Concord Township (part 2 of 2)

Suddenly to their unutterable amazement, they distinctly heard a distant musical sound, which continued a longtime, then died away, and then commenced again. It wras faint, and as they heard it, seemed unearthly, yet it was mini istakeably military music. From whence it came they had not the slightest idea, but it seemed to issue from a crevice at the base of the rock. This astonishing phenomenon was worthy of immediate investigation. The crevice which poured forth these sounds was about six inches in width. With pick and bar the party proposed to drift their way into the interior and discover if possible the cause of such a new and unheard of mystery.

The opening from which the sounds emanated, seemed to be an irregular fracture or break in the rocks, which extended perpendicularly some distance and which near the base of the ledge was six or eight inches in width. A few blows ot the pick upon the soft rock soon enlarged the crevice considerably, and it was seen that that the opening rapidly

They found themselves in a ragged and rapidly widening seam, the direction of which from the entrance was southeasterly, and which was simply one of the innumerable network of fissures and seams which intersect the bluffs along the river.

The party scrambled along the rough pathway for 60 to 70 feet, when the passage, which had hitherto had been growing wider, suddenly contracted, so much so, indeed, that it was with the utmost difficulty that they were enabled to preceed at all.

About fifty feet farther on, the party found the fissure intersected nearly at right angles by a still narrower crevice. From this newr break in the rock, which was not over two inches in width, they found proceeding the subterranean melody, which they now heard wTith much greater distinctness than before.

So distinct, indeed, were the sounds, that the tones of the different instruments were clearly distinguished. Mr. Green, on listening intently, stated that the different melodies were those usually played by the Ponca band.

Yet it could not be possible, the distance, 12 miles, utterly precluding such a conclusion. Mr. Green also now called to mind that this was the evening which had been selected by the band for practice.

"If such is the case," said Mr. Vance, "this musical phenomena can be explained. As in all volcanic countries, this region is permeated by an infinite number of breaks or fissures. These fissures are so many pneumatic tubes, through which, sounds may be conveyed to a great distance. Experiments have demonstrated that even so low a sound as a whisper may be heard miles away. If, therefore, this band is playing near some opening, as for instance a well, which is intersected by this natural system of pneumatic tubes underlying Dixon county, we need seek no further for the solution of this apparent mystery."

music died away and finally ceased altogether. Even though they could readily account for it, yet such sounds in that rocky retreat were peculiarly interesting. The explanation which Mr. Vance had given as to the cause, was now verified by the sound of a distant bell, which was instantly recognized by Mr. Green as belonging to Ponca, and whose sounds, lie stated, lie could not mistake. This hell, evidently ringing tor nine o'clock, reverberated through the rocky fissures in a weird and unearthly manner.

The party now proceeded on, intending to explore to the end of the passage, which by reason of the rapidly closingwalls seemed not far off. As they moved forward they noted the different formations of the rocks, and perceived occasionally, thin veins of coal, from six to ten inches thick, embeded in layers of the finest slatestone. In one spot they saw a vast accumulation of copperas; at another place a species of yellow clay which Mr. Vance stated would, if properly mixed with oil. make a most valuable mineral paint. But what was still more wonderful, they found in many spots great numbers of shells, thus indicating that life had once existed wTiere the solid rock now stood. Thus examining these interesting discoveries, the party slowly continued to advance until they had penetrated to the distance of not less than 150 feet.

The passage had now become so extremely uarrow that the explorers found very great difficulty in crowding themselves forward. In addition to this inconvenience they found at this place, the way partially blocked up by a large rock which had fallen from overhead. Beyond they saw by throwing forward the light of their lamps, a much larger opening in the rocks. With the aid of a pick they set to work to break away a portion of the intervening rock, and with so much success that in a short time they were able to crawl past it. In their eagerness to get forward they did not notice as they loosened the boulder, that the rocky walls enclosing them trembled, nor did they realize their danger until it was too late. This keystone, as it may have been called, torn away, the walls closed with a crash, and only because they had hastily scrambled through into the wider passage beyond, were they saved from being crushed by the rocky jaws.

One can hardly imagine a more unfortunate situation than that in which these adventurous gentlemen now found themselves. The seam or fissure thus far followed, had closed up behind them, and they were buried, as it appeared, beneath 150 feet of rock.

The passage, wherein they were so fatally imprisoned, was somewhat wider than the one they had traversed, but its length they found to be a few paces only. Thus trapped, they gloomily contemplated the dungeon surrounding them.

What was to be done? If anything could be accomplished to escape from their rocky tomb, it must be done without delay. Even now, one of their lamps was going out and the other would last but a short time longer.

Mr. Andrews seized the pick and wildly endeavored to break his way back through the rock. A few blows showed how utterly foolish and unavailing was the attempt.

Mr. Green, whose presence of mind under these appalling circumstances was remarkable, suggested that probably they would be searched for, their place of entrance discovered, and if so, strenuous exertions would be made to break in, to their relief.

But such a cheerful termination to their adventure could not, on reflection, be entertained. Mr. Vance stated that from his examination of the slope of the rocks as they passed through, he felt sure that the closing of the crevice had extended to the surface, and that the exterior opening as well, was so closed as to be visible only as a narrow seam. He reasoned that there was no ground to hope for a discovery of their situation by outside parties, and that even were it possible to break their way back to the pneumatic tube and through that give information to their friends of their whereabouts, several months of hard labor would necessarily be required to re-open the passage through the rock to them.

Messrs. Green and Andrews went along the walls, examining them critically. At the farthest extremity, blows on the rock revealed by the hollow sound an opening beyond.

The passage they continued to be the counterpart of thai they had already traversed. But the rough walls, veined with irregular layers of coal, slate stone and an occasional deposit of (day and shells, no longer received the geological attention of Mr. Vance. He and his companions wot1 too deeply engaged in meditating on the problem of escape to the outer world, to regard the surroundings with scientific interest. Had the rock inclosing them been pure gold they would gladly have exchanged it for a safe deliverance from their situation.

Thus, slowly and despairingly they moved forward, a hundred or more yards. The walls, hitherto nearly parallel, now contracted rapidly, and soon the fissure became so narrow that they dragged themselves along with difficulty, and were in imminent danger of suffocation. The imprisoned gentlemen were about to abandon all further exertion, and yield themselves to the fate which seemed inevitable, when suddenly the walls expanded into a wide and magnificent cavern. The roof was lofty, and from it, descending to the floor, were seen immense stalactites, whose covering of quartz blazed in the light of the lamp like mirrors of silver.

A grand sight, truly, and one which under other circumstances would have delighted the eye of the geologist. Hut in their unfortunate condition, the brilliant splendors which surrounded them were scarcely noticed, and the sad procession of adventurers pressed wearily forward.

Traversing the length of the dazzling subterranean hall, the party found and entered at its eastern extremity another crevice or irregular seam in the rocks, the course of which seemed to bear nearly to the northeast.

They now for the first time heard at regular intervals, the low. throbbing sound of the volcano, which, therefore they concluded was not far off. As they advanced the sounds became more and more distinct, and the poisonous fumes of sulphurous vapor, at first hardly discernable, soon by their growing intensity, warned them of their approach toward the abyss underlying the volcanic Held. Ere long, far in the distance, through the dense vapors in front, the}' caught glimses of a lurid sea, a chaos of Hame and smoke, the intense heat and suffocating fumes of which utterly precluded further advance in that direction. There seemed, then, to be no other alternative but to retrace their way. Yet, where could they go? Was it possible to find an escape from these labyrinths? As they revolved in their minds these important questions, they saw in a little hollow in the rock a small quantity of water. Perishing with thirst this fortunate discovery was most welcome. Mr. Vance noticed that to the right of the pool, and running northerly, was a narrow opening, the sides and floor of which were smoothed as by the action of water. By his advice the party changed their course into this new passage, which, unlike the irregular fissures they had previously followed, was an easy pathway to their feet.

As they advanced they observed that pools of water in their path became more numerous and finally covered it altogether, thus presenting before them a channel, which, as they found, grew deeper at every step.

Hence it seemed that their retreat in this direction was also to be cut off. But the general despair at the new danger which menaced them, was not shared by Mr. Vance. On the contrary, for the first time since their incarceration he seemed encouraged and hopeful.

