Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va) 1886-1890, 1889-11-21
NANCE.

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Nance WI s.ns was not beaanfJ il
the ordinary sense Of the word. Sh
was 'sunburned and freckisd, and he
nose had too much the suggestion of
snub TO be an ornament. But she hat
6ne eyes--not large, but small, express
i've and fringed with heavy black lashes
She was strong imbed, well developed
and nearly girl of 90, or whereabouts, a
the time of this story, and was known tt
the Skytown community as a fearles!
woman, and no less peculiar than brave
Peculiar, indeed; She had no rela
tives that any one knew of, and was al
alone way out in that western country
and for woman to be alone in Dakota
IN 1928, and especially holding down 8
claim" ten miles from any one, present
ed spectacle of self sacrifcean daring
rarely exhibited by the-gentler sex.
But Nance was equal to the emergency
Ii she had heart to dare, she had an
arm all sufficient for her protection. She
could handle gun with the skill and
ease of professional ranger, and had
more than once demonstrated her superb
craftsmanship. I have seen her break
the widest of bropchos to the saddle,
and by score of similar acts proclaim
herself the mistress Of her situation.
Yet, with all her masculine qualities
she was feminine to the greatest dea,as
In some Of the sweeter virtues of hs Cav
She was ready witted, bright and tender
hearted, and whenever she camc;nto tbo
store to trade it was a treat for me- to
draw her out in conversation. Che Voc
usually very reserved, but fren time n
time cleaned few facts colcerninc he,
early life. She was born il California
There was tinge Of Indiei blood in he,
mothers veins and her fatber was q
miner-a "forty miner. Har u4,ole Hfe
had been thrown in ths most r,,ogad s,,r.
roundings, and 1 couls not bnt wonde,
how she had grown " into her scatba
..ss "oiuan,looo. o1e was diamond in
=. .ne iouenI1 coulo Fee that and glorieo
- ~ ouV nov sue Supported herself and
Wy quo p.nieu eAsef away out in that
LONELY iesion aiar from womankind and
oitni1atioh were mysteries to us all.
ohs IN tne summer of 'sS young
Fellow from ting east came to Skvtown
ana se.Ileo d9sFn among US. He was
pa.e, SicA5y iaoking individual, slightly
punt, mad Glue eyes, curly yellow haii
anu wore Goggles. He was very refined
~ aus snssuage and dress, and carried
himsen With such a scholarly air that
rs was Immediately christened "Pro
1eosor. His father, he told me, ha6
SEM Aim west for his health. He had
come to Dakota with the avowed inten
'ion 3f roughing it, and wanted me tc
az ao'ist him the proper method for seeing
.he greatest amount of pioneer life il
sae shortest possible time. advised
LII to take up claim, roll up his
slee ives and do as we Dakotans did. he
toi owed my advice to the letter. in
u oduced him to Charley Atwood, and
y re purchased of him the REIMBURSEMENT
iof fine quarter of ground, three miles
rom town, remodeled the shac4 a little
suit his convenience, and started in
experience Dakota life. In some man.
er he became acquainted with Nance
7illiams, and they grew to be steadfast
lends. l knew their friendship was
urn, but did not dream it was SC
ong as after events proved.
me night, about s or 8 o'clock, Nance
Siams came into the store. She did
how much excitement, but her eyes
tin manner that evidenced her