Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1888-03-09
A DAKOTA ROMANCE.
A Bridal Party Overtaken by a
Furious blizzard.
They Find Refuge In n Cyclone Cave-Time-
ly Appearance OF tho Clergyman-Two
Days Under the Snow.


Days Under the Snow.
When father took up his claim in
Douglas County, Dakota, the country
was new and thnly settled. Father
and my three brothers took up n sec
tion, and built their four houses on adj
joining corners, So, as two brothers
were married, we formed little set
tlement by ourselves. This was well,
as our nearest neighbor lived eleven
miles away. l was then merry,
romping lass of fifteen, all the wilder
for being just from city life.
The first year very destructive cy-
clone visited that part of the country.
Lying as it does between the Missouri
and Jamas rivers, it was feared such
vsitations might be frequent so father
and the boys dug cave midway be-
tween the houses. Twice we sought
refuge there and heard the demon of
destruction at work among the fruits
of our industry. We escaped without
injury, but father, who was returning
from the town, twenty miles away,
where we got our mail and supplies,
was badly bruised by the overturning
of his wagon. As soon rs he recovered
he and the boys dug cave about mid
way ON the route to town. The loca-
tion was marked by four tall upright
posts, which could be seen for Il long
distance.
Years passed with no occasion for its
use, but father was always dreading
such time, and kept it in repair.
Four happy years passed, then n
party of visitors from the East came.
Among them was Frank Healy. We
had been great friends in the past, and
became something more during that
long summer We agreed to be mar
ried in the spring, and he would stay
until that time; but early in january
he received summons home to Chi
cago, and insisted that go along.
So preparation was made for our
marriage. We sent to Bunker for IL
minister, but our messenger brought
word he could not get away. "Could
we not come to him. We must start
TO Chicago Mt once, so decided to adopt
that plan. Upon the 9th, after a tear
ful good-by to all but father, mother
and Joe. who would accompany us, we
started for Bunker
There was great quantity of snow
on the ground, and only one sleigh
that of our messenger the day before
had gone over the road. As conse-
quence, our progress was slow and la
borious. 1t was dull, clouly day, but
we knew nothing of billiards then. SO
did not hesitate to start. We had men,
toned one O'Clock as the time for the
ceremony, so made calculation on
being at the parsonage at that time.
Before we We're two miles on our way
snow began to fall in great, feathery
flakes. love IL snow-storm, and was
delighted to be out in one. Seeing
father and mother grave and troubled,
laughed and jested. and indeed was
in an unusually merry mood for one
who was leaving home and friends to
go among strangers. with only hus-
bands love to depend upon.
For some time the snow fell slowly
and heavily then the wind rose and
the cold began to increase. Joe sug-
gested return, and limited at possible
danger. Father hesitated, but Frank
thought there was no more danger in
nm advance than retreat, so on we
went Heavens! what an experience
that was which followed.
The wind howled like host of de-
mons, bent ON our destruction. The
snow became infinitesimally fine, and,
driven by the blast, stung ones flesh,
when exposed, like needle-points. We
could not see to the horses heads. and.
as the one track was long since covered
up. we no longer knew which way we
were going, and could only trust to the
horses.
Mother became alarmed and cried
quietly behind her vail. All my high
spirits vanished, and instead of the
happy future had been anticipating |
now saw nothing but cruel death be-
fore US, with the snow for shroud and
pail.
At two by Franks watch we were
nearly frozen, and the weary horses
could scarcely move along. Suddenly
Joe put out his hand and clutched mt
some object close TO the side of the
sleigh.
"Hurrahr' his CHEEKY voice rang out
"Whoa."
The tired horses stopped instantly,
only too glad of the chance. Joe
sprang out into the yielding snow. In
a moment he shouted again.
"Helloo! Here's another sleigh,
Father! Frank! Pile out here with
your shovels!"
They did rs he ordered, and mother
and reused to see what it all meant
But we could see nothing, and only
family hear their voices above the rush
ing wind.
We soon found out, however, for
father and Frank soon returned and
lifted mother and i out of the sleigh
and carried us-where? Into father
cyclone cave.
We stared about in stupid amaze
ment, for Joe had brought lantern
along, and he had lighted and hung it
up. A moment later we were joined
by the minister from Bunker who,
finding it possible to get away, had
started.
The men blanketed the poor horses,
huddlel them together close to the
mouth of the cave, turned the sleigh