The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1869-07-30
AN OLD PIONEERS STORY.

| Alt ollD 1oNILil
A correspondent of the st. Pau
Pioneer tells story-of Indian life OF
the north western frontier, which i
better than the sensational dribbling
of the imitators of Cooper, who nov
fill the weeklies with their lucubra
tions:
j This narrative of facts. says:
"Previous to the removal of thu
f Sioux Indians from the country ced
ed by them TO the United States
west Of the Mississippi river, in the
year 1852, murder was committed
by young girl of that tribe, at 8
village on what was known as Lee
Prairie. lying between Shakopee and
Belle Plaine. The girl was an or
phan, and had been adopted by fam
lily there, but having no near rela-
tive living near to protect her, was
subject TO the most cruel treatment
from the family and at the period
spoken of more particularly, as the
only one who had ever shown her
any kindness (the wife of the old
many had died recently, a grown-up
daughter had now made her per
feet slave, making her perform the
hard work and drudgery OF the wig
wan and when, from sheer fatigue,
she was unable to perform the tasks
allotted TO her, would strike her
senseless, and otherwise abuse her.
At the time spoken of, she had ac-
companied her task mistress to pro
cure fuel, and for some minor fault
was, as usual, struck with club in
the hands of her tormentor. In a
moment of rage she shot her through
the heart.
'.Happan, on seeing what she had
done, Immediately fled across the
country and reached Red Wings
village, at the head of Lake Pepin,
where the thriving town OF that name
now stands, having some distant rel
alives at that place. But they, not
wishing to get themselves into
trouble, and not being powerful
enough to prot ther,she was barely
tolerated, and tie old man, father
OF the murdered girl, hearing of our
herolne's whereabouts, at once sole
tied and obtained the assistance of
Thief famous brave OF the band.
to 90 with him for the purpose of
claiming aud bringing her back.
""Thief' pledged his word That her
life should be safe, but that she must
return, he claiming the right to her
services, TO perform the duties per-
formed by her no more. But re
member said Thief, ''for your sakes,
and your request, her life shall be
spared, and the spirit of the dead
will be appeased by knowing this has
been done at the request of those who
have always been our friends, and
still will, L know, assist US IN future /;
for fear that the clouds are thick
ening over our people, and that we
must soon leave this our home. The
graves of our fathers mark by their
where we have been for
many winters, but our places will
soon be filled by the stranger; and
when we reach our new homes, /
hope it may be well; but the cloud
is too thick and black to penetrate
beyond.' Knowing well that this
pledge was inviolabIe, they were suf-
fered TO depart
After while, the old man thinking
his wigmam was too desolate @ithout
wife to grace it, proposed 10 our
heroine the honor of becoming the
happy ohe, which was refused with
disgust. His solicitations became so
earnest that at last the option was
given to accept the honor intended
or death. Thief, Seeing nothing but
ingratitude, as he viewed it, in her
refusal, after her lie had been spar
ed, which had been forfeited, refused
to interfere in this matter, and she
was thus left to her fate. But hav-
ing been brought up to rely ON her
own resources, very often having
been obliged TO seek, in the pursuits
of the other sex, the means ef salts
tying hunger--she had become an
adept in the use OF firearms, which
will account for the gun in her pos
sessi )n-the cause OF her now again
being obliged to flee for her life,
which she had decided to do rather
than be obliged to become the wife
OF one she loathed.
"After her resolution to flee was
taken, her first preparatory step was
to change her costume to that worn
by the men. , 80 -sz. q
+ aIt being in the winter season,
Happan reached Good Rood's village
on the ice, some nine miles above
Fort Smelling. She was received
with true Indian hospitality, and,
after partaking OF food, she told
them she was from Lac qui Parle,
and belonged to the Wah-pe-ton band
of Sioux stating that this was the
first time she had ever been SO far
from home.
"One day, having Joined a party
which went to the Minnesota to fish,
Happan suddenly beheld the avenger
at her side. But seeing that she was
not recognized, and entering intol
conversation with him, be inquired ifl
she had seen a runaway girl,the muir
derer of his daughter, whom he had
once forgiven, but she had again de;
serted his wigwam, and now he was
determined to find her, and as she
had not listened to his good coun-
sells, she must perish to appease the
now wandering spirit of his dead
daughter.
"She appeared to listen attentively
ia what twss not newto her, and even
Encouraged him to prosecute his
search, expressing Indigestion at
such mgrstitude, being Of course
very particular to use phrases 10 her
never used in speSlzin q