L I E) RAR.Y 
 
 OF THE 
 
 UN IVERSITY 
 
 Of ILLINOIS 
 
 "RG^Y 
 
 lUI.'iniS HISTflRICAl mitt
 
 ^r 
 
 Of Trt£
 
 i'^ •^ ^ 
 
 /- 
 
 Qr^.^ i ^^^^
 
 To the Pearly Settlers of the Rock River Valley, and 
 
 to my lovinir and devoted Children, this work is res})ect- 
 
 fuUy an<l kindly dedicated. 
 
 The a it h ok.
 
 3 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 The following pages were written for the perusal of the 
 author's family, with no expectation of giving them to the 
 puhlic in book form. Hut for some time |)ast I have felt 
 it my duty to i)Ut it into book form, hoping that it may 
 prove gratifying to my old friends to call to mind some of 
 the scenes of trial, privation and inconvenience we suffered; 
 but above all, the hopes, the pleasures and the comforts we 
 enj<jyed in our new homes. Many of these venerable heads 
 are covered with the dust of the valley, and the few of us 
 who are left can truly say, ''Blessed are the dead who die in 
 the Lord, for they rest from their labors; and their works 
 do follow them."* 
 
 In these pages many recollections of fi-ontier life in 
 different localities are sketched. The climate, the soil, 
 j-<jciety, schools and churches, in many places in Kentucky, 
 Illinois and Nebraska are described, and I hope it will 
 ntt-rest all persons wdio are looking for facts instead of 
 liction. It is written in old style, without any attempt at 
 literary merit. Its details may be regarded as the truth in 
 every sense, and hoping that it may be useful in leading 
 8nme precious souls Xo the Truth as it is in the Redeemer 
 of the world and the Fountain that is open to all, I offer it 
 to your kind i>erusal, trusting you will not criticise too 
 
 closelv its manv defects. 
 
 E. A. KOE. 
 
 690(565
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 Illustrations. — Portraits of Dr. John Eoe and Mrs. 
 
 E. A. KoE. 
 
 Page. 
 
 Preface 5 
 
 Chapter I. — My Childhood 7 
 
 Chap. II. — The Garden and the Gardener 13 
 
 Chap. III. — Earliest Kecollections of Methodism 
 
 and its Influence on Me 20 
 
 Chap. IY. — Peligious Resolutions and How they 
 
 Were Prosecuted 34 
 
 Chap. Y. — Pecollections of Early Married Life 49 
 
 Chap. YI. — Doctor's Adventure on the Farm 108 
 
 Chap. YII. — Pemoval to Pock Piver — Progress of 
 
 Methodism 112 
 
 Chap. YIII. — Recollectionsof Methodism in Chicago 148 
 
 Chap. IX. — Recollections of Payne's Point 154 
 
 Chap. X. — Recollections of Rockford and our new 
 
 Home on the Prairie 159 
 
 Chap. XL — Yisit to ]N"ebraska 171 
 
 Death of Dr. John Roe 244 
 
 Funeral Sermon 267 
 
 Dr. John Roe 285 
 
 I]irthdav Testimony 289
 
 RECOLLECTIONS OF FRONTIER LIFE, 
 
 CIIAITKU I. 
 
 MY (" II 1 LDlIOOl). 
 
 Thk tii\-t that 1 recollect of self I was a rude, playful 
 girl, fair complexion, black hair, with rosy cheeks and 
 hazel eyes; so much for personal appearance. Perha])s the 
 reader may rememher I was the daughter of Col. Mathew 
 an<l Beaulah Lyon. I was horn on the 11th of June, 1805, 
 in the beautiful village of E<ldyville, situated on the 
 Cumberland Kiver, Livingston County (afterward Colwell), 
 but now known as Lyon C-ounty, Kentucky. In this jdace 
 I awoke to life, which at that time seemed to have a 
 thousaml charms for me; I was loved and caressnl liy 
 every<»ne, and almost idoli/AMl by my parents. 
 
 Nature in her rich ]»rofussion spread romance and 
 ln-auty all around the village. There were the bohl nioun- 
 tain-likc bluffs which ap])roache<l the village. an<l yet stood 
 back in awe, as if the divine hand that made them said, "Thus 
 far thou may'st come, but no further." They slope<l off 
 with modest beauty and formed a lovi-ly valley, or bottom, 
 even to tiie water's edge; thi> in it> natural >Tat('. fnrnie<l 
 a (•anel>rake growing fn»m one inch to six feet in height.
 
 8 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 When I can first recollect (through the " perseverance and 
 enterprise of a Yankee Colony that settled there in 1T99) 
 it was dotted all over Avith neat dwellings and good 
 gardens, producing every variety of vegetables and flowers 
 that the mind could well conceive, yielding not only 
 plenty but an abundance to the diligent liand. While 
 these bluffs were covered with a variety of timber, wild 
 fi-uit and flowers. The timber consisted of elm, ash, 
 hickory, walnut and sugar-maple, from which the early 
 settlers made a great quantity of sugar and molasses, — a 
 great luxury I assure you, at that time. The fruit consisted 
 of grapes, blackberries, crab-apples, paupaus, dewberries, 
 and many others. There was a great variety of wild flowers, 
 fi'om the gorgeous white and purple flower of the dog- 
 wood and the pink flush of the red- bud tree, to the tiny 
 violet, arrayed in its modest robe of blue and Avhite. (How 
 beautiful is this tiny flower in its simplicity and humility, 
 sending forth its rich perfume through the air, while 
 growing so humbly at our fe6t.) Here I was allowed to 
 ramble at pleasure through these scenes of romance and 
 beauty, constantly attended by my brother, who was two 
 years older than myself, and sometimes a number of boys 
 and girls would join us in our rambles over the bluffs and 
 through the lovely valley. We have often spent half a day 
 at a time in one of these rambles. 
 
 One day, when returning from a stroll, our baskets laden 
 with flowers, our party concluded to stop and make a play- 
 house in the back yard under some large shade trees. At 
 this proposition all hearts swelled with delight. We had 
 all had a nice ramble, and we would all have a good time 
 building a play-house. Tlie boys hurried about, hunting 
 and collecting pieces of boards w^hich had been used on for- 
 mer occasions. They then put up the house as best they 
 could, suiting the taste of us girls very much. They would
 
 KKONTIKK I. IKK. 9 
 
 call out occasi(Hially, "Well, irirl>. 1i<>nv will this doT' 
 **IIuwwill that hioki It is thti hest we can do iiuw; hut 
 Avheii we grow to he men I think we will heat it, as we 
 shall be provide<l hetter with tools ami liniiher; hesides, we 
 shall have nails and all those sort of thin*; whieh will enable 
 lis to build in the rii^ht way." The girls would res]>ond, 
 *'You have done well; the house is sj)lendid; you are 
 Urst-rate In >use-l »ui Iders." 
 
 AVe girls were busy with our little hands })icking up all 
 the bits of broken ware in the shape of old tlower-pots, tea 
 pots, etc., to put our flowers in, so that we could decorate 
 our shelves. We soou got our house in order. Then came 
 an important thing for me to do. It was for me to go and 
 get mother's consent to take my nice tea-ware whieh my 
 father had presented to me only a few days before. As 
 soon as this was mentioned my heart throbbed with delight 
 and I exclaimed, '*I'll go, girls; ma will let me have them, 
 and some cake, fruit and cheese, and then we can have tea 
 just like old folks I '' I bounded away to the house, and 
 found my mother in the sitting room. She cast her ex- 
 pressive blue eyes U|)on me, and with her usual kindness, 
 asked, "What are you in sueh haste for ^ I hope nothing 
 unjjleasant has occurred." 
 
 "Oh, no; dear mother," I re})lied, *• 1 have come to ask 
 your leave to use my nice tea dishes that pa gave me the 
 other day; and then, ma, 1 want some cake, some cheese 
 and sauce, so that we can have tea in our play-house, the 
 boys have built us one; do come and see it ma! " "Oh, no. 
 dear," my mother replied, ''the boys might run away if 
 they shoidd see me coming; here are your things, go, now, 
 and enjoy yourselves, be careful of your tea ware, and 
 bring them Inick safe." With this counsel from my 
 mother, I started awav j^reatlv delighted. The bovs and 
 <rirls met me, savinir, "Oh, we knew V(Mir ma wouhl let
 
 10 KECOLLECnONS OF 
 
 Tou have them, she is so kind." The table was made of a 
 board on fom^ forks; a cloth was spread, and the dishes 
 neatly arranged, and our cake, cheese and friiit were placed 
 on the largest plates, the tea-kettle was boiled, our tea 
 drawn, and then we were all ready to be seated. As we 
 were sitting down, one of the party hit one of the forks 
 which supported the table, and down went our dishes, tea, 
 cake and cheese, all at one sweep. Some of us caught the 
 ends of the cloth preventing the dishes from falling to the 
 ground, so that the dishes were not broken, and of course 
 no great damage was done- 
 It l^ing too late by this time f«:»r us to go through the 
 ceremony again, we dispersed with the hope c»f having a 
 tea out of the nice teaware some other time. As my 
 brother and I approached my mother with our dishes all in 
 a muss, she said, "Ah, my dear children, I feared you 
 would not enjoy all that you anticipated. This life is full 
 of disappointments, and you must try and prepare your- 
 selves for them; I hope and pray that you may have 
 patience, resignation and grace to l>ear them." 
 
 Time with its swift wings has lx)rne me along, but has 
 not erased from my mind many scenes, some pleasant, and 
 some of a more serious nature. One that I will relate now 
 is of the earthquakes that were felt so severely in Kentucky 
 in the years of 1S12-13. We had read and heard of earth- 
 quakes, but had little idea that we should know by experi- 
 ence what it meant to feel the earth quake and totter and 
 roll under our feet, but it was so. 
 
 One day, in the beginning of the winter of 1812, after 
 spending the day in play, I retired for the night, first say- 
 ing the prayer my mother had taught me — 
 
 " Now I lay me do\ni to sleep, 
 I pray Thee. LorcL my soul to keep; 
 And if I die before I wake. 
 I pray Thee^ Lord, my soul to take,**
 
 FRONTIER I.IFK. 11 
 
 Tlit'ii tiK'kiiii^ me snuixly in iiiv little tiMni(ll(-ln'<l, mv kind 
 kind motlier, who was ever watc'hin«; over me like ji «^uar- 
 iliaii angel, bent over me and naid, '' Now, clear, go to 
 tsleep.'' After commenting on tlie uncertainty of life and 
 tlie certainty of deatli, she turned away and left me to re- 
 flect u])on what she liad said to me. While reflecting, I 
 fell asleej), (Mnuforting myself that God would hear my 
 ]>rayers. I realized nothing more until about midnight, 
 when I was anmsed with very strange feelings. I was roll- 
 ing to and fro in my bed, not knowing the cause of the 
 motion, .lust then my mother came to my bed and caught 
 me u}> in her arms, saying, " My dear Lizzie, this is an 
 eartlnjnake, and I fear the earth will open and take us in! 
 This slinws the power of llim who made the heavens and 
 the earth. It is the God I teach you to })ray to." Just 
 then my father approached us and addressed my mother 
 witli: "'Madam Lyon,' I think we had better go out of 
 the house. It reels and shakes so I fear it will tumble 
 d<»wn. A number of those in the chamber have been 
 tlirowii from their beds and have made their way into the 
 vard." When we trot out we found all the familv there, 
 both black and white, young and old, in their night clothes. 
 Some were holding on to the trees; others were hanging to 
 them. Those who could not keep their feet were rolling 
 to an<l fro on the jrnjund like lo^rs. All was consternation. 
 Some of them could not understand the cause of this com- 
 motion. :iim1 thought that tlie Judgment Day had come. 
 Kiehard, the black j>reacher, remarked, ''If dis yere be de 
 Judgment Day, I shall soon see my bressed Lord an' 
 Mas'rl" Others exclaimed, '• ( )li. Lord! b«' nuTciful to 
 me, a sinner." My father reasoned with us all on the sub- 
 jeet and told us what he thought was the cause. " But I 
 know not what will be the result," sai<l he. - I havt- n-ad 
 of the earth opening, and jktsoiis and even houses falling
 
 12 KECOLLECTIOXS OF 
 
 in. Tliat may liappen to us now, but I hope not.'' Even 
 my father, with all his philosophy and firmness, was 
 fritrht-ened. By degrees the quaking and shaking of the 
 earth l)ecame less severe, and suon the crashing sound died 
 awav into a rumhlin"; like distant thunder. And, oh I how 
 thankful we all were to tind all alive, without the least 
 injury. 
 
 But this was not the happy result everywhere. At 
 a number of places on the Mississippi the earth had 
 opened, and many persons were engulfed. Friends of 
 these unfortunate persons hastened to rescue them by 
 diorcfinor them out, but after succeedincr to 2^et them out 
 they were found to be mangled and dead, so that they 
 were only taken from the earth to be replaced again. 
 Some were never found, to receive burial; houses were 
 shaken to atoms, and some were thrown into the river. 
 The houses in our village were not seriously injured, 
 chimneys were tllro^^^l do^vn, only, and other occurences of 
 similar nature happened here and there. But this put 
 people in such a state of alarm that all were reading, 
 , talking and reasoning on the subject of Earthquakes. It 
 was thouofht that the sink-holes in the river near us 
 2)revented us from feeling a heavier shock in Colwell 
 County, as there could be seen something like smoke rising 
 fi'ome these holes after the earthquake took place, which 
 was never seen l)efore. Slight trembling of the earth was 
 felt once in two or three weeks for a year afterward, but 
 never so severelv as at first.
 
 fi;«».niii;k- i.im . 13 
 
 CllAPTEll 11. 
 
 TIIK (JAKDKN, AM) TIU: CiAliDKNEIi. 
 
 Thk gjirdeiier was, at the time I write of, a man alxnit 
 forty years of age, an Englishman by birth, and in tlie 
 beginning of the Kevohitionary War liad fought under tlie 
 British tlag. lie was on l)oard a man-of-war, they landed 
 on an island for the purpose of getting some wood. lie 
 with others was sent out, and, for some reason, sto})})ed 
 longer than the rest, and the man-of-war sailed without 
 him. The reason why he was left, we leave the reader to 
 conjecture. He never could endure the idea of being 
 called a deserter. He remained on the island for a number 
 of days, an<l was picked uj) by an American vessel; after- 
 terwards enlisted and fought under the banner of libert}-, 
 and fought like a good soldier for the rights of an Ameri- 
 can citizen, and through the mercy <»f (Tod was ])ermitted 
 to enjoy tlmsi* ]>i-ivili'gt's fm- nianv years, I'oi- reasons 
 unknown lie never married. After the war had closed he 
 was ]>rovi(kMitially directcjl to my father for emyl<yment. 
 He was a naiU'r l>y ti-ade; all the nails used in AiihtIcji at 
 that time were made of wrought in^n. They were manu- 
 fjictured thus, first the iron was made int^) a rod bv
 
 14 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 putting it throiigli a slitting machine made for this pur- 
 pose. My father having one of these machines in effective 
 operation, he coukl give the old " General Whitehouse " 
 (a fictitious name which the workmen on the place called 
 him on account of his superior work, and the name was 
 borne by the old gentleman to his death) steady employ- 
 ment. He, " Uncle General," as the children called him, 
 became an inmate of my father's family for many years in 
 Vermont, and when my father emigrated to Kentucky he 
 accompanied him, and made one of that colony comj^rising 
 the citizens of the Yankee village. For a number of years 
 he supplied the community with the best of wrought nails 
 with peculiar nice heads and sharp points; but the old 
 gentleman became satisfied that the new mode of making 
 nails was about to suj^ersede his business, and soon gave it 
 up. He now directed his attention to another kind of 
 employment. He had been trained in his youth to garden- 
 ing, and thinking he might still be useful in this line of 
 business, my father employed him to improve and to 
 cultivate his already large and beautiful garden. To 
 facilitate this, and to gratify the old General, my father 
 had a neat little home built at the foot of the garden; 
 furnished it with many comforts and conveniences for him. 
 He was supplied with money, and a conveyance to 
 travel over the country and purchase flowers, finiit and 
 shrubbery wherever he could And them, and whatever kinds 
 of plants that would be useful and ornamental ; and he was 
 a workman to be prized, I assure you. Everything was 
 done in order and in due season; he was in the garden 
 early and late ; there was not a weed to be seen, and every 
 bed was made of earth molded as tine and soft as earth 
 could be made; all seeds were gathered in due time, dried 
 with care, put into a neat bag, marked, and placed in a 
 dry place ready for use in the spring.
 
 KKn.MIKK MFK. 15 
 
 *' rncle (leneral " was verv kind to us childivii, and when 
 ill a j)leasant liiniior liked the appellation which the ehihlreii 
 liad given him. Jhit if, mi the contrary, he was not in a 
 pleasant mood, he would cry out, '*()hl you r«)«>;ues. I will 
 give you 'Uncle (xeneral, ' if you don't keej) your dis- 
 tance." And we knew it was time f(»r us to scamper off. 
 Jiut, oh I what hours of pleasure 1 have spent, ramhling 
 throui^h that <z:arden with mv brother, and sometimes with 
 -other })laymates, and *• Uncle CTeneral " at our side. We 
 never dared to enter the garden with(jut his permission. 
 He w<uild lead ns to the rose alley and let us pluck roses 
 from this and that Inish until we had got one of each 
 kind; then we would proceed to the pink alley, thence to 
 gather the violets, chamomile, sweet lavender, flowering 
 moss, and so on, till we would have a basket full of flowers 
 for ourselves and friends. Then we would go to one of the 
 arbors, covered with jessamine, woodbine and grape vines, 
 as suited our taste or convenience. These arbors were scat- 
 tered all through the garden, and after we had arranged 
 our bofpiets, rested and regaled ourselves with the sweet 
 odor of the fl(jwers, '* Uncle General '' would allow us to 
 race after the butterfly or humming-bird, and wdiile we 
 enjoyed ourselves in the chase, we would always And him 
 near us. 
 
