Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The Albany register. (Albany, Or.) 1868-18?? | View Entire Issue (Jan. 13, 1872)
Written for the Rogtotar. MY WEDDING TRIP. BY RUSTIC. Having read in your paper from week to" week, several very in teresting stories of parted lovers, disappoined love, cte.. all well cal culated to attract ami interest the gensatioual reader, I feel tempted to recite a brief sketch of my wed ding trip, and add to the proof of the adage that "Truth is stranger than fiction." Thirteen years ago to-night let rae nee yes, the first of January, 1859, 1 took upon ms the marriage vows,' to love, honor and obey the one whom 1 loved above all- on earth. We had been engaged for more than a year, and I had been very impatient for the engagement to terminate. Charley had "gone west to make bis fortune, as great many young men do, leaving their alliances to watch and pray tor their speedy, return. The. nwt of stories liaYa the lover go to the Tacific coast, aisd having picked up a fortune in a fabulously short time, come back to his faithful Penelope with a large diamond ring to replace the simple gold laud. But my lover Was more ot the real and "less imaninarim, and had contented himself with go ing to Nebraska, which at that time, was considered as the jump-ing-off place, and, settled on a quarter-section ot land, had erected a "can for his "bird-." and after making other improvements, had come back for me, and I was eagerly looking forward to the moment when we would start for our future home. I did not expect to find a palace, ally exquisitely furnished, fur Char ley had told me it was constructed ot logs, and had attempted to ter rify me by saying 1 should have to climb up a ladder to reach the sec ond story ; hut this did not discon cert me in the least, but in my lm agination 1 had pictured the floor polished until it would shine, the windows bright and scrupulously clean, the little flower-bed before the house should bo filled with ger aniums and tulips, and a morning- 5 lory was to be twined over the oor. I had everything arranged and planned before-hand, and now in a few hours I would be on the way there. The next morning was lovely. The sun rose bright, and the air, though cold, was clear and bracing. All nature looked beau tiful to my delighted eyes, as I promised myself a pleasant and agreeable "wedding trip." In that day there were no rail roads across Central Iowa, nor even a regular line of stage coaches ; and travelers at that season of the year were very few, but we, in company with Mr. and Mrs. Allen, a newly married couple, were to travel with a party of emigrants, and all being ou band the order was given, ior ward march." A light spring wagon, drawn by two horses, contained our stock ot household goods. A similar outfit was used by the other couple. Two days brought us to the Mississippi river, opposite Davenport, Here we were to be ferried across in a very flimsy, leaky old boat. I felt wmchcsitatiou about leaving terra firma, but Charley said there was no danger, and of course he knew. After that I walked upon the boat with a firm step, wishing to show my bravery, all of which was called into requisition, for before we were much more than half way across, the engine became in some way dis abled and stopped its motion ; the boat was drifting slowly down stream. Fortunately for us a brisk breeze was blowing up the river which was almost sufficient to keep the boat in one position. Some large oars that were carried along in case of an accident of this kind, were brought out and manned, ana everyone who could pull to an ad vantage lent a hand. It was two o'clock in the after noon when we left the Last side, and instead of crossing in half an hour, the .night had fallen ere we oould effect a landing, which we did about three miles below the town. Snow had been falling a lit tle, but now the wind shifted to the east, tad a storm set in which promised to prove no inconsiderable obstacle to our journey. Once on chore, we were soon in oar wagons and on the way to Davenport; -where we hoped to spend the night. The darkness was so intense that we could not see any distance before us, and tak ing a distant light for a guide, pushed on at rapidly as fallen trees and stamps would allow. The wagon containing Mr. and Mrs. Allen we had supposed to be follow ing closely in our rear, but soon fumid they were not wlQBlniear ing distance, llii aid not loos si nil pleasant, wit we whipped up the horses who did not appear to relish the journey