Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1926-09-30

fu lie ana story OF CniS - su9xY
Of the hArdships, the depriyAtioas
and the joys Of the pioneer,
Mrs. EppersOn is = member Of tAe
Montana Society Of pioneers and Is
proud Of the fact that there are Ssw
who claim longer residence IN the
state than she.
She was born in Texas and lived
there with her parents for three
years. They then pulled up stakes
and tried their fortune in the Chsro-
kee Nation, now the state Of Okla
homa where they lived another three
years. Her parents were Mr.. and
Mrs. John Hackshaw and she was
the fourth IN q family Of six children.
OF these, William \ Haekshaw now
lives in Malta and a sister, Mira.
Hughes lives in Great Falls. Tbs
Hackshaws did not like the NatiUn
and after a few ye'trs they followed
that elusive star Of fortune westward
and paused five years in the Ogden
Valley. Utah. This period Of years
continued into the eos and because
Of the fact that the Mormons and
Gentiles were passing through an
era Of illfeeling. the Hackshawn ne
ing Gentilsa living In q Mormon land.
the family were compelled to sesk
the protection Of Capt. Hunt, II. 8.
army officer, and to this officer the
Hackshaws return thanks for their
preservation.
In the spring Of 1854 Mr.. HACK
shaw and his oldest son slipped away
and followed the Montana trail TO
Virginia City whence word was sent
to the family to join them.
Protected by this u 8. officer ths
family took the trail in a covered
wagon drawn by a pair Of ponies. In
this wagon were piled al their earth
ly goods with the exception Of two
cows which Anna Hackshaw and her
brother, Cornelius drove All the way.
But barefoot az they were trey
were they evaded prsckly pears, apaa-
ish bayonet and saw grass when they
could but went through them when
they must and made the cows keep
up with the wagon. Anna HackshAw
ost her love for cows that summer
md never found 1t.
They forded the rivers, endured
he storms and were happy.
They often met indians who were
invariably kind and kept the travel
Irs supplied with fresh meat. At
asst they reached Virgins City
where father and brother wers work
ng for wages Of about $40 day
On Alder Gulch at that time there
vsre three towns; Virginia, Nevada
nd Central. IN the latter Mr.. Hack
haw hastened TO construct q log
abin. For the roof, pine boughs
rer placed upon the pole rafters and
hen covered with dirt. The floor
,as hard packed dirt made to slope
1ward q small sump in the center.
n rainy weather It was the work Of
he younger children to keep the
imp boiled out and woe betide them
they forgot their obligation. The
indow panes were tightly stretched
our sacks and the doors were hIan-
cts. The beds we're hunks in tiers
ccording to the size Of the family
But news Of the wonderful Last
hance gulch and the new town Of
IeIena drew them on early the next
oring. They reached Park City on
rizzly Gulch, four miles south Of
elena, in June. Mr.. Haskshaw
,ened q grocery store, at that time,
andled an assortment Of refresh
ents such as can be remembered in
e early groceries Of Belt. Here
e children got their first chance at
hool. A highly educated gambler
IS induced to give the children les
MS at their home for two winters.
Placer diggings were working OH
sides. Gold was more plentiful
an school books.
In '67 Mr.. Haekshaw decided to
y ranching on the Little BIackfcOt
4 the experience Of one summer
o re them back and this time they
Gated on Nelson Gulch one mile
nth Of Grizzly. Mr.. Hackshaw ran
stage line to the city OF Helena
d Mrs. Hackshaw opened board
z house. A miner had broken hts
7 early in the season and for weeks
d been cared for by his fellows but
lcon. or Ia@t page.)