Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-01-03
miscellaneous.
A WOMAN'S HER0ISM.
A ROMANTIC INCIDENT OF LIFE IN THE
BLACK HILLS.

A family left Butler, Pa. few months
ago with view Of locating in the far
West. The family consisted of Mr.. Alex
ander Mcmillan, wife and three children.
After long and tedious journey they
reached Deadwood, in Dakota Territory,
and from thence departed to the vicinity
of the Black Hills. Here Mcmillan locat-
ed claim and went to work. He had
been employed on his claim but short
time when he contracted fever and was
compelled to take to his bed. The only
doctors there were the miners, and they
did what they could to alleviate his suffer-
ngs, but in vain. While he lay sick Mrs.
Mcmillan died in childbirth. The helpless
condition of the bereaved family was
brought to the attention of the people res
ident in the vicinity, and as Mr. Mcmillan
was sick and pennless, with but small
chances of his recovery, it was deemed
best by the people to raise subscription
and send the three children as we'll as the
newly-born babe, back to their grand
parents in Butler. The necessary amount
was speedily secured, but who was there
10 take charge OF the four little ones and de-
liver them safely in Butler? They had to
cross hundreds of miles of territory. and
certainly could not 60 alone just at the ad
vent of the bleakest portion of the winter
season. A day or two passed and the sit
uation of the children came to the ears of
a widow lady named Mrs. K. A. Kilbury,
and she volunteered to take upon herself
the duties incumbent upon the safe de-
livery of the little ones at the home OF
their grand parents. The mission was a
perlous one, and Mrs. Kilbury greatly
feared the effects of the weather on the
children, to say nothing of the news that
the Indians were again attacking the
wagon trains. Nothing daunted, how
ever, the little lady determined to perform
the duty she had undertaken. The day OF
departure was fixed for the morning of the
23d of November, and at an early hour
the settlement was astir with men getting
their wagons in line, horses harnessed,
placing goods and provisions in the vehi-
cles and saying good-by to their friends.
Eventually the train of wagons moved off
in the midst of snow-storm. On the
second day the snow was found to be over
six inches deep and the weather extreme
ly cold. Great were the srfferings of the
children, although all that was possible
was done for their comfort. On the third
day from the settlement evidence was
found that hostile Indians were in the
neighborhood aud an attack was expect
ed. That night the wagons were all
placed in a circle, save that containing
Mrs. kilbury and the children, it being
placed in the centre. The men made ev-
cry preparation for defence, but Fortunate
atey no Indians appeared. The fourth
| and fifth days of the trip were so cold that
Mrs. Kilbury found it necessary to use the
spirit lamp as a means of heat In the
| wagon. and the caloric developed from
the little hickering flame, she thinks,
saved the life of the baby at least. Chey-
enne was eventually reached. and Mrs.
kilbury and her charges were taken on
board the train for the East, and in due
time she reached Allegheny City. and
Immediately proceeded to Butler on the
West Penn. Railroad. There she found
| the grandparents Of the little ones, who
| were overjoyed to meet them, but the Joy
| was turned to grief when the news of the
death of that mother was gently broken
by the brave little lady. Mrs. kilbury's
mission accomplished. she returned to Al
legheny yesterday, and after delivering
letter that was entrusted to her by Mr..
Hoag to relative there, she took the train
Tor her frontier home. The action of
Mrs. kilbury in this case is certainly to
be commended as that of noble, Chris
tain, self-sacriicipg lady-one who has
shown a devotion and kindness well wor-
thy of the emulation of all good people.