Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-03-22
WESTERN PAPERS
STORY OF FORMER
GARDINER WOMAN

The Winona (Minn.) independent o,
March u has an interesting sketch Q:
| Mrs. Nancy Libby Risinger and her thrill.
ing experience during the Indian troubles
during her early days in the West. Mrs
Hlslnger was formerly resident of this
city and is the aunt of Mrs Frank Glass
| and Miss Hattie Libby of this city.
Mrs. Risinger is a native of New Eng.
land and was born in Edgartown. on the
island of Martha's Vineyard, Dec. IS, 1884
she was Nancy NJ. daughter Of Mr.. and
Mrs. James Stoddard. Her father was a
sea captain and braved the waters OF
the Atlantic for many years. When she
was II years old the family moved "a
hath. and shortly after to Gardiner
where Miss Nancy attended the common
schools.
At her home in Gardiner she was mar
'ied TO Reuben Libby on New Years eve
1854. Mr. Libby was mason and con-
uocted ms trade there for several years.
IN 1891 they moved TO Minnesota. going
directly across the prairie to Saint Pc
ter. There MI Libby erected his hona
ana they lived, while he was engaged in
construction work.
Inc indian massacre referred to chang
ed their residence to Winona in 1862 Here
Mr. Libby erected a couple of hric,,
MONIES, at the corner of Fourth and I4ig,
crest streets. Mr.. Libby died in Winon,
IN lSsl, leaving the mother with four
children. They were Fred Swanton Lib.
py and George p. Libby. both of Pu,,-
man. Wash, the two whose lives she
saved; Mrs. John Jellis and Henry W
Libby of Winona.
Later Mrs. Libby married r. s. Risin-
ger OF Stockton and went there "a live
IheE remained there until 1870, and thai,
moved to Winona. Five years ago Mr.
Rlsinger died at the Winona General hos
pital at the age of So. Mrs. Risinser pou,
resides at 651 East Wabasha street Her
prother, William Cleveland Stoddard who
IS well known in Gardiner. resides nit,
her. Below we quote passages from the
so'he"hat lengthy and highly interesting
article:
Fleeing. bowling and frenzied In
olahs near st. Peter. Mrs. Libby. now
MIS-. flslnger. carried three of her
cnlluren through Il narrowing exneri-
ence in 1862. In that memorable fight
.le trembling mother with a bahe in
hei arms and two small boys clineinp
10 her skirts. several times from n1aces
OF hiding, watched the slaurhtar ne
and helpless victims bv tho
heosklns. Mrs. Risinger is now an oc.
'ossidriah ana last December celebrat-
ed her S1sts birthday.
seeing the Indians she seized her
'apS from the cradle and instructino
her haH-clad children to follow her
started across the prairie barebea dad
Inc prairie was covered with p,,ss
waist high. and the handican was co,
we're. At night the little party Law nm
oii the ground. The babies silent hut
.ne ever Watchful mother rested
Aere was no water, to drink nor food
~ eat until the second day when thew
caihe upon a field. Here the motbar
Jug potatoes. Green corn. too voc
found and eaten.
The woman, the burden almost toa
great, found it necessary, 70 60.
W III relays, taking first one and
','en returned for the others. FINALLY
s'ie came upon house from which tho
fanny mad fled in haste. Here she
.oohu 1000 and water and after feed-
ing the little ones, bathed them
hesumns their journey thew final
~ came upon band of Indians aud
-" some OF the captive children slain
shhs through the tall grass tbo
NIUE party finally came upon a v,,r-
o' trall and before they had n,o-
eeeoeo lar upon it We're overtaken bv
wagon and a yoke of oxen. They wa,a
.aNeh aboard and proceeded to st. Pc
,er' making the journey in six davs
was time Of great rejoicing who,
Mr. LIBBY again saw his wife and H.
pies' knowing that the people in ,ha
s1o,'ii'S where she had been VISITING
had nearly all been killed"