 Often, while leaning with much dignity over his hoe, he 
 would teach us some useful lesson from objects around us. 
 On one occasion he called our attention thus: " Dear chil- 
 dren; see yonder, how graceful that humming-bird poises 
 above that flower, and how skillfully it extracts the sweets 
 from its very heart, with peculiar, tiny bill. There, it has 
 left that flower to go to another. Now, you cannot see any 
 difference in the a})pearance of the flower it has extracted 
 the sweets from, the work, of its tiny bill has been effected 
 so skillfully; but by to-morrow, perliaps, the flower will
 
 16 KEC()LLE(;TI<)^'S (.)F 
 
 sliow siitns of decay, and dav after dav it will be more vis- 
 ible. until it finally withers and dies. But, see liere, chil- 
 dren; here is a well-furnied capsule, tilled with numerous 
 seeds. They will ripen as the flower decays, and when they 
 fall to the ground will vegetate and l)ring forth another 
 beautiful flower in the other's place to lill the air with its 
 rich perfume. Xow, dear children, here is a good lesson 
 to be learned from this, if we would but profit by it. 
 Time, with her sharp sickle, like the humming-bird, is strik- 
 ing all these frail systems of ours, and daily we feel more 
 or less its power, and ere we are aware of it the fatal stroke 
 is given, and we, like the flower, will droop and die. But 
 still there is hope in the death of the righteous. While the 
 body dies and is committed to the earth, there to lie and 
 mold until God who formed all things shall reanimate this 
 sleeping dust and recall those immortal spirits that they 
 may be reunited in the majesty and glory of the Tlesurrec- 
 tion. Oh I solemn thought, we shall all be there to share 
 in the judgment of the just and the unjust.-' 
 
 Tlius he often labored to make good impressions on our 
 Youncr minds in rec^ard to the shortness of life and the cer- 
 tainty of death. In this way our interviews would close 
 with a promise if we would be good children we should 
 enjoy these privileges again soon. Then he would see us 
 to the gate, then he would close it, and no one dared open 
 it without his permission. Away we ran with our load of 
 flowers, feeling that our hearts were profitably affected by 
 this interview. Uncle General in a few years became very 
 feeble with rheumatism, but as long as possible he would 
 be in the garden. When he was unable to do his work a 
 a man was employed to take his place, but often the 
 '' General" would grow impatient with William's \\ork and 
 would say, '* Let me come and do that, I can do it better." 
 And time and again I have seen him work when he was
 
 KKONTIKK I.IKK. 17 
 
 scarcely able to stand, and liave |>lca<l wltli him to let Wil- 
 liam do the work, " he can d»» it vcrv well;*' sinnetimes I 
 ^ould ])revail u}>on him, and other times I w«>nld not. For 
 a nnniber of years before tlie deatli of my parents, he 
 became so intirm that lie could not join tiie family at the 
 table, so I genei-ally had the pleasure «»f carrying to him his 
 food, in liis own little house. Here he was very comforta- 
 ble and happy; his furniture consisted (»f a table, a large 
 trunk in which he kept his tools, another smaller one for his 
 clothes; my mother always saw that his linen was done 
 up in order for him, he was remarkably neat in everything; 
 his neat cot bed was always in perfect order, which he pre- 
 ferred to make up himself; the old fasliioned sliovel and 
 tongs stood in the corner on the newly painted brick heartli, 
 in a very precise manner, a large arm chair well cushioned, 
 and a foot stool, a small shelf placed over a low^ window 
 with a few volumes of old fashioned books and the Bible, 
 summed up his library; all these comprised his household 
 comforts. Many hours have I spent in that little house, 
 reading to him the word of life, as he called the contents of 
 the ])recious Bible. Again T would read from some other 
 book, an interesting story. Sometimes he would tell war 
 stories to myself, brother, and our associates, who would go 
 there often to hear them. 
 
 In this way things moved on for a number of years 
 without much change, except that he grew so feeble, that 
 lie ceased to labor entirely, he in the meantime lost his 
 hearing, so that if one wished to convey anything to him, 
 they were obliged to write on a slate which he kept hanging 
 on the back of his chair. In this manner I have conversed 
 with him, and he would invariably remark, ''Is it lujssflde 
 that this is the little rosy cheeked girl that used t<> [>rance 
 about the garden, and cull the flowers and j)ick the fruit 
 with such irlee^' Onedav, at the close of such an inter-
 
 18 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 view, I replied, "Yes; Uncle General, it is the same, with 
 but the changes that time has wrought; how well do I 
 remember the many useful lessons you taught me and mv 
 brother, and to-day I deeply realize the lessons you taught 
 us from the pink and humming-bird, and Time has come 
 already, with his sharp sickle, and thrust his last blow on 
 my dearly beloyed brother, and must I say it? he is no 
 more.'- "Alas I alas;" he said, "is it so? Can it be possible that 
 your brother who was the very picture of health ; the pride 
 of the village, dead? he that was to be the stay and com- 
 fort of his parents' declining years, ah ; yes he was like that 
 flower just unfolding its fragrance to the earth. And he 
 must be called fi-om earth; — just twenty-one years old — 
 biding fair for so useful a life; can it be possible! Why 
 could not the enemy have chosen me for its victim, and 
 spared him. And the tears ran down his time worn cheeks 
 until every furrow was drenched. In silence we wept 
 for some time ; he at length broke the silence by saying, 
 ^' Well my dear child. Time, like an ever-rolling stream, bears 
 all her sons away. It will soon be my time, I'm ready and 
 willing, I await my change, and hope, through the atone- 
 ment made by my blessed Lord, to share in the resurrection 
 of the just." iSTot many months passed before a procession 
 passed the house bearing my mother's corpse; he 
 requested the colored man who attended him to bring him 
 his chair, as he could not walk, that he might gaze upon 
 my mother's face once more. His request was granted; 
 the procession halted, that he might be raised up to the 
 bier. When he saw my mother's face, so still and cold, 
 what an expression of feeling there was upon his features, 
 — I cannot describe the scene. At last he lifted his eyes 
 all bathed in tears toward heaven, and murmured, " Dear 
 Lord, am I to out-live all this family? I desire to be called 
 to rest, but patiently will I await Thy call, my Master, to
 
 FRONTIKK 1,1 FK. 19 
 
 come up higher." Oiilv ;i fi'w weeks elapsed, iiikI tinu- 
 iiiiide tlif last stroke on his frail body. The iMessiMi«^er 
 called him to rest, and we hope he entered into that rest 
 
 that he st> mnch desired. 
 
 (> *?!«• 'ii^ ^A^ 'S^i^^i^ *'Ai' ^/V:"7^'/i 
 
 i^ •i'l'J* 'i'^'^ '7ii' ^/, .'{•'^i^^A'? 'i'i^ 'S'j 
 
 J^l^ ^!>^^»^^; '^ ^\!;^ ,}t^ ^f^ ^1 
 
 ^^'/!. v>'4» »^^^ ^^^''^ v^'<^''^ vV^^^'.^^'
 
 20 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 CHAPTEE III 
 
 EARLIEST RECOLLECTIONS OF METHODISM AND ITS INFLUENCE 
 
 ON ME. 
 
 Having given the reader some ideas of my earlier 
 associates, I ^-ill now tell yon something of the religious 
 influences which sun-ounded me, and the influences 
 which were calculated to lead me into vain amusements 
 and pleasures of a fashionable life. My father 
 was a man who the world called, at that age, a kind- 
 hearted, ofenerons, noble minded deist. He believed in an 
 all-wise Creator and preserver of the universe, was a 
 worldly minded, Ijusiness man, all absorbed in promoting 
 the interest and improvement of the new country — Ken- 
 tucky, where he had lately settled a large colony. He 
 thought the preaching of the gospel had a tendency to 
 improve the moral condition of society, and therefore 
 contributed liberally to the support of the ministry, — 
 treating them all with kind respect, no matter to what 
 denomination they belonged. Ministers were always 
 invited to his home, and treated hospitably, and seldom 
 went away without a nice present; but when they ventured 
 to bring the great truths of the gospel to bear upon his
 
 FlinNTIKK r.IFK. '21 
 
 miiul lie would s:iv, *' Mv (U';ir sir. 1 lia\t* no tlinv to think 
 i»f this matter now; hut vou <rn (Mi your way, the cause 
 you work ft»r is a i^ood one, and I will hel]> you all 1 can/' 
 He always attended ser\iees (»n the Sahhath, and desired 
 his work-hands to j'o; at some seasons of the vear his 
 workmen and tlieir families would make (piite a large 
 audience. Yet he knew nothing of the saving influence of 
 the gos}>el until in his last illness. Although he died 
 away from home, from what we learned of the state oi his 
 mind, we have hopes in his death. 
 
 My mother was a daughter of Cioverner Thomas Chitten- 
 <lon, the first «j:overnor of the State of Vermont. lie was 
 re-elected until he served in that office fifteen years. lie 
 was a very ])ious man, and raised his children very strictly, 
 ^ly mother Mas therefore the subject of early religious 
 imj>ressions, hut as she entered upon lights and shades of 
 life she lost in a measure these good impressions, and 
 hecame a gay fashionable woman, and enjoyed life to its 
 fullest extent if ever any woman did. She was first in 
 society; first in dress, and, being a handsome woman, was 
 very much admired, both foi* her style of dress and neat- 
 ness of housekeeping. Her intelligence, together with an 
 amialde disposition, won for her the love and confidence of 
 ^]] who made her ac<piaintance. 
 
 Thus she cflided alonj^ life's stream, till she was nearlv 
 forty-seven years of age. At that late period the Lord in 
 mercy powerfully awakened her, she saw her danger, — 
 sought at once, and found the Lord in the pardon of her 
 sins. Uniting witli the Methodist E. P. church, she ever 
 afterwards lived a constant, humble christian, serving the 
 Lord in S]>irit and in truth, always ready for any good 
 work or words. I l)eing her youngest child (then nine years 
 old) she seemed particularly interested in me, yet slie 
 earnestly prayed for those with whom she had associated in
 
 22 RErOLLECTIOXS OF 
 
 the ball-room, at the card-tahle, and in all the other 
 amusements of fashionable life. Oh, how often did she 
 exhort them to lav aside snch vain pleasures, and to seek 
 real f)leasure in the religion of Jesus, Thev would say^ 
 ''Dear mother, you used to enjoy such amusements." "Ah,, 
 my dear children,'- she would say, " I feel this reproof, and 
 I'm yery sorry I ever set you the example, for those same 
 amusements always left a sting — there was an aching spot 
 in my heart they could not touch, and now I see the folly 
 of it ; therefore, mj dear children, be persuaded to abandon 
 them, and place your affections on a more worthy object; 
 don't waste the prime of your life in these yain enjoyments 
 as I haye done, but seek the Lord — why will you delay? 
 wall you be lost, dear children ? " Often has she thus plead 
 with them, but with little success, as they still continued 
 in the same course. 
 
 As I grew older, they tried to lead me and my youngest 
 brother in the habit of doincr the same by sayincr, "There is 
 no use of children trying to be religious; wait until you 
 get as old as mother, then it will do to be sober, leave off 
 dressing fashionably, going to balls, being gay, and enjoy- 
 ing life. To be any body, you must act like the world* 
 dress like the world, and make a good appearance. If you 
 wish to be respected, this you must do, so come, you must 
 go with us this time anyhow." These brothers and sisters 
 were older than us, my parents having lost two children 
 between us and the older ones, leaving a difference of 
 twelve years. We, being so much younger, were taught to 
 love and obey them, while they in return loved and 
 caressed us; thus it was a difficult matter for us to think 
 they did wrong; they exerted a great influence over us 
 either for good or evil. 
 
 This younger brother and I were always together in 
 all amusements; he led me to school, to church, and when
 
 KKONTIKK \AVK. 23 
 
 we liad ;i raniMe in the woods nr a race in tlie garden, he 
 was always hy my side. Oh, huw it ])ained my yunng 
 heart when I learned he mnst leave me and go away to 
 college. He had made such rapid progreBB in his studies 
 at the school that he was ready for college, — the first and 
 only one, at that time, in the state. It was situated near 
 Kusselville; I think I remember the Principal's name, Mr. 
 Harry. Yes, he must leave, and we were to ])e separated 
 for the tirst time. This was the first heartfelt sorrow I 
 remember having felt. How well I recollect how noble 
 and manly he looked dressed in his traveling suit for the 
 journey. He leaned over me, his face covered with tears, 
 and kissed me saving, '' Dear sister, don't weep so, brotlier 
 is only going to school, to gain knowledge that he might 
 be useful," and then imprinting an<^ther kiss upon my 
 cheek, he was gone. 
 
 My mother, knowing the influence wliich my older 
 brothers and sisters had over me, strove to counteract it by 
 her pious examples and religious instructions. She was 
 always at my bedside to teach me how to pray and 
 commit myself to the care of Him who doeth all things 
 well. I had such confidence in her ]>iety that if there 
 were a severe storm and I was near her J tin Might I was 
 safe. I believed the L(jrd would take care of her and 
 hoped he would me, for her sake. At the age of five years 
 she dedicated me to the Lord through the ordinance of 
 baptism administered by the Rev. Dr. P. Cartwright. 
 How solemn 1 felt when he laid his hand u])on my head 
 and said, "(rod bless the chihl," and I believe the Holy 
 Spirit sealed those imprcss'ons on my heart at that time 
 which have never been erased. l>rother Cartwright was 
 then a young mnn in tlie field, j^reacliing with zeal for the 
 salvation of })reciou8 souls, and whatever he did w^as sealed 
 witli the spirit of Ood. I saw him baptise scores of
 
 24: RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 cliildren durini; the threat revival in Kentuckv, and tliere 
 wa> a lioly nnction of the spirit of God resting on the 
 minister, the subjects and the congi'egation. Oh, how I 
 wish our ministers of the present day would use that 
 ordinance in the conofreo^ation now as thev did then. I believe 
 it would be a blessing to the children, the parents, the 
 church, and to the world o-enerallv. Brother CartAvi-iorht's 
 preaching, with the kind instructions he gave me while 
 \i siting at my father's, made lasting impressions upon my 
 mind. He received my mother into the church. Father 
 often remarked to lier, " You must take care of that Boy 
 Preacher, for he is too smart and too good to want for 
 anything we have." She generally attended to that. His 
 preaching was the means of bringing many souls into the 
 ark of safety. AVhile at Eddyville he formed a class, and 
 put lh-<)t]ier Icider in as leader, who was a holy, humble 
 christian; there was father and mother AA^iite, who 
 lived at Eddygrove. who came down and joined us. and 
 oh I what power attended those meetings. I have seen 
 Mother AVhite Ivins: on the floor, crvino^, -^^Glorvl calory I *' 
 for huurs. Others happy in the Lord, some crying for 
 mercy, and new-born souls rejoicing in a sin pardoning 
 God. At those meetings I felt the spirit striving \\^thin 
 me, yet so young I scarcely comprehended it. 
 
 This class prospered for many years, and great good 
 was done. But eventually Brother Eider moved away, 
 while Father and Mother AVliite died (and no doubt went 
 to heaven\ with the others movino- awav and dvins:. left 
 the wicked who waxed strong; the class was broken up, 
 and there was in.) more preaching fur years. My mother 
 joined a class in what was called father Heed's neighbor- 
 hood, some live miles from our village. Tliere I used to 
 go with my mother to meeting, and the same power was 
 manifested there, as there alwavs is when Christians live
 
 IKo.Nlll.K I. 
 
 liumMy ami devoted tn (ind. Tlie sj»irit of (?<»<! hiruve 
 witliin mv heart iiiuUt tlie |>ri':icliiii«^ >in<l in tlie clas.ss- 
 rooni witli her, ami tlu-rr 1 \\(»ul<l promise (if the Lord 
 woidd help me) t«> ti'v an<l he a Christian; hut when 1 
 Would return hinne 1 was thrown into such a dilferent 
 atm(>s}>liere and the intluenee of those friends who were 
 all absorbed in the world, fashion and amusements, l)eing 
 So young and fond (.>f eomj)any, that ere I was aware of it 
 "would find my good resolutions shaken. 1 would he 
 persuaded to go to some elegant hall, oi* join some giddy 
 amusement which would dr(>wn all my good imj)ressions; 
 and if I ever hesitated, they would say, "I do believe 
 mother will make a Methodist of you if you don't (juit 
 going out to old Mr. Heed's; we will not let you go out 
 there any more." I could not bear to see dear mother go 
 so far alone to meeting, and g<» she would whether any one 
 went with lier or not, and 1 would go with her, whether 
 they liked it or not. I was confident she was right. 
 (Jften liave I heard her ])raying in lier closet, beseeching 
 God, saying, "Dear Lord, may I not luive one slieaf to 
 rejoice over." Then I felt that she hail reference to me, — 
 it W(»uld be borne home to my heart. I would weep as I 
 would reason with myself, — how can I be a christian under 
 these circumstances — such op})onents to contend with; yet 
 I feel that my mother is right, 1 know if she should die 
 she would go to hea\en; but should my other friends die 
 they wo\dd die without ho])e, and so would I. too, for I 
 have no h<»}>e beyon<l the grave. And again I would 
 res(»lve t<» be a (•hri>tian, and w<»uld try to pray. My 
 mother watched me closely when she saw 1 was laboring 
 under these good resolutions; she would exhort me to trust 
 in the Saviour, and try to explain to mi* the j»ower of 
 saving faith, telling me it was by grace thn»ugh faith we 
 are saved. Shr would i^ivt* me good book> to rea<l. such lus
 
 26 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 the life of "' Hester Ann Kogers," " Baxter's Call to the 
 Unconverted," also "Fletcher's A23peal." These good 
 books strengthened my good impressions, and at times I 
 tliought I was altogether persuaded to be a christian. 
 
 I recollect once when I was laboring nnder these convic- 
 tions, there was a grand ball to be given. On the 
 announcement of it I resolved in my own mind that I 
 would not go, and almost promised my mother I would not 
 go. But when the invitations came, my brothers and 
 sisters prevailed upon me to go, by saying that as my 
 young brother was at home on a visit and was going that I 
 must go, too ; and holding out other inducements that they 
 would arrange my dress, and it should be the most elegant 
 which would be worn; if I would but consent to go, I 
 should have no trouble with it; that my brother would be 
 very proud of me, — this they thought would touch the 
 right cord, knowing as they did that I dearly loved my 
 brother, and would do anything to please him. Reasoning 
 that there was no harm in dancing, and that some religious 
 people danced, — no ministers preached against it but the 
 Methodist, "And I wish," they said, "they had never came 
 here, then we could take some comfort in our balls. So 
 come now, promise to go, there is no harm in it, will you?" 
 At last I told them if mother would give her consent I 
 would p-o. They were inconsistent enouf^h to ^o and ask 
 her. She told them she was greatly surprised that they 
 should ask her consent for she had neve?' given her consent 
 for me to go, and felt much less like giving it now than 
 ever, and if I went it would be much against her will; that 
 I was old enough now to act upon my own responsibility. 
 My brother said he had never been to balls much, and as 
 he was home on a visit, thought he would go. They all 
 •said I must go. 
 
 No one, but He who knows the thoughts of every hearty
 
 KKoN'lIKK I.IKK. 'J 4 
 
 knew how I felt. I dearlv loved niv Itotlicrs and sifiterK; I 
 loved my iiiotlier, and I did not wish to «^rieve lier, ami 
 dreaded the guilt I would incur hy gointr, jind yet I had not 
 the moral courage to resist their entreaties, and so conchideil 
 to go, but thought in my own mind I would not danct*, 
 and thus please them all, and in this manner I coidd get 
 along without incurring much guilt. Hut when mother 
 learned that I had consented to go, she looked sad and 
 seemed depressed in spirits. I wished a thousand times I 
 ha<l not ccjnsented to go, hut the tem})ter said, ''It is too 
 late now to re])ent, you have promised to go, and if you do 
 not, you will incur a great deal of displeasure. You need 
 not dance, but go, and behave with so much dignity that it 
 will do you no harm." Thus the tempter reasone<l with 
 my ])oor young heart. I did not realize that he couM so 
 lead me when he (nice got me on his own ground. The 
 evening came; I was arrayed in style; a number of y»)ung 
 persons were there to accompany us. As my brother 
 approached me I saw an expression of ])ride on his counte- 
 nance as he looked upon the sister he loved so much. 
 Just then mother entered the room with a look of grief 
 resting upon her face. I shall never forget that look, when 
 she said, " My dear children, if you will go to this ball I 
 have one re<|uest to make, which I hope you will grant, aiul 
 that is, that you will return by ten o'clock." "Oh yes, yes 
 mother,'' replied my brother, " we will.'' I said "yes," too, 
 as frankly as he did, and little thought but what 1 should 
 do so without a doubt. 
 
