November 1871
Abbie B., age 22, Kansas
November 4, 1871
Plowing with two yoke of oxen. P is helping. It will take them five days next week, to finish. Lanes had their best horse stolen, what a pity they cant get the thief.
We are having pleasant weather. Mrs. Springer spent the day here. She rode up— and brought the band she stiched for me on her machine. A letter from Reading to day. Game is plenty we have had three geese and a turkey within a week.
Sometimes a thousand geese and brance [brants] fly up and down the river, and fill the air with their gabbling. The coyotes often make the nights hideous with their howling. Have not had any ague for over two weeks—but take medacine every other day.
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Abbie B., age 22, Kansas
November 5, 1871
Here come the men with three turkeys, now I cant write – must help dress them. I am getting tired of game.
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Abbie B., age 22, Kansas
November 7, 1871
Rainy and cold all day. Hope it will clear up and not hinder the plowing. Yesterday I baked and cut up the turkeys. Put some in a jar, and covered it with brine. George is helping plow. Came in yesterday with a chill. I told him of the salt cure.
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Abbie B., age 22, Kansas
November 8, 1871
Just finished baking snaps—we like them. It is nothing but cook turkey all the time, feel as if I did not care to see another for a year. It is fried for breakfast, potpie for dinner, roasted for supper—cold for breakfast ct. ct. Today is clear and the plowing going on. Baked two squash pies. They are real good. Mrs. S told me how to bake them when we have no milk or eggs. Had an early dinner. They came in before I was ready. I slept so well last night. Sometime I lay awaik for hours. We had pancakes for breakfast. I cant toss them over like P can. Sometimes he sends them over the second time, to see them flap.
Heavy shower last night over east. We thought it might reach here. Sometimes the rain comes in at the sides— so I took my clothes down, put them on a stool, then under the table. We dont have any chairs, just stools, two are cushioned with robe. Some time a go P raised his bed from the floor. When J. R. is here he sleeps on the floor.
We have no broom. When I sweep, I take a turkey wing in each hand, sweep out a corner, then step there, and sweep a head of me, until the floor is all swept. Sweep every thing into the fire place.
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Abbie B., age 22, Kansas
November 11, 1871
This is a rainy Sunday. The stars were shining when I went to bed, but it is raining now. We expect to get to the land office this week. Friday eve the boys brought home two turkeys and a prairie chicken. Five turkeys in one week. P is a good marksman. Sent Lanes some turkey. Prairie chicken we had barbacued for dinner. It was better than turkey. Will have turkey and sweet potatoes for dinner.
It still smells skunky. The other day when the boys came from Jakes, they saw seven skunks along the branch—I am drying the skin of a large gray wolf. If it gets dry, I will take it home with me.
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Abbie B., age 22, Kansas
November 15, 1871
The days go by and we have not been to Augusta yet. Were to have gone to day, now it is tomorrow. Yesterday I washed, baked bread and pies, was busy all day. The boys did not get home until an hour after sunset. They had a goose and prairie chicken. It took me all a.m. to dress them, do my work and get dinner; then no one came to eat it. I am beginning to gather my possessions together, and pack.
Jammie the cat had been with Jake at the Hall for a long time. The other day they found him dead. They think a coyote or gray wolf killed him. The boys have come—and it is decided we go tomorrow.
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Abbie B., age 22, Kansas
November 16, 1871
Up at 3 a. m. After breakfast we packed eatables, and started for Lanes. The team and waggon was brought up last night. It was cold, but we took a lot of blankets and my comfort to wrap around us, so we did not mind the cold. The three miles ride to Lanes was truly grand. The sun was not up, but the gaily colored clouds were georgeous. No one said “Morning red will bring down rain upon his head.” Although some of us may have thought of it. We reached Lanes at sunrise. Mr. Stafford got in, It was his team, and he drove. The Ninnescah was low, and we had no trouble to fording it So different from last April.
After we reached the trail it clouded over, and became very windy. The trail was good traveling, yet the 20 miles to Wichita, in a big waggon was a long ride. The wind was so strong, it blew the dried cow chips on edge, and they rolled along on the trail like wheels. Philip told me that hearders and travalers, when out of wood, gathered them and burned them. In Whichita we sat in the waggon and ate our dinner of roast goose, chicken and pie, that we had brought along. We had our drafts cashed, and about 3 p. m. we started toward Augusta.
Night came on. Not being in sight of timber, we camped by a hay stack. It was too windy to make fire, so we had a cold supper, after which they put the waggon cover on which was a shelter from the wind. I slept in the waggon, and the boys by the stack.
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Abbie B., age 22, Kansas
November 20, 1871
We started early next morning, expecting to come to timber soon, and have a warm breakfast, but we were farther from Walnut Creek than they thought, and it was nearly noon when we stoped, and had a good warm meal of bacon, coffee, and the rest of what we brought along.
