The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1926-08-20

Cheyennes, who suddenly appeared
on the surrounding hills, and de-
manded food. This was given to-
them, but did not prevent the Indians
from opening fire on the train. When
they were finally driven away, it
was discovered that nine white men
had been killed.
There were no bridges over the
rivers in those days, and but few fer
ries. Trains were forced to ford
streams large and small. In crossing
the BighOrn, Mrs. Beall and her child
rem narrowly escaped drowning.
In the Yellowstone valley, the COM
pany separated, some going to the
mines at Emigrant Gulch, others to
Virginia City, and Van Vlierden fam
lily, by way Of Bridger Pass, into the
Gallatin valley. They located on
what is known as the Story ranch,
close to BOzeman, living for three
months in the covered wagon box set
on the ground, and IN a tent addi-
ton. In the fall they occupied a
sod cabin, with a piece Of carpet to
serve as a door, and canvas windows.
Their food was bread, bacon, rye cot
fee, and game. In the spring occur
red the flour famine, when the fam
lily lived on elk meat. When COM
pany arrived, the winter evenings
were lighted by candles; but Ordinar-
lily twigs and weeds Illuminated their
darkness.
At one time, shortly after she ar
rived lee BOzeman, and during the
absence of her husband, wolves sur
rounded the wagon box in which she
and her children were living, and at
tempted to force entrance. The re-
turn of her husband put the wolves
to flight.
The spring of 1865 saw the modest
sod house superseded by a more pre-
ltentiOus structure-the log cabin Of
I the pioneers. 1t had n drawback
however. The roof was of poles Gov
cred with earth, like the one which
sheltered us in fair weather, while
we lived in Bannack. When the rains
descended without, they penetrated
within, and Mrs. Beall often supple
mented the roof with an open I'm.
brella over her children's bed.
spread a waterproof over my baby''
bed, when the hail broke the tai
paper of my presumption shack a
Great Falls and melting, delugeC
those within.
The Van Vlierdens brought will
them from the East, two COWS, from
their milk Mrs. Vlierden made butte
and sold it for two dollars a pOunC
in the winter Of ga, IS. The fam
lily went without this luxury. It wa
too rich for consumption, and wa
golden in double sense.
From the date Of her arrival il
Montana, Mrs. Beall has continues
to live here, and has seen the Stat
grow from a feeble infancy to it
present sturdy youth. BOzeman ha
long been her home, where she ha
been active in many lines Of sOcia
service, and now at the advanced az
of lightweight years is one of tina
city's most highly respected citizens
This sketch will have fulfilled it
purpose, if it enables Montanans 0
today to realize the hardships en-
dured by its women pioneers.
There were many women in al
tendance at the Pioneers Meeting a
Fort Benton, and some Of those VII
came to Montana earliest were b
no means the eldest there. AS til
number Of the pioneers grows rapid
less at these annual reunions, that {
the Sons and Daughters Of Pioneer
seemingly increases. The yOunge
generation is awakening to the desil
ability of keeping alive the memOI
lOf all pertaining to the early histOI
OF this state, and its predecessor, Il
ahO, Washington, and Old Oregon
Historic points are being markel
and the life stories preserved Of II
States founders. It Is quite tin
that this should be done, as sOOn
will be impossible TO obtain the a
cuEate knowledge on these subjec
now available for that viii lpass avs
with the pioneers.
@ o. @
The League Of Women Voters
making strenuous efforts 60 reach
many women Of the State as possibl
This organization is Of the utmost
portance. Women have much
Hm~m-~. mm.aA. AntHaH~nn HHMma .~aa A.