Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-10-09
BY JULIA MILLS UUNN.


which lies toward the north of the state,
between the Illinois and the Mississippi
rivers, was inhabited most entirely by
Indians, scattered here and tn re, however
were settlements OF whites, comprising
three or four families, who had banded to-
gether for mutual protection, and occa-
sion ally one family more courageous OF
reckless than the rest, or attracted per
haps by the prospect of securing better
land, would settle alone, far from any
white neighbors.
Ten or twelve miles from the Illinois
river. on the banks or one of the trihutar-
les of tat stream, family from. Virginia
by the name of Fleming had settled on a
claim near a Pottawatamie village
called by the Indians Wappe, but known
to the white settlers as lndiantown.
The vlIlag was compose of about 300
lodges or wigwams. and at that season Of
the year when chc braves were not away
on a hunting expedition, had over 800
inhabitants,
No other white family lived near the
Flemings within eight miles, but as the
Pottawatamies were friendly to the whites,
the Flemings felt no anxiety for their
other than to bolt securely at night the
which they lived, and to keep two or three
good rifles hanging on the walls. loaded
for use
The Fleming family consisted of Mr..
Fleming and his young wife.
Mrs Fleming had been a handsome,
dashing girl, the daughter of a wealthy
Virginia gentleman, but, although little
used to hardship of any kind before mar
rlage. had developed as the wife of a pio-
neer, all the latent courage and daring that
were hers by inheritance; traits that had
distinguished for generations one of the
proudest families of the "Old Dominion. .
She had been skiIiful horsewoman in
her girlhood, and under her husband s
training she had learned to row boat or
load and shoot a rifle with as much skill
and daring as he.
Antuckee, young chief of the Patio
watamies, had often expressed a great
admirotion for her skill as a horsewoman,
and had even on one occasion offered Mr..
Fleming bale of valuable furs if lie would
find a handsome white girl who would be
his "Squaw.
TWAS a warm pleasant June afternoon.
Mrs. Fleming was spinning at the big
wheel the WOODEN yarn that later she would
weave into wooden cloth for winter wear,
carded and spun the wool, woye the cloth,
and made the garEe that they wore.
The cabin was like those of the other set
tiers of that day--buitt of logs, the spaces
between the logs filled with mud 'chink-
ing" or 'daubing." At one end Of the
cabin, which contained but one rom, was
the fire place, occupying nearly all of one
end of the room. An iron crane on
which Il kettle, and irons and tea kettle
could be hung, swung from one side of the
rude chimney of rough, undressed stones
Over the Fireplace IA rough wooden shelf
was placed against the logs, and on this an
old wooden clock licked loudly and monot-
onously.
The puuchPon floor was bare, but an at
tempt had been made ut adOrnment by
lacking to the rough logs highly colored
picture Of 'WasElng ton Crossing the
Delaware, and page of an illustrated
newspaper Brother Jonathan"
As Mrs. Fleming spun she sang, or hum.
med an old song, entitled The Rose
Tree
"A ross tree in full hearing
Had sweet flowers so fair to see;
One ross beyond comparing,
For beauty had attrrcted me-"
A step came hurriedIy along the path
that led to the woods, and Mr.. Fleming
''Aeck Boyd is down by the ford. He
has found the den of wolves that have been
stealing our sheep. I've come for the
other rife, for we're going to clear out the
whole pack, if possible"
He took down the gun from the wall, ex-
amined the lock, and started off at a
quick run toward the bottom trail as it
was called, path shat led through the
woods.
Outside all the air was fragrant with
in the open, woodland place. Inside the
whirr of the spindle, as the big wheel made
its swift rounds, the ticking of the clock.
and tones of the Singer blended together
in a drowsy hum.
Il declare" said Mrs. Fleming to her.
self, If it ism t after 5 clock. must &C
to the spring Tor water so as to have sup
per ready when George returns
She took pail and started down the
path that led through the woods of the
bottom trail, a path that wound
through the timber land that followed the
course of the creek.
As she ran lightly down the path that
zizzagged along the side of small hilock
she thought she heard a sound, and glanc-
ed fearful over her shoulder. but no one
was IN SlSnC. linen 1t naSn6Q across lel
mind that she ought not TO venture out
even short distance, without her rife
Simultaneously came the thought that hel
husband had taken the gun and that she
was wholly unprotected. There had beer
vague rumors, too, that the Sacs and the
Foxes, tribes about sixty miles distant
were about to wage d war of determination
against the white settle and had already
taken the warpath. She peered caution sly
around, but did not slacken her pace
which she had increased almost to run
In the semi-twiiight Of the thick woods
the sunlight penetrated here and there in
long, arrowy lines of yellow light. The
growing of prairie chickens in the dis.
lance could be plainly heard, and now and
then the "squawk ola wild turkey in the
bottoms.
She dipped her pail in the spring and
turned, with swift, cautious footsteps. tc
retrace her way, when a sound of voices
reached her, and crouching in the bushes
straining her hearing to catch the faintest
sound she heard the deep cultural tone:
of the English language, and soon saw
through the opening between to large cot
tonwood trees, two Indians dart forward
and throw themselves fiat on the ground
From the head-dress they wore and thu
color of the paint on their face she recog
nized them as belonging to the Sacs ant
Foxes
To 90 back by the way she came would
be certain detection, for she would bt
Obliged to pass within ten feet of item
avid L.