 Brother had never paid so much attention to dancing as 
 I luul, and consec^nently did not care so much for its gi<l<ly 
 maze. I had ])racticed it a great deal for one of my age, 
 and was extremely f<tnd of it, and wondered that I <lare<l 
 to venture under the sound of the violin, as its music had 
 ench an enchanting jH.wei- over nie. Ibit I wish the
 
 28 rp:collkctions of 
 
 reader to understand tliat I was venturing in mv own 
 strengtli ; I knew notliing of the power of faith — in prayer 
 — strength derived from a sweet confiding trust in a sin- 
 pardoning God. 
 
 I liad no sooner entered the dancing; hall, under the 
 sound uf the violin, than my heart bounded to the music, 
 the same as I had so often danced after before, and there 
 joined the same circle of loved ones that I associated with 
 in this be^vitching amusement. The good resohitions my 
 young heart had made were overpowered, but I did muster 
 courage enough to refuse a number of warm solicitations to 
 lead in the dance, but at last I yielded and w^as led onto the 
 floor at the head of a cotillion. If I should attempt to 
 describe my feelings my pen would fail me ; but let me say ' 
 it was then I felt I was a sinner; yes, I do believe the spirit 
 of God at that moment reproached me with my sin and 
 made me see more clearly the sureness of the judgment to 
 come. I felt that I was sinning against God and my 
 better judgment; I knew I was doing what would grieve 
 one of the best of mothers; oh I how plain I could see her 
 face with that expression of grief on her mild feature> 
 before me as I glided over the floor. The wise man ha> 
 said, ''The way of the transgressor is hard." I felt at times 
 like crying out, "God be merciful unto me a sinner." 
 But I overcame those feelings, and so by degrees they 
 wore off, and I became more cheerful the remaining part 
 of the evening. All seemed to pass pleasantly with those 
 around me, yet I suffered from the inward workinjrs of a 
 guilty conscience. 
 
 At ten o'clock my dear brother came to me saving, 
 *' Sister, it is time we were starting for home, mother will 
 be looking for us; don't you rememl>er what she requested 
 of usf' " Yes, yes," said I, "and if it is ten oVdock I'll 
 go.'' A number of ladies and gentlemen overhearing our
 
 KKn.NTIKK MKK. '_'!♦ 
 
 Conversation reniarktHl, *•( )1 J. n»», 'tis not ten yet, ami we 
 h(»}>e you will not tro at this early hour, will you f" I 
 replied tliat I "must certainly »ir,» at ten." At that they 
 
 urrounde<l us and plead with us not to <r,,, savinj; as thev 
 each consulted their watches, **'Tis only nine oVh>ck.'' 
 They K>oke<l at my brother for an answer, hut he witlulrew, 
 Siiyin*,' to nio, -Sister. I shall i^o soon, and you had l>etter 
 i^o with me." I said, *' I will in half an hour." Then they 
 .<aid, '* Vou must stay till twelve, sure." At that, hrother 
 left me, and I saw no more of him that ni«;ht. When he 
 start e<l I luid no idea he would «:o home without me; so 
 when it was admitted to be ten o'clock I he«r»r«^Ml my older 
 
 >rother to go and find him. He sought him, i>ut 
 he had gone liome feeling very unha])}>y l>ecause I did 
 not g«> with him. This made me feel still worse, an<l the 
 rest of my company would not go till two o'chx'k. 1 
 strove to throw tliis trouble asi<le and remain, but ]>eeominir 
 unha})py, I went to one of my brothers an<l told him 
 that home I must and would go, I could not stay there any 
 longer. At that we starteil, seven or eight following us. 
 Those who had persuadeil me to remain said, " ^'ou have 
 broken up the ball at last ; I knew you W(.uld if you and 
 your comj>any left, as the rest would folhtw." 
 
 When we arrived home, to our surprise, we found the 
 doors l(X'ke<l. I assure you, dear reader, I felt awful, an<i 
 yet felt it servei^l me right, but did \u*t see how I could 
 endure this mortification. I thought my heart would 
 break. I knew Gu<l and my mother wei*e angry with me 
 pa>t forgiveness, or the doors would not liave Ikxmi l(K'ke<l. 
 The com]>any were ab<»ut starting for a liotel, when Mr. S. 
 (a y(»ung man who boarded with usi saiil, " If you will 
 permit me to take off a slat so tlmt I can u\ten the shutter, 
 I can then raise the windc^w and go in and unbolt tlie diK»r 
 f<»r the rest of vou.'' "Verv well," haid I, "that will do,**
 
 30 RECOLEECTIOXS OF 
 
 although I thouglit it k)oked bad to be forcing ourselves 
 into the house in tliis way, vet we had to get in, and 
 concluded this the only way to effect an entrance. We had 
 knocked at every door in the house but received no response 
 whatever. He succeeded in opening the door for us. After 
 entering we partook of the refreshments on the sideboard, 
 after which each one sought their o^tl apartment. I went 
 to my room, but not to sleep. I went to mother's 
 room, but on looking around the apartment for her could 
 see no sign of her. The bed had not been touched to all 
 appearances, and I came to the conclusion that mother was 
 away from home attending the sick, as she was often called. 
 Having fully settled this in my mind, and feeling better, 
 as I hoped she would never know how late it was when I 
 returned from the ball, I proceeded at once to the clothes 
 room to put my bonnet away. 'Not taking a light with me, 
 I stumbled on — my mother — who was on her knees j^raying. 
 I was sure it was her as soon as I touched her. On hearing 
 her voice in prayer I recovered from my shock, and dragged 
 my trembling limbs back to my room, and I thought I 
 should never get to it. As soon as I had reached it I 
 threw myself upon the bed, and in my agony cried out, 
 " Lord, have mercy on me," then gave way to a flood of 
 tears, and those tears relieved me of my intense pain. 
 Then I tried to pray, feeling there was no mercy for me 
 sinning as I had against God, grieving the Holy Spirit, 
 trifling with my soul, heeding not the good resolutions I 
 had made, and grieving my poor mother, — oh! these 
 thoughts, how terrible they were. You may imagine that 
 it was little rest I had the remainder of that night; but 
 after I had thought the scenes all over, I firmly resolved 
 never to be seen in a ball-room again; that I would go to 
 mother in the morning and acknowledge my faults, and 
 ask her forgiveness, and tell her of all my sorrow. This
 
 FKoN'riKR i.im;. .,i 
 
 I would do. and 1 ivsolved that, let <»tlit'rs do what they 
 "vvuulil, I should st'fk tlif Lord in the pardon of inv siiiK, 
 for I felt I would he lost and und<»n«' if I did not seek and 
 ji^ain ])ardon and •;raee to carrv out these resolutions. Thih 
 was the first time 1 trusted in the Lord's stren«;th, whieli I 
 had hefore resolved in niv own strength out of inv )»erfect 
 weakness. 
 
 After I had made these res()luti(»ns in the ^rarr ••[ (hkI, 
 I had faith given me to believe that (iod w<udd lielp me. 
 But how to approach my mother with my confession waa 
 the next tliinti^ to trouble me, t(» ])lan my duty was esisy, 
 but to do it was the ditiieulty. I had disrei^arded her 
 feelings in her religious views, civility, and social life; had 
 entered the liouse without her leave (as 1 supjK»se»l), and 
 how could 1 ap})roach her? (My mother intended to let us 
 in herself, but not hearing us, supposed alittle colored girl had 
 opened the door instead). However, I went to my mother 
 in the morning, and approached her with, " Mother, dearest 
 mother, can you forgive me? I feel that I have done 
 wrong, and am very, very sorry, and I have seriously 
 resolved never to go to another ball.'' I thought 1 should 
 sink at the mild, sad look she gave me, f(»r 1 had exjiected 
 sternness, and felt that I deserved a sevei-e relnike, but 
 instead of all this she clasped me in her arms, while warm 
 tears of forgiveness fell ujjon my face, and, imprinting a 
 kiss upon my cheek, she said, *' Yes, my child, I freely 
 forgive you, and I hope the Lord will forgive you, too, I 
 know you have sinned against His grace, and agiiinst your 
 own religious conviclions. ^'ow 1 hope and l>niy that 
 you will never d<j so again; I know you will not if y<»u 
 follow the dictates of the sj)irit, then you will l)e le<l to the 
 fountain which washes away all sin. Again she kissetl nie 
 saying, '' My dear chihl, give your heart entirely to (iod, 
 and then he will help you to overcome all temptuti«»ns."
 
 :^r2 KECOLLIX'TIOXS OF 
 
 Christians, nothing but the love of God shed abroad in 
 my heart could have given such joy and peace. It created 
 a strong hope that the Lord would forgive nie, I felt very 
 thankful to mother for her forgiveness and sympathy for 
 me, and more thankful to the Lord who had given me a 
 praying mother. Mothers, pray for your erring children 
 I entreat, and pray in faith, as a prayer in faith availeth 
 much. My mother's prayer was answered when she saw 
 that I was earnestly and devotedly seeking the ways of 
 the Lord. 
 
 How carefully she watched over me: often she \\'()uld 
 come and take a vain novel from my hand which had l)een 
 o-iven me to read, cjiven me bv some of mv friends, savino- 
 there was no harm in them, that T could read them ^Wthout 
 affectino; niA' relierion anv, and would be more interestincr 
 to me than ''Baxter's Call to the L'nconverted,'' and 
 '' Fletcher's Appeal," which were intended for old people 
 to read, and that those ron^ances were calculated to improve 
 and cultivate my mind. Oh I how AVTong, and it grieves 
 me to see how much novel reading is engaging the minds 
 of the young j^eople of the present time, not improving 
 the mind in godliness, l)ut stamping upon the mind 
 inhdelity. May the Lord have mercy and save the world, 
 and especially the church from these influences, when the 
 world is so full of good and profitable reading matter. 
 You may go in the parlor or library of any fashional)le 
 house, and there you will see the center table loaded with 
 these trifling, fi-ivolous books, graced with a few volumes 
 of religious works merely for good taste and looks of the 
 tiling, yet the poisoning seed of infidelity was at the 
 foundation. For this reason parents should be very careful 
 what kind of books they choose for their children to read. 
 Children, I fear many of you will have cause to say, 
 *'AVere it not for the reading I liad at home 1 should have
 
 FIMNTIKK LIFE. 
 
 :\:\ 
 
 been a Christian, instead of an nnl>elievi'r, witli niv lu-.-irt 
 as liard as a rock, and so indifferent about the nulvation of 
 mv never dvins: soul." 
 
 l/tHHHHHHHrdcLdcl^M 
 
 KP'P'rriPFPHHHr'Hfl
 
 34 KECULLKCTIONS OF 
 
 CHAPTER lY. 
 
 RELIGIOUS RESOLUTIOXS AND HOW THEY WERE PROSECUTED. 
 
 From the time my mother forgave me for going to the 
 ball, I resolved, by the grace of God, to be a Christian, and 
 these resolutions were made in the streno^th of crrace. I' 
 felt that I was a great sinner, but believed there was a 
 Saviour, and hoped he would reveal himself to me in 
 pardoning my sins. I discarded all novel reading, and read 
 the Bible, with other good books. I found great comfort 
 in reading "Baxter's Call to the Unconverted," and 
 "Fletcher's Appeal;" every word seemed to suit my case. 
 I wish those good books could be found now, on every 
 center-table or in every book-case. In every Christian family, 
 at least, there should be found those books, containing the 
 pure doctrines of the Gospel by our Lord and Saviour, Jesu> 
 Christ, portrayed in every line of holy men's writings. 
 How it glows in every sentence. I prayed much in secret ; 
 I waited on the Lord by the means of grace, whenever I 
 had the opportunity. There were no regular services held in 
 our village for years after the class dispersed that Brother 
 Cartwright had organized. He traveled through the upper 
 part of the State, except in the summer, when Brother Wil-
 
 KKoN'llKli 1.1 FK. MT) 
 
 cnx {i\ Methodist t'ldtT, lialf-lu'otluT t(> nrotht-r Cartwri^lit, 
 \\']u) resided within fifteen mih's «>f us, i came om-e n month 
 and j)reache<l us a sermon. He was a \erv devote<l Chris- 
 tian, and liis sermons were a t^^reat l>k'ssini; to me; he wan 
 ^ratitied to learn tliat I was an earnest seeker of ivli^ion, 
 and always made it a ]>oint to stoj) at my father's h<»uso 
 when he visited our villaii^e. He kindly labored with me, 
 teaching me the doctrine of faith, its great power, simpli- 
 city and importance, and I was no longer Jishamed to tell to 
 tlie world now, that I was a penitent sinner, and seeking the 
 grace of God. But I was afraid to make a j)rofession of 
 religion, while I was not yet sure of j)ossessing its saving 
 power. Mother and I still attended ''Father Reed's" class- 
 meetini^s, and thev were a i^reat hlessin*' to me; I never 
 came awav without feelinu: stren^'thened bv going to the 
 house of God's people, but had not yet faith to claim the 
 blessing of justification, and say that the Lord has saved 
 ine, or saves me now; yet I was in hopes that lie wouhl 
 save me, and this hope kept me fn»m despairing. 
 
 AVhile thus laboring in this state of feeling I strcjve to 
 give up all the amusements of the world, and discard dress- 
 ing finely, — which I had loved deiirly — and had lx>wed at 
 the shrine of fashion as much as any one possibly could. 
 My pride and vanity had been gratified in every respect. My 
 brothers were engaged in a dry goods esUiblishment, and never 
 failed when j>urchasing their stock to select for me the 
 newest and most -stylish articles of dress. Our family 
 dressed in the richest of apparel, and m<»\ed in the most 
 fashionable circles, and when my brothers saw me di*essing 
 so ])lainly they became very uneasy, and remarkiMl, "Those 
 MetlKKlists will certainly drive that child crazy. If she is 
 60 determined to be a Christian, whv not be Km! to a church
 
 36 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 where they allow dressing in style, and look and act some- 
 thing like the world; but no, it seems nothing will suit 
 but those terrible Methodists. Expect they will soon 
 liave her shouting." One tried to pi-^vent me from 
 attending the meetings by saying that, '' if he ever heard 
 me shouting, he would diso^sTi me; and if you go any 
 more I will give you a horse-whipping. Don't let me 
 catch you among them again." They had seen me at 
 Father Eeed's prayer-meeting. So my fi-iends went on 
 for some time in this manner. They would watch mother 
 and me so closely that we would hire the servants to slip 
 out the horses that we rode, and then we would go by some 
 by-road unbeknown to them. They tried to dissuade me 
 "by coaxing till they had nearly ruined my soul, and now 
 thev were trvino: what violent threats could do. But I was 
 
 «/ i CI 
 
 firm, and notwithstandincr all their coaxincr, hirinor and 
 threatening, they failed to accomplish their purpose. Xow 
 they held a council, and concluded they would send for a 
 very fashionable cousin of ours, who lived in Tennessee, t<;) 
 come and spend a few months with us. She had always 
 had a great influence over me ; thinking she could no doubt 
 turn me from Methodism, she was sent for at once, and 
 responded promptly. I was delighted to see her, for I 
 loved her dearly. She was a beautiful, intelligent, amiable 
 girl, and always loved me tenderly; when she came she 
 embraced me very warmly, telling me how happy she was 
 to see me. But in the meantime she remarked, with a 
 look of disapprobation overshadowing her face, " I have 
 been feeling very uneasy about your turning Methodist. 
 !Now cousin," she commenced, '' those people are turning 
 the world up side do\\ni, they are wild, and are driving 
 folks crazy wherever they go, and that is everywhere.
 
 FKoNTIKU I.IFK. I'm 
 
 Tliev dure <^() any |)luee; tliev cuiiiie iiit«j ChirkBville, om- nf 
 the most fasliionable places in tlie country, and c*)nnnenct'<i 
 preachiiii; their wikl ^lethodist doctrines, and the jk'oj.Ic 
 are all goinij^ cnizy under their intluence. Their c«uivfrts 
 tear off their rihhons, rutttes, and jewelry, and shout and 
 pray so that it is enou^^h to set one cnizy to hear them. 
 I ^o to hear them })reach sometimes, for I think their 
 ministers ai*e very intelli«^ent and gentlemanly in their 
 deportment, and explain the scriptures very plainly, but 
 when they l)eii:in to slujut and pray I retire as soon as 
 p(.)ssil)le. I don't wish to be influenced by them to throw 
 off my jewelry, fashionable dressin*;, and iri\e up e\ery 
 fashional>le amusement. I don't think it necessary to deny 
 oneself of everything to become a Christian, and they wont 
 allow even fashionable novels to be read; they say they 
 arc full of infidelity which is calculated to lead the min<l 
 from (rod and the interests of the soul, that they induce 
 the young to become vain and trifling in thought, and 
 wanting in manners. They advise us to read the BibK' and 
 Some other good religious books, which w«mld help to 
 make us Christians. I don't see why the Methodists need 
 to be so riirid on these little matters, when other churches 
 are not." "Cousin," I replied, '* I will tell you my 
 experience and my views on the subject. I l>elieve the 
 si>irt of the Lord and language of inspiration teach me 
 that it is wrouir to dress extravagantlv, for the blesse«| 
 AVord says, "Conf<»rm not to the world, but Ik.* ye tnins- 
 formed bv the renewinj; of vour mind, that ve may j»rove 
 what is gtKxl and acce])table in the sight of (i(k1," and I 
 think if the money used for extravagant dressing was 
 distributed among tlie neetiy, it would greatly ai<l in fiiMJing 
 and clothini: the hunirrv and naked, an<l woidd it not do us
 
 38 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 more good than tu spend it in fashionable di-essing which 
 only pleases our vanity and selUsh pride. I think every 
 one can dress plainly and neatly without spending so much 
 time, as it takes the greater part of our time to prepare and 
 put on this stylish apparel. I find I have more time tu 
 read the Bible and other o:ood books since I bejran to dress 
 more plainly. Xow, as to the preaching of these 
 Methodist ministers. They do certainly preach the pure 
 doctrines of the Bible, and it is brought home to every 
 heart by the spirit of God, and I do sincerely believe if I 
 follow the dictates of the blessed Spirit, I shall some day 
 be a Christian in deed and in truth." 
 
 " Oh, well, dear cousin," she replied, " I see you are well 
 established in this Methodist belief of yours, and that you 
 have decided to be one; so we will drop the subject for the 
 present." 
 
 This cousin remained with us some time, laboring to draw 
 my mind from these impressions, still admitting that it was 
 right to be a Christian, but it w as not necessary to be so 
 strict about dress, class-meetings, love-feasts and prayer- 
 meetings, and I am sorry to say she partially gained an in- 
 fluence over my mind on the subject of dress. This pleased 
 my friends; my brother told my cousin to spare no pains 
 nor means in accomplishing their object; that if there was 
 any new style of jewelry or clothing to be had, I was to 
 have it, and she succeeded well, too, in influencing me to 
 wear them again. She said if I did not feel a wicked pride 
 in wearing them, that there was no harm or sin in doing so. 
 I tried to think so, and often thought when I saw my friends 
 of different religious denominations, dressed in such fash- 
 ionable attire, why could not I ? but my conscience was not 
 at ease. My dear mother watched me closely during these
 
 FUONTIKi: 1.11 K. 39 
 
 jn-oceediii«^s. I did not neglect secret pniyer eiitinl 
 reading tlie iJihk', l>ut did not take snch delight in it iws 1 
 had dune l)efore; 1 was aware that I had nearly hack-hlitl- 
 den. My gay conipaniont^ heganto remark, (»ne to another, 
 "I told you she would come hack again tt» our gay circle; 
 we did miss her dancing so much.". 
 