"It appears evident," said he, "that we have struck the subterranean channel leading from the Missouri to the volcanic matter. Through this channel, when the river is high, water will find its way to the abyss of fire, and other conditions being favorable, an earthquake, or even an eruptive volcano will be the result. The surface of the water before us shows the height of the river. Hence, let us go forward. When we can walk no farther we will swim. It is our only hope."

With these words he took the lead along the fast deepening channel. Soon the water came up to their necks, and the lamp becoming extinguished, they were left in impenetrable darkness. While in this fearful predicament, the party ascertained that the roof of the cavern was gradually

The danger which this new discovery foreshadowed, and which in their despair seemed the natural culmination of the night's disastrous experiences, was forgotten as a shout from Mr. Vance directed their attention to what appeared to he a faint point of light, some distance in front of them.

As they swam toward it they became conscious that the roof of the passage was descending more and more, until finally, between it and the surface of the water, intervened scarcely a hand's breadth of space, through which, however, the light now gleamed brilliantly like a star of hope. A moment more and they emerged from their watery prison which here opened into the river. Fortunately the ice had not yet formed at this point and they experienced no further trouble in this most remarkable escape. As they came out they found it was broad day - so they had been all night wandering in the subterranean solitudes.

The joy of the adventurers at once more standing on the upper earth, knew no bounds. Warming themselves by the heat of the volcano, they hastened to where the horses were tied and started for Ponca, where they arrived that evening. The next day Mr Vance and his friends departed for the east.

Indian Scare And Massacre

| The following story - written by one of our family -was published several years ago in an Omaha paper. The story is founded on the great scare of 1862, and the murder of the Wiseman family, both of which have already been described in these pages, and which took place about a year apart, but for the purposes of this story are represented as occurring at the same time. As to the flight of settlers from Niobrara and the expedition from Ponca to that place in search of Indians, the story is nearly historically correct, and for that reason is here inserted, but the part relating to the murder of the Wiseman's is a long way off, and is not one-tenth as terrible as were the actual facts.]

Dixon county was first settled about thirty-five years ago. previous to which time, with the exception of an occasional white man who ventured here to trade or hunt, the Indians were the sole occupants. The first white men who saw this country were Lewis and Clark, when they passed up the Missouri river in 1804 on their expedition to the Pacific coast.

Indian legends inform us that in very early days a large Indian village was located near where Ponca now stands, another one at Ionia, and still other important Indian towns at Martinsburg and Dailey. In these various villages resided portions of the Omahas, the Dakotas and the Poncas, the latter being the predominating tribe in this part of the country. These different bands were frequently engaged in quarrels with each other, which often led to bloody conflicts. One desperate battle which took place about a mile north of Ponca, near the river, between a large number of Omaha and Ponca warriors, resulted in a great slaughter of the former. The Omahas had come down from the Dailey country, where their town was located, on a raid, and were ambushed and nearlv everv one slain.

However, these desperate encounters between different bands occurred many years before the country was inhabited by whites. It was in 1856 when the first adventurous spirits located here, at which period the Indians in the vicinity, in Qumbers or hostility, were not generally dangerous neighbors. They would steal horses, but unless they had increased their courage and animosity by a supply of firewater, they never showed a desire to practice on the whites any of those hairlifting ceremonies which, among themselves, they had previously been accustomed to engage in. Still, for several years, it was not deemed entirely safe to be far away from home without a gun.

Although those few primitive settlers experienced many hardships and discouragements nothing of a startling character occurred until 1S62. It was on October 14 of that year when Ponca, then a village of perhaps forty people, was suddenly turned into a state of wild excitement and her usually quiet streets were tilled with terrified men, women and children.

The country between Poncaand Niobrara in 1862 wTas very sparsely settled. Only at great distances apart could the homesteaders' cabins be seen, and only now and then could be found the soil turned over for cultivation. Those who had drifted from the east and located in this part of the country were forced to confront the usual disadvantages of pioneer existence, and many obstacles fell in their paths to thwart their hopes and intentions. This was the year in which the Indian outbreak took place in Minnesota and Dakota, thus creating general discontent among the Indian tribes. Each night during this threatening period the families in their lonely cabins knew it was possible that before the dawn of the following morning they would be tomahawked and scalped and their homes reduced to ashes. Their fears increased as the days went by, but. unwilling to abandon all their worldly possessions, they remained, only hoping for the arrival of the time when the savages would be quelled and peace and safety restored.

In October of the year in question, a friendly Winnebago half-breed Indian passed through the settlements between Ponca and Niobrara, scattering the report that an immense number of Sioux warriors were approaching, bringing great destruction to lives and property, burning houses and massacreing the in unites. So terrible a story of imminent danger carried dismay into every household and caused the strongest hearts to quail. On receipt of this awe inspiring tale the question arose in the homesteader's mind as to what course should be pursued to best secure protection against the approaching danger.

In Ponca. on the October day above mentioned, about 5 o'clock in the afternoon, Mr. M. Q. DeAgley, the only merchant of the town, was in the act of closing his place of business for the day. when he heard the din of wagon wheels and the tramp of horses, and in the course of a few moments a long train of wagons, one after another, appeared, coming over the hills which skirt the town on the west. Mi-. DeAgley, knowing of the Indian outbreak, although it was at a considerable distance, was stricken by the fear that the moving wagons were those of the red men and that they were stored with the plunder reaped from the rural settlers, and that in ambuscade lay the warriors waiting for darkness to come, when Ponca should be spoliated, her inhabitants scalped and her few rude dwellings and business houses swept awTay in smoke. Mr. DeAgley went forthwith to state his fears to his neighbors, and to assist them in preparations for defense against the danger which seemed to be pending. But before he could make the rounds, the streets were thronged by wagons occupied, not by Indians, but by homesteaders who had been impelled to make an exodus for the east by the report that the Sioux savages were marching on Xiobrara. and were designing to wipe out that place, as well as all the white settlements between there and Sioux City.

It seems that a man named E. G. Smith, who lived about eight miles south of Xiobrara. was the first recipient of the exciting news, and without hesitation, he gathered into his wagon his family, together with all the provisions, grain and household goods that he could conveniently carry, and immediately started out in an eastern direction. The dwellers in the first cabin which he reached on his journey very willingly adopted his plan, and also loaded their wagons with portions of their scanty wealth and followed on his eastern exodus. In brief, each pioneer along the road did the same.

The good people of this town, loth to see the desertion of such a rich territory, encouraged the settlers to halt at this point and consider what, under the circumstances, would be best to do. A public meeting was held that evening to consider the matter. It was an exciting gathering. Many speeches were made, some maintaining that if they remained in this country their lives would be in peril, while others held that the story might be exaggerated and would bear investigation.

After a careful and thorough discussion of the question it was concluded to organize a corps of horsemen who would leave the next morning and examine the territory between Poncaand Niobrara. Those who could best leave their families were chosen to make up this company of scouts which embraced about sixty hale and vigorous young horsemen. some from Ponca. though the majoriity were of those who had tied from the Niobrara country. The visitors were provided with quarters for the night, barns and cellars being converted into places of lodging. Everybody arose early the next morning to prepare for the departure of the military force. However, the arrangements were not very extensive, consisting mainly in obtaining a sufficient number of guns and horses.

About >S o'clock a. m., they assembled and after electing A. \j. Merser as commander of the expedition, and after an exchange of parting words with their relatives and friends, the gallant company rode away. Through a wild country, and one especially gloomy on their route through the forest along the Missouri, the company pursued its course toward Niobrara. At any moment the men, knowing the Indian style of warfare, would not have been surprised to see the enemy spring from some ravine or dense thicket of timber and attack them. The commander kept strict watch over the surrounding country, and directed his forces to be prepared for battle on an instant's notice.

As they came at long intervals to the deserted cabins of settlers no sign of life was visible, but as yet no injury had been dealt out to them. By noon a distance of twenty miles had been covered and a halt was made on one of the Lime

Creek hills, near the county line between Dixon and Cedar counties, for rest and refreshment. The fact that not an Indian had so far been seen gave encourage merit to the scouts, especially to those of them who had only the day before fled from their homes. After a half hour spent in eating and rest, the march was resumed. For three hours they rode along undisturbed, nothing of note developing until within a short distance of St. James, a little town about thirty miles northwest of Ponca. At this point, about four miles east from St. James, their attention was attracted to a large rock, a short distance north of the road. Partly hidden by the vines which festooned the rock, they saw a little girl, probably 12 years old. She was apparently in great distress, and on near approach it was seen she was covered with blood. When she saw the scouts, she called to them, and ran, as fast as her wounded condition would permit, to claim their protection.

