Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1891-08-05
STORY OF ELIZABETH ZANE.

ments on the Atlantic coast into the
interior of the country, before the
great West was covered and woven to-
gether by lines of railroads, and her
rivers were navigated by steam, some
New England men, restless and dis
conteDted with the Eastern country,
started for the West.
They made long journey into the
almost unexplored territory, taking
with them their wives and children and
their household effects, and driving
before them their cattle.
Some of them stopped when they
came to favorable situations, resolving
to go no further, but to settle there
But others kept on until they came to
the great prairies and forests of the
West.
There, where the only sounds that
disturbed the solemn quiet of nature
were the howl of the wolf, the cry Of
birds, the signing winds in the deep
foliage. and the frequent murmur of
the vast wilderness, they rested.
1t was delightful country.
Above them lowered the dark pine
tops, while beneath their feet was
spread carpet of green grass. sprinkl-
ed with flowers of rare beauty and
fragrance. Fresh, sunny airs played
around them, and shook down the
dead pine needles to the earth, and
occasionally some bird of bright plum
age would fit before them like flash
of light, or a squirrel sitting high
above their heads, would chatter at
them as they were passing.
The first work of these early settlers
was to build for themselves cabins and
surround them with a row of palisades,
to serve as a defense against the at
tacks of Indians and the incursions of
wild beasts. From wild beasts there
was but little to fear. Their principal
foes were the Indians.
There was settlement of pioneers
near Wheeling. The Indians had
troubled them, and at the time of my
story they were expecting an attack
was to have been made.
Soon the Indian war-whoop resound-
ed through the thicket around them,
and the rafting discharge of muskets
saluted their ears.
The inmates of the fort, however,
were safely ensconced behind the pail
sades, and were unhurt by the balls
which they could hear constantly strik-
ing the wall.
The attack was not returned, but at
intervals the crack of rife from the
fort would bring to the ground some
exposed savage.
While the Indians fought in this
manner, there was little danger to
those in the fort.
But when they despaired of ever
succeeding by such fighting, and APP
preached to break down and burn the
palisades, then those within were oblig-
ed to expose themselves to their fire
while beating them back. Once, too,
the wooden defenses cought fire, and
while extinguishing the flames, six of
their men were killed by Indian bull
lets.
So at last the garrison was reduced
to twelve men and boys, and several
woman and children.
The women were employed in load
ing the guns, thus rendering impor-
tant assistance to their husband and
sons.
After the defense had been carried
on in this way for some time, one Of the
women brought word that there was
no more powder. The men were hor-
ror-strickeD. e Without ammunition
) their rifles were of no use to them
Nothing could hinder the Indians
from storming the weak fort. The
massacre which they knew must in
that case ensue caused the strongest tc
shudder and turn pale.
AT this emergency council was
held, and it was agreed by all that
with the powder had passed away their
last hopes, when one of them happened
to think of keg of powder that had
not been opened, but left in a house
outside the fertilization.
This information did not in any
great measure raise their hopes, fol
they supposed it certain that the In
dams had discovered it and taken pos
session of it, as they had torn dowr
some of the houses about the fort ant
set fire to others. When, however, {
woman, sent to ascertain the facts o
the case, reported that the house
where the powder had been left wal
still standing, and that the Indians hat
gone to the other side of the fort
their hope revived. The captain wa
unwilling to detail any one to get thu
keg, but he called for volunteers
Each one of the garrison offered to go
While they we're in doubts as d
whom they should send from tn