The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1866-06-08
A wOMAN'S LETTER.

We have received the following letter,
mailed at Fort Rely, May 10, and written
ION board the steamer Ontario, over l, 500
miles up the Missouri River, May 10th,
1867:
EDITOR Rock ISLAM. ILL, ARGUS, Dear
Sir For me time have been thinking OF
writing TO you and wondering if | could write
letter worthy of being reHd. left Rock
Island on the 5th day of April, had very
pleasant trip to ST. Louis, and went on board
of the Ontario, not knowing person on
board. / must say | fels sad the first
few days, but our passengers are all very fine
people, such as the new judge of Montana ;
the publisher of the Montana Post, now tax
ing out 20 tons of printing paper and press.
Then we are honored with the company OF
Mrs Gen. T. F. Msagher, Wi of the now
acting governor of Montana; also II catholic
priest Father DeSmett, who has been travel
ing among the western Indians for twenty
five years. We have been quite amused TO
hear him relate how he marries the Indians
and christens their babes. He is fine old
gentleman.
We arrived at Fort Sully last Thursday
where we remained until Friday evening,
changing freight. That place is settled with
the officers who came on our boat and helped
us enjoy fine dance. That is our chief amuse-
ment nearly every evening. Our tidy cabin
is cleared and We dance until 10 O'Clock
There are ten ladies in all, and we are
having splendid time, all of US In good
health except one poor lady who is very low
with consumption, She took this trip as her
last resort for health. She may, perhaps,
survive to the end of our journey.
We have some most magnificent scenery
on this river.
Yesterday we had the excitement of an at
tempt Of our men TO shoot a baeyer. About
forty shots were fired, but he crawled off IN
hurt.
Sunday cur curiosity was excited by seeing
large herd of antelopes, part Of them swim
ming the river, and such cracking of guns
and revolvers ] never heard but our men
had better luck than with the beaver; they
brought down three of than and we have
been blessed with fresh meat since: Our liv-
ing is good, except our butter, which is so
strong we can hardly keep it on our plate.
We expect it will take about month yet
to get to Fort Benton.
Six of our ten ladies are going to meet
their husbands one lady has not seen her
husband for over three years. OF course |
am one of the happy band, My husband left
Rock Island the 1lth of April, two years ago.
| expect my future home to be in Boulder
Valley. They tell me it ia settled with about
two hundred, all living in log cabins.
There are three boats IN sight of us, which
started from St. Louis from 10 to 25 days be-
fore we did. We tie up near each other every
night, and sometimes join together IN dane
ing This boat has more ladies on: than any
of the others.
The river ia quite low and hard to navigate.
Hardly an hour passes but we are made dr.
IVY from striking sand bars; but the longest
we have been delayed by these was seven
hours.
We have to stop nearly every day to cut
wood. We are past oil the places where
wood 10 kept for sale, and it takes up good
deal OF time to get fuel. They cut wood nights
when there is any to be found.
The people from boat here were attacked
by Indians, two nights ago, and had to make
their escape to khe boat. The same night
ever one of our ladies and gentlemen were
having fire tines running and climbing over
the hills, al Ut mile fror. the boat. The
men build fires, run races, and In tact wnen
we get on shore we act like wild folks. But
our captain says we cannot 60 away from
the boat any more as it is not safe; 30 when
we stop the gentlemen gather nice flowers for
us, anu We nave 20 pass our tiUe IN pfoman-
aiding on deck and in the eserlng dances
though they say we cannot go on deck in
few DAYS, as even that will not be safe.
Our boat contains about 80 people in all,
and all welIsarmed. One cannon ornaments
the bow of the boat on the lower deck.
Gen. Sully came on board and took dinner
with us at Sioux City.
Our captain, D. Harvey, is fine man and
we put much confidence in hlm,as being Nor-
thy OF his position. How soon we learn to
conhoe In those who are supposed to be able
to protect us, and conduct us safe to The end
of our journey.
The weather is lovely and cool. a
Very Respectfully,
Mrs. G. W. CASE.