Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1883-07-13
WISCONSIN GIRLS RIDE.
Emma Larson,s Romantic Trip from
Kingston to California.

Emma Larson,s Romantic Trip from
Kingston to California.
Hello. how far is it to the next
town.
These words greeted the ears of Mr.
W. w. Davis and family as they sat
at supper yesterday evening at their
residence. Sixteenth and O'Neil streets.
Mr.. Davis looked out of the open
door of his dining room upon Six
teenth street. He saw there an UNI
usual picture. A fine, large sorrel
mare, with a yearling colt at her side,
was standing by the sidewalk Upon
the mares back sat young woman
sideways on a mans saddle. She had
On a broad brimmed mans hat. a
close-fitting blue and white calico
dress, rough laced shoes, and on one
foot was a mans stirrup. A yellow
rubber coat was tied up behind the
saddle. The young woman was sun
burnt and travel-stained. but sat erect.
and looked as If she We're able to take
care of herself.
Mr.. Davis walked to the door.
What town do you WANT" he said
The next town, whatever it is.
We'll, there's a station on the
Union Pacific some miles on. but
you're not looking for it, | suppose.
Where are you travelling to!
ITO CALIFORNIA.
''Alone:"
. Yes, alone, and camping out.
Where can find good grass.
Mr. and Mrs. Davis. like good. hos
pitable people, invited the young lady
to dismount and partake of some sup
per. Sic washed her hands and face,
sat down to the table, and talked
about the trip she was making.
My home is at Kingston. Green
Lake county, Wis" she said, where
l live with my father once spent
some time visiting i'll Southern Cali
fornia, but it was some years ago.
have for several years thought OF
starting in the spring and making the
journey on horseback, and this year
made up my mind that | would do it
| have been eight weeks on the road
From my home to the Mississippi riv.
er, the distance is $50 miles; it is 350
across the State of Iowa. as l travelled
and 500 more to Cheyenne Sol have
come over 1000 miles on horseback
and alone
Have you a good horse!'
Indeed | have. They wanted me
to give up my trip at Kearney. Why
some folks there grew real angry with
me because | persisted in going on
They wanted me to sell my mare anC
colt and take the money to pay my
passage. But l do not need money
and I'll never part with that mare
She's good, has speed as trotter
and she weighs as much to pound ~
when l started with her To-day
have ridden twenty eight miles, bu
that is more than l generally make.
sLLCKER AND SADDLE BLANKET.
travel mornings and evenings, anG
l stop long time at noon. l started
with a side saddle, but it made the
mare back sore, so | traded it off fol
mans saddle. At night | picket the
mare and lie close to the picket. She
can't move but | know it. She go
away twice, though. Once followed
her afoot more than ten miles, and
caught her in herd of thirty horses.
What bedding have you in camp
ngout."
Nothing but that yellow slickel
the saddle blanket. Haven't suffer
ed from the cold. but it gets awful
lonely sometimes at night, when the
coyotes are bowling"
Have you been annoyed by
tramps:"
Not a great deal | go back from
the railroad at least two miles and
avoid them. Once a tramp came upon
me in a lonely place when | had the
saddle off the mare and began talking.
| directed his attention to some emi
grants off at distance, and slipped
on the saddle, buckled the fore sinch
and galloped off. But I'm not afraid.
| never think of danger, and carry
no firearms.
How do you manage about eat
ing9'
There | have trouble. If | don't
strike station at meal time | get
nothing to eat Why, I've gone all
day often without eating-two days
sometimes. 1t was hard at first, but |
got used to it. "
THERE'S NO GLORY IN THAT.
1t was suggested that she might fall
in with some emigrants and travel
with their train.
Il don't want to travel with emf
grants. There's no glory in that.
have set out to do this trip alone /
have been the last day or two travel
ing at about the same rate with some
emigrants to Washington Territory.
Sometimes they're ahead; sometimes
| am But | don't camp with them. :
Would you mind telling me your
name!"
Emma Larson.
Miss Emma
Yes. sir"
We'll. Miss Emma. | never wrote
up anything like your feat before.
What ever put it into your head!"
"Oh, | just thought I'd like tomake
the trip. Why, l have already plan
ned to come home by way of Texas
Perhaps, Miss Emma. there is a
lover waiting for you in California;
And at the mention of lover Miss
Emma laughed the laugh of true
woman.-Cheyenne Leader
An Early Jesse James.
Denver Tribune
Doc" Middleton. whose exploits rs
a highwayman, brigand and despera