This great rock, where the girl had concealed herself, is familiar to all settlers in that part of the country. At that date it was of significant meaning to the superstitious Indians. Like Spirit Mound, directly across the river from this point, this rock was believed to be haunted by malignant and lifedestroying spirits and that certain death would be the portion meted out to the venturesome Indian who approached it,

The soldiers found the girl to be suffering from a painful wound inflicted by an arrow which had penetrated her left arm. Between sobs she told a mournful story. It was gleaned that her name was Mary Wiseman and that she, together with her mother and two brothers, lived in a little log cabin some distance off the road, her father having several months previous joined the United States army. About 3 o'clock on that afternoon Mrs. Wiseman went to St. James to purchase groceries, leaving her three children, Charley and Henry, aged 10 and 16 years respectively, and Mary at home. While the mother was absent, four big Sioux Indians came to the door and demanded admission. The door was locked and barred, but it was soon beaten down, and the savages entered to perpetrate their inhuman designs. Henry, the older boy, had in the meantime secured a gun and made a defense as best he could. But his head was soon pierced by a bullet, and his heroic efforts in behalf of their home were suddenly ended by death. After murdering Henry, Charley became the next victim. In the meanwhile Mary escaped through the door, and, putting forth her utmost speed, fled. Fortunately for her, and almost providentially it would seem, her stops were directed toward the rock, where she was afterwards found by the soldiers. She was pursued some distance and received an arrow in the arm, bul the superstitious fears of the Indians would not permit them to approach too near the haunted rock.

A-fter hearing 1km- story, Mary was accompanied by the soldims to her home which was found to be in the timber ncai- the river and nearly a mile from the road. By the time they arrived there, the Indians had gone. The scouts found the house plundered. Henry lying dead in a pool of blood and the grief stricken mother, just returned from St. James, I .ending over Charley, who had been stabbed in the breast and who though unable to speak, was yet alive. There was no hope for him. however, as he was mortally wounded, and in a few minutes his life and sufferings were ended. It was decided to convey the family to St. James and it was done, although considerable time was spent in effecting the necessary preparations for removal, and it was near 8 o'clock in the evening when they reached that place.

The hospitable people there tendered every assistance in this time of great need. The remains of the two boys were placed in one of the dwellings to await burial, and Mrs. Wiseman and her little girl were comfortably provided for, the wounded arm was attended to and everything was done to console them in their distress and bereavement. ,

At St. James the company of men remained during the night. The people manifested great joy in seeing them, and were very solicitious in providing for their wants. Some of of tin1 inhabitants had deserted the town, but several families were still there, probably either being unable to get away or considering the circulated rumors not well founded. The next morning the little army resumed its road toward Niobrara. It would have gained several new recruits at St. .lames, but the known presence of the Indians in the timber near by, made it necessary that they should remain for home protection. During this day, their second day from Ponca, they traveled thirty-five miles to the little town of Frank-

Frankfort had been totally abandoned, and as the soldiers entered the town they were received, not with gorgeous pomp, but by a number of unostentatious chickens, which assembled from fences and barn tops, and which, wrestling with hunger, were much pleased to welcome the visitors. In the unpeopled houses they established quarters for the night. They had become extremely fatigued by their two days' experience, the journey had been very irksome, few having saddles and many being wholly unaccustomed to horseback riding.

They arose early the next morning to find, not the hue weather which had previously prevailed, but a sky heavy with clouds and a drizzling rain. Here the army tarried until 10 o'clock, when the clouds dispersed and the sun once more gave out its genial rays. The air after the shower was exhilarating and the trip was continued with renewed vigor. The rain had laid the smoke which before filled the sky and darkened the surrounding landscape. Burnt tracts over in Dakota could be seen, and it was evident that the smoke, which had proven so great an alarm, had emanated from prairie fires. As they pressed on through the solitude and saw the broad and fertile valleys awaiting only the hand of civilization to convert them into luxuriant fields of cereals and vegetables they grew more ardent and determined in carrying out the purpose of their expedition. At 7 o'clock in the evening the company arrived at Niobrara, located on the Missouri river, about twenty-five miles from Frankfort. Niobrara, previously a noted and vigorous frontier town. now. from the quiet which everywhere reigned, seemed almost deserted. It was at first concluded that this place also had been forsaken, but a light glimmering through a window proved the contrary. The travelers followed the light and soon reached the building, which was of considerable size in proportion to the town.

Although the inmates were startled by the unexpected appearance of the scouts, their presence was, as would be supposed, very welcome. At Niobrara, it seems the scare was equally severe. Those who had not left the town were collected in this building, where they hoped to make an effec-

The territory had been carefully examined and nothing appeared to indicate any danger. It was thought these four savages, who had committed the fiendish crime at St. James, were the only hostile Indians in this part of the country and were the sole incentives of the entire Indian scare. Hence the party concluded that further investigation was unnecessary and decided to return to Ponca. So, after a few days of much needed rest, the return march began.

At St. James. Dr. P. A. Glen, who was a member of the expedition, stopped to look after the interests of Mrs. Wiseman and her child and to give them a sum of money which the generous hearted members of the company had contributed to assist them in their troubles. The four renegade Indians had not been again seen, nor, indeed, were they ever afterwards seen on this side of the Missouri. In Ponca, the suspense of the women and children, and the few men who were unable to undertake the hazardous trip, was painful to bear. Imagination pictured their friends and relatives under the knives of the remorseless savages, and all were wrapped in gloom and despondency until the safe return of the pioneers turned their forebodings to joy. In a few days those who had fled to Ponca from their homes returned to them, thankful to know their property was not devastated and that the lives of themselves and families were secure from danger.

Good Luck

Not long after becoming a resident of Nebraska, I had the pleasure of making the acquaintance of the recently elected county surveyor, Mr. Sullenberger. Mr. S. was the genial captain of a saw mill near the river, and his long experience among the machinery of the mill, was to his enthusiastic constituents, a sufficient assurance that he was fully capable of managing and boxing around such a little thing as a surveyor's compass.

Hardly was Mr. Sullenberger's election, as well as his somewhat prolonged celebration of so important an event, safely over, when he enjoyed his first experience as a practical surveyor. A Mr. Martin, who lived about twenty miles or so out on the prairie, near the Cedar county line, wanted to find the exact centre of one of his quarter sections of land for the purpose of locating at that point a school house. He therefore notified surveyor Sullenberger, who agreed to be on hand the next day and do the work. As this was to be his first effort as a surveyor he invited the writer to accompany him as assistant. He also, with some appearance of nervousness, inquired if 1 had ever had any experience as a surveyor, and was cheered with the assurance that I had often ran lines, though I deemed it unnecessary to state that the only lines I ever ran were clothes lines, which, often on blue Mondays, a combination of circumstances had required to be stretched from pole to pole.

Accordingly, the next morning we made ready for the expedition. Deeming that no surveyors, however well versed, could expect to correctly bombard their way from the circumference to the center of a quarter section without instru- merits, we first drove to the house of Mr. Eaydon, the former surveyor, to borrow the necessary utensils of him. Mr. H. cheerfully complied with the request. He brought out a brass bound, shallow, three legged dish, in which swam like a fish, a long and slender finger resembling the hour hand of a clock. "This," said Mi-. Haydon, "is the compass." Then he gave us further instructions he spoke of verniers. of degrees, of sights and of water levels, all which were duly appreciated, lie said the vernier should he so regulated that the needle (by which we supposed he referred to the aforesaid fish), would point twelve degrees away from where it oughl to point. It appeared from his remarks that it is the rule among surveyors to make such a variation on account of the earth having at some time or other flopped its north pole away twelve degrees from the locality to which the head of said fish had been accustomed to point, hence the twelve degrees were to make allowance, as it were, for the perversity of the earth and the stubbornness of the fish aforesaid.

