Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1872-06-22
AVIsIoN PROM THE PLAINS.
A Thrilling sketch Of California
life.

Early in the Summer of 1919, q
long emi"rant train arrived on the
banks of the Platte river, on the way
TO the omowly-discovcred gold regions
of California.
The weary cmigrants had accom-
plishcd about half their journey
from the Mississippi Valley to the
Pacific coast, but not the worst half,
and they halted on the green prai-
ric till means should be devised TO
cross the river.
Various plans were discussed
Some talked of bridge, others ofa
stationary, raft, others of moving up
or down the stream till ford might
be found. But every device met
with some serious obstacle.
Among the cmigrants was young
man named Abram Wilder, who
with his wife aud two childrcn-a
girl and boy had faced the set
ting sun 10 secure an independent
home.
lie was one OF those honest, thrift
tv fellows who like to make money
SuuarciN, and who are generally 4
benefit TO any community, aud il Oc-
CURED to him that a temporary fer
~ might hc made profitable.
IIiriu" two men OF the of the train
named Maility and Sears to assist
him. hc fcllcd some cottonwood
trees aud prepared three Canoes
These he lashed together, covering
them with puncheOns, and thus
forming float that would sustain
the weight of a wagon.
Thus the ferry was opened, doing
thriving business day and night,
till Wilder accumulated considerable
money, Was not that enterprise in
that region?
That he might lose no time, he
sent his family on with the train re-
| tanning a riding horse, with which
he proposed to follow i'll "a few days;
and while he accumulated gold and
silver, Mrs. Wilder and her chill
dreu travelled on toward the Rocky
Mountains
a week ten days-two weeks
passed, and Wilder did not oVertako
! them.
But, at last his two hired men
Mallity and Sears came along on
horseback, saying that Wilder
would como up next day; then push
ed on ahead of the train with singu-
lar haste.
Abram Wilder was never seen
again.
Five wears passed. In the Sum
mer OF 1881 the mining post OF For
est Hin, in Placer hill county, Cali
fornia, had its population augment
/ cd by the arrival of n family consist
| ing of a woman, her boy of twelve
| and daughter of eight years.
| The woman, who had a pale weary
! lookiu" face, was Mrs. Wilder, and
! she had toilcd hard for those chill
dren during the last five years. She
| had spent most of this time in Sac
ramento, where she had done wash
ing and all sorts of hard work; but
| sufTcrin" from a@ue, she had resolv
ed TO 90 up into the mountains.
Her bov, George, was particular
| " in favor Of this, declaring that hI
would dig gold and make them al
! rich.
On the second evening after theil
arrival At Forest Hill. a goOd-natur
ed miner came strOliuG by their tent
and accostCd Mrs. Wilder, who, as
it was very warm, sat outside.
Good evening, ma'am,' he sald
politely.
She returned his greeting coUr
teously.
It's late now, said he to ofel
my assistance. l would have come
round and helped TO put up you
tent, if had known you were alon,
with these children. Isn't your hus
band living ma'am:
'No-he is dead,
And 4 shade crossed her pale face
as she recalled the Platte river anC
the praiIies.
Then she recounted the whole pain
full history, telling how she haC
worked in Sacramento, saying tina
she was willing to wash for tht
miners, and that her boy was de
termined TO dig gold.
4 hope you'll get along well, ma