The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1856-10-08
July, 1926, the white inhabitants of the county

July, 1925, the white inhabitants of the county
were present in mass-forty or fifty in all.
The bowling of wolves was species of noe
turnal music often listened to by the pioneers
of Michigan. A lady, who removed there
many years later, says that on moonlight even
ings they have often stood to hear their howl
ing. some three miles distant answered by the
barking of their dogs. The sound was distinct,
and appeared to be much nearer. In the early
settlement of the country woman going one
day to the spring for water, saw, as she sup
posed, the dog belonging to the family, drink
ing, and, finding that he did not get out ofthe
way as she came up, struck him with her pail,
which she then filled and carried back to the
house. There she saw the dog lying quietly
under the bed, and sudden flash of recollec
ton convinced her that she had seen wolf at
the spring. She reused the men, and the ami
NAL was pursued and killed. Notwithstanding
the cowardice of the gray wolf, it was always
especially IN packs, terror to the women of the
country. Other wild beasts we're disposed to
dispute with man the possession of their forest
domain A young woman in Linn county,
standing one day outside her ''shanty," fanced
she heard cracking in the boughs Of the tree
above her, and looking up, caught the eyes of
a panther glaring upon her, as the animal was
preparing for fatal spring. With presence
of mind which the habit of looking danger inthe
face alone could give, she stepped cautiously
backward, still keeping her eyes steadily fixed
on the creature, and, slipping behind the blan-
ket which served for door, took down her hus-
bands rifle, which was kept loaded and ready
for use. Lifting corner of the blanket, she
deliberately took aim and fired; the shot took
effect, and the panther fell to the ground in the
death struggle.
In the eyes of her rustic neighbors, Mrs. Rum
sey was the most important female member in
the community; for such qualities of mind in a
primitive state of society, never fail to exercise
controlling influence. Something of romance,
too, was added to the interest surrounding her.
1t was said-though it might have been mere
gossip-that her early life had been clouded by
unhappness consequent upon an il-assorted
marriage and that she had little cause to re-
gret in the years passed in her former home.
Little was known of her story, for she never
showed herself inclined to be communicative on
the subject, and the intuitive delicacy of her as
soclates forbade their scrutiny into what plainly
did not concern them. Those were not the days,
withal, when news travelled on the wings of the
wind, Or with the flash of the lightning; and, if
there had been ought in the experience of for
mer years which she did not wish to recall, Mrs.
Rumsey was in no danger of having it snatch
ed from the friendly keeping of the past and
paraded before the curious gaze of the public.
So the mystery about her remained unfathom
ed, as she did not choose to explain it, Her
circumstances at that time were comfortable,
and happy in herround of duties, it did not ap
pear that she suffered her thoughts to dwell on
the past; though once, in a moment of great
distress on the occasion of the sudden death of
beloved child, she let fall expressions which
set atloat the conjectures Of her neighbors, and
awakened curiosity which was never fully sat
isfed. She was not, however, the less respect
ed on that account. In the first stages of socl-
ETY., when no artificial distinctions are recognis-
ed and social intercourse is unrestricted by form,
the standing of individuals is seldom question
ed if they prove useful and agreeable. Mrs.
Rumsey died in Illinois.
The first sleighs used by these primitive set
tiers were made by bending two poles, which
served for runners, a crate for the box surmount-
ing them. The large double sleigh was an i'm
provement pertaining SO more advanced stage.
Before grain could be raised, it was often ne
cessary, notwithstanding the aid of the Indian
allies, to 60 to Detroit to procure four-a Jour-
ney which usually consumed week When
ever it had to be performed, the labor of every
man in the settlement was in requisition to put
the road in order. In one case, when the head
of a family was detained two or three weeks by
some accident at the mill, the wife dug ground
nuts and picked up every other edible thing
that could furnish food for herself and children.
Another woman, who was reduced to her last
biscuit, declared laughngly that she would not
have it said they ever were out of bread in her
western home, and had her biscuit placed ev-
evy day on the table for fortnight, till new
supplies came. Game, particularly venison,
was plenty in those days, and some of the set
tiers, who were excellent hunters, killed enough
for the use of their families and for the de-
mands of hospitality.
''There's a noble creature" whispered a
friend of ours, pointing out handsome woman
in the prime of life, who stood conversiny with
an aged man.
'"There is something majestic about her,
was our reply.
''The majesty of goodness!'' exclaimed our
friend. 'sHow low and soft her voice, and what
a world OF love in those dark eyes! And her
lips! Mark their fine but firm outline tell
you she stands there true woman, and though
spendor surrounds her, and wealth pours upon
her. she once renounced fashion, fame and
riches for man who was glorious in his attri
butes, but poor in pocket. He had no splendor
to offer her, nothing but a priceless heart. She
was lively, witty and very much accomplished.
Her parents had bestowed upon her all they
had to give her, liberal education; yet she was
never, because of their old fashioned, simple
ways and unpoIished conversation ashamed of
them; in all that makes nature noble she ex-
celed and in spite of their bad grammar, she
loved and was proud of them.
I have seen girls-charming girls, intellec-
tuany-who never cared to know what made
the eyes of their old mother dim, or what kept
her 50 silent in their company; and know she
was thus brought by the laziness, conceit and
contempt of these charming daughters-alas!
But her mother was no slave to her darling and
beautiful child-for she sat down smiling in the
cheerful sitting room, while the sweet voice ca