Having thus been duly instructed, we took the compass and a chain to measure with, and started on our road to Mr. Martin's place, where we arrived at noon. We were welcomed by Mr. Martin and his family with hospitality, our tired horses were fed and we were furnished a dinner fit for a king. After dinner, Mr. Martin showed us around his farm, pointed out his numerous improvements and his big herd of cattle.

Hut the time had now arrived when it became necessary to forego further pleasure, and come down to business. Mr. Martin was anxious to have the centre of his section of land found and located, and Mr. Sullenberger had come for that purpose; it was therefore high time we were about it. as it was getting late.

As we went to get the compass, Mr. Sullenberger said he would say strictly in confidence that his experience as a surveyor was not very extensive and the only feat he ever performed in that branch was when he once assisted to run a line of half a mile, during which he made a variation of about 300 yards. "So small a discrepancy, is, to be sure, hardly worth minding." said Mr. S.. "yet probably you had better attend to the compass and I will boss the chain."

It now became my turn to confess in like confidential manner that I was also not heavily burdened by carrying around what I knew about surveying, and that sooner than use the compass, I would attempt to run the lines by walking across the field blindfolded.

So here we were in a fix. Mr. Martin a little distance off waited expectantly and confidently. But though dismayed for a moment at this mutual revelation, we rose in our misfortunes, equal to the occasion. "I will manage the compass," said Mr. S., and with the dignified gravity of an old government surveyor general, he took it out of the buggy, and mounting it upon its three legs, shouldered it and started for the field of action.

Arriving on the ground, Mr. Martin pointed out the place where he desired us to start from. He wished a line to be run a mile long, when, if correctly done, it would intersect the mound on the other side of the section.

We now proceeded to the task, and this scene is particularly described as it will be instructive to other surveyors. The three-legged instrument having been duly boxed and shook up, so as to make its internal organization work freely, was planted over the desired spot. A thunder storm now appeared and we hastened to make what speed we could in the performance. But there seemed to be many discouragements. The compass wouldn't stay level, and the needle twirled and wiggled around and pointed in all directions except the right one.

"The fluctuations of the needle," said Mr. S., "or to speak in plainer language, its wabbling and spinning on its pivot like an impaled June bug, are often occasioned by the approach of thunder storms as in this instance, at which times streams of electricity break up through the, earth and come ripping and tearing out of the ground, thereby disarranging the motions of all such instruments. Nearness to lava or iron ore also produces the same result. Thus; as you may be aware, I formerly resided at Ionia, and indeed, as you may say, under the shadow of the volcano at that place. Nowt in that country the slugs of iron and lava which volcanic action has slung out and scattered around, effectually preclude the use of the ordinary compass in the ordinary way. The needle scurries around like a bean in a hot skillet, and the only proper method by which to manage it is to take it oui altogether and let it play and kick around aw hile on the grass, until it gets the electricity out of it. If you attempl to work it otherwise, you might have to chain

Thus enlivened by scientific discourse, we prepared for the final onslaught. We had been instructed by Mr. Heydon to make an allowance of 12 degrees; on which side however, we had forgotten, but we were greatly assisted in determining, by observing a neighboring corn held, whose rows were said to run north and south. At last, everything being ready, Mr. S. took a long squint over the compass, and gave a military order for the chainmen and flagman to shoot out. So, out we shot, Mr. Martin as flagman, leading the way with his handkerchief tied to a pole, and the rest of us following with the chain, with which we diligently proceeded to measure off the ground.

It is critical business measuring land, especially if the line runs across ravines, through brush and over hills. Sometimes one forgets to count the chains, and at other times in the excitement of tumbling into a ditch one may count rather faster than the law requires.

When we had proceeded forward some distance, the individuals officiating at the two ends, compared notes to see how they agreed. They simply varied in their figures, eleven chains, and in order to settle the difficulty without hard feelings, they split the difference and moved on again. Half wray across, writh all these precautions, the spot at the centre of the section should be found for the location of the school house. Mr. Martin had previously piled a quantity of brick as near to such centre as he could ascertain by pacing. This I tile of brick was a great comfort and materially assisted in the labors of the day.

A few rods west of the brick, the central point was announced and a stake driven down. Then Mr. Martin wanted ns to continue our journey in the same line so as to hit the mound on the western side, and thereby prove the truth of our survey. This we deemed unnecessary, but still we did it. We concluded that we could not come out over five hundred yards away from the mound - at all events wTe were reasonably confident that we should not get off the section altogether. But for a wonder, (occasioned doubtless by a special interposition of Providence i. we hit the mound fair and square, and the center of the section was therefore as correctly demonstrated as though a whole congress of surveyors had determined it. "I see," said Mr. S. with scientific severity, "that we have missed the mark by about one inch. Still, in view of the thunder storm, and coming the distance of a mile, perhaps that slight variation may be excusable."

Drove Of Wild Beasts

Twenty-five years ago the bluffs and ravines along the Missouri were the well populated homes of bears and timber wolves, and were therefore rich fields for the hunter. It was on account of such large game that Messrs. Wheeler and Barnes of Ponca went up one summer day to hunt in the Walnut creek ravine, a few miles above Ionia. They entered the ravine about nine o'clock in the morning, well prepared with guns and ammunition, and made their way along the gloomy defile through an almost impenetrable chaparral. As they advanced they frightened the timid ground squirrel and chipmuck, startled the fierce prairie dog and sharp-toothed muskrat. and by their warlike appearance even caused the pugnacious coon to hie away to his lair. In that sad and sombre retreat, rendered still more so by the unwonted appearance of armed and intruding hunters, the jack rabbit silently and pensively skipped to his den. the soft and dulcet notes of the boogum and the bombajar were hushed, the rattlesnake forgot to shake his musical tail, and the mosquitoes bit with fear and with less venom than of yore.

At noon the hunters reached the head of the ravine. They had killed nothing so far, being determined to reserve their fire for larger animals than any they had seen. As they emerged from the ravine they were pleasantly surprised to see near by, the house of an old frontiersman. They found him at home and expressed to him their ambition to kill something beyond mere chip-squirrels or jack-rabbits, and asked to be directed to the haunts of more worthy game. As they told of their hunting aspirations and desires it was noticed that the old frontiersman partially closed one eye, and with the other took a long and searching survey of his visitors. Then he glanced at the beautiful green of the trees and then again looked at the hunters as though the contrast between them and the foliage was presenting to his mind the solution of philosophical question. Then he replied to their inquiries.

He told them that bears, wolves and wild-cats were frequent, and that buffaloes were occasionally seen, although he thought the latter were becoming more rare, and that in forty or fifty years thev would not be found in the neighborhood, excepting, perhaps, on the Lime creek hills. He told the hunters he thought they would find a few wrolves and bears without difficulty, and he graphically related some of his own hunting experiences. Then he again looked out at the foilage, and again earnestly gazed at his visitors. Then taking an immense quid of tobacco from his mouth and laying it away for future use. he related to them the astonishing adventures of his daughter. Mahitabel, with a den of wolves and bears, the last summer.

This was the story: One day that summer, Mahitabel. a healthy, strapping lass, as resolute and powerful as an ox, was out in the held planting corn. She heard a noise in the house, and she went to see what wras the matter. There she found six wolves and four bears, and quite a large attendance of cubs, all eating out of the swill barrel. With a yell which would have frightened a Camanche, she seized the family musket and turned to meet the foe. But the menagerie had tied. Sniffing danger at the approach of such an amazon (she weighed 250 pounds, her father offered to "give his bond and affidavy to/') the bears and wolves and their respective families of whelp- and cubs, had made a sudden rush for timber.

Mahitabel. pursued. She jumped the barnyard fence as the bears and wolves went through the hog yard. In the meadow beyond, the long grass so tangled her up that the fleeing drove were enabled to gain on her for a time. Still undaunted, she continued to pursue with energy, and though the fugitives disappeared from her sight in the thick underbrush, she fortunately by means of the heavy fall of snow, was enabled to track them, and for the same reason, while they waded and wallowed in it with difficulty, she was enabled to utilize her number fourteen rubber boots as snow shoes, and skim along quite rapidly. Thus coasting on the

At last she overtook them. It was in a deep and lonely dell where the flowers bloomed in the noontide effulgence, where humming birds sipped and sang and blue bottle Hies and big beetles buzzed. There, where all nature wore a quiel and peaceful garb, and naught was heard save the soft song of the tree frog, the low rustle of the leaves and the gentle voice of the modest mosquito, the fugitive bears and wolves with their fleeing progeny, had made their stand. Mahitabel approached gallantly, and leveling her musket, blazed away. One hear fell. The other bears and all the wolves, evcepting one, fled. They ran up a tall pine stub, and entering a great hole in the top, disappeared from view.

