Iuka reporter. (Iuka, Miss.) 1888-1894, 1889-05-02

y
the lead mines at Mineral Point in the
spring of the year mentioned, and settled
at the mouth of the Little Pinnicon
(ittle Turkey.
He was attracted thither by the tales
OF two young trappers whom he met at
the old French town of Prairie du Chen
the winter before. They told him of
che black, rich land in the valley of the
Little Pinnicon, with scarce stick of
timber in the way, though the bluffs on
either hand We're lined and covered with
oak, butternut, hickory, and poplar.
Their stories OF bear, deer, beaver and
mink stirred his hunters heart.
These young men-Simpson Briggs
and John Ellery-had marked out each
q squatter's claim, and, not intending to
spend their lives as mere trappers and
hunters, wished to have neighbors. In
the end, Gleason agreed to come, and
accordingly set a time when, with his
wife and his goods, he would be at Prairie
du Chen, where the young men agreed
to meet him.
True to their word, Briggs and Ellery
were awaiting them in camp at the
''Prairie" when Gleason and his wife ar
rived. The two trappers guided the
settlers on three days journey over
prairies and among wooded hills, and
finally brought them, with their effects,
to the bank of the great river at point
opposite the mouth Of Little Pinnicon.
Here a strong bdteau, with mast and
sail i'll the bottom, hay hidden among
rocks. The enterprising trappers had
provided themselves with this boat as a
means OF freighting their packs of deer
skis, buffalo hides and ftirs to markets
down the river. Its size and strength
enabled them in two trips to set the
Gleasons, with their household goods
and stock, upon ground which was
henceforth to be their own.
There Il surprise awaited the new COM
ers. As they mounted the bank of the
little creek at the mouth of which they
had landed, John Ellery pointed to a
little tree-grown knoll some two hundred
yards distant.
Wonders your cabin ready fer to
move in, said he, "an' thar's good water
in a spring down thar not fifty steps
from it. +"
Thar's room enough fer four" said
Gleason, as, a few minutes later, the
\ Pf'hV9 sui wy CA ~ COlllOIdDlt 10y SIIlt-
ture, with strong ''shake" roof and stone
fireplace and chimney
'Yes," said the young wife, CRATE
fully, ''and it shall be both yer homes
till ye bring wives of yer own up the
river"
Thus did the generous and brave
backwoodsmen aid each other in the
pioneer work which has laid the founda-
ton of populous States.
That evening the party of four sat
round rudely constructed table upon
the puncheon floor of their new home.
and ate with great contentment a sup
per of warm biscuit, broiled duck and
coffee. The next day, by the aid of the
oxen and a stub of a plough, s'single
breaker" a struck patch" was ploughed.
and before the sun set was planted with
seeds which had been carefully boarded
A week later more than three acres had
been thoroughly s'stirred" and planted
to corn, squashes and pumpkins.
A fine crop was raised that year,
riety to their table that this little band
of pioneers felt themselves to be living
in the very LAP of luxury" OF game
the house when the men were at home
was an arsenal Of guns-they had such
as three good hunters, with
ample opportunities, could secure. Even
Mrs. Gleason was provided with gun,
0 short, fint-lock fowling- piece, which
she knew how to use, and upon which
she put much reliance for protection
when the men were all away from the
sabin.
Briggs and Ellery were often away upon /
trapping and hunting excursions. In
September they rode away upon their
ponies to the west to shoot buffalo, and I
walked back at the end Of the. hunt lead
ng their ponies heavily laden with hides.
hey had to go only three days jour
ey from the river to strike the Buffalo
range, now dwindled from its former
asst proportions to the limits of the Ma
onal Park in Wyoming, where stray
ling band of buffaloes still exists, pro-
'cted by United States soldiers.
These isolated settlers lived in con-
ant danger, for the country all about
em was the common hunting ground
bands of Winnebagoes, Potawatomies
ID Musquakies, and occasionally Sioux.
lese last were far more to be dreaded
an the others, as Black Hawks war