The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-05-05

corrs.roAt-.o, er n, " J.. rirs
CHICAGO, Saturday, April l6, 1859.
The schooner Ozelle, Captain Marvin,
master, arrived at Racine, Wisconsin, yes
terday morning, from Marquette, Lake So.
perior, having on board a young lady, Miss
Sophia Richardson, formerly Of Cleveland,
Ohio, who for the last three years has been
living in solitude upon desolate and unin.
habited island in Lake Superior near the
British Coast, and northwest from Isle
Royal, upon which she was east away in the
Spring Of 1856.
was in Racine when the schooner ar.
rived, and Captain Marvin, Who 10 an old
aud valued friend Of mine, Was kind enough
TO introduce me TO this young lady, whose
adventures have been SO remarkable, and
from whom have obtained permission to
make public the facts which follow. Miss
Richardson is apparently about q years old.
Her countenance, without being positively
handsome, il pleasing in its expression her
air and manner are well bred; and, although
when saw. her she was arrsyed in garments
that were anything but fashionable and els-
giant, and her hands were rougbened and
Drowned with exposure and toll it was i'm
possible not to perceive that she was an
educated and intelligent young lady.
1t will be remembered that in the month
Of May, 1856, the bark Mary, Captain Ed,
ward, sailed from Cleveland, Ohio, bound
for Grsl Bay, with cargo Of provisions,
dry goods and hardware. The crew con-
sisted Of eight men, including the captain
and mate The latter, Mr.. George Rich.
ardson, was the cousin Of the young lady
above mentioned, and 1t was under his
charge that she embarked with the inten-
ton Of meeting at Green Bay her atfianced,
Daniel Ashnell, who had been Ii ing at Green
Bay for a year, and TO whom she Was 10 be
married on her arrival there. Miss Rich.
ardson was the daughter Of a respectable
and tolerably wealthy family, and she sailed
well provided with a stock OF clothing amply
sufficient for her requirements for n year or
more. This was prudent and economical
measure, when the scarcity and dearness OF
such articles ut her destined home is remem.
bered, and, as it afterwards proved was the
means Of securing her from much suffering
and priva,ion. The cargo OF the bark was
made up of pork, -four, groceries, mining
tools, and several bales of blankets, buffalo
robes and heavy clothing.
The commencement Of the voyage was
pleasant, and nothing occurred to destroy
the anticipations Of happiness INDUCED IN by
Miss Richardson, until the vessel had passed
the MantOulinc Islands and was about to
enter the Straits Of Mackinaw. They
passed the Great Manitoulne just at dark
anI ;,py,aNiataty ltav 81, tia,l
by a terrific storm, SURPRISING in violence
anything which Miss Richardson had before
seen. During the morning of this day the
Captain had tapped a barrel Of whisky
which was in his cabin. of the contents Of
which he and the mate had copiously par
taken Contrary to their usual custom, they
had both retired to sleep Immediately after
supper, leaving the helm In charge OF q
sailor named DAN Miss Richardson Is
of the opinion that the whisky had circu-
lated among the crew as well al the officers,
and that they were all under It's Influence
At all events the storm continued 10 increas
in violence, and the vessel was driven from
her course. When at length the Captain
and mate were aroused and brought on deck
the former announced that they had been
driven through the Middle Channel, and
were then nearly opposite Sault ste Marie
He took the helm, saying he would keep the
bark beating aboutiB Tequamepon Bay until
morning Either he was mistaken 10 bis
calculations, or was unable to manage bis
vessel, for when the morning broke they dis.
covered they were in the neighborhocd OF a
large island, the name Of which Miss Rich.
ardson has forgotten, but which the Captain
said was $50 miles from the Sault. This
was probably Michipicoten IslAsd) The
storm appeared 10 increase in violence and
the vessel began TO feel its effects. Nix
Richardson was in great alarm and dismay
which we're not q, all lessened when her
cousin informed her tina; the bark was leak
ing badly. and that che was in muinen;
danger Of sinking. She does not remember
wha. ,rauspired after this, az she was ia
great distress both OF mind aud body; bu,
after sone hours had passed she was sum
monsd 10 the deck and saw thu, the bark
must soon strike upon what she vas tod
was 40 island. The rudder Of the vessel la,
become unshippd or broken, her rigging
was torn 70 tA,tsrs, and the Captain sad
their only hope Of life vas 70 wait until .hs
struck ,bcn 70 leap into the water ard ,ru,'
10 the vsves to wash upon The shore. n,
yavl h.d been stove IN BY a heavy "a .om,
time before The vessel was, perhaps. q
mile from he AID, While Immediately n
IRON, OF frr 49, low line ~ broken sot
;agg~i rock. The only li'e.preserver o.
board was given 70 Me- Richardson VIII
inflated Il and It'd :, cenea,h her arms TIL
bark struck Yah innense force upon ~
roek' ard there appearsh 20 stick last eIthsi
spo1 The and ~ b.,s~n ,he bfs-kers Tn
Cay'a.n AL cru h.d espet 'Vs'''a'1 q
,le .,ruck. Ard M RraArtso- and hsi
cons, w ahos, e. STOW We a spa'
LII