But the wolf that did not flee turned upon Mahitabel and tackled her. Then she also gathered up her feet for flight. She climbed an umbrageous beach which considerate providence had kindly planted near by. The pursuing wolf closely followed after, and like her, shinned his way up the tree. In the meantime Mahitabel had climbed to the topmost branches, where, as she could go no farther, she calmly awaited her approaching enemy. The wrolf carefully picked his way up the tree until he came within about four feet of her. Then, as he stopped to reconnoitre, our heroine reached over and took him by the tail and turned him around, and he saw himself suddenly looking down the tree and growling in great wrath. But this relief from danger wras momentary. The wolf, madder than ever, turned back again as soon as she let go her hold, and again looked at her and attempted to glare her out of countenance. Then once more she reached over him and grabbed him by the tail and switched him around. Whereupon, dismayed and overaw7ed the wolf jumped for a neighboring tree.

As he jumped, she seized his tail in her teeth and with a large sized darning needle in each hand she spurred the wolf behind. She also unlimbered her feet with the force of two pile drivers and kicked him fearfully and wonderfully. The wolf reached the next tree and hung on. She also hung on. The wolf now greatly frightened ran to the top, she still hanging to him and spurring and kicking him as before. Then the wolf jumped to the next tree top and so on from tree top to tree top, she still hanging on and looking like a cloud disturbing Venus, as she floated high aloft, spurring, kicking and whooping through the atmosphere. At last they reached the hollow pine stub where the other bears and wolves had taken refuge. Then the immense beast broke loose from the clutches of our heroine and entering the hole, joined his brother wolves and bears.

Mahitabel, left master of the situation, like a good general immediately mounted guard over the whole outfit, and there, undismayed by the growling and grumbling of the imprisoned beasts beneath her, she remained until an hour later when her brother came within hail. Being made acquainted with the situation, he went and brought the oxen and hitching them to the pine stub, tipped it over and caught the entire band of wild beasts in the hen house which he had brought down for that purpose on the stone boat.

In proof of this story the old frontiersman showed the hunters the hen house where the bears and wolves had been kept, and also pointed out the pine stub and the hole. He would in farther proof, have shown them the valient Mahitabel, but he said she was then some distance away in the timber cutting cord wood. On seeing such incontestable proof of the presence of wild and savage beasts, the hunters concluded, especially as it was near night, to go home and get more ammunition and finish their hunt another day. As they left, the old frontiersman again gazed long at them and at the bright green foliage which soon hid them from his view.

Reminiscences, And How We Once Ran For Office

The life of a country editor, for nearly twenty-five years at the sameold stand, publishingthe same old newspaper he then commenced, and year in and year out diligently wielding the same old editorial shears and paste brush, is none too exuberant even under the most favorable conditions, yet it sometimes lias a few gleams of excitement in it. As he treads and retreads his accustomed round, diligently threshing out disquisitions on every subject from the rise of parties to the price of corn, from "the tariff" down to self congratulatory blowouts over "our immense circulation" and from thence to a notice of Neighbor Jones' patch of big watermelons, "one of which is on our table," his life, we say, though it would appear to be a perpetual round of monotony, is not altogether so. Thus, when, as occasionally happens, insatiate creditors on the one hand and delinquent subscribers on the other, conspire to locate him on the ground said to be "between the devil and deep sea," he forgets the sameness of his existence in solving the interesting problem of ways and means how he is to rescue himself from the threatening perils unscathed. Or when, in his efforts to serve to his constitutents their weekly allowance of literary fodder, he unexpectedly has the good fortune to nail some incident, legend or adventure of more than ordinary interest, he forgets all else in the joy of rescuing the nugget from its sand - perhaps he publishes it at all events he clothes it as gorgeously as imagination will permit, and. for future use, carefully lays it on the shelf, where his pipes, unpaid bills and other valuables are kept. In the course of twenty years one may harvest quite a large number of these nuggets, some of which are worth saving, while others will be found glittering, but useless pyrites. The facts, fancies, legends and incidents in part second of this hook, were collected in the manner above hinted, and the publication of them is for the purpose of keeping alive the memory of pioneer days.

In those old days, twenty-five years ago, there was little local news outside the ordinary routine of life. Twice a week, when the mail arrived from Sioux City, (we had no railroad then), we learned of what was doing in the outside world, its excitements, wars, politics, crimes and accidents - but here at home there was little to stir the blood, and aside from politics, little to excite attention. Thus in a civil, peaceable, law abiding way the people on this frontier drifted along, improving their farms, building houses, and, whether farmers, merchants or mechanics, gradually enlarging the business they were in and slowly but surely becoming more independent and comfortable.

Speaking of politics, we will say that we never had anything to do with it except once, and the history of that one time we will add here, in order to suitably lengthen out this sketch to proper proportions. Many have heard the story before but they will perhaps like to hear it again.

About twenty years ago we had the ambition to become county judge. Why we had such a wish the Lord only knows. Perhaps we caught it as one catches the measles or whooping cough. At all events we had it, mildly at first and increasing in violence as time went on. The office of county judge was not one of great wealth and in those days the incumbent had little to do. But what the office lacked in business or fees, it made up in dignity. The ponderous, heavy sounding and big bodied name of "judge" was not to be scornfully sneezed at. And it would be a great honor in after years, to be able to swell up one's diaphragm and speak of the time when "we were on the bench." etc. Consequently we proposed to fasten to the judgeship.

In pursuance of this project. Ave confidentially whispered to certain friends that certain other of our friends had whispered the idea to us, and that while we did n't want the office, still, for the sake of harmony, we might possibly, though with great reluctance, be prevailed upon to run. if the party desired it. Then our friends went around and told how. without our wishes and in a great measure unbeknown to us, there seemed to be a spontaneous uprising of the bone and sinew of the county, in order to give us that tremendous office and its still more tremendous title.

It was no doubt tile reluctance on our part to accept this great office, that induced sixteen of the twenty-eight delegates to conic and see us, each one separately and privately before the convention came off, and earnestly insist on our accepting the distinguished trust. Our continued labors for the party, they said, were duly remembered. Our lack of legal knowledge, we were sympathizingly informed, did not disqualify us. as in that office no such knowledge was necessary. Each of the sixteen went away bathed in tears of joy, for we consented to run.

We were unable to attend the convention, but afterwards heard that when it came off we did not quite get sixteen out of the twenty-eight votes. In fact, when the votes were counted, we seemed even to fall somewhat short of a majority. Perhaps you will be surprised, but we did not get twelve votes out of the twenty-eight. If the truth must be told we couldn't boast of nine votes. If we had had eight votes we should have been better off than we were. We are compelled to remark that had we received seven votes, we should have been much encouraged, for seven is a lucky number. But we did not get seven, nor indeed six votes. It is a great cross to admit it, but we lacked some of getting five votes. We should have been thankful if we had had three votes, as that is said to be a rising number. We certainly ought to have received two votes, and we probably should if some one had joined with the lone and lonesome delegate who voted for us.

It has always been a source of gratification to reflect that when that vote was put in there was no convulsion of nature, no stopping the earth in its motion, nor even an earthquake. On the contrary, everything continued the same as before. The sad and solitary vote was dropped so meekly and unobtrusively into the hat that no one would have noticed anything out of the ordinary course of events, unless, perhaps, that the delegate appeared to be a little ashamed of himself.

After the convention, the sixteen delegates came one after another and made us a visit of condolence. Each with sorrow depicted on his contenance expressed in moving accents his deep regret, and stated how hard he had labored.

It appeared that each of the sixteen was the identical one who had voted for ns. Such sympathy, so reliable and truthful, greatly calmed and encouraged lis, and since then we always believe every word a delegate tells us. We afterwards learned, however, that the unfortunate man who did give us that one vote was not one of our friendly band of sixteen, but he voted for us because he knew us less than he did the other candidates.

