The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1902-11-14

that prompt the pioneer 20 leave peace
and quiet behind him and 10 go into an
untamed wilderness OF forest or
prairie Too often we think OF the
frontiersman as but wild hearted
adventurer, who is moved by half
savage love Of excitement rather than
by clear reason and n constant purpose
10 perform certain hard tasks. The
true pioneer must bc "A wandcrer; he
must be worker. His courage must
be equal TO more than his rare and cx-
citing adventures; IL must be equal
to his endurance of the countless fret
ting annoyances Of his daily life.
The pioneering OF Nebraska was be
gun In the summer Of 1884, when the
Territory was formed and the lands
were thrown open TO settlement. Some
Of those who took part in the work
are still alive, hale and hearty. They
have been my chosen companions FOR
long time, and they have taught me
many things. Let me tell you one or
their true tales of the early days
tales that wholly reformed my first
mistaken notions of pioneer life.
In 1859 the Nebraska praircs were
but thinly settled. Most OF those who
had crossed the Missouri River with
the purpose Of making this land their
home were gathered In the towns along
the eastern border of the Territory,
or were settled upon the rich lands
near by; only the more daring had
pushed on to the prairies west OF the
river valley, where they thought they
saw large opportunities and a more
perfect freedom.
Richard Warren came to Nebraska
from Ohio In the early summer Of 1899,
bringing with him his wife and child.
boy of seven years. He had three
horses, strong wagon, and little
food and furniture.
At Nebraska City, where hc crossed
the Missouri, he bought those implc-
ments needed for his first years work
In breaking the prairie soil. He had
been n farmer all his life; he was not
afraid of labor From Nebraska city
he went on into what we call tine
"Platte country one of the richest
and most beautiful of all our prairie
regions. A days journey west of the
town of Columbus he chose the site for
his home, and set bravcly 10 work.
AS he had nothing at hand of which
which 10 build, except what was fur
nlshed by the prairie, he did what the
other settlers had done-he made
dugout He dug n hole three or four
feet i'm depth,as If for the beginning Of
cellar; then from the banks of the
Platte he hauled willow saplings,
whose butts he planted round the edges
of his hole. the tops being bent over
and joined together, forming a dome
like roof; then upon the willows he
piled earth. covering the earth with n
layer of firm sod; and when he had
made a doorway and fireplace his
house was done.
Externally il was only n low. round
mound; but II was snug and warm
within. and IL sutliced. when he had
provided a sod stable for his horses.
his farm-buildings were complete for
that year.
October had then come, and while
fair weather continued he gave his
time to breaking the sod upon n few
acres of his claim. that the soil might
be ready for complaining in the
spring.
j. Through the summer there had been
nothing TO occur 10 cause him the least
discomfort or uneasincss. Various
bands OF Indians had visited his claim
occasionally, but when they found that
he showed no fear and that he dealt
Justly with them. they bore themselves
as his friends. He had money enough
TO supply the winters needs, and the
future was bright.
In Nebraska no season is so trcaCh-
erous rs the early winter. Sometimes
we pass the ChriStmas-tidc with almost
no ice or snow. yet in the next year
the sterneSt rigors OF storm and cold
may be upon us i'm November. and en-.
dure unbroken until spring. The terror
of the open prairies is the blizzard,
which in its greatest severity is un.
known in the East. 1t comes upon us
with the suddenness of n hurricane at
sea.
In one hour the air will be the balmy
breath OF the South; in the next, with
out apparent cause, gale from the
North will begin; the mercury will fall
as If the bulb had been broken from
the thermometer: the sky will be al
most instantly overcast 10y a leaden
gray mist. and then will come the bliz-
zard, more dreadful and fateful than
the tornado. No protection OF clothing
seems TO avail TO save one who is
caught abroad.
The cold Is intense. and the wind viii
sweep wildly along with the speed
of an express train whirling before Il
a mass of fine snow whose Crystals
cut like glass where they strike. The
traveller cannot see where he is going;
for even If IL were not for the blind.
ing snow. the bitter wind renders his
eyes useless. Even TO breathe the po
lar air is torture.
Only the inexperienced try TO make
way against n blizzard. and in a few
minutes they find themselves benumbet
20 the heart and quite helpless. Ever
the beasts Of the plain and range know
that their only hope is TO drift befor,
the storm until it abates. IL may con
tinue for n few hours. or IL may be un
interrupted for two or three days. an,
for those poor creatures that can fin,
no shelter. its touch is the touch o
death. If II were not for the bllzzar,