The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1927-04-27

suggestive OF It's french origin. 1t
consisted of a light frame rack made
OF poles---the two longer ones extend
ing forward so as to serve the pur-
pose of shafts for the OK or pony to
be hitched therein. This frame was
mounted upon an axle connecting the
two enormous wheels. These were
broad in the rim for running over
the spongy places in the tough
prairie sod; and long in the spokes,
in order, to carry their burden safely
above the swamps and flooded 'cou-
lees. They were also much 'dished,
so that when necessary they could be
strapped together, and when covered
with raw hide, made to serve the i'm
portant purpose of raft in crossing
trivance was made of wood--with
never bit Of iron; and therefore
the owner was seldom ut loss for
materials with which to repair or
supply broken or wOrn-out part.
The axles were never creased: and
hence the little 'cherubs' often car
ried in the bottom Of the vehicle
never lacked for music while crossing
the dreary plains--the constant
screeching Of the wheels usually
rending the air long distances away"
OF course such conveyances made no
allowance for the ordinary frailties
of the human frame. They were made
Tor hard use only; and were in no
wise restful to weary limbs and ach-
ing nerves.
How the times change! Where
those homelv vehicles once crept,
screeching along in trains Of several
hundred on their way to the market
in st. Paul, now run high powered
cars, almost nOiselcss and containing
every possible comfort and conven-
iencc for travelling. The world do
move, indeed.
Mrs. Bernard Becomes Ill
The Demands had not yet COM
pleted their buildings which were be-
ing put up in a small poplar grove
Just east Of st. Joseph when Mrs.
Bernard's long over-taxed health
gave way and it was evident that her
days were numbered unless medical
aid could be had. Leaving the four
small children, the oldest not yet
seven, in the care of Mrs. Spencer,
MIR. and Mrs. Bernard set off in a
pony cart for the settlement hun
dred miles to the north. Think Of
such trip for woman dying with
consumption, as it was then called!
Think Of the days in the screeching
cart, the nights on the open prairies!
At last the settlement was reached
but the experienced physician with
the Hudson Bay Company could give
them no hope. Mrs. Bernard's one
thought then was to see her babies
once more. They began the return
trip at once but the weather turned
suddenly colder. and the first night
under the thin cloth tent was fatal
to the already dying woman. They
determined to return in the morning
to the friends at the settlement, and
in the arms of her husband for adj
ditional comfort, waited through the
long night, listening to the fierce au-
tumnal winds searching the thin tent
and the wolves bowling in the dis
tanoe. In the morning the return was
made in the face Of the storm. She
lived few days longer, cared for by
friends, and then on October 22, 1853,
gave up her life-.-"the result of ten
long years of exposure and suffering
for the good Of the Indians"
Il Returns to Settlement
There being no other minister at
the settlement the bereaved husband
himself conducted the brief funeral
service and she was buried in the
Kildonan cemetery. Mr.. Bernard pre-
pared at once for the return trip to
st. Joseph and to the four motherless
little ones waiting for him. About
midway of the return journey he met
a forlorn-looking pony cart in which
were the children under the care Of
a faithful half breed attendant. Some
how, they had learned at st. Joseph
that the mother could not return and
Mrs. Spencer had allowed them to
make the trip hoping they might
reach the settlement in time to see
their mother once more.
Since the children were all in need
Of care, Mr.. Bernard once more turn
ed his face toward the settlement.
Here they remained till late in No
vember, then the party set out again
for St. Joseph. this time taking with
them the body OF the mother that she
might finally rest under the poplar
trees on the corner Of the mission
grounds. 1t was on the Sd Of Decem-
Der that she was laid to rest in this
prairie grave. the place was marked
by q lime slab brought from Selkirk,
the first Christian tombstone ever