The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-09-30

"a cAANS3SASSC ooASoAA dLu db ldSII III. O---
being still helpless, she picked out
"claim on the frontier" and valuable
one it was, combining water, grass land,
ploughing, timber, and nearness to a
young town. She made their temporary
shanty comfortable as possible until, his
payments coming In and bis land rising, he
was able to build frame house. Not a
word of complaint, reproach or discour-
agement passed her lips through all this,
nor did sickness and danger appall her.
An incident will illustrate her self.pos-
session. There had been occasional de-
predations by the Indians. Still further
on the frontier bloody massacre of whites
had taken place, and women were carried
off captives. There were rumors of fur.
ther trouble, as the savages were concen-
trating in force; and mounted on their
ponies, they could make long sweep in a
night.
One day alone, Mrs. s. stood before
the looking glass, attending to her toilet.
The cabin door was open and her back was
toward it. Suddenly she saw in the mir
ror the reflection of an Indian entering.
Before she could turn herself, he had Gid
ed across the room in his soft moccasins,
and laid hold of her. She gave no sign
of terror, however,-always the proper
conduct in dealing with savages, as they
respect courage, and suspect some hidden
power behind it. He gently seized her
long, flowing locks, for their
luxuriant beauty measuring them
with his arm, uttered an admiring exclam-
alton, then released her, and departed as
he came.
Mrs. N, another Western woman,
was also quite heroine. She was hostess
Of the first tavern at which the stage left
me on arriving in Minnesota. 1t was q
rough log house. There was in process of
building small framed addition to it,
Before this was cellar dug in anticipa-
ton Of another "raising." Across this
excavation we had to walk on a narrow
plank to gain admittance to the house.
The doctors I had left behind cautioned
me to not ait or sleep in current of air.
That night, in company with clerical
friend who felt quite merry at the aspect
of things, slept with the stars full in
sight through the. roof, while the winds
sighed and whistled and moaned and frol-
licked in and out of the apartment, as the
humor suited them. However, the next
morning found us both, to our surprise,
invigorated by the air baths we had
taken.
At breakfast / felt little anxious to
know how our merriment over hotel life
| in Minnesota had been received by our
landlady, who must have heard some of
our criticisms. She impressed me as a
lady of culture, and took our remarks as a
| matter of course. We soon learned some
thing of her history. Her husband was
| from the East, a man of some property
He made his claim where now found him
when there was scarcely a cabin in the
region, confident that the site was a good
one for town. Itwas wild, lonely spot,
on the margin Of foaming stream, and
between huge, shaggy bluffs, crowned with
forests, in which the Indian and the wild
beast roamed. Aside from the fish and
game which abounded, all their supplies
were brought from some trading point on
the Mississippi. When her husband was
absent on his long journeys, for this pur-
pose, she was sometimes left alone.
"Did you not feel discontented under
such circumstances ?" we asked
"Not in the least. My husband thought
it best to remove here, and that was
enough. What was best for him, was best
| for me-"
"But were you not troubled by the
Indians?"
eyes, at that time, very much. They
were afraid of our workmen, and would
behave very well when a few white men
were around but they always endeavored
to impose on us when unprotected
"What did you do at such times?
"Put on bold foce, and let them see
that l did not fear them. I was astonish-
ed at the nerve had. One day my hus-
band was away. Quite suddenly Sioux
came into the house, and, without saying
q word, took seat. Another followed,
and another, until dozen had entered.
Perceiving that I was alone, they COM
menced searching the house for p!under;
examining boxes, trunks, and barrels. l
had, however, by way of precaution, con-
cealed what 1 could, and they dit not find
much. They soon grew saucy and turbu-
lent, and what added to my apprehension
was the fact that the leader Of the party
was half intoxicated. Still, as they had
no arms, I thought l could manage them.
After time, the chief chanced to see my
husbands rifle, hanging over head. 1t was
loaded and capped. he started to get it.
OWNED his object, and started, too, and,
as he was taking it down, I said, sternly:
"'Put that rifle back!"
He made a taunting gesture, and I
attempted to wrest the rifle from him.
We Struggled with the strength of
desperation for l well knew it would be
dangerous weapon in his hands, besides,
it was my only protection. None of bis
followers interfered while we contended
for the mastery but my courage led him