any' mote- .thaofanvaiid; in about two hours we were greet ed with a pack of savage half- starved dogs, and soon alter drew up before a small squatty log hut. with one door and on window. The inmates attracted by tlio nu fisual disturbance of the dogs, now opened the door, and attor consider able scolding a. id kicking, with no little swearing intermingled, the s were driven off. and upon en quiring we found the distance to I), to be about six miles. That seemed strange but after a brief discussion we concluded to ask tor shelter tor the night, which, after a prolonged debate between the host and some one within, was granted. We theu alighted and went in. it would be difficult to describe the place, and certainly impossible to do it justice. There was but one room; the ceiling was low and smoky; the rude log walls all around us were besmeared with dirt aud grease. The mistress of this lovely placci now caraa turwaru, a short, thickly-built, excessively homely Dutch woman, who stared at us with open mouth and eyes, a periect picture of stolidity. I did not feel at all comfortable in our new quarters, but knowing it was the next tiling to impossible to pn cecd to D. that night, tried to feel contented. Wc were offered the only bed of which the house could boast, but I affirmed ray Intention of setting up all night To this, however, my husband verystrongly dissented, and as the dirty blankets on the bed were not at all prcpos a'ssing in appearance, I accepted what is called a "shake-down" con sisting of a buffalo rote and some blankets, on the floor, on which, without dis-obing, I threw myself, ami was soon lost in the laud of dreams. I thought wc were com fortably settled in our little house, nicely furnished, and a tall rose bush in full bloom at the window. This pleasant picture was cruelly dispelled on awaking at day-light the next morning and finding my self in thedismal, dreary hovel. Our host, the only one of the two who could speak a word ot English, in vited us to a breakfast which he had hastily prepared, but all of which I declined, except a cup of water, and some eggs, which I thought might be clean under the shell. This sumptuous meal over, we were soon on our way to v., where we arrived without anything morj serious than an upset, tarly the next morning we, with the other couple who had managed to get lost the night before, proceeded on our journey without waiting tor the re-' inamder ot the company, who were still unable to cross the river. Nothing worthy of notice occur red for, a day or two ; the snow had been falling off and on, acf now began to impede our progress very much. Just at dusk ou Saturday night we reached a village by the name of Dogtown, where a census taker would have great difficulty in finding the population owing to the superfluous abundance of the canine tribe. There being no hotel, we selected the largest and most respectable looking house, a long, two-story and a half. Driving up to the door we asked for lodging, which request being finally answer ed iu the affirmative, we entered a room very similar to the one in which we passed our first night in Iowa To make room for tlie vis itors, a back door was opened, through which was ejected several dogs. I had thought myself in un pleasant situations before, but this certainly was without a parallel. Supper consisted of a huge pot of soup sat in the center of the room, around which we all gathered sup plied with a bowl and spoon. After considerable scrambling and jost ling, for the children seemed nearly famished, all were helped, when 1 proceeded very suspfcicnisly to ana lystc the contents of my bowl. I think every kind of vegetable that grew in tlie west was represented ; most prominent, however, in this compound conglomeration of indi gestibles were onions, cabbage and turnips. The hostess seeing my hes itation came around to where I was sitting and nudged me very famil iarly telling me at the same time to "pitch in," which I did not feel at all inclined to do, as my appetite had taken wings and disappeared. I made a pretense to cat, however, in order to escape observation. With the daylight the household retired, although to where I was at a loss to know. I was not long left in doubt, for the heavy snoreing which soon vibrated through the building told of their proximity. I can safely say that all the sleeping done by us four that night oould be put in a very small space. Although the next day was Sun day we concluded that as were would of c mree be no preaching it would be but jurtly charitable to