The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-01-17

distant from their claim. 1t was neces-
sary that one of the couple should stay
at home to watch the cows and the
growing crops, and Mr.. Streeter set out
alone for Dodgeville, with oxen and
wagon, to get flour and other needed
articles.
He started on his journey just after
sunrise one morning. His wife finished
her mornings work about the cabin, and
went out with a hoe to work in the field,
taking with her the child, a little girl
four years OF age.
Though living miles from any neigh
bors, the hardy women of those days
often stayed alone while their husbands
were gone for days, and sometimes for
weeks, upon hunting or trapping excur-
sions, or to distant marketing points.
Mrs. Streeter worked for some hours
chilling up young potato vines, while
Elsie, the little girl, played with a
small kitten, their one domestic pet.
With sudden scream the child came
running to her mother, and caught her
by the dress. Mrs. Streeter looked
about in alarm, fearing that rattle
snake had bitten the child, and discov-
cred the cause Of her fright to be an
Indian who had come out of the brush
few rods distant, and was approaching
them.
Although she was not afraid of
Indians she was annoyed that one of
them should come while her husband
was away. She knew that often they
were lawless and thieving when they
discovered women alone.
AS the Indian came toward her his
face moved and grinned so curiously
that she felt an impulse TO laugh until
she saw that it's expression came from
deformity.
''Hoogh-oogh!' he grunted, as he came
up. "You go, you squaw, puck a chee
heap kick! You go Tonga me! Heap
Iniun comin'w and he pointed up the
valley. 1--WE 60 yonder!' pointing this
time toward the Wisconsin.
The woman was frightened at his
words and manner, Notwithstanding
that he tried to laugh and look as pleas
ant as his queer features would permit.
and though he had no weapons in sight.
'Men kill heap! Me no hurt You
60 We heap puck chee, and he reached
down to pick up the child.
The little girl screamed with terror,
and Mrs. Streeter caught her up and
stepped back.
"No, will not go with you," said she.
''You're bad Injun, and you're lying
to me-" She had quickly concluded that
the Indian merely wished to entice her
away while his companions pillaged the
premises.
Again the Winnebago-for it was
John-tried to explain to her that he
meant to be friendly and to aid her to
escape from danger.
Cheap Outagamaie!" FOX Indians) said
he. ''Men come, shoot, kill. Kill
papoose, kill white squaw. Squaw go
me, So" and again he motioned to-
ward the river and, by initiating the
act of padding and by sweeping his
hand forward, signified that he would
take her across it in his canoe.
mo, you go and leave mel" said the
woman, sternly. Il won't 60 with you.
Co.. she repeated, pointing toward the
woods, and then she turned with the lit
tie girl in her arms and started toward
the cabin.
Instantly the Indian sprang forward,
then snatched the child from her, and,
catching her by the shoulders, forced
her down to the ground upon her face,
and quickly tied her arms He had
evidently come prepared to carry out his
plan by force if necessary, and the poor
| fol hot 10
true. Not daring to struggle, she SUBJ
mitted to be bound captive
Elsie, the little girl, had started to
run into the woods, but John caught her
and took her, screaming, into his arms
He walked quickly back with her to
Mrs. Streeter, who had risen, after a
struggle, to her feet.
''Comer" said he. ''You 60 Tonga me
now, heap kick! Me take papoose. We
puck Chez" and he started toward the
river, reckoning her to follow. He had
Elsie in his arms, and there was nothing
for the now ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS and
trembling woman to do but to go with
him.
1t was several miles to the river. The
Winnebago hurried forward at half
trot, the child crying piteously at every
step, while the distressed mother, nearly
out of breath. kept close at his heels,
trying to cheer her little girl with words
of affection. John was probably too
stolid to care greatly for the papoose's
wailing or for it's mothers distress of
mind, but he was intent upon doing
them friendly service, and no doubt
was carrying it out with as much kind
ness as he was capable of exercising.
At a little after monday they came to
the river at the mouth of creek, and
here John put down the child, which he
had carried and led alternately, and
going into the edge of willow thioket
upon the bank, dragged out a log canoe,
which contained gun and some
blankets The canoe he slid down into
the water, and ordered Mrs. Streeter to
get down the bank and step into it.
With her hands bound as they were
she found it difficult to get into and sit
down in the ''tittlish," narrow trough,
but she finally managed, without tipping
it over, to take her place in the bow OF
the slight craft.
The Indian then carefully placed Elsie
upon her knees in the center of the
canoe. ''No touch um," he commanded,
tapping the sides of the canoe. "Keep
a heap still" The little girl, tired and
| subdued, dared not so much as stir.
Then John picked up paddle which he
had laid upon the bank, got carefully
into the canoe at the stern, showed out
into the river, and padded the frail
| craft swiftly down the stream.
The anguish of the poor woman was
keen as she thought of the husband who