Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1903-01-28

quiet tonES of longsettlsd "at nd parts al n,rd cl
to understand the motives
that prompt the pioneer to leave peace
and quiet behind him and TO go into an
untamed wilderness of forest or
prairie Too often we think of the
frontiersman as but a wild hearted
adventurer, who is moved by a half
savage love Of excitement rather than
by clear reason and a constant purpose
TO perform certain hard tasks. The
true pioneer must be a wanderer; he
must be worker. His courage must
be equal to more than his rare and ex-
citing adventures; it 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 1854, 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 Of
their true tales of the early days
tales that wholly reformed my first
mistaken notions of pioneer life.
In 1859 the Nebraska praries were
hut thinly settled. Most of those who
had crossed the Missouri River with
the purpose of making this land their
home We're gathered in the towns along
the eastern border of the Territory,
or We're 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 more
perfect freedom.
Richard Warren came to Nebraska
from Ohio in the early summer of 1852
bringing with him his wife and child, a
hoy of seven years. He had three
horses, strong wagon, and a little
food and furniture.
At Nebraska City, where he crossed
the Missouri, he bought those imple-
ments needed for his first years work
in breaking the prairie soil. He had
been farmer all his life he was not
afraid of labor. From Nebraska City
he went on into what we call the
"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 bravely to work.
As he had nothing at hand of which
which to build, except what was fur
nished by the prairie, he did what the
other settlers had done-he made n
dugout. He dug hole three or four
feet in depth,a 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 dome
like roof; then upon the willows he
piled earth, covering the earth with Il
layer of firm sod; and when he had
made a doorway and fireplace his
house was done.
Externally it was only low, round
mound; but 1t was snug and warm
within, and 1t sufficed. When he had
provided sod stable for his horses,
his farm-buildings We're complete for
that year.
October had then come. and while
fair weather continued he gave his
time to breaking the sod upon few
acres of his claim, that the soil might
be ready for complaining in the
spring.
Through the summer there had been
nothing to occur to cause him the least
discomfort or uncasiness. 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 them selves
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 as the early winter. Sometimes
We pass the Chrstmas-tid with almost
no ice or snow, yet in the next year
the sternest rigors of storm and cold
may be upon US in November. and en-.
dure unbrokcn until spring. The terror
of the open prairles is the blizzard,
which in its greatest severity is un.
known in the East. 1t comes upon us
with the suddenness OF a 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 by 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 will
sweep wildly along with the speed
of an express train. whirling before ii
mass Of fine snow whose Crystals
cut like glass where they strike. The
traveller cannot see where he is going;
for even il it were not for the blind
ing snow. the bitter wind renders his