Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1908-11-20

OF oxen and a wagon. 1t was then
that my sister and made our first ap-
pearance in town since our first mov-
ing from it. There was great rcioc-
ing among us children when we heard
d cat NEW under the house. Where
she came from we never knew.
but she stayed with us until she died
OF Old age, The first three kittens.
one apiece, were our special pets.
n batchclor who was greatly
annoyed with mice and pursuadcd
sister to give her kitty to him.
and he, to reward her for giving up
her pet, gave her a pretty dress
with trimming and a nice pair of
shoes, so when a neighbor wanted
mine, gave it up readily. but | did
not get even thanks. 1t is an ac-
actual fact that eats were scarce in
those days.
In February, 1871, my sister Alice
was born. In the fall of 1879 the
Indian war broke ont. and after Nc
Alietcr was killed, we were warned
to get to the fort as quickly as pos
Siblc, and we did SO. leaving every
thing; but the next day our house
hold goods and provisions were
moved to the fort. There we rc-
manned in close quarters for u few
months, but no Indians were to be
seen III that part of the country, SO
we all moved home again, excepting
those that lived too far away. Two
or three families would live in the
same house for mutual protection
Such was our case, Ahijah O'Neil
and Marcus Mcmillan were away
hauling provisions for the volunteers,
SO their wives and children lived with
us. But we were not left in peace
very long. First Northcraft was
killed near the Yclm prairie. and
two weeks later William White was
killed near EatOn'S. | shall never
forget the day Mr. White was killed
That particular Sunday, the Rev. J.
r. DcvOre had an appointment to
preach in our school house. but he
considered it unsafe to travel. and
SO failed to come But. not knowing
that, a few went to church, among
them Mr.. White his wife and baby.
his sister-in-law, Mrs Williamson
Stewart, and baby, After learning
that there would be no service. they
decided to come and See father, as
they knew he was sick. About an
hour and half before sundOwn they
started for home Their conveyance
was 4 cart. Company gone, we
children went to the barn to play,
and after playing for awhile we
wanted something from the house.
and l went to get it. but it was
frightened out of my mind. for had
just got into the house when we
heard that never be forgotten war
whoop. All rushed to the porch and
we SAW six Indians, in war-print.
crossing the prairie as fast as their
ponies would carry them. was told
to 90 to the barn and tell the children
to come to the house | went. and
was not long about it either. The
Indians rode around the field toward
the house and halted within speak
ing distance. Father went out in the
yard and spoke to them in Chinook.
but their answer was in their own
tongue. They rode OFF short dis
tance and held consultation. then
rode to the top of high hill and five
of them dismountcd and they had an
other powwOw; then, mounting, rode
off to McAliStcr lake. When we
first saw the Indians, Mrs. Mcmillan
took down all the guns and carefully
examined them, putting on fresh
caps in place of the old. When the
Indians were out of sight we all went
to work. The guns were discharged
and reloaded. Mrs. O'Ncal, who
never had handled q gun before, hit
/ the target that my brother had
placed on a large tir-trec a short dis
tance from the house. That tree was
near enough to the house to be used
by the Indians in an attack on us,
but the best was done that we could
do to protect ourselves. The first
thing was to cover the window, be-
fore mentioned, SO father. who was
very weak, with the help of the wO-
men and my brother, got his work
bench securely fastened against the
window; the smaller one was easily
covered. Port holes were made on
all sides of the house. We children
carried into the house Il good supply
of wood and water, for we feared L
returnOf the Indians after dark.
Our nearest neighbOr, Mr.. Parsons.
his wife, two sons and daughter, who
had watched the coming and going
of the Indians, came with their guns
and axes to take their chances with
us. About IL O'Clock, as we sat
talking by the fire-liGht, we heard
some one call father by name. He
started immediately for the door
saying it was Mr.. Eaton. but was
held back as it was feared that it
might be an Indian initiating his
voice. Again the call came, and
this time there was no doubt about
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