
accompanied by little colony, Mary and
her husband bent their course for their
new home lived their first winter on the
Kentucky side, and in the spring of 1888
settled at Columbia, five miles above Gin
cinnati, where the little colony erected a
block house and garrison. Here they
remained, living in cabin some three or
four hundred yards from the block house,
until 1901, when Mary's companion was
taken from her, and she was left widow
in an Indian country, with two babes The
eldest but two years old, the other an in
FAINT of only few days.
Before the loss Of her husband, Mary
had frequently in times in more emmi-
nent danger, retired with him into the
/ garrison; but in her bereaved condition,
her lonely and wounded heart could not
brook the boisterous mirth and constant
confusion to which she must be exposed.
The feeling heart seeks solitude in aillic-
ton. She therefore remained with her
babes in the cabin. In vain did hel
neighbors depict the dangers of massacre
from the Indians. She knew not what
fear was. Her trust was in that God
who alone could protect her and her little
ones. For her children she provided a
bed under the puncheon floor Of the ca
bin, in a small hole usually prepared by
the first settlers to preserve vegetables in
Winter from the frost. Here every night,
week after week, would she place her
children, after putting them to sleep, while
she watched through the chink of the ca
bin, through the greater part Of each
night, the approach of the savage.
The plan was if the Indian entered at
one door to fly out at the other, and give
the alarm at the garrison before her chill
drin could be found in their concealment
under the floor. Often, thus watching,
she saw the Indians enter the little settle
mcnt, traverse The vicinity of the block
house sometimes they came TO her very
door, but never did they enter. Houses
were stolen, settlers were killed and taken
prisoners, but Mary and her babes were
protected Delicate as flower, and
with all the tender sensibilily Of the most
feeling heart, i. was the faith OF the
Christian which sustained her under all
trials, and enable her to triumph over all
fear. There, day after day, might be
heard, in that rude hut, Mary's soft voice,
rendered plaintive and melancholy by
her lonly condition, hymnlng her favor
ite psalm.
To Heaven lit my waiting eyes,
There all my hopes stajd;
The Lord who built the earth and skies
Is my perpetual aid.
Their feet shall never slide nor fall,
Whom lie designs 10 keep;
His ear attends the sofest call
His eye Can never sleep.
lie viii sustain our wcaLcs, powers
With His almighty arm;
And watch our most unguarjcd hours
Against surprising harm.
n Israel rejoice, and rest secure,
Thy keeper is the lord
Ills wakclu eye employs his power
For thine eternal guard.
Nor scorching sun, nor sckly moon,
Shall have his leave to smie;
He shields thy head from burning noon,
From blasting damps at night.
lie guards thy soul He keeps thy breath,
Where tackcst danger comes;
Go in and out, secure from death,
| Till God commands the home
After Mary had lived in this desolatc
and perilous condition for some fifteen
months, her character and history became
{ known to young man Of kindred spirit
He too, from the age of twelve had been
exposed to the perils of war. He had
t served in many campaigns against the In
dians, and had engaged with them in the
battlefield when quite boy. lie haC
S traversed the Indian wilds from the ALE