The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1892-08-02


from the saddle and motioned to him to
catch the horn Of the saddle as she came
by. He was 1.-the and active, and With
out more than slowing up slightly she
reached over and throwing an arm
around his shoulders half lifted him up
behind her just as the herd came up.
The wiry little pony made tracks for
the open plain and in moment they
were safe. The fact that the fair res
cuer tainted away Immediately on get
ting out of danger did not decrease her
charges respect for her, as history re-
cords that he married her a few months
later.
A woman of the plains who has proved
herself good manager of the things OF
field and farm is Mrs. Emma Perry, OF
Morena, on the western border of the
state of Kansas. Her husband died in
1878, leaving her seventy-fve head of
cattle and a quarter section Of land.
Her corn fields early began to wither I'M
der the hot winds that make western
Kansas SO much of an American desert
in dry seasons, and but for her knowl-
edge of botany she would have lost her
all. Instead of despairing she put in
her land to sorghum and rice corn, thus
raising an abundance of feed for her
stock.
When winter came, instead OF allow
ing her stock to wander over the prairie
and become worn out with the severity
of the billiards., she put on a heavy
overcoat and ssslicker" and mems rub
Der boots, and mounting her pony rode
day and night until she had brought
home all the cattle. The neighbors
were surprised at her energy, but it
paid, and in a country where SO many
have failed she has amassed little for
tune. She has two sections of land,
several hundred cattle and a couple
score of horses and ponies. Horses are
her especial pleasure and she is an in
trepid rider.
Last Fourth Of July, as in nearly all
races that take place in her vicinity, her
ponies were in the races at the county
seat, and she herself rode in the prin-
cipal contest. When the stakes were
awarded to her, competitor, angry at
being beaten by a woman, accused her
of unfairness. Mrs. Perry was angry,
and dashing up on her pony in front of
the judges stand dared him to another
contest. When he refused she threw
the money on the ground at the judges
feet and rode away. Nor could she be
induced to touch any of it. Her friends
say she is as brave in physical danger as
she is quick in business life and has on
several occasions stanchly defended
herself when alone.
The settlement of Oklahoma, with the
consequent rush of people of all ages,
conditions and abilities in one motley
horde across the virgin plains, put wom-
en- to an extent on an equal with the
sterner sex. In hundreds of instances
it was the wife and mother who guided
the prairie schooner while the father
rode ahead and found the location for
the future home. Many women made
their own entries. One woman rode
from the edge of territory to Guthrie
on that famous April 20, 1890, selecting
spot near the government Office and
holding it against all corners. None
could dislodge her and she staid by the
spot night and day. Then they told
her it was in the middle of the street,
but she would not move and demanded
a survey.
When measurements were made the
land was found to be all right, and the
lot now covered with three story
bull gone of the best in the city.
She has leased the OF for ten years for
sum which will keep her in comfort
for that time. When the additional lands
were opened this spring two young girls
-stenographers-barely of age, were
among the most intrepid riders and
strugglers for town lots. They had a
folding tent, and when they reached
the center of the new town to be they
had it erected in few minutes and had
sign out offering to take in sewing.
By this means they were able to prove
immediate residence and secured titles
without difficulty.
The newspapers in some instances had
women reporters at the opening in 1890,
and one in particular, a Miss Alden, now
society editor of leading western daily,
on that occasion outstripped all rivals in
the race to the telegraph Office. She
had good pony and SO did the other
correspondents, but after the rush had
been made the horses were too tired to be
ridden back to the station, SO passing
train was hailed and the little band of
newsgatherers prepared copy as they
rode. AS the station was neared all
crowded to the platforms to be first at
the Office to file messages. What was
ahann