A Bull Fight

In Spain, bull tights are very frequent. In this country, however, they are not .so common, yet they sometimes occur. Josh. Bennett was the fortunate owner of a very fine, thoroughbred bull. A bull of powerful neck and wonderful horns and whose geneology could if necessary be traced back in a. direct line to the ancient and aristocratic family of the bulls of Bashan. Picketed to a stake back of Josh's barn, his (the bull's) melodious voice was often heard in tones defiant, inviting other bulls, (of which this country had the pleasure of having several roaming around,) to approach and hold a conference. Early one Saturday morning, while the aforesaid Taurus was trying the strength of a 100-foot picket rope - trying also occasionally the strength of his lungs, a distant sound like the roar of approaching thunder was heard coming over the bluff. A cloud of dust first was seen, which moving down the hill side like a small tornado, revealed within it the contorting and cavorting form of another bovine - a bull, black as ink who pranced upon the scene with head down and tail up, with flaming eyes and furious horns. As he thus in full fighting trim appeared Josh's bull, eagerly smelling the impending conflict, hastened to meet him. Josh having at the first note of war untied the rope so that no undue advantage could be taken. Thus advancing, they paused a moment when at a little distance apart, each to more closely view his antagonist, to paw the ground, and to pipe out the stirring note of battle. In the meanwhile the spectators speedily scaled the neighboring fences for safe keeping. Then with a preliminary roar the Taurian gladiators rushed upon each other. They speared in wit h their horns and tried to exalt each other thereon, they hutted with their heads, they tore up the ground, they lashed their sides with their tails; each tried to dislocate the others neck, to cut his sides open, to break his back, both at the same time shooting off their mouths in voices of blood and fury. Thus they fought. With amazing celerity they twisted and flounced around each other, goring and goading, supple as eels and with the fury of tigers, while the air resounded with the din, and the earth trembled as though a whole drove of antediluvian monsters had come again.

Being of about the same size, and both of them large and in perfect fighting trim - for some time it was hard to tell upon whose banner victory would perch. At first it was thought that the black bull would get away with the other. For a few of the first rounds he seemed to butt and gore with such remarkable ability and science that it looked as though he would soon be master of the situation. But finally Josh's bull turned upon his adversary with a desperation which regained in a twinkling all the ground he had lost in the fight theretofore. The battle raged until the antagonists, covered with wounds and bathed in blood and foam, were nearly exhausted. Then the black bull, which had been losing ground for some time, gave a parting roar, and turning, fled, and the other was too nearly played out to follow far. Then he was tied up again, and peace once more spread its white wings over the scene.

Irrepressible Conflict Concerning A Hoc Trough

As people of peace, this country used to have few quarrels and fights, and when one came off it was remembered. I never, for twenty years after coming here, saw but one real hard fought battle, and that I will now describe.

One day 1 had a trip to St. Helena in Cedar county, and on the route I came, not far from the county line, to a small la it romantic valley which, embowered among the hills, presented a beautiful and attractive landscape. A silvery stream, over which was thrown a rustic bridge, sped merrily along, and on either side were tine farms with highly cultivated fields. A more peaceful, pleasant spot one could hardly find, and it would lie difficult to believe that in so charming an Arcadian retreat, had been heard the shouts of combatants and the crash of war. Yet such, I regret to say, was the case.

Near the stream just mentioned was the farm of a man whom 1 will call Smith, (that not being his right name) and his house, but a short distance from the bridge, was tastefully situated amid trees and vines. With old man Smith and his wife lived two slab-sided, strapping sons and their wives, all of whom, generally peaceable and sluggish, were at the time I came to the bridge in question, engaged in warlike demonstrations of no make believe variety. As they occupied the bridge, I could not pass over, and hence had to stop and see the scrimmage.

The names of the two sons were Joe and Jim, and from what I could learn as to the cause of the row. it appeared that they had had certain differences of opinion, whereby lengthy and earnest discussions and exhaustive arguments ensued, concerning their respective rights and duties in regard to t he cleaning out of -a certain hog trough then and there being. Joe insisted that Jim should cleanse and scrape the said trough, whereas Jim maintained with equal force of words and power of logic that it was Joe's business and not "his'n." As neither could convince the other, there was but one way left, and that was a resort to arms. Whereupon they rushed to the shock caparisoned and panoplied in this wise, - Joe grappled in his left hand an old breech burnt revolver, the which, as it was not loaded excepting with the accumulated rust of the past five years, was not as dangerous a weapon as would appear at first glance. In his right hand he carried a long stake, plucked from a convenient sled. To oppose this wrathful attack. Jim grabbed a churn having a few gallons of buttermilk in it, and desiring to open the battle by an artillery duel, discharged the contents at long range upon the advancing foe. Then, while his enemy was demoralized by the deluge of sour milk, Jim picked up a "swingletree," and fearlessly faced the cavernous mouth of the revolver, and. regardless of the sled stake, rushed upon Joe and knocked his two eyes into one, - made more room in his mouth by taking therefrom four teeth, and plastered his upper lip like a poultice of apple butter all over his face.

But this little episode did not check the undaunted soul of the warlike Joe. With his sled stake he ironed down Jim's nose until it resembled a pound of suitably hammered beef steak, one ear hung down like a broken sunflower, and a resounding pelt on his frontal bone caused him to see stars, planets, comets and suns without number.

But now Jim unlimbered again and let fly with his swingletree and nicely skinned from his antagonist's sconce a strip of scalp long enough for a halter strap, split his nostrils apart until they looked in two different directions like the protecting guns of an assaulted fortification, and with a back action upward movement stroke, knocked his chin into his nose, thereby transforming his frontispiece into a beak.

And now. the battle becoming hot, the wives of the combatants gallantly moved to the conflict and reinforced, one on each side. And old man Smith and his wife also rushed down to the bridge where the tight was coming off, and tried to quell the tumult, but not being successful, finally joined in. one favoring Joe and the other Jim.

she pranced into the fight, had brought such weapons as were most convenient. On the left where the heaviest force seemed to be engaged, a shovel and a mop as opposing banners led the van. while through the air like chain shot or bursting bombs, came a skillet, an ash pan, two stove hooks and a pail of swill.

At the centre of the hard fought held, Joe wielded his sled stake again and let it fall like a trip hammer, cutting a hole in Jim's head, though not letting out any brains for obvious reasons. And in response Jim plied his swingletree bravely and vigorously, and with the determination never to yield, but to knock Joe out. gave vigorous and repeated blows upon the region of his pericardium and supergasticus. Also knocked off the single button holding up Joe's pants, which therefore becoming demoralized, Joe kicked them off as scornfully and disregardingly as the hero who burned his ships behind him. Then Joe lifted his sled stake and discharged a fearful blow at what was left of Jim's head. Had the blow hit square, the history of this tight would there and then have been concluded. But providence so ordained that as the blow descended. Jim, in trying to avoid it, fell into the creek, and Joe's tremendous exertions pitched him headlong after Jim. The creek, though not deep, was muddy, but regardless of the water and mud, they continued to light, and grappled with one another and pounded and clawed until old man Smith, again assuming the position of mediator, waded out to them and with afire shovel proceeded to administer judicious slaps here and there, and impartially and indiscriminately paddle the beligerant and slippery bodies which squirmed and flounced around in the mud like eels in a soap 1 11b. Then he took a fence rail and pried them asunder and peace was once more proclaimed. Then the sole spectator of the scene, drove on. How they finally decided the question of cleaning the hog trough we never heard.

A Confidence Game Takes People In

There was nothing in the appearance of the man to warrant the supposition that he was insane. On the contrary he looked about as sharp as they make 'em.

Of course such an opportunity for speculation was not to be passed by and while setting him down as an escaped luuatic, several bystanders snapped up his baits in a hurry.

"I tell ye. fellers," he cried. "I've got lots of money, and I'm tryin' ter get rid of it. I'm on the hunt of my dad's reputation that he lost up here ten years ago. None of ye hain't seen nothin' of it have ye? Who'll have ten cents jist to 'mem Iter me by?"

The crowTd grew, and our lunatic drove a thriving business, occasionally varying the performance by scattering a little loose change on the ground, where the crowd nearly mashed each other's shins in picking it up.