 There was a great cam})-meeting to he held l)y the Metlu>- 
 distsand Cumberland Preshyterians, about twelve miles from 
 our place. They had held these revival cam])-meetings to- 
 gether, at this beautiful place, for a number of years, and 
 hundreds of souls had been converted on that sticnnl spot. 
 I have seen, as a general thing, five thousand j>ersons in 
 attendance, anil have witnessed more than two hundreil j>er- 
 sons prostrate, crying for mercy, with as many more giving 
 ]>raise to (-rod for the iKirdoiiing of their sins. 
 
 The time for this revival was close at hand; my mother 
 always attended, if her health w<uild permit, and took me with 
 lier. Father would not allow her to remain on the grounds 
 through the night, and procured us a boarding place with a 
 widow lady by the name of Walker, (Virginian by birth, ) who 
 lived about a mile and a half from the camp ground; she 
 generally went to the grounds at nine o'clock in the mt>rii- 
 ing and remained till nine in the evening, taking a nice 
 <linner, in a basket, which was served under the lH.*auti- 
 ful forest trees. It was understood that niotlier and 
 I were going. My cousin an<l other friends, insisted! 
 that I should not go, saying that it wjts not a tit or suitable 
 idace for a vouui; ladv. Thev dreade<l the influence of this 
 meeting on my mind, but mother insisted that I slumld go, 
 and tliey concluded it W(»uld not do to opjMJse her, so it was 
 determined that if I went, my cousin should accompany us, 
 thinking that she might keep me from jnining tin* pniyer-
 
 40 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 meetings. It was necessary to make great preparations ; all 
 the aristocracy were to go, and it wonld be a great place to 
 show off, and to make a grand appearance. So cousin set 
 herself about arranging our dress, a new hat, a few articles 
 of rich jewelry, with some new style of goods made up, to 
 add to my wardrobe; no expense or trouble was sj)ared to 
 make me appear fine, and we appeared on the camp ground 
 much to the satisfaction of this proud cousin. 
 
 My father was a candidate for congress this same year. 
 He was a political as well as a business man, and spent 
 about twelve years in congress. At that time camp-meet- 
 ings afforded a good opportunity for electioneering, by 
 bowing politely to this one and that one, shaking hands 
 warmly, and occasionally talking of the great business 
 matters which were to occupy the next congress, during 
 the intermissions; for this purpose my father went with us.-' 
 
 TVlien we arrived at the camp, Cousin said to me, '• Xow, 
 I hope you will not disgrace yourself and your friends by 
 going into those prayer-meetings; keep on the outside 
 among the ' genteel people,' then you will not come under 
 the influence of this fanaticism. We can hear the 
 minister just as well here as if we were nearer the altar, 
 where there is so much praying and groaning going on." 
 For the lirst day I adhered to her counsel; but let me tell 
 you, my dear reader, when I heard the groan of the heart- 
 stricken penitent, the fervent prayer of the righteous, the 
 shout of the new-born soul, it went to my heart like 
 electricity. I felt I had sinned, and come short of the glory 
 of God, and if I continued in that course my soul would be 
 lost and forever. I left the camp-meeting that evening as 
 miserable as I could possibly be. Mrs. Walker's house was 
 crowded with the aristocracy. I spent a sad night resolving I
 
 FRONTIKR UKK. JT 
 
 would take off my jewelrv ( fnr this cousin luul mo ailoniwl 
 with one or two hundrtMl dolhirs' worth nf jewelry), then 
 I wouKl put on a |>lain «,Mrh and join thi* prayer-circle an<l 
 confess my sins, and see if tlie Lord would lutt have mercy 
 upon me, and pardon nu'. Hut my heart faile<l me 
 in the morniuir; 1 dared not aj)pear at the hreakfast tahle 
 without my jewels, as I knew that I would incur ^rent 
 displeasure, and receive a re})roof from my father and 
 Cousin; st> I appeared as usual. Ihvakfast over, an<l we 
 were soon on the camp-ground. There had l)een a short 
 sermon, and now they were engat^nl in a pniyer-meeting. 
 Tlie i^round was covered with the slain of the L>rd, and 
 among them who were slain were a ^Ir. McAvoy, a wealthy 
 farmer who resided in that vicinity, and his wife. "Oh I'* 
 said ^Irs. AValker, "who would ever have thought Mr. 
 McAvoy would come to this. He has ])ersecuted these 
 Methodists so; he has said everything against them he 
 could think of. I bet^in to think there is more in this than 
 mere enthusiasm, or it would never affect them so greatly 
 — never throw them into aj^onv s»> entirelv unendunihle. 
 Do go and see them; they say they cannot live long in this- 
 state of mind. lie says he will go crazy or die if he does 
 not get to the camp-ground to ask the ministers and 
 people to pray for him." Mrs. McAvoy luwl l»een 
 religouslv inclined for some time, hut her husband would 
 not allow her to go to the meetings. Hut now, ti> see them 
 in such agony I AVlio Ciin account for it f It was, — it must 
 have been from the Lord. 
 
 AVe started toward the altar, where they were; welieanla 
 shout among them; Mrs W. remarked that she *'ho|)ed they 
 felt better." Just then we met a lady as happy as she 
 could be. "OhI'' sheexclaimed, "^fr. an<l >fr- ^[.• \v..v liavi^
 
 42 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 got religion ; the Lord has blessed them, and their sorrow 
 and mourning has been turned to joy ; they love everybody 
 now — the poor as well as the rich; bless and praise the 
 Lord for religion." AVe approached a little nearer; it seemed 
 everybody around them were rejoicing; not only the angels 
 in heaven rejoiced, but the children of God upon the earth 
 rejoiced over those converted souls that were justified by 
 a Saviour's blood, through a living faith. But my poor 
 heart was dark and gloomy. I wanted to get right down 
 there and ask the people to pray for me, but I dared not. 
 How heavy my jewelry felt; I thought it heavier than the 
 convict's chain, and gladly would I have shaken them off- 
 Just then the horn sounded for the public service, and oh I 
 what a congregation assembled; not less than six thousand 
 persons, and nearly all seated. Mr. Barnet ascended the 
 pulpit, read a chapter, sang a hymn, selected his text; it 
 was these words: ''Rejoice, oh, young man in the days of 
 thy youth, and let thy heart cheer thee. But remember for 
 all this, God will bring you to judgment." ''L'ncle William 
 Barnet," as the members of his congregation called him, 
 but was called by outsiders, '• the patent bellows," because 
 he was a powerful minister, often preaching from one to 
 three hours at a time. On this occasion the Lord's Supper 
 was observed, and he preached three hours. He made a 
 very commanding appearance in the pulpit, being a large, 
 portly man. He lingered on the first lines of his text, 
 *' Rejoice, oh, young man in the days of thy youth, and let 
 thy heart cheer thee," and handled it in a masterly manner. 
 He held up to view all the vain pursuits of pleasure-seek- 
 ing minds, to those young persons present, and said '-rejoice, 
 oh I young man or young woman." He held up the devices 
 and habits of the profanely wicked, in such a manner as to
 
 FKo.MIKK I.IKK. 4^5 
 
 briiii; lioinc }M»werfiil ('((in i('ti<»ii> to tlif lu-ai-t, that all was 
 not ritj:lit, altliuii*^li lie said, "rtj(»ic*e in thr (lav> *>i thy 
 juiith," and then lie hnmi^dit hnnie the lattei* (•lau>e nf his 
 text. 
 
 He then made the usnal dixine appeal, whieh was 
 powerfully attended hy l»ein«^ Inirne honii- to the heart of 
 every sinner. He ^»;ave an invitation foi* all who wi>hed the 
 prayers of (rod's people to come to the altar. The invitation 
 was aeeepte<l by many, who crowded around the altar for 
 prayers, seekinii; i)ar(lon of God fo;- their sins. Many fell 
 prostrate to the li-round, who eould not <^et to the altar, ery- 
 m<r aloud to the J^ord for merev. Then I resolved to •'ive 
 expression to my feelings, and make known my desires ]>y 
 going to the altar, and with some difficulty, I made my way 
 there, kneelin<r down, hei^jrinj^ the Lord to have merev on 
 me, feeling that I could bear any reproach or persecution 
 that might be heaped upon me in consequence of this act, 
 even horse-wliipj)ing, which I had been threatened with. 
 
 My mother rejoiced at this decisive move of mine, and 
 managed to keep near me. A younger cousin went with me, 
 and we had not been there lon<;, when the cousin that acte<i 
 as watch over my moves, followed us, endeavoring to get 
 us away from the altar, saying to my m»>ther, "Aunt, do let 
 me get them away from there, for they will certainly Ik.' 
 smothered to death." She was almost frantic, and caught 
 hoM of me, attempted to drag me out; l)Ut mother told 
 her to give herself no uneasiness about us. that she thought 
 we would not smother, and that she thought she could at- 
 tend to us, in case danger threatened, but had no i(h'a that 
 any such misfortune would occni-, and that she would attend 
 to us, and theref(»re to give licrM'lf no further uneasiness 
 aluMit it.
 
 44 RECOLLECTIOXS OF 
 
 My cousin retired after mv mother said that, but she 
 came back soon after, and said, " Your father says you must 
 come out immediately ; he says the horses are ready and we 
 must go now to Mrs. Walker's. " Mother then told us '^we 
 had better come out and go with father, if we could con- 
 sistently with our feelings.-' AYe made our way through 
 the weej^ing and praying crowd. I felt I had done my duty 
 for once, and that my heavenly Father approved of the 
 course I had taken. I felt a degree of peace in believing 
 and trusting him, — his gi-ace would sustain me under any 
 treatment that awaited me. I expected the fro\\Tis of my 
 father and fi-iends, and feared the whipping my eldest 
 brother had threatened me with, but oh, how sweet those 
 words were applied to my mind, '^ when thy friends all for- 
 sake thee, then will I take thee up." As we left the camp- 
 ofround we could hear the cries of the penitent for mercy, 
 and the shouts of new born souls. Even the outskirts of 
 the conorreoration were as solemn as death. The whole 
 camp ground seemed sacred on account of the pi'esence of 
 the Lord. 
 
 We were taken to Mrs. Walker's. Father left us there* 
 and then went to a political meeting in that neighborhood. 
 There was a house full of aristocrats, who gazed at me 
 with incjuisitive looks. I thought if I could retire from 
 the parlor I would be glad. I felt as though I wanted to 
 get to some retired spot and pour out my heart to Him 
 who hears the prayer of the truly penitent. I longed to 
 be stripped of my gay clothing and jewelry. They felt like 
 weio^hts clintrintj to me, and that thev had been the means 
 the enemy of my soul and my friends had used to divert 
 my mind from God and my best interests, I v\'as convinced. 
 
 I soon had an opportunity to pass into the dressing
 
 FRONTIER LIKK. 45 
 
 room, ^fy cousin followed ]i\v, and said, " Now, Coiibin, 
 3'ou have Hcte<l a vvvy silly part to-day, hut your friendii 
 will overlook it <ind forgive you, as you are vouii^. (\nne, 
 wash up and conih your hair, chan«:;e your apjiarel, uiid 
 come out and he cheerful and ti()oial among your friends; it 
 will all he (A'erlooked. Let me assist you, do. Look here, 
 here is that 1)eautiful and costly pin hanging loosely, I 
 wonder it did not get lost during that huhhuh. Oh, dear 
 me, I wish we had never come to this meeting.'^ By this 
 time I was weeping hitterly. "Come/' she said, '' wi|)e 
 away these tears and wash, and comh your hair, and come 
 into the parlor; you will soon get over these feelings if 
 you go into the right company." I said, ** Cousin, do 
 leave me alone, if you please. I will try and come out 
 as soon as I improve my appearance a little." She left me, 
 and I prayed most fervently for the Lord to direct me in 
 the pathway of duty, regardless of the smiles or frowns of 
 anyone, and I helieve lie did. I took off all the I'ewelrv 
 which hung upon me and tied it up in my han<lkerchief, 
 except one plain pin, which I thought I might use. I took 
 off my rich, costly rohe, hought especially for this occasion, 
 and put on a plain, dark gingham dress, and pinntnl a 
 handkerchief around my neck with that j)lain j)in. I went 
 to the mirror to arrange it a little. Upon glancing in the 
 mirror I felt convicted. I do helieve the impression was 
 made hy the spirit of God; I felt it, and almost sjxjke out 
 loud, ''This has been your stumbling block, if there is sin in 
 wearing a great deal there is sin in wearing a little, 'Touch 
 not, handle not the unclean thing.' 'Be not confornRnl to 
 the world, Init be ye transformetl by the renewing of your 
 mind.' " I thought if these badges of heathenism had 
 shut the life of God out of mv soul, thev shall not do it any
 
 46 RECOLLECTIOXS OF 
 
 longer; I will cast tliein from me. So I 2)iit that witli the 
 rest. I did then, and do now, believe that the spirit « >f God 
 led me to do as I did, and I never have worn anv jewelry 
 since. To me it was a sin, and I do believe it will hinder 
 a growth of the spirit. I pray the Lord to save the chnrch 
 from this sin. I then combed my hair down plain; it was 
 fashionable then to wear curled hair, and mine had been 
 curled at a great expense of time and trouble. In this 
 plain dress I went into the parlor, and tried to be cheerful. 
 ]My cousin pounced upon me, while all the company looked 
 astonished. But my mother, and dear Mother Johnson, a 
 pious old lady who was there, they looked upon me with a 
 smile of approbation. My mother whispered to Mrs. 
 Johnson, " I hope the victory is gained; dress has been a 
 a great detriment to her. I hope, as she has taken this 
 position at this time, that she will be decided.-' 
 
 " I hope so, too," said Mrs. Johnson, '' I see there is 
 some decision about her.-' 
 
 I tried to be cheerful, and indeed I was. I felt I had 
 done my duty, and, although some scorned me, I felt that 
 God loved me, and he was drawing nearer to me as I tried 
 to draw nearer Him. I felt that the people of God were 
 praying for me at the camp-ground, and that was a consola- 
 tion to me. I knew that Mother Johnson and my ow^i 
 dear mother were praying for me, and I felt like going to 
 some quiet spot, and there praise the Lord for the comfort 
 I felt in trying to take up my cross and follow Him. and 
 beseech Him to give a greater manifestation of love to my 
 poor heart. I retired to a glen, in the meadow not 
 far from the house, where I had often been to gather 
 flowers. I fell upon my knees on the clean grass; the 
 hollow was not very deep, but sufficient to conceal me
 
 FKoNTIKIi i.in;. 47 
 
 iVuiii ultstTvatiuii; aiul thcru jxmivd out luv muiI Im Hint 
 ^v\nJ seetli in secret, for an evidence of acceptance. lit? 
 gave it to nie; I felt that He was mine and I was His. A 
 sweet peace j)ervaded my wlicde soul; I felt that (4od w>is 
 love, and that He loved me, unworthy me. I felt that I 
 loved everybody, and Jesus, the lover of sinners, l(>ve<l me, 
 not me alone, hut that he loved and interce<k»<l fur those 
 dear ones who seemed so indifferent ahout their precious 
 Souls. It seemed to me I almijst heard him say, " Father, 
 fori^ive them, they know not what they do." 
 
 Aluuit sundown I went to the house. There wjis a sweet 
 calm on mv c^juntenance. Everv one saw the chanm.*, and 
 it seemed to make a deep impression upon the minds uf 
 all, and especially my cousin. She had to struggle hard to 
 keep from expressing her feelings. Had she given 
 exj)ression to her thoughts, it prohahly would have heen 
 something like this: '*.I feel I am a sinner, undone, without 
 the panloning grace of (t«x1." There were others who felt 
 as deeply as she, but there was n<) one there who dared to 
 say to them " Come to Jesus just now," *• Ilej>ent and 
 believe in the Lord Jesus, and you shall Ik.* saved." I 
 believe if there had been a suitable person, a minister or 
 class leader, there to have held a prayer-meeting, there would 
 have been a number converted that night, ^fy mother and 
 Mrs. Johnson were very timid naturally, and had never })raye<i 
 in ])ublic, and I felt too timid to say anything. 
 
 We went to bed, but 1 could not sleep. I felt so hapj)y in 
 nie<litatinj' on themercvof mv Heaveiilv Father, I felt my 
 Saviour very near. I seemed to be in an <»cean of love. 
 Soon after we retired, there was a severe storm, (I always 
 was very much alaiMne(l in a tliuiider .-torm,) the lightning 
 Hashed, the mutteriiiir thunder rolled over our heiwls, m near
 
 48 KECOLLECTIOXS OF 
 
 that the house trembled, the wind blew, and a tempest 
 seemed to be abroad. But for the first time in mj 
 life, I was not afraid. I felt that mj Saviour's arms 
 •encompassed me, and I was safe, come life or death, 
 my soul was happv. I felt a sweet assurance that God, 
 ior Christ's sake, had for given my sins, and I doubted 
 no more ; no, not for one moment have I ever doubted 
 my conversion to God at that time, although it has 
 l)een almost fifty years since. Oh! what seasons I 
 liave seen since I felt this union with the Father, 
 Son and Holy Spirit, blessed three in one, and one in 
 three, and the children of God. 
 
 Happy day that fixed my choice 
 On thee, my Saviour, aud my God, 
 
 Well might this loving heart rejoice, 
 And tell its raptures all abroad. 
 
 'Tis done, the great transaction's done, 
 
 I am my Lord's, and he is mine, 
 He drew me, and I followed on, 
 
 Charmed to confess the power divine. 
 
 Happy day, happy day, when Jesus 
 
 Washed my sins away; 
 He taught me how to watch and pray, 
 
 And hve rejoicing every day, 
 Happy day, happy day, when Jesus 
 
 Washed mv sins awav.
 
 KlioNllKli LIKK. 49 
 
 CIIAPTEK V 
 
 RECOLLECTIONS OF EARLY MARRIED LIFE. DEATH OF 
 
 MY FATHER, BABE, BROTHER AND MOTHER. 
 
 I went home from camp-meeting a new creature, 
 and evervbodj seemed to realize it. The news spread 
 far and wide, that I had got religion at the camp- 
 meeting. My friends who had opposed me so much 
 seemed to give me up as a lost case, only occasionally 
 tempting me, or trying to do bo, with some new 
 style of dress or some fancy jewelry; but they 
 always found me iirm in my purpose. Some said, 
 '' She is crazy ;" others said, '' Let her alone, and see 
 what it will come to." I tried to live near the Lord 
 }}\ reading the Scriptures, as well as praying much in 
 secret. I read the New Testament through «>n my 
 knees, and fasted every Friday. And oh, what sweet 
 communion I enjoyed with my ])lessed Saviour! I 
 still attended iiieetinors at Father Reed's, and found 
 the class tliere most interesting. The class incrcuse<l 
 rapidly, and in due time a nice hewed log church wjis 
 built. It was located about two miles from Father 
 Reed's, in a lovely grove, near a nice stream of water
 
 50 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 and a large sj^ring, and had a camp-ground laid out 
 around it. Oh I what precious seasons I have enjoyed 
 there — at circuit preaching, class meetings, quarterly 
 meetings and camp meetings. I have witnessed the 
 conversion of very many souls on that sacred ground ; 
 most of whom have long since reached the climes of 
 glory, hut there are a few of us left, looking over to 
 the promised land, feeling that we are fully able to go 
 up and possess the land when the Master shall say, 
 '^ It is enough! come up higher.-' I resolved by the 
 grace of God to cheerfully perform every kno^vn duty 
 and to do all the good I possibly could. 
 