After leaving W a few miles, there were almost no signs of settlers. The first settlers always choose clames near some stream where they can get wood for fuel. Most of the way there was no road—just went acrost the prairie in the direction of where they expected to find Augusta.
After eating we drove on into Augusta. While Mr. Stafford cared for the team, we went direct to the Land Office. I waited in an adjoining room, while brother went in. They were very busy. Brother knew one of the clerks, and we were waited on, sooner than we other-wise would have been; which was fortunate for us. Philip had attended to all the prelimatery parts, before I was called in. I had little to do, beside sign my name and pay $1.25 an acre or $200—, and some office fees, after which we received a certificate. The pattent will be made out in Washington, D. C, and sent to us. Now I am the owner of 160 acres of land. Were my nice smooth land in Pa. it would be worth a little fortune.
We left Augusta before 4 p. m. and had reached Four Mile Creek when it began to rain very hard. There was a frame house near the timber, Philip went there and asked if I could stay all night. They said I could, and the boys went and camped among the trees.
I had a good nights rest— a good supper and breakfast.
I wanted to pay Mrs. Long but she would not let me. I should write her a letter when I go home, that would be all the pay she wanted. I certainly shall write to her. One of their daughters was home. I spent a very pleasant evening. She asked me about my Summer—and my home in the East, and told me of their many moves— They were comfortably settled now, but her husband was getting restless, talked of moving to Medacine Lodge.
In the morning it was colder, and the rain had turned to snow. The most dessolate and disagreeable day I ever knew. The snow soon covered the tracks we were trying to follow, and at times they did not know which way to go. The waggon cover protected us some, but the snow blew, and we could only see a little way ahead, and it was so cold.
We expected to strike the Arkansas river at a place they called El Paso.We missed the road, and came to the river ten miles below El Paso. Two men who had charge of the ferry there, said the ferry was out of order, that they would fix it in the morning, and take us over We had expected to reach Lanes that evening— but had to camp there by the river. They made fire and stretched a blanket between trees, to shelter me, while I tried to warm myself. I asked Philip if I could not go to the dugout and get warm. He said “no it is too dirty a place for you.”
We were out of bread. So the boys had the men bake us some biscuits for supper, after which Philip fixed the waggon— and I went and laid down. He charged me “If you take off your shoes, keep them near you, or they will freeze, and you cant get them on in the morning.” It was cold, however I had plenty of blankets and my comfort, and I slept a little.
Philip slept under the waggon with Mr. S and J. R. by the fire. Every where it was so wet and snowy. I think they got little sleep. They called the storm a “Northener.” I would never have believed it could get so cold in sunny Kansas. The men baked more biscuit for our breakfast, and we had bacon, coffee and gravy to go with the biscuits. The ferry was out of order, and the boys worked hard to get it fixed. Then when they tried to use it, it stuck fast on a sand bar, and was no good.
Too provoking, we had lost the whole morning.
When they found they could not use the ferry, and get paid for taking us acrost, they told of a place a mile down the river where we could ford. We drove down and crossed without much trouble, except the ice bothered the horses.
We reached Bell Plain about 2 p. m. I went into a house to warm while they fed the horses. They bought a sack of crackers— but could get no bread. I had been dull and stupid, and a chill followed by fever came on. Philip was worried, and tried to make it as comfortable in the waggon as he could. I do not remember about the rest of the trip, until some one said “Now we are acrost the Ninnescah.” Then I roused up for I knew we would soon be to Lanes. We stayed here all night. I was so tired, I thought I might as well stay and visit her now as I would soon be starting East. Philip went to the dugout and moved some things down to his cabin by the river, thinking it would be warmer. J. R. has his trunk at Jakes and is patiently or impatiently, waiting for a chance to go to Wichita. Too far, and too bad walking to go to Springers. So I finish this then write a letter.
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Abbie B., age 22, Kansas
November 21, 1871
Another chill and fever. Philip was down, he will bring my medacine tomorrow. Four hunters out from W to day. They shot 31 prairie chickens, saw four deer and some turkeys.
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Abbie B., age 22, Kansas
November 22, 1871
Philip brought my medacine. I helped Mrs. Lane make butter out of pie mellon from my garden. Expect to go to Wichita Sunday, so I must go up tomorrow and pack my trunk.
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Abbie B., age 22, Kansas
November 23, 1871
It was nearly noon when I left Lanes on old Bill— It was cold, When I passed the Hall there was no one there but J. R. He went along to the dugout. I packed some things, gathered others together, then rode to the cabin. No one there, then I thought I would go and see Roses, but I could not get old Bill to ford the river. Then I stayed at the cabin, and J. R. took the horse back to Lanes.
I had covered the coals, so I soon had a good fire. Being hungry, I made coffee and boiled mush—which I ate with much molasses, and considerable relish, having had no dinner. Hunger is a good cook. Philip did not come for some time. He had been hunting. Had shot a turkey which he took to Lanes, was surprised not to find me there. Then he went to the dugout and brought more things down. He wished he had not moved as it made it so inconvenient for me.