ourselves to move on, and now, es pecially the clouds looked threat ening, and we had reason to fear the roads would become impassable.' Tlie day was pleasant, notwith standing the season of the year, and we hoped to reach our western home by the next Thursday, incase naaocideuts occurred to prevent. All went well, and on Thursday at three o'clock wo crossed the Missouri river at Nebraska City, which was, at that time, a mere handfull of poorly built houses, but we were still forty mtfes from our jonrjsey's end. After a hearty din nor, we concluded to try to reach a tavern or ranch, called "1 Jobber's Iloost," about twenty miles distant, ever a bleak prairie. The other team Was to take the lead and break a road. About half jast four the wind changed to the torthcart, and wc were soon enveloped iu fly ing snow. 0 Persons who liave lived on the plains will understand what is meant by a "regular northeaster," for such this was. When night came on we had still five miles to go. The driving snow, fortunately, came from behind us, but Sim the air so that we could but just see from one telegBiph pole to the next. Not a star was to be seen, and our situa tion was. fast becoming seriously un pleasant, as the cold was growing still more intense. The team ahead of us seemed to be less jaded than ours, and was soon beyond hearing distance. Our horses conld now no longer follow the tracks of the advance team, aud we found the telegraph poles the only guide left us. I shall never forget that memorable night, nor do 1 ever want to experience another such. Suddenly the wind seemed to veer round and blow directly in our faces. The drifting sriow had filled up every little gulch, and after stumbling around awhile, the team came to a halt evidently they were lost. This did not look at all favorable, so, hand ing me the lines, my husband got out to look for tlie lost , course, tel ling me to answer every shout, and thus prevent his getting lost from the wagon. After considerable time spent in walking around, calling constantly and always receiving an answer, whieh tested the capacity of my lungs, he came back and was com pelled to confess that we were on a wide prairie, twenty miles from tim ber and any habitation save the one we were seeking, and lost. I spoke of the sudden change iu the wind, and asked if it was a common oc currence. He said it was, except in case of severe storms like the present one. Suddenly a thought presented itself, and stooping he commenced feeling around on the ground, and announced that the wind had not changed, but that we had turned around and were going back towards Nebraska City. Strange as it seemed, yet it was nevertheless tnu, as was shown by the little drifts of snow around the weeds ami other obstacles. Turning around again with the wind almost directly behind us, we started anew, and were soon rewanl ed by comiug again to the friendly telegraph poles. We now hoped our troubles were over, and that our stopping place for the night would soon be reached. That such was not destined to be the case, tlie reader will soon see. Three miles had been traversed when suddenly, without a moment's notice, we were precipitated over a cliff into a snow bank, some six feet below the horses, wagon and horses badly mixed up. With, .extreme difficulty we extricated ourselves from the debris, but only to find that one of our horses was . so badly injured as to be unable to proceed farther. Now we were in a predictment, when, oh joy, a light was seen iu the distance, and wc knew, that help was not far distant. As the snow was too deep to allow of my walking, the' plan was for ms to remain with tlie wagon while my husband went for help.. Tfeltsajpe misgivings about conceding to this plan, but there seemed to be no otlier feasible one ; sp, reluctantly consenting, my husband mounted the uninjured horse and was soon out of sight, while I was left alone iu a wide prairie, at night, in a terrible storm. I said alone, but I soon foiuid I was not, tor my atten tion was attracted by a snuffling, and on listening intently a footfall was heard. . The manner in which I got into that wagon must have been more speedy than graceful. I could not say bow I did get there, but I know that in an incredibly short space of time I was behind the wagon-seat, protected on all sides by the canvass cover, except the opening in tlie front, which I hastily blocked with an empty feed sack. I now felt comparatively safe, and endeavored to collect my scat tered wits. Tlie wounded horse lying at a short distance raised h;s I lead, and a short, piercing shriek, such as a wounded and terrified horse only will utter, smote upon my ear, and seemed to chill my blood ; but my pulse stood still an' instant later, on hearing, but a short distance! away, a long, dismal howl, which was caught up and repeated here aud there around me. Ves. I was surrounded by wolves. 