 My mother had for many years been in the habit of 
 visiting the sick and with her owtl hands administer- 
 ing to the wants of the poor and needy of the neigh- 
 borhood, both black and white. As she grew older 
 her health failed, and she gave up this work to me. 
 I enjoyed it very much, rest assured. I had often 
 accompanied her on these errands, assisting her with 
 the baskets and bundles, but to have it to do alone 
 was a delight to my heart, as I did it in the name of 
 my Master, remembering that He said, '' Inasmuch 
 as ye have done it unto one of the least of these, 
 ye have done it unto me." I can never forget how it 
 cheered my heart to hear the hearty " God bless you I" 
 
 I well remember one circumstance. On a pleasant 
 afternoon a keel-boat, bound up the river, landed at 
 the wharf. While assisting the deck-hands in load- 
 ing, a colored boy belonging at my father's, happened 
 to pass the cabin. As he did so he heard a feeble 
 moan, and looking in saw a very distressing spectacle. 
 There were two men, three women and a number of
 
 FlinNlIKK 1,1 1 "K. 51 
 
 children, all prostrate on a Irw dirty (juiltn 8j>rea<l 
 U|)uii the cahiii tlonr. One uf tln' women was very 
 old. She asked him if there were any .\ri'thodists in 
 the town. lie told her there were n(>t many, hnt that 
 he knew some. "AVell," said she, with a trend)lin«^' 
 voice, ''will you tell someone of them that theiv is an 
 old Methodist lady here on the l>oat wh«> is sufferin*^ 
 almost unto death, and wonld like vory much to si*c 
 some brother or sister." 
 
 The hoy ran home and told inc. I at once consulted 
 with mv mother, who t(»ld me to ^o to mv hrother's 
 store, ac<juaiiit him with the circumstances and ask 
 him to ^i> with me and learn the ]>articulars of the 
 family's distress. I did so, and we learned that there 
 were a number belont^iu"- to the family, brothers an<l 
 brothers-in-law, who had gone down the Mississij)}>i 
 to carry on a wood yard to supply the steamboats 
 which were then running, with fuel. They were in 
 quite comfortable circumstances when they started in 
 the business, but in a short time, one after another 
 \vere taken sick with bilious fever, and could get no 
 help until everything they had brought with them and 
 all they had earned was gone, even to tlie last feather 
 bed, which the doctor had taken from un<ler the tdd 
 lady a few days before they left. The captain ♦•f the 
 boat had taken them «>n b(»ard under these circum- 
 stances, bringing them thus far, and now he thought 
 the people ought to take care of them. Some (»f them 
 had not eaten anything for several days, and immeiii- 
 ate helj) was necessary. l>rother said lie wouhl pro. 
 vide a house and have them remove<l to it if 1 w<»uld 
 get some nourishment for tliem. Tlii> was no 6iK>ner
 
 52 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 said than done. AVliile I Avent to get some food and 
 clothing, he had them carried to a nice house, and we 
 soon had them as comfortable as possible under the 
 circumstances. Oh! how often did that dear old lady 
 lay her hands on my head and say, " God bless the 
 child." She was very aged, and had been a Methodist 
 for over forty years. She had heard the AVesleys 
 (Fletcher and Cook) preach. She was very intelligent 
 and communicative, and I spent many pleasant and 
 proiitable hours with her and her pious family. Both 
 the daughters were devoted Christians and the son-in- 
 law was a local preacher, all Methodists. They proved 
 to be a very useful family in our village. We had 
 prayer meetings at their house, and it was there that 
 I for the lirst time prayed in public. AVell do I 
 remember what a cross it was; but right under the 
 cross the Lord blessed me, and I felt more assured 
 than ever by His assisting grace to bear the cross. 
 This dear old lady lived to see me very sick, after my 
 mother's death, and her trembling hands tenderly 
 administered to my comfort. It was then my turn to 
 to say, " God bless you, my dear old Mother in Israel." 
 And I did it most fervently, I can assure you, my 
 dear reader. I have no doubt the old lady has won a 
 bright crown in glory long since. 
 
 During the summer of 1820 I became acquainted 
 with Dr. John Roe, who was born in Pennsylvania, 
 near Philadelphia, August 20th, 1800. He was a very 
 pious young man, and had been converted at a revival 
 in the neighborhood where he was born, through the 
 labor and influence of Pev. William Hibbard, when 
 about nineteen years of age. Father IIibl)ard was a
 
 FRONTIKK I.IFK. Ti^ 
 
 great revivalist. The >].irll «»1" iIr- l.^nl attrnilc*! his 
 lalxirs, aiul the ivforniatiuii spread greatly aiinmg the 
 young Quakers, some very singular (leiiionstrutions 
 resulting, such as jumping and falling ]>rnstrate on 
 the ti(>(»r and lying for hours as tln»ugh they were 
 dead. ( )n one occasion a young Quaker lady fell <»n 
 the tloor ami lay so long that many thought she was 
 really dead, and they finally called a doctor, who said, 
 ** She is dead. Yes; as dead as she ever will he." " I 
 think," said a whcde-s(>uled Meth(Klist, '* she is onlv 
 dying to sin, and will soon live to righteousness."' 
 Just then she bounded to her feet and cried, *' Glory 
 to God I Hallelujah! Praise the Lord! ' As far as 
 the east is from the west, so far hath the Lord sepa- 
 rated my sins from me! ' " Then there was a sliout in 
 the camp, and the doctor was put to the blush. Hut 
 the blessed work went on and Sarah was converted, 
 fca* the Lord was in it. Mr. Roe was under Quaker 
 influence and had strong prejudices against the Meth- 
 o<lists, but in this revival he was powerfully convertetl 
 and took a decided stand in the Methodi>t church, for 
 which he warf severely persecuteil. 15ut in a short 
 time many of his associates were also c«»nverte<l, most 
 of his brothers and sisters, and many of his cc»usins 
 being brought into the covenant of grace and joining 
 the M. E. Church. A short time after this he emi- 
 grated t<j the West, lie took his letter of memljer- 
 >hip with him, uniting with the Churdi wlierever he 
 found it. IlestopptMl a while in ^faysville. Ky., on the 
 ( )hio river, traveled through the s«»uthern j»art of 
 Indiana and Illin<jis, and finally went to the south- 
 ern ]»art of Kentucky, wliere he settled in the vilhige
 
 64: KECOLLECTIOXS OF 
 
 of Eddyville on the Cumberland river. It was here 
 that I became acquainted with him, and we were 
 united in marriage on the eleventh day of Xovember, 
 1821. Mj friends opposed this union verv much, not 
 because thev did not respect Mr. Eoe, for they thought 
 very much of him, but because he was poor, and they 
 did not consider me fit for a poor man's wife. I 
 knew nothing of hard labor or house-keeping. I had 
 been tauo-ht habits of industry, but knew nothino' 
 about hardships. Mv mother, w^hen consulted on 
 the sul:)ject, said that she had no ol)jection whatever to 
 him, but regretted very much my inexperience in 
 house-keeping, and if I would stay at home a year 
 longer, she w^ould instruct me in these mysteries. 
 But we thought experience a pretty good school mas- 
 ter, and so w^e were married and went to house-keep- 
 ing. I made many blunders, such as trying to make 
 light bread and forgetting to put in the yeast, then 
 having to throw it away; churning a great while and 
 not getting any butter out of the cream, then having 
 to feed that to the i^igs; making pie crust and forget- 
 ting to put in the shortening ; burning the beef steak ; 
 making bad coffee ; and not washing the clothes clean 
 after rubbing the skin nearly all off my liands. There 
 were no washing machines in those days, and I never 
 saw^ a wash board until after I was the mother of 
 three or four children. 
 
 Thus I labored under a great many disadvantages 
 for not having been taught house-work. I think it 
 the duty of every mother to teach her daughters to 
 work. It is an easy matter to neglect, but hard to 
 acquire habits of industry without instruction. The
 
 i-K(».\Tii;i: MM. 55 
 
 i:»>c»(l Lord onlv knows what it ctot iin'. Mv «lear 
 mother intended to teach nie some time, hut liad nu 
 idea uf my marrvini^ so yoiuii^. It is far the ln-st to 
 ac(jiiire habits of doing li()use work wliile youn*;, aft 
 early habits are histing, whether for «;o(m1 or evil. I 
 strove to learn, and by de<^rees, with the aid of divine 
 ij^race, overcame many ditHculties which I met with. 
 My friends were astonished at my j»ro«;ress, and my 
 motlier often said, "It is the i(race of (To<i that 
 enables her to do so; she could not «;et alon«; so well 
 if it were not for religion." How truly I felt this. 
 AVe erected the altar of })rayer in our house on tlie 
 day of our marriage, and by the grace of (lod we 
 have kept it up ever since — forty-tive year.-. Wo 
 lived humbly, and tried to do our duty in everything. 
 !My husband was appointed class-leader of the little 
 class in our village, which })rospered nicely and a num- 
 ber oi precious souls were converted. The Circuit 
 Preacher received us into his charge, and his lalM.rs 
 were blest of God to the building up of this CliuR'li, 
 and the old ''camp-lire''- never went out, though buni- 
 ir.ir feeblv at times, until there was a church built ami 
 -Methodism firmly established there. 
 
 AVe remained in Kentucky for a numl>er of years, 
 during wliich time my father died, away fn»m liome, 
 but n(jt without leaving us some h<»pe (»f his having 
 made his peace with (io(l. After my father's death, 
 my mother and youngest brother came to live with 
 us while he was ])reparing a new home for them. 
 Duriiiir this time the Lord had bh'»e<l us with a dear 
 little S(^n, whom we named Matthew llumj^hrey, after 
 his two i;randfathers. This made a verv pleu.-iiint
 
 56 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 family. Mother, husband and myself felt a great 
 desire for the salvation of my dear brother. We. 
 labored with him in love, but his heart's warmest 
 affections seemed centered in little Matthew, or " Lit- 
 tle Joe,'' as he in a lit of pleasantry named him the first 
 time he saw him. He almost idolized the little one. 
 and a play with him was the first thing in the morn- 
 ing, and at night he would spend hours with •* dear 
 little Joe," as he called him. A few months after my 
 brother and mother had moved to their new home, 
 "dear little Joe" was taken very sick with croup, a very 
 sudden and dangerous disease in any climate, but par- 
 ticularly so in the South. A physician and nurse 
 were sent for in haste, and everything that was pos- 
 sible was done to arrest the disease, but to no pur- 
 pose. My brother was also there, and was greatly 
 distressed. "Oh I dear sister," he said, •• I fear we are 
 going to lose 'dear little Joe.' And what shall I do^ 
 I feel as though I could not give him up; how can I 
 live without him? I can't bear to see him suffer such 
 excruciating pain I " And he left the room weeping 
 as thouo:h his heart would break. In a few hours the 
 sufferino^ of our little one ceased. He was ten months 
 old. Oh I how he had twined around our hearts. "We 
 did not know how much we loved him until the tender 
 cords which bound us so sweetly together were l>ruken. 
 But we knew that he was with . us no more, for God 
 had taken him to Heaven; for He said, while on earth, 
 " Suffer little children to come unto Me, for of such 
 is the Kingdom of Heaven." 
 
 Then some kind friends dressed him so neat and 
 sweet in his white babv dress, and laid him on the
 
 KKn.NlIKK I. IKK. 57 
 
 titancl ill the i>;irlor, foldiiiur hj^ little white \miuU uii 
 that breast that never knew sin. Oh! huw silent and 
 solemn that l>eaiitiful Sahhath nn»riiin^', July Inth, 
 18:>3. Then we felt that we had a new tie in heaven 
 and fresh ini})nlses tu press un uj)ward and towanl 
 that beautiful w^rld where the iidiabitauts never 
 say, '* AVe are sick.'' Well do I remember the deep 
 flood of sorrow that welled up from my dear V)rother'« 
 heart when he called that morin'nt;, and said, "Dear 
 sister, the little sufferer has m)ne to l)e an anjrel, and 
 I shall go soon. This is a great trial for you, and you 
 must try and bear it bravely. May (4od help you I'* 
 Ilis remark, '" I shall go soon/' went to my heart like 
 a shock of electricity, but I scarcely conceived how 
 soon his words would come true. 
 
 The funeral sermon for our babe was ])reache<l by 
 our worthy Circuit Preacher in charge, Krother Knb- 
 ins, from the words <jf the Prophet to the Shunamite 
 woman, ''Is it well with thee^ Is it well with thy 
 husbands Is it well with the child f And she >aid 
 it is well." The sermon was consoling to our hearts, 
 and we felt there, under that cloud of sorrow, the 
 comforting intiuence of the grace <>f (iud. I felt that 
 He was the rock of my salvation, and that my feet 
 were on that rock. II<»w I realized the force of the 
 wnrd^i nf the poet: 
 
 The dearest joys and nearest friends, 
 
 The partners of our 1)1(kx1, 
 How tlioy (liN-ide our waveriuK' minds, 
 
 And leave but half for Ciod. 
 
 The fondness of a creature's love. 
 
 How strong it strikoH the soum*. 
 Thither the wann afTin-tion moven, 
 
 Nor can we call it then<M«.
 
 58 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 Well do I recollect the kind svmpatlij and love 
 manifested towards ns that day while we moved slowly 
 to the ofravevard and committed the little tenement of 
 clay to its mother dust. Well do I recollect the 
 impression those sweet smiling features made, when I 
 gave the last look, and how lonely the sound as the 
 clods fell upon the coffin; hut ah I well do I recollect 
 the sweet assurance I felt in my heart, that if I was 
 faithful to the grace given we should have a happy 
 reunion in the morning of the resurrection. Bless the 
 Lord, O my soul, for redeeming grace and dying 
 love. 
 
 We were preparing for a campmeeting which was to 
 commence in ahout ten days on Father Keed's camp- 
 ground. The time arrived, and we moved onto the 
 grounds in Methodist order. Xo one said anything 
 against it. Mother and l)rother went with us. All 
 ate and slept on the same campground. It was the 
 first time I had been accorded that j^rivilege, and I 
 assure you I enjoyed it. O, what a privilege to linger 
 as long as I wished in the prayer circle, there to 
 wrestle, Jacob-like, until my heart Avas filled with the 
 joy of believing, and then, in my feeble manner, direct 
 the mourner to the Rock that was cleft for them and 
 me, and see them take the cup of salvation and hear 
 them i^raise the Lord. O! it was joy unspeakable. 
 This campmeeting was a great blessing to me and 
 mine. My dear mother was much blessed; she arose 
 to a higher state of grace than she had ever enjoyed 
 l)efore. My husband was commissioned anew for the 
 impijrtant duty that involved upon him — he was 
 steward and class-leader. A little colored girl and a
 
 KKn.NTIKK IIKK. * 5*J 
 
 vuiiiii; iniin, wlm Uwd witli us, wi-iv Uitli fniiMTttMl 
 .111(1 j«MiK'(l tlK' flmivli, ami many |>n*t'iourt souls were 
 -aved. My brother was wry niucli awakeiK*<l, iind 
 l)e^aii to think of his future state and the intei-est of 
 hitJ precious soul. I think this work in our family eoni- 
 menced fnnn the death of our dear little Matthew, and 
 fervently did we j)ray that what seeme<l to us an atHie- 
 tion mii^ht he sanctified to tin* i^^mmI (.f nur familv. 
 ( )ne nii::ht our tent was very full, and my hmther 
 tlioUirht he Would sleej) in a harn near hy on some hay. 
 rnfortunatt'ly the liay wa> «lanij) and he tonk eolil 
 and it settled on his lunirs. AVe went home without 
 his heiiiiT converted; hut then* was cjuite a chan-ie in 
 hi> conduct and conver>ati(»n: he I'cad the hihle and 
 ])rayed in secret. His health failed t^radually hut 
 very j)erceptibly to those that l(»ved him. He 
 w;is very fleshy — althout^h not «]uite twenty-one years 
 of ai;;e, he weighed over three hundred j>ounds, J I is 
 apj)etite failed, and he complained of a pain ahout 
 the region of the lungs. The l)est medical aid was 
 j)rocured. hut none could define what was the matter. 
 1 was with him ahout three weeks; most of the time 
 he felt as though he cauhl not have me leave his l>eti- 
 >idi'. He said from the first he should never i*eeover. 
 I often felt like talking to him on the subject, but his 
 )»hy>ician would not admit of it; lie said it would 
 iiiil»e<le his recovery. At length he was pronounced 
 out of danger. 
 
 About this time 1 wa> taken \ cry siek with bil- 
 lions fev»*r; iii\ life wa> de-paired of ; no one thought 
 it ]K»ssible for me to recover. I was for twenty-fi»ur 
 hours insensible to all around me, anil then ivvivtil,
 
 60 • KECOLLECTIOXS OF 
 
 to the astonishment of all my friends. My brother 
 was so much better it Avas thought best for 
 him to ride out, and he did so, but told mother it 
 was a forced effort, he was really no better. He said 
 he wanted to yisit me, and he and mother came up 
 and were permitted to come into my room, but with 
 great caution. I could speak but a few words at a 
 time. He appeared much gratified to see me, spoke 
 of how he had missed me at his bedside, and as he 
 was just ready to start he took mj hand and said, with 
 all the warmth of a brother's pure love, " Dear sister, 
 be cheerful, you will get well, but I neyer shall." I 
 was trying to say something to him in my great 
 weakness, when he drew his hand out of mine and was 
 gone. Two days after, while preparing to yisit a 
 brother, who liyed a short distance from our j^lace, 
 he took a chill. He had been yery anxious to go 
 before he took this chill, then said he, " Mother, I shall 
 neyer go now." Mother encouraged him to think he 
 would be better, and then he could go next day, but 
 while she turned to the stand to get him some wine 
 and water, he raised up on his elbow to take the drink, 
 his head fell forward, and his soul passed into the 
 the spirit world. It was on the 22d of Sept., 1S23. 
 Then it was decided that there was a tumor formed 
 on the mucous membrane of the lungs, and it had 
 broken and suffocated him. The physician came and 
 tried to restore him, but to no effect; thus the hope 
 of a fond and aged mother, and the joy of a loying 
 sister, dropped into the grave of the youth, unexpect- 
 edly to many, for most of his friends thought him out 
 of dano^er. He ffave mother many eyidences of a
 
 KKONTIKK I.IH;, 61 
 
 change of lieart. He loved the wunl «»f (io<l, and the 
 society of religious })eoj)le; was often lieanl in prayer, 
 and we liave hope at least that lie died a hum Me, j)eni- 
 tent seeker of tlie Savior, and he never turns any sudi 
 away. I regretted then, and have all my life, and d<» 
 now, that I did not liilior niori' faithfully with liim; 
 that I did not tell him more ahout the Savior, and 
 liel]) him learn lu>w t<>helieveon Him, and flaim Him 
 a< his present Savior. 
 
 We cannot he too importunate with our frien<i>. 
 Anv one reasoniiii' according to the natural heart would 
 say, "my cup was full." Yes, it was full, hut it was 
 mixed liy a skillful liand, lie who doeth all things 
 well, and it was sanctitied to my j)resent and future 
 good. But the Lord still spared my dear mother to 
 me. and how dearly I loved her; what sweet counsel 
 we lield tocjether. After the death of mv hrother she 
 came to live with me again, ]>ut hefore I recovered so 
 as to take care of her, she was taken sick — very sick — 
 but the Lord, in his mercy, restored us both, so that 
 we were both aide to ride out and visit our friends 
 and attend puldic service. 
 
