River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1889-04-25
A BRAVE EXPLOIT.
How a Plucky Woman Saved the
Lives OF Four Hunters.

As early as 1854 few hardy pioneers
venturcl 70 build cabins upon the west
Brn banks q the Upper Mississippi,
and 20 move their families into them.
One 81 these bold men was William
Gleason. who, with yoke OF oxen. a
cart containing household effects and
q COW, moved with his Young wife from
the lead mines no Mineral Point in the
spring Of the year mentioned. aud set
tied at the mouth Of the Little Pinui-
con Oittle turSey).
He was attracted thither bv the tales
Of two young trappers whom he had
met al the old French town Of Prairie
du CHEN. the winter before They
told him Of the black. rich land in the
valley 81 the Little Piuuicon. with
scarce q stick Of timber in the way.
though the bluffs on either hand were
lined and covered with oak, buttcrnut,
hickory and poplar. Their stories Of
bear. beaver and mink stirred his
hunters heart.
These young mon Simpson Briggs
md john ElIery-had marked out each
a squatter's claim. and. not intending
TO spend their lives as mere trappers
and hunters, wished 10 have neigh
bors. ia the end. Gleason agreed 10
come. and according ~ SET "a time when.
with his wife and his goods. he would
BE- NJ Prairie du Chieu. where the
young men agreed tu meet him.
True tO their word. Briggs and f.
iery were awaiting them I'm camp al
the Prairie when Gleason and b Is
wife arrived The two trappcrs
guided the settlers On a three DAYS
journey over prairies aud among
wooded hills. aud finally brought them.
with their effects. To the bank of the
great RIVER az "a point opposite the
mouth Of Little Piuuicou-
Here strong |gfcrH. with mast and
sail in the bottom, lay hidden among
rocks The cntcrprisiug trappers had
provided themselves with this boat as
means Of freightiue their packs Of
deerskin-. buffalo hides and furs to
markets down the river. It's size and
strength enabled them in two trips 10
set the Glet~ouS. with their household
goods and stock upon ground which
was hcuceforih 10 D. their own
There a surprise awaited the new
Corners. - they mounted the bank Of
the little creel, at the mouth 81 which
they had landed John EIlcry pointed
to a little tree-growu knoll some two
hundred yards distant
Wonders your cabin ready fer to
move IN, slij hc. .e,n' thur's good
water in a spring down thar not fifty
steps frum H.
..Thars room enough fer four. said
Gleason. n. q few MIMI. later. the
party surveyed comfortable log
structure. with strong shake roof
and stone fireplace and chimney.
.'Ie5, said the youug wife. gratc-
fully. and It shall be both yer home
till We bring wives Of yer own up q @
river"
Thus did tie generous and brave
bJclSwooj-meu aid each other in the
pioneer yvor.- which has laid the f0uu-
datiou 81 populoa- STATES
That evening the party Of four sat
Mound q udely-cOustructed table upon
thu puucheou ioor Of their new home.
ard ate with great couteuuncut a sup
per az warm biscuit. hyoiled duck and
coffee. Tho next day. by the aid OF
the oxen and stub al pillow. ..sin-
gle breaker truck patch" was
plowcd. and before tile sun set was
planted win seeds which had been
carefully boarded. \ week later moro
than three acres had been thoroughly
stirred and planted 10 corn. squashes
and pumpkins.
4 fine crop was raised that year.
bringing in autumn such abundant va
ricty 90 their table that this little hand
OF pioneers scIt themselves % b. living
in tho very Zap of luxury" Of game
the house when the men were 81
home was IN arsenal OF Eun~-they
had such abundance us three good
hunters. with ample opportunities,
could secure Even Mrs Gleason was
provided with gun. short Hint-locil
fowliug piece. which she knew how 20
use. and upon whj,a II" pint much re-
lance for protection when the men
were all away from the cabin.
Briggs and E-.Cry We're often away
upon trapping and hunting excursions.
In September they rode away upon
their ponies - the west to shoot buf-
fai1. and wallsej back at the end Of
the hunt leading their ponie, heavily
laden with hides. They had Is 20 only
a thrcc-day> ), rncy from the river
20 strike the buffalo range. now
dwiudlcd from it, former vast proper
tions 70 the limits 81 tile National Park
in Wyoming. wcrea struggling band Of
buffaiOes <tiu exists. protected by
United States soldiers
These isolated settlers lived il con-
slant danger. for the country all about
them was the common huutiuE-grcurd
Cfhauds Of WfunehaEocs Potawatomies
ana Musquasic~ ANA occasionally
Sioux. These last were far more 20 -
dreaded than The others. a. Black
Hawks war had given the lesser and
nearer sings wholesome fear u the
soldiers. stationed at various posts
throughout the region.
No Indian was trusted. unless thcr-
oughly known % be the white mans
friend. anu Of the three men living al
the Little Pinujcou. one always re-
NAMED near the cabin When the
trsppcrs were away. Gleason stayed
close al home. busying himSelf with
the building OF stables. yard and fence.
,or with improvements upon the cabin
FTo the latter he added il time bed
room for himself and wife. and gen
] ersl stOrage-rooin for provender u all
sorts
Flour. coffee. sugar and other ueces-
saries were got at Prairie du Chen by
Briggs and E.i,-v. who made the trip
IN their b1ita..