The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1856-07-02
CORRESPONDENCE.
Communicated for the "Star ofthe North
INCIDENTS IN WESTERN LIFE.

[The following is an extract from letter
written by young lady of Northumberland
county, now spending some lime IN the Rock
River County, TO u brother al AIillville, in this
County. Thinking it would prove interest.
ing to the numerous readers Of the "STAR" ii
IS forwarded for publication. PHI
BARCLAY, ILL.,, 4lh mo- Goth, 1856.
My Dear Brother:-
Perhaps thou art already
aware that this great Mississippi Valley is no
longer looked upon as The Far Vest Eater.
prise and improvement have rolled their
quick propelling wheels alorg TO the very
banks of the Mississippi, and over il, and
frightened away not only the elk and ante
lope, but even The children OF The forest tn al
roamed fearlessly for centuries over this ia.
vored land Their relics remain behind -
aE isolated grave is sometimes found, and
sometimes des ,rted, forgotten burial ground
Many OF the present inhabitants of this State
we'll remember when The Red Men (like the
wandering tribes of I.raeD pitched their tents
upon these rolling praries and offered skins
and furs in trade, on he banks of Rock river
As lale as 1923 lone trading house was
eIec,ed BY a Frenchman on the margin of
this river some 4s miles from lis confluence
with the Mississippi here business and bar.
gaining with the Indians were carried on for
number OF years, the children of The forest
appearing a, tine trading post with the pecu.
liarities Of their people, and the skins, ven.
son, &C., that they brought were taken in
willing exchange for -four, firearms, and
trinkets. Some OF their noble hunters or
braves were generally distinguished by the
numbers of rattle snake skins tried around
their ankles.
II was about this time that a man whose
head was sprinkled with The silvery touch of
age, appeared in the county with his family
in white covered emigrant wagon from one
OF the Eastern or Middle States. He, in turn,
soon became distinguished trader and was
donored with the name of "Nachusa" (lhe
. white-haired) by bis brelhern of the Forest
For years in that lone spot busy bargains
were struck and the voice of friendly trade
Kept up; a few houses grew into existence
around the first, and from one visitor 10 this
little village in its infancy gleam the follow
ing synopsis: Several men driving teams
from Galena 10 The more southern part OF the
State were in the habit Of stopping in The vii
iage for accommodation through the night
On one occasion while they were detained
there for day or two number of Indians
came IN 10 trade they were pleasant, social
set OF fellows, and one OF the men feeling The
oppression of shaving nothing 10 to,n resolv.
ed now 10 witness some of the wild exploits
OF the Natives Of early America. He gained
their favor by kindness and attention, and
then requested an exhibition OF their skill in
one of their favorite amusements-ban-pla play
ing, promising each some tobacco a, the
close of the performance. They agreed
chose sides, and proceeded. Their ball con.
sisted in solid pine-knot or something sim
ilar-rcunded and polished the paddles were
long with a kind Of semicircular hoop a: the
end large enough 10 hold or catch The ball up
from The ground they were not permitted
lin play) 10 touch The ball with their hands,
and yet kept i, flying back and forth long
time without once letting it fall to the ground;
when accidentally it did fall, all The paddles
were rapidly directed towards it. and each