 There was a funeral about the latter part of Janu- 
 ary that we were very much interesteil in, and we 
 attended, although it was a very unpleasant day, and 
 from this exposure my m<jther c(»ntracted a cold, and 
 was violently attacked with i)leurisy. The l>est metli- 
 cal aid was obtained and everything done to arrest the 
 disease, hut to no ]»urp<»se. IJut (J! how loving, kind 
 and j>atient she was under the severe sutTering she 
 endured, and liow thankful f<»r i-vrry kindness she 
 received; how sul»missive to her Heavenly Father'u
 
 62 KECOLLECTIOXS OF 
 
 will. " Come life or death, I am prepared,- ' was the 
 feelings she expressed. She had but one wish to live 
 a little longer, and that was, that she might see my 
 hnsband, who had gone to Xew Orleans, and whose 
 return was anticipated every moment. She would 
 often say, ''I hope Dr. Eoe will arri^'e to-day." But 
 she was not permitted to enjoy this pri^dlege. She 
 died in great peace on the 7th of Feljruary, IS'24:. 
 
 Thus I lost my darling l)ahe, my dear brother, and 
 now my sainted mother, in less than seven months 
 time, and my father and a dear sister a year previous. 
 My husband being absent at this time was a source of 
 great grief to me, but I felt while I stood by the bed- 
 side of a d^^ng mother, that the grace of God sus- 
 tained me. 
 
 Wliile her hand clasped mine with a gentle 
 pressure, and her splendid blue eyes, beautiful in 
 death, were turned upward, and a sweet smile rested 
 un her features, 'twas then I truly realized 'tis religion 
 that does supply solid comfort when we die. Then I 
 felt that my Heavenly Parent had chastened me thus, 
 that I might learn to love Him more and serve Him 
 better. This trial was sanctitiedto my good; it taught 
 me the happy grace of trusting God for present grace 
 and future good, and I was enabled to say truly, ''Tliy 
 will be done." 
 
 Mv husband arrived iust as we were returnincr fi-om 
 the cemetery. I was truly thankful for this mercy in 
 the deep affliction I was passing through. He exhort- 
 ed me to trust on Him '*who doeth all thino^s well,'^ 
 saying, ''Mother had gone to that rest prepared for 
 those that love and serve the Lord, and if we were
 
 KUoNTIKIi I.IKK. ♦'.!^ 
 
 faithful tu duty aii«l followed \wv i'.\aiiij»k', we sliuuld 
 onv day enjoy that rest witli her." 
 
 That cousin, spoken of in a fornitT chapttT. who 
 tried to divert niv niin<l from the suhieet of relitrion, 
 was with us during niuther's sickness. I said slie was 
 amiable, and truly she was; how kind and atfectioimte 
 she was throu^j^h that season of atiiiction, and how 
 closely she criticised our conduct, feelings and exjires- 
 sions. More than once she said to nie, *' It is good to 
 know the Lord in atiiiction, I wish I had end»raced 
 religion when I was young, as you did/' I endeav(»re<l 
 to guide her to the Savior then. She left us a few 
 days after the funeral, and I never saw her ajrain, but 
 learned that in a long protracted illness, which closed 
 her probati«ni here on earth, that she inanifoted a 
 Christian spirit, and 1 ho])e, ])assed into that better 
 world. 
 
 Under this severe trial I felt sensildy that while my 
 Heavenly Father aiiiicted with one hand, he sustaineii 
 with the other. I enjoyed constantly a sweet c<»m- 
 munion with my Savior, and prayed fervently to the 
 Lord, that if it was consistent with His divine will that 
 1 might have an interview with the departed spirit of 
 my dear mother, and I often felt that through my 
 Savior I communed with her; often I felt as tiiough 
 she was permitted to be a guardian angel arouml me, 
 and she seemed to l>eck(jn me on t(» that l>etter worhl. 
 
 One season, I recollect, it was a beautiful Sabluith 
 morning, I was alone at my (juiet little home — the 
 home where my dear brother died — (it lx»came mine 
 after his death) — I was walking to and fro JHMjeuth a 
 shade tree in the front yard, a beautiful .-pot. I wa**
 
 Q4: RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 praying, meditating and enjoying a hope that some- 
 time I sliould enjoy a Sabbath that would never end, 
 with my blessed Savior and those loved ones who had 
 g:one before. Such a sacred halo was shed over me that 
 my soul, spirit and body were all absorbed in love. I 
 felt those words of the poet applied so sweetly to my 
 heart : 
 
 See the happy spirits waiting 
 
 On the bank beyond the stream, 
 Sweet responses still repeating, 
 
 Jesus, Jesus, is their theme. 
 
 Hark, they whisper — lo they call me, 
 
 Sister spirit come away, 
 Lo, I come, earth can't retain me. 
 
 Hail the realms of endless day. 
 
 I asked the Lord to take me to that better world, 
 that I might sin no more, but I was reminded that I 
 was a probationer, and that there were many duties and 
 trials before me, but I felt assured that His grace 
 would be sufficient for the day. And I have always 
 found it so for nearly fifty years. ^Ylien I have lived 
 by faith on the Son of God, I have ever triumphed over 
 every trial and temptation. When I keep everything 
 on the "altar,'' and in the path of duty, and can say 
 with truth, "Thy will be done my Heavenly Father," 
 then I am safe. To God be all the glory. 
 
 I gained many victories while I lived in Kentucky, 
 and oh I how many of the "salt of the earth" I was 
 permitted to associate with. There was Bishop 
 Morris, our Presiding Elder for two years, fi*om whom 
 I learned those beautifu,l verses just mentioned, of his 
 own composition, I think. Often has he reposed
 
 FKONTIKi: I.I IK. 65 
 
 nii<ler our roof. lie alwuvs imparted t«» u> hoine 
 «j:u«)d instriicti(»n, with a ^reat dual <»f inforiiuitiun, 
 cheered our hearts aud strent^thene«l our resohitions 
 tu j)ress oil Ziomvard. lie has loii<r hern sj»ared to 
 l)uikl up the church of liis early choice. May his last 
 days he peaceful and his death triumphant. 
 
 There was Father Jlolliday, iinother veteran of 
 Kentucky — much ^ood has he done for the salvation 
 »»f souls, and for the huildini^ up (»f the Metliodist 
 Episco})al Church in Illinois — and the sainted Valen- 
 tine Cook, the nohle Marcus Lindsay, the words that 
 fell from their lips hurned as tliey went to the hearts of 
 their hearers, and filled them with the IFoly (yhost. I 
 say blessed be the memory of all these holy men, and I 
 think it well that we should call to mind and reflect 
 upon the character and example of those who have 
 laliored so zealously to build up and sustain our 
 beloved Methodism for the past century. Who will 
 do it for the next? Who will be able to sustain and 
 l>reacli its wholesome doctrines from century to cen- 
 tury, until the whole length of time is used up in 
 bringin^: the whole ship's company safe in^) the port 
 of Zion? 
 
 I must l»rini; to notice here the humble, thouirh 
 noble, John Johnson, whose words were ever j)Ower- 
 ful. Why? the rea<ler may ask. Becau.se he was 
 chosen by the Lord to j>reach. When tirst called to 
 the ministry he could hardly read a hymn, or a chap- 
 ter from the bible, ])ut close application to study — 
 while traveling — he, in the course of six or eight years, 
 acquired a perfect knowledge of sevenil languagcB, and 
 became so n<jted for his deep i)iety, iisefulnoss and
 
 66 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 scholarly attainments, tliat he was sought after hv 
 nianv who lived in important places, such as Frankfurt. 
 Russelsville and Xashville, where he was instru- 
 mental in brinofinor many souls to God, besides aidino: 
 in building up the M. E. church. Xow with all honor 
 to brother Johnson's memory I will (not intending to 
 offend ) relate an incident in his life. AVhile traveling 
 the Princeton circuit in Kentucky he became 
 acquainted with Miss S. Brooks, an old Quaker's 
 daughter, who was converted at a great revival under 
 his influence.* He thought he would go and see her. 
 He rode up to her father's gate one evening, took of? 
 his saddle-bags, a pair of which all Methodist preach- 
 ers used at that time tt:> carry their books and clothing 
 in. In a cool, shadv strove was their cottacre, and 
 Miss Susie met him at the door, took the portmanteau 
 and placed it in the best room, seated him politely, and 
 went into the room where her father was. " Susie," 
 said the venerable old gentleman — he was a very pious 
 old man, if he was a Quaker — - 1 tell thee thou had 
 better give John Johnson his portmanteau and send him 
 away, for thee shall not marry John Johnson; if thou 
 art not mad send him away — I tell thee thou shall not 
 marry John Johnson if I can keep him away from 
 here. Tliee may get over thy Methodist notions, but 
 I tell thee thou shall not marry John Johnson." And as 
 he stepped toward the portmanteau Susie caught it up 
 and made for the door, and John Johnson followed 
 her. But in a few months they were married. Susie 
 made Mr. Johnson a good, loving Christian wife, and 
 Mr. Brooks a very kind father-in-law. 
 
 Brother Fowler made a visit to Illinois the summer
 
 FRONTIKR LIKK. 67 
 
 after my inotlier's death ami mii liis return vi>ittMl u/^. 
 He traveled thr«>u«;h the niidcile e.miities «>f this state, 
 MoriTJin and Saniranu>n in particular. He calle<l <»n 
 Father Cartwrii^fht's family on their heautiful farm, 
 situateil within tifteen miles of Springfield; saiil he 
 thouf!:ht ''Methodism was goin*^ to sj)re4ul over tlie 
 Prairie State," and advised us, if we wanted to make a 
 '•new home in a new state," to move tliere at once, 
 remarkinty hv wav of enc<)urai'ement, that "were it not 
 for his missionary eni^ai^ements he W(»uld willin«;ly go 
 with us," This advice ins}>ired us with new views 
 and plans to make arrangements to move. We were 
 now anxious to l)e on the way to our new home, hut 
 circumstances would not admit of our starting at once, 
 and we were desirous of making the journey in a 
 <«>mfortable manner. 
 
 My husband thought he would make another trij) 
 to New Orleans, notwithstanding he was unsuccescful 
 on his tirst visit. We wished to retain our comfor- 
 table little home where we were, in case of 
 Illinois not suiting us, for it might l>e possible that 
 the climate would not agree with my delicate health — 
 f<»r delicate it was then. I had suffered from numy 
 attacks of billions fever, and had taken so much blue 
 mass pills and calomel that I had become a tit subject 
 for consuinjition, and many of my friemls thought me 
 a confirmed consumptive, an«l thought I would not 
 live a year if I went to aimther climate, and were very 
 much oppose<l to our moving at all, l>ut if we did, 
 were anxious that we should keep our ln>me. Hut Dr. 
 Roe thought lie would have a Imme indei)endent of 
 this one, and thought there would be no better way of
 
 68 
 
 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 accomplishing tliis than to go to Xew Orleans with 
 his pork, corn, etc. He therefore went to work with a 
 will, bonglit a boat, loaded it with produce, and was 
 ready to start by the first of Xovenber. AMien he 
 was pushing off from the shore a gentleman offered 
 mv husband $2,001 > for his car^co, but he thoucrht if he 
 could only get into market in time he could do 
 better, and expected tu realize as much as 83.000. 
 But how uncertain are the calculations of man. He 
 returned after making the trip with barely enough to 
 pay expenses, and feeling very much discouraged. 
 
 Had we not made a sale of our cows and house- 
 hold goods in the fall, we would not have been able to 
 start for the north. But we had suffered so much on 
 account of our religious \'iews and opposition to 
 slavery, that we were anxious to depart for a country 
 where the latter was not tolerated, and where we could 
 enjoy our religion without persecution. As I was the 
 only sister left near them, my fi'iends were very much 
 opposed to our leaving. 
 
 My oldest brothers were men of wealth and inllu- 
 ence, in a worldly sense. My sister had married a 
 wealthy man, and moved away some distance. Her 
 husband was a graduate of West Point, and was a 
 surgeon in the war of 1812, at the close of which he 
 returned home and practiced medicine and surgery 
 in our vicinity with great success; was preparing a 
 farm for a residence when he died. He was an atheist 
 in belief and went to his last long rest in that faith. 
 Two years after his demise my sister died, so there was 
 but my two brothers left in the country. The intlu- 
 ence which the doctor exerted over mv sister caused
 
 FKoNilKK I.IFK. fiO 
 
 her tu l)elieve tliat this "Mt'tliodist ivligi«ni," :i> >ht* 
 called it, was all fanaticism, and \v«nild wear (»lf after 
 awliile. Thev liad some verv j)i<>us servants, who 
 ])rayed verv ferventlv for their "master ami mistress,'' 
 esj>ecially for my sister; they could not hear the i<lea 
 <»f her dyin»j^ as ''Master Henry" did, without a knowl- 
 edire of the Savior. Her health was j)oor, and we all 
 realize<l that she c<mld nt)t lon^ survive, ^[y m<»ther's 
 heart was constantly going out to GckI for her salva- 
 tion, and I used to even mingle with the servants in 
 their own little dwelling to })ray for her; 1 would read 
 a chapter in the bible, sing a liynin and join in prayer 
 with them, and the Lord blessed us with the sweet 
 assurance that she would be brought into His fold, 
 and before her death the spirit of God awakened lier, 
 and she cried for mercy and called in the servants and 
 recjuested them to pray for her. She also sent 
 for Father Heed, that he might pray with and for 
 her; and we have good reason to Ijelieve that she 
 was saved, and I hope to meet her in that better world. 
 The elder sister was powerfully awakened, I Wdieve, 
 in answer to prayer. Iler husband was an infidel, and 
 was o]>posed to everything like revealed religion; but 
 the spirit of God found her out and taught her that 
 she was a sinner, and also revealed to her what she 
 must be by grace to inherit eternal life. She began 
 to inquire, "What shall 1 do to be saved T' There 
 were no religious people with wliom she could associate, 
 excei)t i>aptists; she attended their meetings althougli 
 forbidden to do so l)y her husband, and nu»re than 
 once npon liis learning that slie liatl gone to meeting 
 did he send after her and had her brou«dit home and
 
 <U RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 treated her verv unkindly: told lier if she did not give 
 lip attending those meetings, she should leave his 
 house and be cut off from all communication with her 
 children; he said he was not going to have his children 
 "carried of with their wild fanaticism/' He would 
 not allow her to keep a bible in the house if he knew 
 it. She kept her bible in the cellar for months, and 
 there read and prayed. The spirit of God led her into 
 the light of His countenance. She told her Baptist 
 fi'iends her experience, and they thought it proper 
 that she be baptised — she felt it her duty. There was 
 a day appointed on which she supposed her husband 
 would be absent ; he was from home and she did not 
 anticipate his return, but he came while she was in 
 the congregation. They were near a stream for the 
 purpose of administering the ordinance. There were a 
 number of converts present, and there was a good revival 
 among them. He heard what was going on. and 
 taking his carriage went immediately to the congre- 
 gation, took her home and shut her up and subjected 
 her to very unkind treatment, and told her, as he had 
 done on former occasions, that if she made a public 
 profession of the religion of Jesus Christ he would 
 discard her as he would a culprit, and debar her from 
 any intercourse with her family. This he knew would 
 be worse than death to her — there never was a more 
 devoted mother. For a time this deprived her of 
 any means of grace. She felt anxious to be baptised, 
 but she knew it would not do to have the ordinance 
 performed publicly. She consulted the minister and 
 he performed the ceremony privately, so that no one 
 knew it Init his familv and some of the elders. And
 
 FKoNTII li III 1.. 71 
 
 now she knew she was u iiitMiiher of the I»aj»tist 
 church. It wjis a coinfurt tu her, ulthou^li slie had 
 not made a puhlic profession of the Savior. Her hus- 
 ]»and did not live \oi\<r after this. He liad l»een in a 
 decline for several years, and ex})ired suddenly. She 
 then made a puhlic profession of religion, l>ecanie 
 ac«|uainted with other religious ladies, and discoveretl 
 that she was a ^[ethodist in ])rinciple and doctrine, 
 and united with them. Her family min«;led with the 
 Methodists in a revival, and a numher of her children 
 ])rofessed reli«^ion, joined the church, and so on, one 
 after another until they all became members of the 
 church with her. She lived many years an acceptable 
 member of the M. E. church, died in triumph of the 
 Christian faith, and has <^one home to glory. 
 
 This gives me a new impetus for the kingdom. I 
 hope the Lord will give me grace to couipier and take 
 me to rest. All this, I believe, was in answer to a 
 mother's faithful, fervent j>rayer. Courage, pray- 
 ing mothers. 
 
 But with all the opposition we met with, we made 
 our arrangements and started for Hlinois almost with- 
 out money or scrip, scarcely knowing whither we were 
 g(»ing. AVe felt a deep sorrow at parting with our 
 classmates and many dear friends we had made tliere; 
 they expressed the warmest wishes for our welfare. 
 Well do I remember the feelings manifested when we 
 ]»arted; there were a great many j»resent, some wept, 
 Mth('r> pcrsua«bMi, many upbraided us f<>r leaving the 
 lioiiie wlicre 1 was born an<l raise<l, to go to a new 
 countiv that we never saw; t)tlu'rs said we would n<>t 
 live out half <»ur <la\s in >nch a sicklv countrv a> Hli-
 
 72 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 nois; not a few prophesied that we would be back to 
 onr old home in less than a year, and the colored 
 people were so grieved at our leaving that one said to 
 me — the one who was my nurse — " N^ow indeed, if I 
 had a bag of gold as big as my body, I would lay it at 
 your feet if you would stay. 
 
 But we were satisfied that it was our duty and for 
 our best interest to go to Illinois, and started on the 
 eighteenth day of February, 1827. My husband 
 drove a two-horse wagon, while I drove a one-horse 
 buggy with a babe in my arms and another dear little 
 boy two years old at my feet. The Lord had blessed 
 us with two tine healthy boys to bring with us to 
 Illinois. We met with some trials on the way, but 
 nothing more than was reasonable to expect while 
 traveling in such a new country. We camped one 
 night, however, near a house where the people bore 
 the appearance of thieves and outlaws. They would 
 not let us stay in their house, and w^ere most unac- 
 commodating; would hardly let us have food for our 
 horses or water from their well. I had heard so many 
 hard stories of Illinois that I was much afi-aid for our 
 lives, but through the mercy of God the beautiful 
 morning sun rose on us in perfect peace and safety 
 and we went on our way rejoicing. 
 
