M'arthur Democrat. (McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1853-1865, 1855-03-30
From the Ohio Statesman |
THE INDIAN WIFE.

as partner, from 1900 to 820,publiSh-
ed in the latter year an interesting com.
pilation from his journal during that
long period. 1t presents a more accu-
rate view Of the wilderness between
Lake Winnipeg and the Pacific Ocean,
and the northern boundary Of the Uni.
ted States and the Goth parallel OF north
latitude, than is afforded by any other
single publication, although the nara
tives OF Mackenzie, and the Simpsons,
Thomas and Sir George, are OF much
value in this respect. As a curious ep-
isode in Harmon's autobiography OF
twenty years as fur trader in the re,
mote Northwest, | have selected those
paragraphs, scattered through the work
under dates widely remote, which re.
late to his domestic relations. They
illustrate the laxity of a frontier, it is
true, but the closing paragraphs will be
found honorable 10 human nature, and
having their full share Of romantic in
terest. Indeed, how superior in these
latter particulars are the rough journal
izings of the solitary trader to many
more ambitious descriptions, whose in
cidents are grouped with the license oil
fiction But the extracts from Har-
mons Journal, IT,
Avgust 8, 1900. This evening,
Mons. Mayotte took woman of this
country for wife, or rather concubine.
All the ceremonies attending such an
event, are the following. When per.
son is deSlrous Of taking one of the
daughters ofthe natives as compan.
ION, he makes apresent to the parents
Of the damsel, Of such articles as he
supposes will be most acceptable. and.
among them. rum is indispensable; Tor
oi that all the savages are fond, to ex-
cess. Should the parents accept the
articles offered, the girl remains at the
Tort with her Suitor, and is clothed in
The Canadian fashion. The greater
part OF these young women, as l am in.
formed, are better pleased to remain
with the white people than with theil
own relations. Should the couple,
newly joined, not agree, they are al
liberty, at any time, to seperate; but nc
part oil The property given to The p ats
oi the girl will be refunded.
August IL, 1902. On the 9th inst.
Cheet among the Crses came to the
tort, accompanied by number oil his
relations, who appeared very desirou,
that | should take one of his daughters
TO remain with me-. | put him off by
telling him that | could not then accept
OF a woman, but probably might in the
fall. He pressed me, however, TO al,
lew her to remain with me at once, and
added, 81 am Iond Of you, and my
wish is to have my daughter with the
white people, for she will be treated
better by them than by her own rela.
hons" In fact he almost persuaded
me 10 keep her, for was sure tha
while had the daughter | should no
only have the lather's furs, but those o
all his band. This would be for thu
interest OF the Company, and woulc
therefore turn to my own advantage ir
some measure; so that a regard to in
terest well nigh made me consent to ar
act which would have been unwise ant
improper. But, happily for me, es
capped the snare.
October 10, 1906. This day a Can
adams daughter, girl of about four
teen years OF age, was offered me, an,
alter mature consideration concernin,
the step which | ought to take, | hav
finally concluded to accept OF her, a
it is customary for all gentlemen VIII
remain for any length OF time in thi
part Of the world 10 have a female com
panlon, With whom they can pass thei
tine more socially and agreeably tina
to live a lonely life, as they must do
single. Ii we can live in harmony Ia
gether, my intention now is to keep he
as long as | remain in this unciviiize,
part OF the world; and when | return t
my native land | shall endeavor {
place her under the protection OF som
honest man, with whom she m ay pas
the remainder OF her days in this coun
try much more agreeably than it wouI
he possible for her to do were she t
be taken down into the civilized world
10 the manners, customs and anguag
OF which she would be an entire stran
ger. Her mother is of the tribe q
Saare Indians, whose country lies alon
the Rocky Mountains. The girl i
said 10 have a mild disposition and al
even temper, which are qualities yer,
necessary to make an agreeable won
an and an affectionate Partner.
December 4, 1907. Early thi
morning, the woman whom | have Ia
ken 10 reside with me became the moth
er OF boy, whom | name Georg,
Harmon.
February 25, 1910. On the even
ing OF the 10th instant my woman wa
delivered OF two living boys. The
appear, however, TO have been prema
turely born, and, from the first, llttl
hope was entertained that they wouIC
long survive. One OF them. died o
the morning of the 22d, and the othe
last night, and to-day they were bot