Goodhue County, Minnesota - Chapter 5: Missionary Experiences, 1893

Fifty years ago the Northwest Territory, which included the present State of Minnesota, was little known. It was sparsely inhabited by wild men, who lived chiefly by hunting and fishing. The different tribes were often engaged in war with each other, which had a tendency to diminish their numbers. A military post had been established by the United States at the junction of the St. Peters' river, as the Minnesota river was then called, with the Mississippi river. A few Indian traders and Christian missionaries' had in a few places raised the signals of a coming civilization. Buffalo, elk, bears and other wild animals had large and free pastures on these widely extended prairies and in the forests which bordered the numerous lakes and small streams. A stranger might then have roamed over the countiy for many days without seeing any signs of human habitation. The natives lived in huts or tents which were few and far between. Their villages were situated in covert places and consisted of a few bark covered huts huddled close together and these villages were usually fifty to a hundred miles apart.

self, my wife and a young babe. The evening previous to our departure our friends had given us a farewell meeting at Saratoga Springs, N. Y. We traveled by rail to Buffalo, thence by steamer through the lakes to Chicago. At that time no cars were running from Chicago further west. The constructinn of the first railroad pointing towards the Mississippi had been commenced. Having been informed that a horse and light wagon would be a great convenience at the mission and that it would be advisable to purchase such an outfit in Chicago we waited there several days in order to obtain them. Stages were then running from Chicago to Galena to accommodate travelers, but we had some extra baggage which the stage would not accommodate. After some delay we obtained a horse and wagon, put all our luggage aboard and started for Galena. Unfortunately for us, it was si rainy time and the roads were in a very soft condition. That part of the country was then new and sparsely settled. Sometimes we "got stuck" in the mire and were obliged to go quite a distance for help. We gained some experience which was valuable to us afterwards, but the journey was a tedious one. We got through to Galena in the course of a week, all safe and well. I remember that my sleeves were pretty well plastered with Illinois mud, gained by frequently lifting at the wheels when we drove up at the hotel. At Galena we spent several days in preparation for the last stage of the journey, which was by a steamboat up the river to our destined Indian village. I purchased a cow, some provisions, groceries and some articles of furniture for house-keeping Avhile in Galena. These and all our other stores were taken on board the steamboat "Franklin," on which we secured passage. This trip was a pleasant one. There were some other passengers on the boat who were going to the new towns of St. Paul and Stillwater. Among others with whom we had formed acquaintance was Henry M. Rice, afterwards Senator Rice. He pointed out to us the top of Barn bluff while our steamer was somewhere in Lake Pepin, and told us that it marked the place where we were to land. Peculiar sensations were felt by us at the sight of that bold bluff' standing in the middle of the great valley through which our steamer was plowing its way. Bat there was not much time to indulge in sentiment. It was incumbent upon us to gather up our loose and scattered belongings that we might be ready for debarkation. The idea of cutting loose from all the enjoyments of civilized life and spending one's whole energies in the midst of a heathen people, seemed at that moment a little absurd to our fellow passengers, I think. We kept cheerful as possible while making preparations and saying good bye to our companions in travel. The bell rang to announce that the boat would soon make a short stop. As it began to draw near the shore strange faces began to appear. Nearly the whole village came down to the landing place to give us a welcome. Some were fantastically dressed and oramented with feathers and paint, while others were almost destitute of clothing. Two pale faces soon appeared among the motly crowd, our former friends. Rev. J. F. Alton and John Bush. The boat hands made short work in dumping out our luggage upon the beach. But when the turn came for the live stock, especially the horse and cow, that was labor. Both those animals strongly objected to going ashore. The admiring crowd of men, women and children had no attraction for them. No coaxing could prevail. Human strength and skill finally accomplished the work. We had a long handshaking with our new friends who gave us a very hearty welcome. They kindly helped us in moving our things up to the mission house. The only road up the river bank seemed a sort of gulley through a thicket of bushes. A large tree which had been broken dOwn by the wind somewhat obstructed our way. It was about four o'clock p. m., on the 13tli of June when we landed and there was a slight thunder shower between that time and sunset, yet everything was safely housed before dark.

The mission premises consisted of tAvo substantial log buildings a few rods in the rear of the native houses. The latter were built of poles covered with bark and stood along the river bank near where Main street now occupies, between Bush and Potter streets. The mission houses were near the junction of Bush and Third streets. Narrow paths were crossing each other in various directions among the hazel bushes. There was a ravine just back of the mission houses in which many springs of cool water gushed forth, forming a small creek, afterwards called the Jordan, the outlet of which may still be seen. The mouth of this creek Avas then the safest harbor for canoes. Beyond the creek on rising ground extending some sixty rods east and west, were the Indian corn-fields. Each family had a separate patch oE corn, the whole being fenced around by stakes and willows. Ponies and dogs being the only domestic animals kept in the village at the time, no stronger fences were needed. There was a fine meadow of wild grass between Soriu and Barn bluffs. AVe were obliged to keep our horse and cow tethered or confined in a rude stable. The poor cow seemed to suffer much before being reconciled to the new home. Once she got away and swam the river in her friglit. We soon found her on the island opposite the village and with the aid of a canoe brought her home. Some time passed before she could understand, seemingly, that the evil one did not wear a blanket.