"I tell ye I'm rich!" he shouted. "Our hull family's that way. I've got the nicest farm ye ever saw down in Iowa. 'Nuther man's farm lays right on top of it. Who wants this elegant quarter for only a dime?"

He opened a valise of microscopic dimensions, and took out a case of Peter Funk jewelry. Picking out a common collar button, he explatterated thus:

"Gentlemen, I am traveling agent for the Chicago jewelry firm of Clapp <fc Co. We have lately patented a new article of jewelry, which we are desirous of introducing into your town. Composed of equal parts brass, tin, copper and platinum, warranted good as gold, will not rust, discolor, rip, tear, ravel or run down at the heel. I have here a few samples, which I wish some of you intelligent gentlemen to examine, so that next week when our selling agent arrives with a large stock, you may know what quality of goods he has. Bui to guard myself against loss, while you are examining tlif button, please hand up ten cents, its value, which shall be returned to you when you have done."

Quite a number of verdants complied with his request. Their money was returned to them after the examination and he also generously allowed them to keep the button. This performance was gone through with on several different articles and the rush became great, for lie generally returned more money than had been given him.

Meat last brought out a case of the meanest of mean luass rings for which he asked a dollar as security. The careful observer might have observed that this time he didn't promise to return the money worth a cent. People hit as usual, however. Then he brought out some more rings tor which he asked two dollars security. Meanwhile he hadn't returned the one dollar men's scads. But these innocents waited patiently. He exhorted the crowd to come up and invest in the $2 rings. "'Just to make the $1 men sick." said he. Quite a number again bit, some of the $1 men among the number.

Like Elisha, he "riz right up" in his carriage and politely informed the crowd that he had given them a good article of experience at a nominal price, and they should be satislied.

"This money," said he, 'T might return to you; and. agin, I moughtn't. I might donate it to the Young Men's Christian association; but I won't. 1 might give it to the churches; but it wouldn't do to divide such a small amount of money between so many churches. I might jam it down my jeans; and I'll be denied if I don't think I will!" And before the astonished victims could get this meaning through their hair, his buggy wheels had disappeared around the corner. They never saw him nor the money again. It wras a good lesson, showing as it did, the "ways that are dark and the tricks that are vain."

Prof. Perrigoue'S Fight With Fire

The passengers on the train one evening, saw on the hills and the ravines northeast of Ponca, a tremendous tire. Little did they imagine that in the centre of that magnificent display of flame a cruel scene was being enacted.

Professor Perrigoue, (wTell known to science as the discoverer of Dixon County's subterranean wonders), built, a few weeks before in one of the ravines, a building designed for an observatory, but which lately he had been utilizing as a lime kiln. On the evening in question, he was attending to his kiln and stirring up the tire with as much diligence as he had often previously exercised in more scientific enterprises. Thus, earnest and busy, he did not for some time see two long lines of tire approaching him. the one from the west and the other from the east. The roaring of the rapidly advancing fires finally aroused him from the contemplation of his labors. The sight which greeted him was an appalling one. He saw himself in a narrow lane between parallel walls of fire. Escape seemed impossible. Yet, undismayed by the thought that he would soon be broiled alive, he surveyed his situation with the intrepid calmness of an old Indian fighter on the plains of Montana. A short distance away the professor saw a tall cottonwood tree. In a moment he reached and climbed it. Yet. swift as were his motions, they were none too soon for safety, for as he climbed the angry tires swept under him and long fingers of flame reached up and tickled his lower limbs and scorched his coat tails. He climbed and climbed and scaled the tree to its highest branches. He saw that he was not alone in seeking that place of refuge. Driven forward by the fire and now surrounded by it. several snakes and animals attempted to escape by climbing the tree. Among those who came up were four rattlesnakes, which, in the presence of common danger, offered at first no violence to the professor nor to the dozen squirrels, the two wild cats, the four coons, and finally the five skunks that. Hastening up the tree, had perched upon its branches. The terrible heat, below had indeed tenanted the tree with a wonderful variety of inhabitaut ?.

The raging fire and the clouds of smoke at last awakened the anger of the professor's neighbors. The rattlesnakes partly unwinding from the branches to which they clung, struck at him with fury. The wild cats arched their backs and spit at him. Even the peaceable coons and squirrels showed their teeth and extended their claws toward him.

And now a new danger beset him. The tree itself took fire and its trunk dead and dry. burned with frightful violence, and soon burning off at its base, tottered and was about to fall and hurl the professor and his companions into the lake of tire below. At this supreme moment and in this fervid heat, the discomfort of his unhappy situation was greatly increased by the five skunks, which, located in different parts of the tree and hitherto quiet and peaceable, now seemed to regard him as the author of all their trouble.

The tree commenced to fall. Was there no hope? Alas! no. Without a special interposition of Providence how was it possible for the professor to escape. The fire below and for half a mile on every side was ten feet deep.

The tree continued to fall. We ask our readers wThat could the tortured denizens of that tree do under such circumstances. How could the professor get away unless he had wings. But he neither had wings nor time to sprout any. Could he get off on his ear or could he etherialize himself and float safely away on a cloud of smoke? Assuredly not.

In the meantime the tree continued to fall. Some there are who might possibly contrive some plan whereby the pro- Eessor could find a place of safety. If so. they can do more t lian we can.

Burglars In Town

Before the railroad struck this country, no such person as a burglar was ever known to visit it. Whether the people were too poor to be robbed or whether a lack of the necessary swift transportation to and from, caused the burglar fraternity to give Dixon county the go by, cannot be said. It may be that the way with which the people dished out the law to Miller the murderer of Dunn, may have made thieves a little skittish about coming here to do professional work. At all events they stayed away, and people scarcely ever thought of them.

When robbers raid a town, and break into houses, and slam around aud carry off goods, with terror going before them and leaving destitution in their footsteps, then it is that the hearts of the stoutest are tried. Ponca had hoped to avoid such an ordeal as this, and although near by, at Sioux City, burglars had often tried their hands and got away with considerable swag, yet Ponca escaped until one night when certain events transpired, a history of which we will relate.

In the northwestern part of town resided a family named Rooks. On the evening in question. Mr. Rooks himself was away from home, and there was no man about the house except his son, a youth of about twenty-two summers. As the shades of evening crept down, and weird and ghostly shadows and silence fell upon the landscape, the family heard what was supposed to be a light footstep in the upper story of their house. They had been away during the day, and this fact together with the fact that a small sum of money was deposited up stairs, impressed young Mr. Rooks with the certainty that robbers, bold, insatiate and remorseless, had invaded the peaceful precincts of his home and wpre now laying in wait and would when night had farther advanced and sleep had wrapped up the household, issue forth in their furious, raw -head and bloody bones manner, and murder him and steal the money. Consequently the youngman immediately took measures for offense and defense. Grasping a formidable butcher knife he Hung open the front door and stationed himself therein, having first opened the front gate, thus wisely remembering that one of the duties of a sagacious genera! before commencing battle, is to provide avenues of safe retreat in case such retreat battle in the doorway, he deemed it expedient to send for reinforcements before opening the contest. He therefore sent his brother, a lad of six years, after Rev. Mr. Smith, wlni boarded there hut was now down town.

Accordingly the lad came down on a run, and hunting up Mr. Smith, told him that robbers had broken into the house, and Mi-. Smith ran back with him. On their way they overtook \V. Clark, Jr., and impressed him into the service, and all soon arrived at the scene of danger. Here they found Rooks still intrepidly holding the post in the doonvay, and in a dauntless manner, though with trembling legs, preparing for the onslaught. On casting about, it was seen that the only weapon of war the whole array had, was the butcher knife. The little brother was therefore sent to a neighbor's for arms, and he soon returned bringing a revolver. It was an ancient firearm, and might possibly have been young at the siege of Troy. Yet in the darkness its slight defects w^ere not visible, and, as will be seen in the sequel, it did just as good execution as a Winchester rilie.

The troops and arms all being provided, Captain Rooks before leading them to the field of battle, took the pistol, and addressing his men, pointed out the dangers to be undergone, and directed Mr. Smith, as second in command, to take charge of the butcher knife, which however he declined in favor of Clark. The captain then said that as soon as they met the horde of armed and desperate robbers up stairs, he would probably be shot, and when that happened he wished Mr. Smith to take the revolver and finish the battle.

