The Iowa transcript. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1858-1866, 1864-06-02
For the Transcript.
story of tho tate Massacre In
Minnesota.
BY OLIVER.

On the east side Of little lake in the
southern part Of Minnesota, called by
the Indians "We.Lo-nee," stood the
house of.the widow Downs. Two years
before, she had left her native State,
Maine, and moved to the far West, and
finding beautiful location on the Dor.
der Of the lake, she concluded to
make her home there, aud there spend
the res Of her days. Her husband had
died two years before her coming west,
and left quite property for her which
was somewhat involved. After settling
all Of tire claims against the est she
found that she was without home, and
but few hundred dollars in money.
Being rather spirited woman and
somewhat romantic withall, she con.
cluded to go into the western wilder.
ness. She was accompanied by her
son and daughter, the former l9 and
the latter l6 years old, who being of
their mott ers temperament, were ghly
pleased with the project. On the bank
of the little lake We find them conf rt.
ably situated in good double log
house, with porch in front which
overlooked the lake.
One afternoon in the month Of August
1862 Alice Downs might have been
seen sitting beneath the porch sewing.
Occasionally she would drop her work
and look out on the placid bosom Of the
lake, which was as smooth as a mirror.
except when fish would jump up for
= fly, o, swallow would skim along
the .urface, then suddenly scoop up an
insect, that was swimming along un.
conscious Of the fate that awaited him.
then she would cast a look along the
trail that passed by the door as if ex.
pecting some one from that direction.
Her mother vas busily engaged in
household matters within, and her
brother Charles had taken his gun and
gone with friend to hunt deer, that
afternoon. Looking up for about the
6ftieth time, she saw horseman ap.
proac,l. She Immediately dropped her
work and stepped out 10 the fence to
meet him.
Dismounting he threw the bride over
4 stake Of the fencn and dra wing her
TO- his bosom imprinted kiss upon her
ruby lips. The name of tle person
who was thus familiar, was Earnest
Mcfford. He bad been acquainted
with the family Of Mrs. Downs before
they left their native State, and had
about year after their departure come
west also, and bought, about five miles
away The former acquaintance Of the
young folks had ripened into deeper
affection, and they were engaged to be
married, as soon as he could return
home, and bring out his widowed
mother. Alice led him into the house
where he was kindly greeted by the
widow
After chatting awhile be turned to
Alice and said "le. US 60 and sail on
the lake, it looks SO pleasant and beau.
.ifnl, with pleasure said Alice"
Saying this they started down the
hill followed BY Newfoundland dog,
whom they had brought west with
them.
The widow looked after them with
an expression of JOY till they disappear.
ed below the brow Of the hill; then
murmuiing a prayer for their happiness
she turned to her work. Our Young
friends went down 10 the waters edge.
where was canoe fastened, which they
loosed and stepped into and pushed off
The old dog began to whine, and init
mated that he would like to ride
too. Oh Earnest let Colonel get in too
said Alice; see how bad he feels to be
left. Earnest pulled for the shore.
When the boat touched, Alice said,
"come Colonel You may ride. The
noble animal jumped in and laid him
self down at the feet Of his mistress.
and looked up into her face as much as
to say, "you have been very kind tc
me, and will serve you faithfully if cv
er danger should come" Earnest shov
cd of the boat, and steered for the op.
posite shore. The water grew deeper and
deeper, until they had not gone more
than 20 rods before they could not
see bottom. al
A description Of the two characters
here introduced might be interesting tc