1 in stinctively held my breath, and peer ed from my place of safety into the night. 'I'he shaggy dark gay jbrm of the timber WW could lie dimly seen. Had they been the common prairie wolf (tayote) 1 should not have felt so much alarm ; but the timber wolf is larger aud fiercer, and do not hesitate to attack man if driven by hunger. The gathering wolves tell upon the wounded horse who was able to offer but feeble resistance fotlicir fierce attack. 1 found I was very cold, scarcely able to move, and the eold was Throwing even more in tense. The din of the struggle over the poor horse soon became almost -unbearable. The clouds breaking away, let a few rays of the moon fall upon this scene o'ctirt age, and on peering out f could see a dozen or more wolves snarling aud fighting with each other over the remains of their scarcely cold vic tim. 1 knew that as long as their feast lasted, I should be safe, and I looked toward the distant gliui mc.ing light in hopes that succor would speedily come. Hut I soon saw to' my consterna tion and liorror that the number of wolves were rapidly increasing, and that the the horse could last but a few moments longer. Some of the less favored ones soon left the strug gle and circled around tba Wagon, uttering the while the most chilling howls, which seemed to pierce me like a knife. One after another they dropped off from the pack aud joined in the chorus. Things were getting to be pretty desperate, and 1 saw that all my energies would soon be called into action. One who has never been in a sim ilar situation can scarcely under stand the horror aud anguish TlclU I consider myself possessed of at least my share of courage, so arm ing myself with a hatchet lying within reach, I prepared to meet my wolfish ft. Nor was I a mo ment too soon, for one of the most ventnrsome sprang upon the tongue and had succeeded iu getting partly upon the seat, when I delt him some quick sharp blows that effect ually silenced him. One of tlie foe has "fallen, I thought, and if they continue to come single handed I can manage them ; but that did not seem to be the programme, for no sooner had one fallen than sever al made a rush lor the gap which had been widened by the first at tack and through which they had caught a glance of me. I fought bravely, but soon "found it would be impossible to hold out long against such aids. Oh, will they never come, I thought again and again. My hands were bleeding in several places, aud my strength just exhausted, when 1 heard a shout, the barking of dogs, and 1 knew I was saved. 1 hen all seem ed a blank. The next I remember, I was lying on a bed in a neatly furnished room, with my husband and Mrs. Allen standing over me. They told me that when rescued, I was lying in the wagou in a swoon, and that the exposure aud excitement had brought on a fever, from which, being possessed of a vigorous con stitution, I was soon restored. Should one of my readers charco to pass along Salt creek, a short distance west from Lincoln, he may still see the little log cabin in which i passed the remainder of my honey moon. r A Well ox Kirk. A farmer living fonr-and-a-half miles from .Mattoon, Illinois, while boring a .well in his dooryard, at the depth of twenty feet , liberated a flow of gas. A pipe was procured and in serted in the well, projecting above the ground several feet, and the gas was ignited. For weeks the flame produced from this pipe has been plainly visible from Mattoon at night. This gas is described as pure hydrogen, almost without smell, affording a bright light, and giving out an intense heat. It ap pears to be much better adapted to heating and illuminating purposes than that which 1 as been found in the neighborhood of Buffalo. The pipe placed in the well has a capac ity ot 15,000 feet per day, and the pressure of the gas is said by the Siippriutendent of the Mattoon Gas Works to be as great as in tho mains in that city. The farmer who owns the well proposes to liirht and heat his house with the gas which has been so unexpectedly added to the products of his farm. There are fifty lawyers in the United States Senate. It is reported that Carl Solium U the paid Agent of the Prussian Govern ment to secure to that government the Island of Sen Domingo. Hence his bit ter opposition to tit ii. Grant and Ills policy nfnoiiulring that Island hy the United Kates, Schiirz proves himself to be the same infamous traitor to the United States tlmt he formerly proved to the ProssianGoveriiineut. A Tmit or to hi very organization. A Trait or to every goverumenfiind party that admit- him to in protection or ranks; and yet Missouri is to be mined for 4 years more with his infamies. Sueh i -some of lite curses lwiipetl upoii Mis souri by the Missouri JJz.ntKral. Mir ror, H'heclnml Sb. IMTOUT.VNT TO FlItK.MKJI.