Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1862-06-11
correspondence of the Journal
An Incident on an Iowa Prairie
Or "a Lost sister.
FROM JAY wHIPPLE.


most Interesting incidents that might
come under my notice, during trip over
the Plains and as a prelude, if this is
worthy Of publication it is at your dis
posal. @tfr f3t
If you have never travelled through the
State of Iowa, it would be we'll worth
your time and money to take a tour
through the interior of the State, and OBJ
serve the manners and customs of its peo-
pie. Their pronunciation and appli-
cability of certain words is extremely
ludicrous. | asked a man yesterday, dl-
rectly the road to Des Moines, and his
rnswer, with good intentions, was as fol-
lows "You pass over slathers of
prairie until you reach to yon housens,
and from there, l reckon, you take the
left road, and if you reach Fort Des
Moines before the sun falls, reckon it will
do you a poOer of good" Very kindly
thanking the gentleman for "the valuable
information, never before possessed of"
We quietly pursued our journey in a hap
pier if not wiser mood.
From Cedar Falls to Fort Des Moines
is q distance of one hundred and thirty
miles, and in travelling this distance one
passes over a prairie fifty-five miles in
length, without the habitation of white
man to mark the presence Of civilization.
On Thursday night last we camped in
the center of this prairie and as it was
the first night we had pitched our tent
far distant from houses, our anxiety for
the safety of our team had kept me
awake during the first hours of t1e night.
We had very judiciously disposed of
our supper, and INDUCED in the luxury
of smoking our accustomed pipes-the
boys had retired to their virtuous couch,
and l had laid down rs a sentinel to
watch the horses. Falling into med-
alive mood my mind was actively at
work in recurring to days gone by, and
calling up the pleasant "reminiscences of
the past.
The midnight hour had come. Egyp-
tan darkness filled the sky. The dark
and heavy clouds that were gathering
foretold an approaching storm. The
vivid lightning and the " thunder all
around the Skies" reminded me of Tam
O'Shenter, when he sought his home on
that eventful night.
"That night chiel might understand
The Dell had business on his hand"
Hark | hear distant voIce-the
sound grows nearer and more distinct
Are horse thieves and robbers upon our
track After brief elaboration in my
own mind, | determined to face the en-
envy and abide by the consequences
Alarming the boys of the approaching
danger, we formed ourselves in battle ar
ray. Sam, with a double-ba shot
gun and butcher knife-Titus, Ga young
man that accompanies us, with Colts
revolver and ax-your humble servant
with Colts revolver, hunting Ratchet,
all stood side by SIDE" resolved to die
game if the necessity Of the hour re-
CURED it.
AS was the acknowledged captain of
our company-after giving the necessary
directions how to proceed in the event of
an attack-I mustered all my native cour-
age, and in loud and distinct tone, (the
boys afterwards said my voice trembled
ike an aspen leaf) l asked, VINO
COMES THERE!" Response--"Two stran-
gers, asking food and shelter" Come
forward, and if we like your style we
will Hospitality spread before you the
best the culinary department affords. AS
they approached we were very much
pleased 70 learn that they proposed no
hostile demonstrations towards the "noble
trio" that comprised our brave party
After the momentary excitement had
subsided. occasioned by the unexpected
appearance Of these midnight travellers,
we were anxious to ascertain their bust
ness and their destination. After we
had prepared them supper, and they had
done ample justice to several pounds of
provisions and sundry cups of coffee. the
brother related to us the following story
Seven days ago Miss Mary George, bis
only and unmarried sister (age nineteen, J
eloped with Henry H. Pierson, mar
ried man, who left his wife and five
small children. They started from CLAW
ton county, in this State. This young
lady had been working at the house of
the truant husband for several weeks
On the morning of their departure Pier
son had hitched his horses to his wagon,
and informed his wife that be should not
return home until the next evening, as he