The Harlowton news., 1911-07-07

wait for me any longer. and since
then have not heard from her"
was so impressed with Hendrick-
sons views that, leaving him in charge
Of my plant, l went east for some
women. l visited institutions where
l might find those who needed to be
provided for, and as some Of my men
were foreigners enlisted the interest
Of the immigrant commissioners at New
York. l could have returned in few
weeks with all the women l wanted,
but l must have good moral ones and
fairly attractive, so I wouldn't take
any one without satisfying myself In
this respect. Finally l got together
the number of volunteers l wanted,
apportioned among Americans and
foreigners as my men were native or
foreign born. I struck one woman
from Sweden, older than the rest.
whom / intended for Hendrickson.
Meanwhile my right hand man was
busy erecting cabins intended for
temporary residences for the women
until they should become wives. He
had no difficulty in getting the men to
work for such purpose, and the
cabins, he wrote me, sprang up like
mushrooms.
When all was ready put the wom-
en- into one passenger car. which they
filed, and took them out to Nelson.
On the way talked with them to pre-
pare them for the shock they would
receive at meeting their future hus-
bands and assured them that they
would have no difficulty in bringing
the men to the condition Of human
beings instead of that Of wild animals.
to which they had sunk.
The Swede whom had intended for
Hendrickson told me that, having no
where to 90 on her arrival in America,
she had been attracted by the name Of
my town. Nelson being a common
name in Sweden. She said that. being
elderly. she would not likely be chosen
for a wife. Indeed, she did not care
10 marry; she hoped to make herself
useful in some particular way. 1t
wasn't best, she said. that all the wo
men should be married. What would
the world do without the old maid
aunties? told her that / had hus
band. one Of her own countrymen.
picked out for her, but she declared
that | must permit her to remain sin
gle.
OF course the day of our arrival was
a gala day at Nelson. was obliged
to transport my cargo some twenty
miles from the railroad and hired all
manner of vehicles for the purpose,
The population met us a mile from
the town and escorted US, marching
beside the wagons. to the recently
erected cabins. The men behaved
themselves much better than could
have been expected. Indeed, their
condition of barbarism was but lapse
from respectability.
| Do you know that some matches
were made on the road before reach
ing the town? But l had cautioned
the girls to 60 slow and not marry
any man without at least two days
courtship. They all agreed to this.
and there was not wedding until
forty eight hours after our arrival.
That time was scarcely up when there
were dozen. The truth is there were
no villains in my town. because as
soon as l had discovered that a mar
was inherently bad had fred him.
was surprised to see that as soon as
the women arrived the men began tc
slick up. Razors made their appear
ance, and the long. scraggly locks wer'
cut down. The second day after the
women's coming noticed several mel
in boiled shirts.
On the night of the feminine entry
not a gambling shanty was doing any
business. and, although their earnings
picked up later on. they received theil
deathblow. On the evening of th'
women's arrival the men were all Wis
iting and mating and from that time
forward continued their visits till al
the women had left the cabins ant
they were as deserted as the gambling
holes.
The Swedish woman, Lena Erickson
either was not chosen or had declined
any offer she might have received. Sh'
was but twenty eight and good look
ing, and | don't doubt it was her owl
fault that she did not become wife
She busted herself in helping th'
young wives make their homes. man!
of whom were very young and hat
little idea of fixing up house. Len,
would take hold of brides residenc,
and in half day transform it from
bare walls and floors into human
habitation. The floor would be at leas
in part covered and the Windows
would be draped. Some Of these thing
Lena did herself. others she showe'
the young wives how to do. Then sh
would have the husband digging in tn
yard and flowers would be set out.
We were all so busy that l took D.
thought for my intention Of bringing
my man Hendrickson and Lena Eric
son together, Indeed, she was serving