-'-Thc Fin Jfcewtf, a new Illustrated quarto paper, has just been issued by Frul. J". Miller, dealer iu Fire Apjuiriitus and Supplies of nil kinds, at 65 Wherry street. New York. The paper is lull of interest i'u-t nt this time, when v.e have all iceii startled by the fearful ravages of (Ire iu Chicago, and in Michigan and Wisconsin, and is most timely in ftir nlstuug very full and complete Infor mation of Use in putting our means of protection for property in the most perfect condition against every emerg ency. A list of remarkable conflagra tions from that of the. destruction of Home to Chicago. Notice is also given the publication of the V'Vimwk'.s -n d will lx- commenced o'n January 1st, 1S73. TIlU Vi c liK-mi will be mailed to auv address for live cents. Why I' a new bom balie like the re lief of l.ncknow:' Because it U the long expected sucker. MiUd.M'.Ui . UlihiS AlAKiNti MILLINERY. DRESS HUM, LADIES' AKD CKILDREVS FURNISHING HOUSE I thf. uxnEKHusEti has opened a X ii uw ,iew sio.-k of millinery rikvIs, trim .a tftftlna' mid t'hflintnSi rni'iitshlniE goods, of nil kin'!s,nf ihtt :a:cst aad u"t fashionable stylos, which sbe Offer to Ine belies of Albany and surrounding country at the lowest me. ,ln,i!e Dres MaJaag Eepartraent I guarantee entire satisfaction. Charge liberal. SlECl7l7ffaES : Clothing. -Always on hand, lalles'and children' ready niaile under eiuiliiug, cloaks, sacks, aprons, etc. Brews Trimming. An extensive va riety of silk, Willi, en ion and woolen dress trfmniliiKS, always In store. Cloaking. -ironey-omt,nstmelian and water-proof ulotti, ti the uesi qualities. Far, rie.-Ladies' and children's com plete sots of furs and iwanduwn, of latest style, Chignon. latest styles constantly on hand, at low figures. JIIeIlineous.-l.tnln;;s and finding of all grades and qualities, a full assort ment. JACONETS. HVSUX8, KHnROIPERIES, 14APEK USES, Kill AND ALL OT II K K VARIETIES OF GLOVES, HOSK, ETC. My determination bclrcr. to glvo pa'lsfnc tloti in style and quality of work anj prices, 1 ask a share of pulilie patronage. Call at store Opposite A. Carothers & Co., First street. Albany, Oregon. MENIlKSHALL A GODLEY. MHS. C C. Mkf.PKNHAM,. SlItK. SAl'.AII O. GODLKY. G3r" Agent for Mrs. Carpenter's Oil.E Dlt.sTFli DKFHi Model. Xov. 4, 71-9v4 nun PATENT GATE, ETC. Self-Opening- and Self-Closing- GATE. PATENTED BY JOHN DICKASON, June 4, 1SC7. rrilE DATE 19 SO CONSTRUCTED That 1 when the vehicle approaches it Ihe wheels on one side nam over a lover which is connected to Ihe Kate hinge hy a rod, thus ojieuinK the uatc before yon and fast etiing it open. After going tbroncb, Ihe carriage passes over a similar lever, also connected wit h the gate hinge, causing the gate, in Us rotation, to shut behind you and fus'.cn. No Getting Out of Tour Vehicle ! No Ralslug of Latches Nor Pulling of Strings, Eioept the "ribbons" of yonr team. It Is often called THE "LAZY MAN'S GATE,'' And a "Dead Open and Shut." This gate Is simple m Its construction, hot h of iron and wood work, and not lllcoly to get out of order. If a neat, cheap gate Is desired, It may lie made light, wit h t hree cross bars ol wood and one-fourth Inch wire, neatly enrved at the top, the lower end bid In the bottom bar, which is the stylo of a factory made gate. The gates arc now In practical use In several of Ihe cou n t les around San Francisco, and plenty of testimonials can bo given. THOMAS j. 8AFF0RD, Having purchased ihe Right for Linn Co., Oregon, Has now on hand, and will mannfactnre he b0T doscrtbedgate. been used it hau revived "e uneaten comlums, as the large number of pertin cates from prominent fanners In all ports of the country, now In my hands, will testify. CARRIAGES AWD WAGONS, Of AH Descriptions, On band and manufactured to order, niacksmltbing sad Repairing none to order at most reasonable rates. ShVfootof -rry stres)t,oppoite Beach, Monteith A rm Albany, Oct. SB, M7Wv P. C. Harper Co. 59 3 p