 We got along very Avell until Ave got within iifty 
 miles of Edwardsville, when we had to take the 
 prairie. The frost was just coming out of the ground, 
 and such splashing and miring as we had in the black 
 mud of the " Prairie State," none know but those who 
 have been through a like experience in early times. 
 The last day we traveled my husband had to get a
 
 FKONTIKH mm:. To 
 
 team uf oxen to dniw us out uf tin* uiud thin- iiiin- 
 in travclin«j: ei<rlit miles. AVe nnu-huled that it was 
 best to stop and wait until the roads dried up. We 
 succeeded in «;ettin«,^ a small In^^ house near the main 
 road. AVe had not hoeu thi-rc hmir until wc rect'iviil 
 a nunilifr (»f calls. Tlic m*\\s had spread rapidlv that 
 there was a family wh«.» had just arrived fmm Kentucky 
 and they hastened to learn something, if possilde, of 
 their tdd Kentucky home an<l friends; some of them 
 we liad known in our southern home, others we liad 
 not, hut we received a kind welcome from all, telling 
 us what a beautiful country they had. and wliat nij>id 
 strides Methodism was makiui' throu«xh the country; 
 what great revivals; who their circuit preacher was; 
 his name was " Folkes," and ''Father Thompson'' was 
 their presiding Elder, of Lebanon, and many interest- 
 mtf occurrences, and ur^ced us verv much to renudn 
 with tliem, at least call on them before leaving. AVe 
 told them we thought we might g<» further m»rth. AVe 
 were en route for Morgan or Sangamon. I had a 
 sister liviuir in ^loriran countv who had a lar;^e familv, 
 and we were decided to make (»ur way there if jmssible. 
 The irentleman and ladv who owned tlie liouse we 
 were occujning, called to encpiire if tliere was any- 
 thing they could do for us. We toM them we w«»uld 
 like to buy some vegetables and meat. They said if 
 we would Come and see them the next day, they woidil 
 give Ufr all the vegetables we nee«led. an<l sell us s«»me 
 verv nice bacon. AVe gladly accej»te«l their kind otTer 
 and went uj) the next day, had a very pleasant visit 
 with them, learned with ])h'a>ure how tlie Methodists 
 were ]irospering and .spreading all over the land. In
 
 74 KECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 conversation with tlieni we learned that they were 
 acquainted with Mr. John Messenger, a brother-in-law 
 to the husband of a half sister of mine, who lived near 
 Belleville, the county seat of St. Clair county. 111., and 
 that we were not more than forty-live miles from their 
 home, and he thought he could direct us to a prairie 
 road that we could travel with our buggy. The 
 thought of seeing a sister whom I had never had the 
 pleasure to know was very delightful to me. The 
 arrangements were all made, and we were to start the 
 following day. We were to leave the double wagon 
 at Mr. Hunter's until the roads dried up a little, and 
 then come and get it, and make the journey to Mor- 
 gan county, where I had another half sister I had 
 never seen. We had wTitten them we purposed 
 coming. They lived seven miles from Jacksonville, 
 the county seat of Morgan county, near Alison's 
 Mound. Every arrangement was made, and we were 
 on our way by two o'clock. 
 
 We had not traveled far when we were over- 
 taken by a very singular looking old gentle- 
 man; he was quite small in stature, light com- 
 plexion, blue eyes, and a very large Roman nose. 
 He wore Jeans clothes; his hair was very white and 
 hung in heavy ringlets over his shoulders. He was 
 well mounted on a noble looking horse. He rode up 
 to my husband — who was on horseback, myself and 
 children being in the buggy~and accosted him in a very 
 formal manner, and inquired where we were from, 
 where we were going, etc., etc. Rather inquisitive I 
 thought, for a stranger. I thought of all the robbers 
 and murderers I had ever read of in Illinois, and
 
 KKONTIKK l.IKK. 
 
 l>e<:aii to tliiiik our time was (•(uiiiuir. At leii«^tli I 
 heard him a.sk my liushand where we intended t<» stay 
 tliat night. lie replied tliat he wished to go as far a« 
 pijssible, in order that we miglit reaeh my friends the 
 next day. " My reason for asking," said he, "is this, 
 if you go past my house, whieh is a mile ahead, you 
 will not find a house you can stay at short of ten miles. 
 I entertain people as well as I ean at my plaee, and I 
 think you had better stop with me." AVell, thought I, 
 that Ijeats all, that he should want t<j decoy us to his 
 own house to do the deed. I gave utterance to a deep 
 sigh, and my heart went ])it-a-pat, and the uneasiness 
 I manifested caused my ]ius])and to rein his horse 
 near the bu;^<^v and ask me if anvthiui; was the 
 matter. I then made some excuse to st«»p the buggy, 
 and the old gentleman rode on. I said to my husband, 
 '*A\'liy on earth d«jn't the old man go along al»out his 
 Inisiness; 1 l)elieve he Avants to entice us to his house 
 and rob and kill us." " Oh no," said he, '' don't think 
 of such a think; I think he is a good old man, and we 
 had better sto]) l)y all means." ''Then," said I, "we 
 wont get the chance, for I see him going down under 
 that bridtre; I Ijelieve he intends to kill us there in these 
 gloomy woods." Said he, "Oh, dear no, I think the 
 old gentleman is all kindness; he has just gone down 
 the bank to water his horse." " Vou will see," said I. 
 " I hope you are right, but j)ray don't sto]) until we 
 see what the house looks like; l)ut I ftar we shall 
 never live to get over that bridge." Just then my 
 husl)and saw the old gentleman ri<le up the hill, then 
 said he, "1 told yc.u so; all will be right; ct»me, letV 
 go along and see how things Innk." '* Well," ."aid I,
 
 76 RECOIXBCnONS OF 
 
 "my trust is in the Lord, if we are slain." We 
 crossed the bridge, ascended the hill, and there 
 stood a large, substantial farm house, surrounded by 
 shade-trees, a great large orchard on one side, and c^inn- 
 modious bam on the other, and the old gentleman wa? 
 just riding into the yard. ^'Xow," said my husband. 
 "dontyousee, all is right." "I hope so," said I, 
 "but I have my misgivings. Eobbers may live in all 
 kinds of style away up here in Illinois and nobody 
 know it." 
 
 My heart beat double time as we drove into the 
 yard- We were met by a fine looking old lady who 
 spoke kindly to me, and invited us to come into the 
 house, which was as neat and clean as a bandbox ; every- 
 thing in order and a first rate supper on the table, 
 of which we were invited to partake, and we did jus- 
 tice to it; but all the time I was eating, the thought 
 was in my mind that this might be the last meal we 
 would ever eat; they are kind, but this may be done 
 to gain our confidence and keep us off our guard. The 
 old lady tried to draw me out in conversation, but I 
 could not enjoy it. As night came on, a number of 
 rough looking men came into the sitting room while 
 the old lady was busy about her cares. I was left 
 to my own meditations when these men came in. 
 'Now, thought I, they are to help do the deed. While 
 thus ruminating, the old lady placed a candle on the 
 stand and invited me into the room. On the stand I 
 discovered a bible; I was thankful to see it, but the 
 thought came into my mind, robbers may keep a 
 bible for a disguise. Just then the old gentleman arose 
 and stepped up to the stand, opened the bible and
 
 FRONTIER LIFK. 
 
 remarked, '^ I suppose it is so dark and muddy tliat there 
 will nut be many out tu-uight." He read a chapter, 
 and we all united in singing a hymn, after whicli the 
 old gentleman led in i)rayer. Befure lie was lialf 
 through, my face was bathed in tears, and l>eseeching 
 the Lord to forgive me the thoughts of my heart. 
 Another led in prayer, and another, until they had all 
 offered a prayer. We had an old-fashiuneil Metho- 
 dist prayer-meeting, and realized that prayer is ap- 
 pointed to convey the blessings God designs to give. 
 
 x\fter the meeting every barrier was removed, and 
 what a change in my feelings. I realized that God 
 was there, and that I was among his people. I could 
 not rest there; I felt like confessing to the old gentle- 
 man, ]>ut thought it not best. I learned a lesson that 
 has done me much good ; I learned not to give way too 
 much to suspicion, and not to be governed too much 
 by lirst impressions. 
 
 We had a good chat with the old folks ; learned that 
 they, to<:», were well acfpiainted with my friends I 
 intended to visit, that they were among the earliest 
 settlers who had helped to plant ^lethodism there, and 
 God had blessed their labors, and that there was a 
 large society there, and the work was still going on. 
 We had a good night's rest, a choice breakfast, and 
 found it rather a hard task to take our leave of them. 
 The old gentleman was a vetenin, and th*' '>M l»dv 
 a mother in Israel. 
 
 They gave us some instruction about the road, and 
 with difficulty we prevailed on them to accept a small 
 remuneration for the trouble they had l)een to, and we 
 bid father and mother Planter farewell. We have
 
 7^ KECOLLECTIOXS OF 
 
 never seen them since, but I hope to meet them in 
 glory, where all are free from imperfection. 
 
 We had a very rough ride over a large prairie. The 
 frost was still in the roots of the grass so that it hore 
 us up. AVe saw numerous droves of deer that 
 seemed to have an undisputed right to gambol over 
 the level prairie, the heritage their Maker had given 
 them, witliout the fear of the rifle. We passed over 
 the prairie, entered a strip of timber, and came out at 
 that beautiful Methodist village, Lebanon, so famed 
 for its literarv privileges. It had but just got started 
 in its useful career. How many young men have 
 grown np there under the sacred influence of its 
 sanctified literature, and gone out to bless the world, 
 eternity will only reveal. 
 
 We went on with only a passing view of the siir- 
 roundino:s; sufiice it to say that it was beautiful, and 
 2:ave credit to the church and the community that sus- 
 tained it in that early day. I hope it may share 
 liberally in the centennial offerings. God bless the 
 institution and water it with Thy grace. 
 
 At eleven o'clock next day we arrived safely at my 
 brother-in-law's, Mr. John Messenger, a few miles 
 from Belleville, to the great joy and surprise of my 
 sister and family. We had a pleasant visit ; found sister 
 a warm-hearted Baptist. Xone of the other members 
 of the family were religiously inclined, but j^ossessed 
 of merit, and were industrious and intelligent. We 
 spent a number of days with them, attended Methodist 
 meeting with them, where there was a large society of 
 excellent members, and the Lord was still carrying on 
 His work, and there was a spit of perseverance among
 
 FK(>NTIKK I.IKK. 79 
 
 tlifiii. 1 visittMl \lv\ . I'Mwanlft' fuinily at Ili'lloville, a 
 nice little villji«;e. Then I eulledoii u iiuinlaT of their 
 .^^etho(.list iiei»^lilM(rs, jiikI a nuniher of them eaniKJ at 
 my lister's, and iir^^ed us to t>.toj) with them. Oh I 
 what a warm-hearted hrotherly love there was among 
 the Methodists at that early day; it was eiiou«^li U) 
 know you were a ^lethodist, and you were weh'ome to 
 all their hospitalities, their symj»athy an<I their pray- 
 ers. But we thouijjht we must see Mnr^rJin county 
 he fore we settled down. 
 
 AVe lost one of our horses while there, an<l we did 
 not see how we could ])ursue our journey. AVe felt 
 that we were in the ])atliway of <luty and the Loni 
 would j>rovide for us, and He did. One of the neigh- 
 bors offered to go, as he wished to visit his aunt in 
 ^forpin county. One of my nieces offere<l her horse, 
 and Charley said, "Uncle, it is all right, when y«»u are' 
 leady I will accompany you." I truly felt, '-The Lord 
 is my sliej>herd, I shall not want." 
 
 AVe prosecuted our journey, and arrived safely at 
 my sister's, Mrs. Cadwell. She was the widow of Dr. 
 (^adwell, of early memory, of ^lorgan county. I think 
 he was one of the first j)hysicians that settled in that 
 county. He died the summer Ijefore we arrived, witli 
 a disease that j)revailed there, which wa.s very much 
 like the cholera. He was an excellent j)hysician, and 
 had a very large practice through that country around 
 him. More than once he was elected to the I^egisla- 
 ture, and gave the casting vote that settled the slavery 
 question in Illinois. He was rather ske])tical in early life 
 on the subject of religion, and <|uite indifferent, until a 
 few vears before his <leath, when he l>ecame deeply
 
 so RECX>LIJE)CnOXS OF 
 
 impressed with the importance if religion and the 
 interest* of his sonl, sought and found the ^* pearl of great 
 priee,^' and died ingreat peace. A few years previous his 
 oldest daughter professed religion and joined the 
 Methodist church, for which her parents almost dis - 
 owned her; they said they did not want that fanaticism 
 in their family, bnt soon after this she married a class- 
 leader by the name of Charles HarriL He was a 
 fsdthfnl steward of the canse of Grod, and with her 
 heh' '¥A mnch to plant and sustain Methodism in 
 M : : _ - onty. Her next oldest sister would visit 
 her, aithou^ mnch against the wishes of her parents, 
 and she soon became a Methodist^ too, and married a 
 very fine gentleman by the name of "William King, 
 a Methodist of the real old stamp from England. 
 They, too, were very useful in sustaining Methodism 
 in that new country; they were wealthy, and spared 
 neither time nor money to promote the canse of Grod 
 and the good of souls. 
 
 They gave us a hearty welcome, and said they hoped 
 we would enjoy all we had anticipated in the society 
 of the Methodists in Illinois. Bnt my sister still 
 retained her skeptical views, although very kind in 
 her social relations, and more than once she gave me 
 to nnderstand that she wished me to keep my religions 
 views to myself. She had several daughters at home, 
 and did not want them to be infiueneed by my relig- 
 ious views. I cannot sav that I re«:arded her wishes 
 on this subject I soon learned, to my great joy, that 
 one of her daughters, the next to the oldest, was 
 under conviction, and was seeking the Saviour with a 
 penitent heart I encouraged her, telling her to put
 
 FROXTIKU I.IVK. 
 
 her trust in the L«»rd ami Savior, who lia«l <i 
 save a sinful world. 
 
 It was not lon»i: after tliis that the two oldej^t iriris 
 fonnd the Saviour in the pardnn of tlieir sins, and uniteii 
 with the Methodist chureh. Mv heart was trouhleii 
 for my sister, who would not repent and seek tlie 
 Lord. She was intelliijent, strouir in arirunient, and I 
 feared to a]>proach her, but I had faith in praver. and 
 felt tliat my Heavenly Father would hear and answer 
 ine by converting my sister. Her "Metlnxlist chil- 
 dren'' and myself, prayed without ceasing for her con- 
 version. We felt that nothing but the spirit of (t.kI 
 could do tliis work, and knew by cx}>erience that His 
 spirit could change and soften that hardened heart of 
 hers. I soon thought I could see a difference in her 
 manner. Wlien I talked with her on the subject of 
 experimental religion — and once she replieil, "H 
 I could feel the same as you tell me you do, I might 
 believe in religion.'' I told her that this {)eace was 
 secured only by belief, and to believe, then she would 
 receive joy, and faith, through which we were saveil. 
 Having strong faith that she would yet l>e l^rought 
 to the knowledge of this truth, I left them, with 
 tlie promise tliat I would come and see them again. 
 
 We moved to Springlield. now the Capitol of our 
 beautiful Prairie State. It was then but a small 
 vilhiire. The houses were built of lo^^s, daul)eil with 
 the black mud of the ])rairies, there being but three 
 frame houses in the ]>lace. The CVairt House was 
 built of an inferior (piality i»f brick. 
 
 I shall never forget the lirst class-meeting we atten- 
 .ded at Springfield. When «.air names were reoonled
 
 82 KECULLKCTIONS OF 
 
 un the class-book, the numher of names thereon was. 
 forty-two. Brother Joseph Tartington was minister 
 in charge, and Father Cart\\Tight was Presiding Elder. 
 Services were held in the Conrt House twice a month. 
 The class met at private houses, and weekly prayer- 
 meetings were also held. Our excellent local minister, 
 John Kirkpatrick, called on us a few days after our 
 arrival, and told us where to find the class-meeting. 
 It met in a little log cahin, and we found there a large 
 class of warm-hearted brothers and sisters, who wel- 
 comed us to their circle. We found that the Master 
 was in the midst thereof, and we were made to rejoice 
 in the hope of a blessed immortality, and realized that 
 we were in our Father's house and among His chil- 
 dren, although we had never before met with any of 
 them excej^t Brother Kirkpatrick. There we learned 
 that Brother Cartwright was going to have a quarterly 
 meeting in the Court House two weeks from that 
 time. My heart rejoiced at this news, for I should 
 then see one whom I had known in days gone by — 
 whom I loved and revered and claimed as a sj^iritual 
 father. I could trace the influence of the spirit of 
 God on my heart at seasons ever since he administered 
 the ordinance of baptism upon me and said " God 
 bless the child." To think of seeing such a friend 
 there in a strange land, where I knew no one, was 
 calculated to insj^ire a great anticipation; and it did, 
 I assure you. I counted the days, the hours, and 
 almost the moments as they passed. About a week 
 previous to the quarterly meeting I was sitting at the 
 door of our little cabin, which was situated on a street 
 which is now one of the main streets of the capital
 
 KUnNTIKli IJKK. S3 
 
 of (»ur nol)le Stati*. I was tliiiikiiii,^ »»f the tiinu wlieii 
 when I should sec this fiiciHl, aii<l I saw a «;i«; \ni6A 
 the door with a load (►f wool lasheil to the hack of it, 
 and I very rea<lily ree«)«;nized Ids venerahle featuren. 
 I arose to my feet, ela})])ed my hands and cried out to 
 a youn^ lady who sat with me (a Miss D(d)hins wlio 
 liad came to the country with us) "There is Father 
 Cartwright, it is, it is; how can 1 let him pass antl not 
 speak to him I " "Arc you sure it is lie?'' said she. 
 *' I am," said 1. "Well, then." remarked my cum- 
 pani«>n, "sit down an<l write him a note, invitimr him 
 to call, and send it tn Mr. Stiles, the propriet(»r of the 
 cardini; machine, and he will «;ive it to the ehler, for I 
 know he is goin«r up there to i^t-'t his wool carded, ami 
 I will take it." 
 
 AVe had hecame a little ac<|uainted with Mr. .^t lies' 
 family — it was only a ])l<>ck from our door. 1 seated 
 myself to i)en the note, hut hearin*; the rattle of 
 wheels, I looked ujj and saw that he was jiassin*^ 
 ^wiftly by, and I called out, "Father Cartwritrht I" at 
 which he reined uj» his horse at the fence whei-e 1 
 stood — I did not wait to go the gate. He niised his 
 hat very i>olitely, and said, " IIow do you do. Madam C^ 
 1 said, '• Father Cart wight, don't you know mei!" ** In- 
 deed, Madam, your countenance looks very familiar, 
 hut you have the advantage of me, 1 cannot call you 
 hy name." "I do not wonder," said 1, "a few years 
 has made a great change in my ap])eanince, hut can 
 you not recognize in me Elizaheth Ann Lyon?" 
 "Ah, 1 do, I <loI" said he, and jumping frc»m his gig, 
 he clas})ed my hand, .-aying. " I am hapjn* to meet you 
 in Illinois I hoi»e you ari' well." "I thank y«»u. I
 
 84 KECOLLECTIOXS OF 
 
 am, and verv iiiucli rejoiced to see von. Do come in 
 and have some dinner with ns, wont yon?'' '^Indeed 
 I will, with pleasnre. I am engaged to Brother 
 Matheny, hnt I will send him an apology." He 
 hronght his horse and gig into the yard. I sent for 
 my hnsband, and we were soon seated in the best room 
 in onr little cabin, enjoying an interesting, social and 
 religions conversation. We related many interesting 
 circnmstances that occurred in early days in Ken- 
 tucky; we told him of onr conversion, and many 
 incidents in relation to it, and spoke of onr desire 
 to make Illinois our home; our purpose in coming to 
 the Prairie State; our misfortime in preparing; our 
 resolve to make the journey, if we did have to come 
 poor. " That was right," said he, "this country is the 
 poor man's retreat. If there is any place where the 
 poor man can rise to influence, wealth and prosperity, 
 it is in this new country. I am glad you have come, 
 and I hope you will enjoy all and more than you have 
 ever anticipated in social and religions society here. 
 Methodism is taking a gracious start in Illinois, and 
 God is blessing the Word wherever it is preached, and 
 that is pretty much all over the settled portions of the 
 State. We have a very promising conference, and we 
 are to have a quarterly meeting here in the Court 
 House one week from last Sabbath, and I will bring 
 Mrs. Cartwright to see you then — no j^reventing 
 providence." 
 
