Part 7

We arrived at Winona about dark; and, finding the boat had already gone, I told the driver to take me to the Bauder House. There I staid all night, and learned that the next boat would leave in the morning, for La Crosse. Accordingly, next morning, I was aroused in season, and Mr. Bauder told his son to take me to the boat in the carriage, but first to stop and meet him at a certain building. We drove off, and Mr. Bauder followed us, stopping in at various places of business. After driving about for some time in this manner, he came and told me that the boat had gone, and I would be obliged to stay until night. So I was taken back to the hotel, wondering what the kind landlord meant by this course; but it was soon explained. He came in, and said he had been around town, to see how much the citizens could assist me, and that he had succeeded in raising forty-one dollars. For this I was very grateful; indeed, I felt comparatively rich. I can never forget what the people of that place, and especially the active and benevolent Mr. Bauder, have done for me, for it was through his agency, that I received my board at his house and these welcome sums of money. He then went to the bank and exchanged the money into national currency, for me, then went with me on board the boat, and stated to the captain the circumstances of my case; whereupon he carried me, free of expense. On arriving at La Crosse, I journeyed on by railroad via Madison to Boscobel. I staid over night at Boscobel: and, next day, took the stage for Lancaster, but the stage agent refused payment for my ride. He left me at that excellent hotel, the “Mansion House,” where I was treated with the greatest kindness by all of Mrs. Hyde’s family. I am very grateful for their goodness; and not only am I grateful to them, but all those kind people, who have given me their sympathy and their assistance, and thus smoothed down the rough and thorny places in my walk of life. I have great cause to thank God, not only for sparing my life, and that of my dear boys, but for raising up friends wherever I have been, to help me along.

While at the Mansion House, in Lancaster, Mr. J. C. Cover, editor of the Grant Co. Herald, called on me, and requested me to relate to him my story. This I did in a very poor way, which I am sure he would excuse, if he knew how many times I had previously related it. The next day I reached my brother’s house, where I was received with tears of joy.

I will now mention what I know of the surviving settlers of Lake Shetak, as far as possible, in my limited space. Mrs. Duly and Mrs. Wright are with their husbands, having been ransomed, after four months captivity. Mrs. Duly’s youngest child was murdered while a prisoner, but two of her other children are with her. Mrs. Cook is married, and lives in Mankato. Uncle Tommy Ireland has recovered from his wounds; he still lives in Minnesota, and his daughters likewise. Mr. Duly joined the 1st Minnesota Mounted Rangers, and afterwards became captain of scouts: he lives now in Mankato. Mr. Everett recovered, and went East with his little “Lily,” who was ransomed from the Indians. Charles Hatch returned to his friends in Wisconsin. Mr. Myers still remains in some part of Minnesota. Mr. Smith joined the Mounted Rangers, and served his time. Mr. Rhodes joined the same company, but, as he was soon afterwards missing, it was supposed that he deserted, as he was not heard from again. Mr. Bently enlisted to fight Indians, in some company. Mrs. Hurd is living at La Crosse.

Now, dear reader, since you have attended me till I finally reached my destination, and joined my relatives, I will bid you good-bye, hoping that if you are ever as unfortunate as I have been, God will give you as many kind friends as he has given me.

COPYRIGHT SECURED ACCORDING TO LAW.

Transcriber’s Note:

Words and phrases in italics are surrounded by underscores, _like this_. Obvious printing errors, such as upside down, or partially printed letters and punctuation, were corrected. Final stops missing at the end of sentences were added. Extraneous punctuation was removed. Obsolete spellings were not changed. Thirteen misspelled words were corrected.