Some privations were suiBPered by being cut off from the rest of the world. Our nearest post-office was twenty-five miles up the river. From thence we received our mail by going or sending for it by canoe. Three or four weeks often elapsed without news from the outside world. However, there were some things to balance the disagreeable. Plenty of work studying a new language, trying to teach the children and talking with the older people. The assessor did not trouble us. For about five years we had no special taxes to pay. For the use of a garden spot we paid the natives in vegetables. The single tax theory was then in practice at this point.

The first white person known to have been buried within the limits of this county was the dear wife who accompanied me hither from our eastern home and shared in the labors and privations of the situation for the first two years. She was a daughter of New England and of Puritan stock. We were joined in marriage at her father's house in Worcester county, Mass., in 1846. I was at that time a school teacher at Saratoga Springs, N. Y., where we commenced house-keeping and lived about three years. In the latter part of the year 1848 we received the appointment to go and labor among the Dakotas west of the Mississippi river. For several reasons we did not start for the west till the following spring. The health of my wife seemed great- ly improved for a time after our arrival at Eed Wing's village. She entered upon the task of acquiring a knowledge of the Dakota language Avith great zeal. She attracted the attention of the Indian children, taught the girls knitting and sewing and soon had three of them washed and dressed like white folks, living in the family with us. But I think she labored beyond what her strength could endure. In the autumn of 1850 her health began to decline and she gradually Avasted aAvay till death came to her relief on the 21st day of March, 1851. We had the kind services of the good Dr. Williamson, who came down from Kaposia often during her last sickness, doing everything in his power to helP restore her to health The doctor's sister. Miss Jane Williamson, also came and remained with us during the last months of the sick one and ministered to her necessities. But the call had come from heaven and she yielded Avith a firm trust in Him who is the Resurrection and the Life. In a notice of her death in an eastern paper it was stated that she was one who never sought great things for herself, but spent her active life in doing good, in such ways and by such means, as showed that she labored not to win praise. I Avill add here what another Avriter has recorded concerning her: "At the beginning of life's young dream, this estimable woman left her eastern home, parents, friends, all that Avas dear to her girlhood's memory, to labor as a missionary of the cross among the untutored children of the forest; in fact to liA^e and die among a heathen people." If an artist had desired a model to picture a true heroine, if a poet or novelist had desired a character to represent a brave and fearless, yet modest and unassuming chief of hero- ines, they might have secured that model and that character, when with her husband, the subject of this sketch, landed at Red Wing's village where she was at once surrounded by several hundred savages who were henceforth to be her principal society associates. She was not to be molded to their habits and customs, but they were to be educated and emancipated from the errors and superstitions, habits and customs, of many generations and brought to see and walk the better way. What a courage she displayed! Weak, yet strong; bold, yet modest and shrinking. Bravely she met and engaged in her work. Faithfully did she discharge every duty; carrying the presence of the Master wherever she went, until the Father above called. Enough, come up higher. At her own request she was buried on Indian ground, beneath the shadows of the towering bluff at whose base her life had gone out, and where the wild flowers grew and bloomed in pristine beauty, when the spring times and summers came. Just before her death, when all knew that she must go, her husband asked her if she desired to have her earthly remains taken back to the home of her childhood for sepulture. She answered, "No, I came to live among this people and help teach them there was a life after death, the spirit was immortal, that it mattered little what became of the body, the spirit would return to God who gave it. Bury me here, that our people may see, and realize our belief in the truths we have sought to teach them." AVhen her free spirit had winged its Hight to where angels dwell, a grave was prepared near the mission house, into which, after the \isual Christian ceremony, performed by Dr. Williamson, her mortal remains were lowered by kindly hands. As the group of Dakotas stood around the open receptacle of the dead, more than one tall savage was seen to weep over the departure of one they had learned to love, and whom they called, "Washtay ween" - the good woman.

When a more advanced civilization came to found a city on the site of this Indian village aud the ground was wanted for business blocks, a city for the dead was platted on the summit of a southern bluff overlooking the place, to which her remains were removed, and there in our beautiful Oakwood cemetery, may be seen a marble slab to indicate her last resting place on earth. The following lines composed by a dear friend are carved upon the stone which has been erected to her memory :