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Abbie B., age 22, Kansas
November 24, 1871
Last night in the cabin. Up early. Breakfast of mush, molasses, sweet potato and coffee. I bid the cabin good bye, and went to the dug out to pack. Met Mr. Rose in a big waggon. He wanted me to go home with him, but I could not— I had to pack. I made a big fire, and went to work. So many things to pack I scarcely knew where to begin; what to take and what to leave—Dried buffalo meat, turkey fans, wolf and coyota pelts ct. I put on enough petticoats to make me look like a barrel, but it was so cold, I needed them.
Philip had said if I left any clothing I should “give it to the Igmires they have children.” There were many things I did not pack, and later he can give them away.
When done packing, I made a can of chocolate, and ate some ginger snaps. There I sat by the fire, and went over the days I had spent in the dugout. I never got to Roses after we left the cabin, The slow way of baking took so much time, then reading and writing—trying to make Philip comfortable, and having the ague so often filled up my days. Trying days when Philip was sick. Exciting days when brother H, and cousin Tim came, and we went on a buffalo hunt. Dreary days when it stormed. Light hearted days when I could go to the garden and plant, or bring up good fresh things to cook, and now a sad day of leaving. I dont want to leave brother here— he is not well, and has only half promised to go East for the winter.
Finaly I looked at the little home, the well, the garden and the surroundings, then started on my long walk to Lanes. The snow was melting, and my feet got wet. We were both invited for dinner, to help eat the turkey Philip had shot, and we were both late getting there.
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Abbie B., age 22, Kansas
November 25, 1871
Have been helping Mrs. Lane all day. It is decided we go to Wichita tomorrow. Someone shot a deer—so we have deer stake.
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Abbie B., age 22, Kansas
November 26, 1871
Cloudy, windy, exceedingly unpleasant all day. I did not see the Roses or Springers to give them good bye— Will have to write to them. The boys got my trunk last night, but it was after nine when they came this morning, so we got a late start. I have a poor place to write, so it is impossible to give the particulars of our leaving.
The Ninnescah was easily forded. The Cowskin was bad. The driver Mr. Stafford feared we could not cross the Arkansas, but two teams ahead of us crossed, and the ice was broken, so we had no trouble. We stopped at the Harris House. It has changed in every respect, since I was here last Spring.
It is now a three dollar a day house. We had a good supper which did me much good, after our cold ride of twenty miles.
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Abbie B., age 22, Kansas
November 27, 1871
Slept well, and felt rested. Philip got roap and roaped my trunk. Then I went down town and bought shoes.
Called at the Southern Hotel to see Mrs. McLain. When I left the Hotel, I met Philip, who had been over town hunting Indian curiosities for me to take home. All he found was a pair of moccasons. We went to Woodenings store, where he bought lunch for me to take along. The Lanes and Mr. Smith came in, and we talked until it was time for them to start home. Then I gave them all good bye. Philip too. He said he would likely go East before long, which made me feel better. I went to the street and watched the waggon as it moved out of sight, then back to the Hotel.
The coach left soon after noon for Newton, 25 miles away, and now the end of the R. R. Here I stay until 4 a. m. when the train leaves.
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Abbie B., age 22, Kansas
November 28, 1871
Left Newton at 4 a. m. Stoped at Florance for breakfast. The ground was frozen and rough. Going to a restaurant for breakfast—one of my new shoes split from the lacing to the toe. When I got back to the cars, I was glad to put on my old shoes. Philip had planned a trip down to Indian Territory. Owing to our having ague so often he gave it up, and was disappointed that I did not see more of the Indians.
When I was leaving he told me about the Potawamies at St. Marys, and wanted me to go there if only for a day. I did not promise, but as we neared Topeka, I decided I would, knowing it would please him. Left my trunk at Topeka— got a ticket for Harrisburg for $38.50—with lay over priviledges.
Then a ticket for St. Marys 25 miles west. On the train I sat by a lady agent— She said they had been burned out in the great Chicago fire, and she had to do something to help her family. There is no hotel here—but we were directed to a private home where they sometimes took boarders— In the p. m. we visited one of the big Catholic Schools. There is some controversity now about the government withdrawing the help it gave the schools. We were only taken through halls—and to one empty class room, so were disappointed in not seeing and hearing a recitation. We walked around town, and saw many squaws and papoos.
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Abbie B., age 22, Kansas
November 29, 1871
This morning I went up town before train time. Stoped at a shop and bought some curos. The shop keeper told me much about Indians there. Many of them are farming ct. He called my attention to one who was passing, who he said was Chief Big Foot. He had on many coats and the out side one was a linen duster. As the ground was covered with snow, he was a sight.
I have wondered since—if the shop keeper knew I was a “tenderfoot,” and was stuffing me. When I reached Topeka, I had my trunk rechecked. Tomorrow is Thanksgiving.
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