The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1900-04-21
WOMEN USED AS HORSES.
In one section OF Canada They Are
Hitchcd IN n Pillow
the Fields.

AHHH
we're given an abiding place by the
Canadian government. Ii is little
more than three years since the col
ony Landed at Winnipeg and was
sent forth to earn a living by farm
ing. The colonists numbered nearly
1900 families and were divided into
three lots for purposes of distribu-
ton. One was sent to western Mani
toba, another TO the province Of Al
berta and a third to the banks Of the
Saskatchewan, about the center OF
the province OF Assiniboia. They
were ia a condition of great poverty.
Their transportation to Canada is
said to have been paid BY the Cana
dian Pacific railway.
At any event, that line took care
Of the party after its arrival. The
immigrant trains to points of disem-
barkatlon we're furnished with food.
The Journey inland was made in wag-
ons and there the colonists are to-
day. interesting in their habits and
customs, a curious sight to visitors
who may Rnd the time to look their
way.
The Russian colonies and their Don
ditions are interesting at the present
day, more particularly on account Of
the fact that the Canadian Pacific
railway is now engaged in an effort
TO locate in these same provinces a
horde Of Fnlanders, variously esti-
mated at from 10000 TO 10000 per-
sons, who are expected to arrive in
this country about July. Advance
agents are now in British Columbia,
where they are being royalty enter
tanned by the Canadian government
through the Canadian Pacific rail-
way.
The land on which the Saskatche-
war colony is located stretches
southwark from the Cree Indian
reservation toward the main line OF
the Canadian Pacific railway, II Is
fertile, so far as land goes, but In the
hands Of a -poyerty-srricken people,
unaccustomed to modern methods Of
farming, It has 10 the present made
but little showing. An effort is TO be
made during the coming summer TO
better the condition Of the colonists.
The Sanadinn government will send
to each Of the colonies an experienced
farmer, and It Is understood has ap.
propriated a large sum Of money for
their welfare.
The lands had been prepared for
the colonists months before their ar.
rival and wnen their location was
made each head Of a family was given
a pillow and a small store Of provisions,
with instructions to 90 ahead and
earn a living. To-day, according to
visitors who haze but recently re-
turned from the colony, the colonists
are little, II any, better of than on
the day they began work.
Flowing both spring and fall Is
done by bees" The head Of the fam
lily issues a call for a pillow bee at his
homestead on a certain date. The
women gather in large numbers.
They are buXom-looking women and
ready to work. They arrive early in
the morning and are first placed at a
table and fed. The food is coarse, but
substantial. At the conclusion OF the
meal preparations for the field are
begun.
The party is divided into three re.
liefs. To the beam Of the pillow is at.
tashed a long rope, into which are
tied stout sticks equal TO half the
number Of women in each relief. AS
draught animals the women go to
their places, dividing on either side
Of the rope, and the days work is be-
gun.
The owner OF the land, holding the
handles Of the plow, gives a grunt,
The women bend forward Il the yoke.
The plowsbare enters the ground, and
at a rapid ate the first furrow is
turned over. For four hours each re.
lief works. As fast as returned the
women ore privileged TO 90 home.
During working hours not a word i.
spoken. The women are as dumb az
the animals they represent.
Spring and fall this is the lot Of
the m Of the Canadian Russian
colonies. During seeding time the
women do aI the planting and at har.
vest use the sickle.
Last year the Canadian mounted
police, In order to assist the impoyer,
ished settlers, gave them several small
contracts for hay. In the execution
Of these contracts the women again
played a prominent part. Harnessed
to small wooden sulky rakes, they
could be seer daily during the sum.
mer tolling up and down the prairl,
meadows harvesting the hay. Tn,
men did the loading into the polio,
wagons. But even with the assist,
nnce Of the police the contracts wer,
much delayed, In spite Of all thes,
conditions the Russian colony on tn,
banks Of the Saskatchewan Il grow
ing. When located the contingent
numbered about 200 women and q
children. During the three years Of
their stay nearly 200 children hay,
been born. There have been but few
deaths, and at the same rate Of in
! crease It will not he many years be
fore more land Is needed.
e When the far north is frozen so a.
, to prevent agricultural work. III,
women Of the colony are scattered
/, about the adjacent cities, whore they
scrub, saw wood and do an kinds o
rough labor. Yet they are happy. &
Is said, for they have never know
= aught but toil-Phi'adelphia Press.
: Personal AND lMPERSONAL