Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1890-07-19
FRONTIER STRATEGY.

Two young men, Jacob and Jared
Stebbins, who lived in the region be-
tween the Blue Mounds and the Wis
consin very early in the history of
that country, belonged to the pioneer
class. Their father had moved up
there from Galena some time before
the Black Hawk troubles and, though
they were but lads of 16 and II, they
had taken part in the defense of Mound
Fort, and in the battle of Wisconsin
Heights.
AS they grew up and Jake came of
age, they became ambitious to have
land of their own. They had helped
clear, grub, break up, fence and cult
vate 100 acres of land on their fathers
patent" in Mound Creek valley, and
now it was high time to begin for
themselves.
Up to this period the broad Wiscon-
sin, unfordable except in the driest
seasons, had acted as a check to the
tide of northern and western settle
ment in their district There was
much choice land upon the other side,
and some two years before Jake was
q the boys had been across the river
hunting, and had staked and blazed
claims for themselves-two quarter"
upon one of which they had subse-
quently erected a snug log cabin,
which they had covered with boards
of their own make,
They spent the greater part of two
winters in this cabin, hunting or split
ting rails during the short days, and
In the spring, summer and autumn,
while working on their fathers place,
they watched jealousy for any move
ment toward a settlement on the
''other side"
The winter before Jake came of age
several other claims were taken, above
their own, on the west side of the
river, on Sac Prairie, one of the most
fertile prairies of the state. The boys
now determined to move over finally
SO soon as they should gather the
spring crops upon their fathers place.
In March, upon going home from
their claim, they left their cooking
utensils and other belongings inside
the cabin, and closed the door and
window by mailing heavy strips across
them. 1t was not until May, after
corn planting, that they moved across
the river They SWAN over two yoke
of steers, their breaking team and raft
ed across their wagon, plows and
some ether effects. 1t took them
nearl y all day to cross, and it was late
in the evening when they reached
their cabin.
The cabin had been built in the edge
OF the valley timber, and they had
cleared space around it. AS they
drove out into this open space, they
were surprised by the yelping of
dog, which came rushing toward them.
and flew at the faces of the steers, SO
that they halted and lowered their
horns to fight off the brute. Jared ran
forward and drove the animal away
with his whip, giving it cut which
sent it back to the cabin.
somebody's hereW said he.
Jared went forward. The dog
snarled at b IN from under the covered
wagon as h approached. AS he came
up to the cabin, he saw that the boards
mad been ripped from the door, and
mat a light was shining through
Halo, thar" he called. standing
close to the door.
1hefe was a moment of waiting, a
murmur of voices inside; then the
uoor swung inward, and the tall,
quaint figure of a middle aged woman
$1,000 In the open space.
Who be yea" she inquired, gruffiy.
I'm one of the owners of this
cam, said Jared, IAN we'd like ter
shar the cabin with We till we en- get
Some supper"
a. Wal, ye CANT come in hyerl" said
sne woman, coolly. This hyer claim
a this hyer cabin b'longs ter usl" and
his face. ' " WAN 49,
Jared was hot blooded, and was nat
TrIaIly angry at this turn CT events.
ne ne sprang toward the closing door, and
nfew all his weight against it. The
woman was large and strong enough
~ nave offered stout resistance, but she
was taken by surprise; the door few
OuG OF her grasp, back upon its hinges,
s!u Jared was propelled against her
m1In a force that made her stagger
ua1l way across the room.
Jared had gained admission. but
.ound himself facing two big. bonv
men, who had arisen from their stools
S before the fireplace as he burst the
Ihey sprang ct him, knocked him
oVer, sat on him-one on his shoulders
sea the other on his legs-and then,
Stt9 buckskin straps, proceeded to
044a him hand and foot.
Jared struggled for q moment, and
snen finding it useless, gave it up. Eo
mas soon relieved of the weight of his
~ Sptors, but lay helplessly bound upon
thai n tins had happened SO quickly
S Soulie, had tied the steers and come
Ia autslously up to the door, gun in hand,
Nc Nc found himself confronted by the
tba aZeS OF two rifles, which protruded
b h. crack which had been made
nrsmoving board from the nearest
the cabin, ~" came iroih wi'llih
the u.iinstead of dropping the weapon,
to to- o qulck witted young settler sprang
nn que SIDE, and ran behind the wagon
still SHIT + Which the belligerent dog was
bro s barking. Then he called to his
Day, Jerd, have they hurt yer
4Su shouted back that thew hodrit