Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1882-02-25
SHE HELD HAR CLAIM.
The Experiences Of Another Dakota Girl
whO Went Out to Live Alone ON I'll prai-


We have recently received visit from
q lady friend whose experience in Dakota
may be Of interest to some of your
readers,and will give her story in form of
q narrative, although 1t was elected by
many questions which it were better to
omit.
"My home was in southern Minnesota,
and 1 went to Dakota about year and
a half ago, for a visit, not expecting to
remain long; but like many other girls
who have gone in the same way, I de-
clded to take up quarter section of
land, which did about forty miles
southwest of Fargo, on the line of rail-
road that is soon to be built to DEVILS
lake. OF course l bad to live on the
land in order to hold it. Another young
lady was to take up land adjoining mine,
and we agreed to build our cabins near
together to be company TO each other.
but she was persuaded to enter the state
OF matrlmony and that left me
alone. My friends objected to and
protested against my gong and living
all by myself, hut felt that it was Just
what l needed. had been sick, and the
demands of society were too much for
my strength, and 1 wanted to go where
could rest, unaisturbed by anything. SO
| had cabin built and moved into it. A
lady friend went aud stayed the first
night with me. and when she left the
next morning, the utter loneliness that
came over me cannot be expressed. Not
that felt afrald-that never was-but
l was left all alone with no Que to speak
to, not human face to look at. l soon
set myself to work to arrange the things
J. had brought and to make my little
cabin seem as homelike as possible.
Late in the afternoon of this first day,
being somewhat troubled about the
working OF my oil stove, I went over to
my nearest neighbors, which was about
mile distant. 1 started to return be.
fore sunset thinking | had plenty of
time to reach my cabin before dark,
bnt IN some way, l failed to
take the right direction and
after walking till utterly weary. copciu-
| ded that l was lost on the prairie. The
sun had gone down and, as is usual in
this level country, it very soon become
dark. Thinking it was useless to wan
der around I laid down and was soon
asleep. Fortunately had put on thick
| cloak rs the wind was blowing quite
hard when Istarted, though it was early
in summer.
| When | awoke decided to retrace NV
steps which could do, as 1 had noticed
the direction of the wind when I left NV
neighbors, and after walking some time
was delighted with the sight Of a light
in her window which she had placed
there to guide her husband home, Us he
happened to be out late that night.
arrived there before IL o'clock and re-
manned there until morning when nv
own donicile was easily found by day
light.
About three weeks after this l made
preparations to go to Minneapolis on
business, and retired early the night be-
fore intended to start; being tired
did not put things away and lock them
up in my trunk as methodically as usual
little dreaming of the experience tha,
would come to me before morning.
had been asleep some time and was
awakened by heavy thunder shower
this was about 10 O'Clock, and as Ia1
listening to the crashing thunder, anoth
er sound struck my ears. cannot de-
scribe it other than as q rushing sound
1t came once, and while was trying to
make out what it was, 1t came again. L
was the cyclone, and this time 1t struck
my cabin. lifted and carried it along and
shattered it to pieces.
A piece of timber must have struck m,
head, for remember nothing more for {
long time-how long ! do not know
When l recovered consciousness it wa
still laundering and lightning terrifcal
ly, and the rain was falling in torrents.
Was drenched with the contents OF thre
gallon can of kerosene oil which had re
ceiyed the day before, and could fast
and smell it SO strongly that it seemed t
me it must be raining kerosene, but afte
a time the rain washed it away so it wa
more endurable. 1t must have been tw
hours after recovered consciousness b.
fore the rain ceased, though it scene,
longer to me. Then I arose, for lei
that must find shelter II perish Wit
cold, though 1t was II June hight
= by this ime it had begun TO gros
little light, SO that could see dark oil
ject in tue distance. did not kno
what it was, but started to go to it, hein
still in my night clothes, as the wind ha
scattered my belongings in every dire,
ton, and my walk OF quarter OF a mil
was anything but pleasant, for beside
beng drenched with ram aud chilled t
the bone, the old grass stubble pricke
my tender bare feet like so many need
les.
i, After long and painful walk reacl
ed the dark object and found it to be th
horses of the men who were breakiu
; land for me. The barn had blown ava
and left the poor creatures without she
ter, while the men were intent upo
holding down their own cabin, nevt
thinking that mine could blow away.
could hardly sprak but they soon con
3 pretended the situation and ouick]
| harnessed the horses. and took me to m
, nearest neighbor, who worked over n
for two hours before felt warm. Straps
: to say did not take cold from nv e.
8 posure, though it gave my nerves
shock from which have not even vet r
covered, and for the first two months
could neither write nor see.
While laid. with the rain pour1p
over me, thought that if lived an
rebuilt my cabin. would never Ii,
alone again. But did, and though
pas lonely (sometimes three days at
3 time passing without my seeing hums
Q face) it was not wholly unpleasant.
| named my place "HiddenRest," as
: meant all that to me-. There were a fe
= gophers that seemed inclined to /
l f'lendly, and would come up to my doc
but after firing my revolver at a MAJ
they became frightened and left.
9 Que would acarcely expect to fir
birds where there are no trees, but the
are several kinds that live among IL
grass, and every morning they wouI
awaken me early with their songs an
the patter of their little feet on my cal
, in roof. would not advise any youu
lady to 60 and live as entirely alone
did, for it is not really safe, but