The force having formed for the purpose of advancing up stairs, the captain lifted his voice and in words trembling with brave emotion, warned the robbers that they were all now about to be killed. And rattling his revolver he resolutely pushed forward legs which seemed to want to go another way. Then came Clark with the butcher knife, with which he occasionally prodded his leader in the back when he leaned or wobbled. The next should have been Rev. Smith, but alas, at this critical period he hauled off and retreated from the held. Thus the army was depleted onethird, without firing a gun. Notwithstanding this discouraging circumstance, the remaining two continued their march up stairs, and after some time, being often required to pause to reform the line and brace up, they arrived at the top.

And now occurred a series of military movements worthy of Marshal Turenne. They hammered the walls and floor and made a noise as though a whole regiment was at their backs, then they partly opened the door, peeked in and jumped nimbly aside. The robbers within never let on, never said a word nor made a sign of their presence. Then the captain ordered Clark to deploy in and reconnoitre, while he would hold the post at the door. Mr. Clark accordingly marched in and explored the mysteries of the room. The robbers still making no insistence, the captain moved to Clark's assistance, and together they examined the premises.

They stripped off the bed-clothes from the bed, slung aside the ticks of feathers and straw, and with the bed-slats punched and jammed into every nook and cranny where a robber might be hid. Only once when punching and prodding under a bureau did they think they had caught him. Then forth leaped the ready revolver in the captain's strong right hand, and he prepared to shoot at once. Things were evidently approaching a crisis. Fortunately at this juncture, it was discovered that what had been supposed to be a robber was a bag of old clothes. In fact, no robber was found, nor anything with the disposition of one, except a mouse which crept timidly along the wall, to see what all the uproar was about.

Having thus defended the domicile, the captain confidently remarked as to what he would have done had he seen the robbers. Then they went down stairs, and the conflict ended.

An Indian Duel

One hot summer's day, ten or fifteen years ago, a party of four young Indians passed through town going northwest. A few miles out they stopped and arrayed themselves in war costume and put on ominous black and red paint, thus indicating that they were on a mission not wholly peaceful. The secret of the matter was, two of the Indians were going out to tight a duel. They were two young Santee Sioux, named respectively Slit Lip Bob and Sam Squire. They had been down to the Omaha reservation on a visit and while there had both fallen in love with an Indian squaw named Sail Molly, the beautiful daughter of old Billy Bumbottle, one of the chiefs of the tribe. The two Indian beaux, Bob and Sam, went dead in love with the alluring Sail, and, according to Indian custom, each tried to buy her of her affectionate parent. His price was twenty-four ponies, which was not high, considering that she was a stout, strapping squaw, good tempered, and capable of hoeing corn and doing housework, in all of which accomplishments she was well versed, having already had much experience. Consequently both the beaux were willing to pay the twenty-four ponies, and the question then naturally came up as to which one it should be. The case was referred to Sail herself, but she could not fully decide, as she liked them both almost equally well. They were indeed both tine Indians, and in many respects wTell matched. If there was any advantage at all it was probably in favor of Sam. who was younger than the other and had already only two wives, whereas Bob wTasthe possessor of four helpmeets. But Sail could not decide which she would make happy, and her two swains agreed to settle the matter by lighting.

So they started out to find a suitable place for the battle, bringing with them two Indian friends to act as umpires and bottle holders, and passed through town as before related.

ons excepting two stone headed war clubs, they mounted their ponies and tackled one another with great fury. After circling and whooping around as a sort of preliminary exercise, the combatants came to close quarters, when Bob delivered a fearful blow with his club at Sam, who slipped to one side and the blow fell on the head of his pony and made him feel very demure for awhile. Then Sam got in a blow which lamed his opponent's leg severely. They then fell to and whacked and banged away at each other, but without much effect till finally from exhaustion both dismounted and sat down on the grass and glared at each other in silence. And now the spirit of peace, compromise and conciliation stole over them, and Bob proposed if Sam would give him five ponies, a revolver and two knives, that he would throw up the sponge and let his rival have the girl without further trouble. Sam joyfully agreed to this, and then washing off their paint and dirt, they and their two friends returned back to the agency, and the next day the wedding took place. Bob, conciliated by his five ponies, his revolver and two knives, rejoiced in happiness second only to that of the bride and groom.

If we had a novelist's pen, we should stretch this romantic tale of Indian life into a novel of six books. The incidents were related to us by one of the Indians who attended the fight and are substantially correct, excepting the names of some of them, which, as our memory is not good in such matters, we may have miscalled.

The General'S Jollification Meeting

''Uncle Jimmy" Patton, who was a settler on the "Missouri bottom" near Ponca in '65, was a genial old soul and a, great singer. He was also sometimes given to thirst and "lire water," at which times his usual peaceful disposition was overpowered by largely developed war-like propensities. On such occasions he would march upon the town, heralding his advance by a voice like the first blast of an approaching storm. It was probably his tremendous roar, iike that of a park of artillery which gave him the title of "general," for that was always his title when ugly and drunk, though plain "Uncle Jimmy" when good natured and sober.

One evening the voice of the "general" was heard in the distance and in a short time, with blood at fever heat, he appeared in person upon the streets and furnished to his fellow citizens an entertainment fully in keeping with what might have been expected from one of his versatility of genius as a singer and outdoor orator.

Soon after his arrival the general turned himself loose and organized the town into a concert hall, and gave his audience many choice songs. In executing his musical selections, he by turns appeared witty, grave, gay, sad. mad and pugnacious. Atone time he laughed, and again, his soul was possessed by inexpressible grief, and he wept, lie sang many hymns with great fervor and in a voice that could be heard two miles away. It is said that the wild beasts on the neighboring hills tied that night, thinking they heard the roar of some destroying enemy. At the first blast of that awful voice, all the dogs in town crawled under bains and groaned and howled. Then, also, rose up every man and lit his lantern and went forth to see if the unearthly explosion of sounds which smote his ears, were from the gasping agonies of dying cows and calves.

Little thinking of the amazing uproar and excitement he was arousing in this part of the country, the general diligently continued his programme. He sang "When 1 Can Read My Title Clear" with such knock-down force that it shook windows and dashed out glass as though a cannon had been fired under them. He executed "Sweet Bye and Bye" with terrific violence, and poured out his soul in "Greenland's Icy Mountains" in a manner suggestive of a heavy storm at sea. Then with the roar of a famished cannibal he hurled himself upon Poet-Laureate Rock well's latest psalm, and rent it limb from limb. So shocking was the onslaught, that of those who heard it. many thought the crack of doom was at hand or that the chief boss of Hades had broken loose.

Varying his strains from solemn to gay. be now like an avalanche thrashed his way into "Mulligan's Guards," whereupon all the cats in town scooted for the housetops and caterwauled in unison. The general then assaulted and stormed the symphony entitled "Finnigan's Wake," and then with the graceful poise of a five gallon jug. he gnashed his jaws upon "Johnny Fill Up the Bowl." It is reported that on account of this song, several people went deaf, and others had their hair whitened before morning. Then he concentrated his bass, treble and baritone, and all his different hurricanes of melody, into one solid chain-shot of electrical, blasting energy, and hooted forth "We Shall Gather at the River." He closed his singing by hammering out the doxology. which he discharged into the town like a thunderbolt, and led people to believe that a comet or an anvil chorus had struck the place.

He then indulged in several ear-splitting, earth-quaking Indian war whoops. A small party of Indians camped on the summit, five miles away, hastily struck their tents and mounting their ponies broke for the woods.

After these musical exercises, the general danced clog dances, Virginia break-downs and Highland Mings - the which, as he delivered his hoofs upon the sidewalk, sounded like a dray of bricks suddenly unloaded and falling from a great height, He wound up by taking off his coat and inviting those who desired it. to stand forth and be whipped. As no one responded to the invitation he put on his coat again and with the appearance of one who had done his duty and could do no more for the gratification of his friends, took up his homeward march.

The above, a sample of what occurred occasionally for several years, shows that though we had no regular theatres in early times, we had other entertainments equally as good.

Index

The names and brief notices of the pioneers from the first settlement in May, 1856, to the organization of the county and its first election in December, 1858, will be found on pages 16 to 23, inclusive. The names of the most prominent of those pioneers are also in this index.