Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1889-04-05
A W0MAN'S EXPLOIT.

AS early as 1884 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, with yoke of
oxen, a cart containing household eff
fects 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 timber 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 squatters claim, and, not in
tending to spend their lives as mere
trappers and hunters, wished to have
neighbors. In the end, Gleason agreed
to come, and accordingly set time
when, with his wife and his goods he
would he at Prairie du Chen, where
the young men agreed to meet him.
True to their words Briggs and FL
lery We're awaiting them in camp at
the Prairie" when Gleason and his
wife arrived. The two trappers guild
ed 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 q strong bateau, with mast and
sail IN the bottom, lay hidden among
rocks The enterprising trappers had
provided themselves with this boat as
a means of freighting their packs of
deersllins, buffalo hides and fulrs 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 surprise awaited the new
corners. 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 200 yards distant.
Wonders your cabin ready fer to
move in" said he, land thar's good
water in spring down thar not fifty
steps frum it.
"Thar's room enough fer four, y
said Gleason as, a few minutes later,
the party surveyed comfortable log
structure, with long 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 found
alton of populous states.
That evening the party of four sal
around a rudely constructed table
upon the puncheon floor of their new
home, and ate with great contentmenr
a supper of warm biscuit. broiled duel
and coffee. The next day, by the aiC
of the oxen and stub of a pillow. {
''single breaker" a truck patch" wa.
plowed, and before the sun set wa!
planted with seeds which had beer
carefully boarded. A week later more
than three acres had been thorough,
stirred and planted to corn, squash
es and pumpkins
A fine crop was raised that year