The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1872-06-07
A VISION FROM THE PLAINS.
A Thrilling Sketch Of California
Life.

Inc weary emigrants had accom-
plished about half their journey from
the Mississippi Valley to the Pacfi
{ coast, but not the worst half. an,
+ they halted on the green prairie I'll
means should be devised to cross tn
river.
:, Various plans were discussed
Some talked of bridge, others of
stationary raft, others of moving NJ
.. or down the stream till ford Nigh
be found. But every device met will
some serious obstacle.
I. Among the emigrants was a youns
man named Abram Wilder, who with
his wife and two little children;
girl and boy-had faced the setting
sun to seek an independent home.
lie was one of those honest, thrifty
7 fellows who like TO make mouey
squarely, and who are generally a
benefit to any community, and it oc.
Cured to him that n temporary ferry
might be made profitable.
Hiring two men of the train named
Maility and Sears to assist him, he
felled some cottonwood trees and
prepared three canoes. These he
lashed together, covering them with
puncheons, and thus forming a float
that would sustain the weight of n
wagon.
Thus the ferry was opened, doing a
thriving business day and night, Till
Wilder accumulated considerable
money. Was not that enterprise in
that wild region?
That he might lose no time, he sent
his family on with the train, retaining
riding-horse, with which he propos-
ed to follow in few days; and, while
he accumulated gold ard silver. Mrs.
Wilder and her children travelled on
toward the Rocky Mountains.
a week-ten days-two week.
passed, and Wilder did not oyertake
them.
But, at last, his two hired men
Mallity aud Sears-came along on
horseback, saying that Wilder would
come up next day; then pushed on
ahead OF the train with singular haste.
Abram Wilder was never seen again. |
five years passed. In the summer
OF 1884 the mining post OF Forest
Hill, in Placer county, California, had |
its population augmented by the arri- |
val of family consisting of a woman.
her boy of twelve, and daughter, OF
eight years.
The woman. who had pale, weary.
looking face, was Mrs. Wilder, and
she had toiled hard for those children
during the last five years. She had
spent most OF this time in Sacramento.
where she had done washing and ali
sorts of hard work; but, suffering
from ague, she had resolved to 90 up
into the mountains.
Her boy, George, was particularly
in favor of this, declaring that he
would dig gold and make them all
rich.
On the second evening after their
arrival at Forest Hill, good-natured
miner came strolling by their tent,
and accosted Mrs. Wilder. who, as it
vas very warm, sat outside. +;
-GOod evening, Ma'am,' he said, {
She returned his greeting cour- /
.eously.
''lt's Late now" said he, ito offer
nv assistance. | would have come {
'ound and helped to put up your tent, |
had known you were alone with c
hese children Isn't your husband
living. ma'am:" {
ANo-he is dead" a
And shade crossed her pale face,
IS she recalled the Platte river and C
he prairies.
Then she recounted the whole pain u
ul history, telling how she had work e
ID in Sacramento, saying that she was
wiling to wash for the miners, and "
hat her boy was determined to dig J.,
old.
Il hope you'll get along well, Il
laam," said the .good-natured fellow;
and your boy shall have every show. al
Washing is hard work, but if you W
'ant to do such work for while, till
our boy strikes it rich, you will find al
lenty to do, and every man in camp I'll
ill pay you WELL" C.
THANK you," said the poor woman, OF
elighted at the prospect. Il am
cry willing to do the work. I feel tr
, much better up here already. II h.
lould have died If I had stayed in
SO
@It's an unhealthy place, I know" in
id he; "but it will be renovated in
me. BY the way, you needn't be
ightened, but I must tell you that no
ieVes proWl about our camp he
hey've been going it for some time, av
Id we can't catch them."
Mrs. Wilder was somewhat star
3D. as
1Oh, don't be scaredl" said he tn
They're not dangerous. They are
e sneaking kind. They only pick sw
things slyly, and get out Of camp a /,
soon as possible. They've been
en-, but always escaped. Joe Harris SUI
W them one night last week, and ne
US they're Indians. 1t won't be tic
'od for them if they're caught"
"What would be done with them?s ge
"Oh, they'd be hung, of cenrsel
e folks hate stealing; and it's the of
ly thing any one has ever been hung cal
aC oIest I'LL. cal
aW onld they come into our tent?' VIC
ked Mrs. Wilder. ine
"Oh, no! They might reach in at
door, or under the canvas, to see Gre
rat they could carry off but they
; mighty sly.n CO,
If they come here, mother" put in tic
little boy, @Ill kill them with the :
!" asl