Daily Yellowstone journal., 1889-04-16
A W0MAN'S EXPLOIT.

As early as 1884 a few hardy pio-
neers ventured to build cabins upon
the western banks Of the upper Missis-
sippi, and TO move their families into
them. One of these bold men was
William Gleason, who. witha yoke Of
oxen. a cart containing household ef-
feels and a COW, moved with his
young wife from the lead mines at
Mineral Point in the spring Of the
year mentioned, and settled at the
mouth of the Little Pinnicon Qittle
turkey.
He was attracted thither by the tales
Of two young trappers whom he had
met at the old French town of Prairie
du Chen, the winter before. They
told him Of the black, rich land in the
valley of the Little Pinnicon, with
scarce a stick of tinber in the way,
though the bluffs on either side were
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 a squatter's claim, and, not iu-
tending 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 words, Briggs and e.
lery were awaiting them in camp at
the Prairie" when Gleason and his
wife arrived. The two trappers guild.
ed the settlers on a three days journey
over prairies and among wooded hills,
and finally brought them, with their
e%fiects, to the bank of the great river
at a point opposite the mouth OF Little
Pinnicon.
Here a strong bateau, with mast and
sail In the bottom, lay hidden among
rocks. The enteTpriSing tiapperS had
provided themselves with this boat as
a means of frclghting their packs Of
deerskins, buffalo hides and furs TO
markets down the river. It, size and
strength enabled them in two trips 10
set the Gleasons, with their household
goods aud stock, upon ground which
was henceforth 10 be their own.
There a surprise awaited tho new
corners. AS they mounted the bank
Of the little creek at the mouth of
which they had landed, John Ellery
pointed 10 a little tree grown knoll
some 200 yards distant
"Yonder's your cabin ready fer 10
move in" said he, 'and thar's good
water m a spring down thar not fifty
steps rum it."
"Thar's room enough fer four"
said Gleason as, a few minutes later,
the party surveyed a comfortable log
structure, with long shake roof and
stone fireplace and chimney.
"Yes," said the young wife, CRATE
fully, ''and 1t shall be both yer homes
all ye bring wives Of yer own up the
river"
Thus did the generous and brave
tsckwoodsmen aid each other in the
Vlppeer work which has laid the found.
stton OF populous states.
That evening the party OF four sat
around a rudely constructed table
upon tho puncheon floor OF their new
bone, and ate with great contentmept
q supper OF warm biscuit, broiled duck
and coffee. The next day, by the aid
of the oxen and a stub Of a plow, q
''angle breaker a truck patchn was
plowed, and before the sun set was
planted with seeds which had been
carefully boarded. A week later more
than three acres had been thoroughly
stirred" and planted TO corn, squash
Z. and pumpkins.
A hae crop was raised that year,