 We told him we had heard Brother Tartington 
 preach, and had been to class, and liked the appearance 
 of our surroundings very much. " Yes," said he, "we 
 have some noble veterans here, and their motto is:
 
 KKoMIKK I.IKK. "^^ 
 
 *True to ^[etlnMlism.- AVe are ^nintr t<i Imve tiovenil 
 caiiij) meetiui^s tliis sinniiRT at <lifTtM*L*iit points in the 
 district, " i^then enil»racin«j: what is now a Conference) 
 "and I lio})e vou will atti'iid as many of them a8 
 possihle." My Inishand told liiiii we had a nice horse 
 and Imiriry. 5ind would attend all nieetiiii^s we jM>s>iMy 
 could, as we desired to see the country and ^»t 
 ac(|uainted with the Alethodists of Illinois. The 
 venerahle old gentleman took dinner with us, ivturned 
 thanks and asked God's especial blessin*^ upon us, and 
 we j»arted, really feeling that we had had a very inter- 
 estiui^ interview. 
 
 Xhe time foi* the (piarterly meeting arrived, Jind 
 Brother and Sister Cartwrii,dit were j>resent. They 
 were our guests, altliough the husj>itidities of minis- 
 ters, doct(jrs, lawyers and judges were e.xtendeil to 
 tliem. When they were solicited, their reply was, 
 "Please excuse us, we must stoj) with our old Ken- 
 tucky friends this time." AVe were very thankful for 
 this marked i)reference and respect. The (piarterly 
 meeting cummenced on Satunlay, with jn*eaching at 
 twelve o'clock noon, and at early candledight. This 
 was the manner of giving out evening meetings, as 
 there were hut few })eoj)le in Illinois at that early date 
 who had clocks. The mantle clock was iu»t in use 
 then. an«l the ()ld-fashi<»ned ones with hmg wotKlen 
 cases wei'e dith<-ult to move, and were left W'hind. 
 
 l>rother( "artwright j)reache<l at twelve o'clock, ihmjii. 
 The (juarterly conference occupieil the afternoon, and 
 Brother Tartington preache<l at candle light, and tin* 
 services cl<»sed with a devotional prayermeeting. The 
 j)reaching was food for my -oul. I had not Iiear<l
 
 86 EECOLLECTIOXS OF 
 
 Brother Cartwriglit preach since I had been converted, 
 except on this occasion. 
 
 Sabbath morning at nine o'clock we assembled with- 
 out the tolling of a bell, in the upper room of the 
 Court House, to enjoy a Love-feast. The room was 
 filled, and the door closed, and oh I what a precious 
 hour it was, as one after another arose to speak of the 
 mercv of God; the love of a precious Savior shed 
 al)r<jad in their hearts; the victories thev had gained 
 since their last quarterly meeting or love-feast, and of 
 the blessed hope of immortality and eternal life 
 through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Many shouts of 
 glory went up from hearts that were filled to the over- 
 flowing. The walls of the court house fairly rang 
 with the melody. The house, for the ]3i'esent at 
 least, seemed to be sacred on account of the pres- 
 ence of the Lord. It ap2)eared to me something 
 like the love-feast, or classmeeting the disciples 
 enjoyed when doubting Thomas made one of their 
 number, and our blessed Savior permitted him to put 
 his finger into the wounds, and Thomas cried out, 
 "My Lord, and my God I " I do not think there was 
 a 23erson in that house but who could say, "' I know 
 my Eedeemer lives and intercedes for me; I shall see 
 Him as He is. Praise the Lord for the hope set 
 before us." 
 
 At eleven o'clock we had public service in the lower 
 story — quite a large room — and it was filled, and every 
 door and window was crowded with attentive hearers. 
 Father Cartwriglit discoursed, and seemed endowed 
 with the power and demonstration of the Spirit of 
 God. Some were awakened to a sense of their sins,
 
 lU'-Miii: 111 I. ^7 
 
 nnd otlieis wore converted. It was a tiiiif Imi*; tu Ik* 
 remeinlKMvd, ami will In* iviiU'inlKTed in <;l»»rv. 
 
 '*AVell," said I t.. my Imshaiid, "if this is tin* way 
 the ^lethndists enjoy relii;i<»n in Illinois. 1 am ^jlad 
 'vve came here." "So am I," sai<l he, "and I hojn* wo 
 may enjoy some <;ood ca in p- meeting's tliis summer. 
 Brother Cartwrii^lit informs me that there will l>e one 
 on Indian Creek, ahont thirty miles from hen*, in 
 about four weeks from now; wo will try and is**, wont 
 Avef". ••Yes," said I, "if all is well." 
 
 The time came, and as our habe was unwell, we 
 thou*^ht that we should luive to remain at home with 
 it, but my Imsband and a numi»or of our olass-nmtes 
 went. The <i:roun(ls were beautiful, and the water 
 tixcellent, and oh I suoh lovely surroundings. A very 
 lar<re congreti:ation was })resent, includin*^ many 
 ministers, and Father C'artwrii^dit was a faithful 
 Closes. The Spirit of the L(>rd attended the preaohin;!^ 
 of the AVord, and it was borne home to the sinner's 
 heart, and many cried out : " ^[en and brethren, wliat 
 sliall I do U) be saved T' They wore directed to Him 
 who lias said, "Come unto mo, yo who are weary and 
 lieavy laden, and I will t^^ive you rest," 
 
 The 8})irit of the Lord was manifest in every 
 sermon, exhortation and prayer meeting, and great 
 good was done. 1 think there were alnjut one 
 hundred united with the church before the close of the 
 mooting, and tho.^o who wont, returned with clear 
 and undi>putrd o\ i<k*nco that tlu'y had K'on with 
 Jesus -you C(ud<l see it in all their dt'j>ortmont. My 
 husband wa^^ wondoi'fully blessed, and tht-ro soeme<l to 
 be a sacrod lial«» >un-oundinir hini: the same wa^ true
 
 88 RECOLLECTIOXS OF 
 
 of Brothers Cartwriglit, Smith, Corinack, and their 
 families. This Spirit diffused and was strengthened 
 in onr class, and we had a revivlal all summer, and 
 Brother Cartwright thought he would have a camp- 
 meeting just after the close of the Annual Conference, 
 wliich was in session somewhere in the southern part 
 of the state, and he thought that as the preachers 
 returned northward fi^om the conference to their regu- 
 lar work in the northern portion, they would stoj^ and 
 assist him in the labors of the meeting. 
 
 A beautiful spot was selected on Brother Smith's 
 farm, three or four miles from Springheld. The 
 announcement of the meeting was given out, our camp 
 built, and we moved onto the grounds. The preachers 
 came flocking in from the conference to the number of 
 eight or ten. The grounds were well settled by 
 Thursday, and a deep feeling pervaded the congrega- 
 tion. The ministers discoursed with power, and the 
 membei'S were working energetically for an outpouring 
 of the Spirit of the Lord, but there seemed to be no 
 especial demonstration of mercy until Sunday night. 
 There had been a few conversions and much good 
 wrought. Still there were two young ladies who had 
 been under conviction since the Indian Creek camp- 
 meeting, and they had been forward at every prayer- 
 meeting for prayers, but had not found peace up to 
 the time of this campmeeting. One of these young 
 ladies was Miss Sarah Cormack, the daughter of a local 
 preacher who lived in Springlield, and belonged to our 
 class, the other was a Miss Smith who came from 
 Morgan county witli my Methodist friends, Mr. and 
 Mrs. ITurd, and Mr. and Mrs. King, who came up to
 
 FKONTIKK I.IFK. ^!^ 
 
 atteiul the ineetini^. They were verv much iiitere>te«l 
 in Mij>b Smith. She had accompanied them tn the 
 Indian Creek nieetin*^, and was first awakened there. 
 (The ^[ethodist pe<.>}>le th(»u«^ht n«>thin«^(>f goin*^ forty 
 or tifty miles to a camjjmeetin*^ those days. ) Tliose 
 young hidies were ahuost in des})air. They and a few 
 others made a covenant that they wouhl })ray and 
 wrestle all night until the Lord should hless them. 
 When the evening came we went out to the wtjods. 
 A number of the sisters })rayed tothe Lord in l>ehalf of 
 these earnest seekers; others came away rejoicing, hut 
 these two seekers were sad, hut still sought for mercy. 
 The horn sounded for i)ul)Iic service at the stand, and 
 we had the ])leasure of enjoying an excellent sermon 
 by Brother House, our new minister, a very promis- 
 ing young man. After this there was an exhortation 
 and a call for mourners, and those two young ladies^ 
 made their way to the altar and there prostrated them- 
 selves, with the resolve that if there was mercy f«»r 
 them they W(.>uld struggle until morning but what 
 they obtained the blessing. The prayermeeting pro- 
 ceeded as usual, and quite a number were blessed, but 
 those young ladies were mourners still. l>r»>thers 
 Cartwright, Cormack, Tartington and my husband, 
 Sister Kirkpatrick and myself had covenanted to pray 
 with and for them as long as they desired to stay 
 there. First one and then another pniyeil with thenu 
 and the Lord seemed to draw near and still nearer Uv 
 us, and \vhile Sister Kirkpatrick was j)raying, mercy 
 came in such great ])ower that we were all over- 
 whelmed in an ocean of love. The mourners slmutetlv 
 '* Glory! glory to God!" The rest of us fell prostrate
 
 DO REroLLECTIONS OF 
 
 on the ground in that leafv temple, while the orb of 
 niofht shed its silverv ravs mam ns, and the Ian- 
 guage of each soul was, ''glorv, glory/' It was then 
 about twelve o'clock, and the people had nearly all 
 retired to their tents, and many were asleep, but this 
 shout roused them, and they came to the stand in 
 scores, and as soon as any one touched us l)y shaking 
 hands they fell to the ground and cried out, -Glory! 
 glorvl" This seemed to be the language of every 
 soul; many said they had never l)eenl)lessed so power- 
 fully l>efoi'e. Father Cartwright heard the sound; he 
 was in bed, and said to his excellent wife, *' Come. 
 Frankie, let's get up and go to the stand, there is 
 something more than usual going on there; Brother 
 and Sister Roe are not in the habit of making such a 
 noise; the power of the Lord is there, I feel it.'' ''So 
 do I," said she, ^' I hope those dear girls have been 
 "blessed." 
 
 They made their way to where my husband and I 
 were, and he said to me, "Sister Hoe, the Lord is 
 giving you a great blessing, as good measure as 
 Benjmin got; pressed down and running over; 
 religion is as good in Illinois as in Kentucky." 
 ^'Yes," said I, ''I never had such a blessing in Ken- 
 tucky as this,'' and taking hold of one of his hands 
 with one of mine, and Sister Cartwright with the 
 other, they both fell prostrate to the ground, exclaiming, 
 *' Glory! glory to God in the highest!" Then the 
 great backwoods preacher and his dear wife lay there 
 for some time drinking from the well of salvation, 
 while no language could express their feelings, l)ut 
 •"Glorv! o-lorv!" Bv this time, those who had tirst
 
 FKHNTIKU 1.1 ii.. I»l 
 
 falK'ii imdertho iiiHiU'iici* «>f tlit- irraci<»us shower wvri* 
 :il)K' to walk altoiit and I'xljort. Aiwl <»li. what laiiiruair*'! 
 It certainly was inspired l»y the ll«»ly (ihost. I think 
 it was soniethini; like the Pentecostal shower. Kverv 
 one seemed to hear and nnderstan«l. There was not 
 one well j>erson left in tlic tents. Saints and sinners 
 dike rnshed to the stand, and sinners were prostrate 
 ill throngli the coiii^rci^ation crvini^ for niercv. Manv 
 new converts jnst horn into the Kini^nloni were cryinir, 
 
 (Tlurvl Glijrv to (-Jud! For as far as the east is 
 from the west, so far has the Lord sepjirated mv sins 
 frcMii me I" This state (»f feelin*^ continned nntil the 
 liirht of the mornini,^ aj»peared in the east, when 
 JJntther Cartrwii^ht dismissed ns hv sinirinir the dox- 
 
 loL^y, an<l we set ahont ]>re}>arini^ some refreshments 
 for the inner man. IJnt while this was jroin<r un, the 
 sonnd of "Gh»rv I " could he heard all over the camp 
 <^ronnd — in the tents, at the stand, in the woods and 
 aroun<l the tires, while we were cooking and setting 
 tahles. And while at hreakfast, I saw a nnm]»er st«»p 
 eating and cry ont '* (ilory I " 
 
 The s<jnnd of the hoi-n summoned ns to the stand 
 to hear a farewell sermon av exhortation from Father 
 Cart Wright, as we were to separate soon. I dt» not 
 remember whether he took a text or not, l)nt I do 
 <n<»w that every word was clothed with divine j)Ower. 
 \t the close of his remarks he said, '* I wonder if 
 diere is a sinner left on the ground or one m<»nrner 
 ^vh(» i> not converted.** " Ves.">aid Ili-othei- ( 'ormack, 
 
 hei-e is one; " ]»ointing to a yonng man who stoud 
 eaiiinir against a tree, and who had stood «Mit a;^4in>t 
 ill the sacred inHuence of tin* Indian ('reek camp-
 
 92 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 ineetinc^. lie was a vouiii^ lawver who tliouoht it 
 would be disparaging to his professional character to 
 be a Methodist. I am o-lad that the world and the 
 church have outo;rown that kind of thinkino^, for there 
 are many excellent lawyers at this day who are devested 
 Christians and worthy members of the Methodist 
 Church. He had come up to this meeting with two 
 praying sisters, all starched up, with a ruffled shirt 
 and breast pin, and imagined he was cutting quite a 
 dash when he lirst came on the camp ground. But he 
 had been slic^htlv awakened the nitrht before and fell 
 to the ground, groaning and crying for mercy. He 
 had held out well, but now he was looking sad and 
 dejected, and when Brother Cormack pointed at him 
 he started for the woods with Brother Cormack after 
 him. He just reached the edge of the woods when 
 he fell prostrate to the ground and cried out for 
 mercy. Brother Cormack prayed with him a wliile» 
 and soon he was able to receive the truth and believed 
 with all his heart. He came back to the stand rejoic- 
 in his present salvation, being willing to unite with 
 the Methodist Church, as were many others. The 
 meeting closed with the best of feeling on the part of 
 all. As we left that sacred spot, many, very many of 
 us felt the sweet assurance that we, if faithful tu the 
 grace already given us, should have a sweet reunion 
 in our Father's Kino^dom to tro out no more. Manv 
 of those dear brothers and sisters I have no doubt 
 are shouting in glory: while some still linger on the 
 shores of mortality, battling with the cares of life, 
 looking over to the Promised Land with the anticipa- 
 tion of one dav there enteriuir into rest.
 
 KK<»NTii:ii i.iFi;. 03 
 
 At this meetiiiii I tir>t .siu Jtrrv Walkt-r, tirf^t 
 missicmarv in Cliica«ro. lie cheertMl our hearts hy 
 rehitiii«r the hriirht prospects of the^reat Northwestern 
 missitni. Inniiiirration jMUirtnl in from all parts of the 
 earth, and the j>eople were of the enterpri>in^, intelli- 
 gent. reli»ri<»us class. AVherever a Methodist family was 
 scttle<l, there our ministers would nuike a standpoint, 
 there raise the hannerof Emmanuel, and cry, " liehold 
 the Lamh I " They would ]»reach in lo«r cahins and 
 in the leafy irroves until a school house could l»e huilt, 
 which huildin^ would serve for hoth until a church 
 could he erected. The circuit was enlarge<l and dis- 
 trict after district was formed; then una division 
 after another of our Conference came, an«l the word 
 ran and was gloriiied. 
 
 AVe moved that fall to Sprint: Creek, alnjut seven 
 miles from Springfield There was no class formed in 
 our immediate neighborhood, hut alxjut two miles 
 from us, on the o])j)osite side of the creek, was a large 
 hjg h<»use, owned by a widow lady — Sister Ferivll. 
 We got Brother House, the circuit minister, to make 
 an aj)])ointment to preach at Sister Ferreli's, and we 
 soon had a class organized, with my husband as class 
 leader. Another apj)ointment at Lick Creek, three 
 miles above, resulted in the formation of another 
 small class. "NVlien the latter class was fonne<i we 
 thought l>est to join it, but the members of the tii>t 
 were unwilling to spare us unless my liusband wouhi 
 remain as leader, which arrangement was made and 
 our names renuiined on the books at Sister FerrellV. 
 Here we met our much esteemed brother, James 
 McKaiii. We did all in our jniwer to encourage and
 
 94 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 streiifirthen this class. The lueinbers increased in 
 grace, although we had no revivals. Another class 
 was formed four miles heluw us un Sugar creek, at 
 Simon Peter's house, where we visited, obtaining 
 strentrth and encourac^ement. Still farther down the 
 same creek, in Father Royal's neighborhood, where 
 Father Cartwright held meetings, (Oh I what a good 
 sermon I heard him preach in a grove on " Baptism.") 
 a iri'eat revival was held. Father Roval lived here 
 and carried on a pottery shop, and was also local min- 
 ister at that time. He was a very spiritual Christian. 
 We l)ecame intimately acquainted, and found him 
 great help in the divine life. He often preached to 
 us at Sister Ferrill's. We alsu l)ecame acquainted 
 here with Brother James McKain, who was then our 
 circuit preacher, and afterwards our missionary in the 
 Hock River Yalley. We formed an intimate Chris- 
 tian friendship that lasted till his death. 
 
 Al)out three years after this we moved to Island 
 Grove. Here there was a large society, and we found 
 great comfort and took great pleasuse in serving the 
 Lord. This place was lifteen miles from Springfield. 
 AYliile living there we attended a camp meeting at 
 the old Spring Creek camp ground near Father Wal- 
 ter's, This meeting was attended v\'ith great power. 
 The Lord poured out His spirit in a powerful manner." 
 There I heard the lamented Bankston preach a great 
 sermon from Job's words, '' I have heard of thee by 
 the hearino: of the ear, but now mine eve seeth thee: 
 wherefore I abhur myself and repent in dust and 
 ashes." Oh I what a sermon; and what power 
 attended the word. There were more than one hun.
 
 m;<».\iii:i: i.ii i;. i»5 
 
 dred c«»iivc'r>i»>ii> at lliat iiiri'tiiiir. :iii<l the jh'..j»1c went 
 ln»int' n'j«>ii'in<^ ill llim who cvit li\flli aiicl kef|K?tli 
 tliosf who tru>t Ilim. Father ('artwri^dit w}i> still uur 
 ".Miises." Oh I what a haptisiii of the lluly Spirit 
 he reeei\t'<l at that time. There we also hejiiiie 
 ae«jiiaiiitetl with Ilrother lleiirv Sumiiiers. Mv hiis- 
 haml was a laeiiiher of the tjuaj'terlv eoiiferenee that 
 licensed Brotlier Summers to preaeli the (iospel. He 
 })reiiched an excellent sermon for u> while on the 
 eamp irround. 1 shall never for;^et the untirin«i; 
 etforts made hy the preachers and their wive.-, and tiie 
 class leaders and their wives, to |>ersua<le his wife to 
 irive her consent to his joininir the eonferenri'. Why 
 will women he so selti>h ( Think <tf the ito.mI that 
 nohle man ha> d<.»ne in i>uil<lini^ u|» our Ziou, She 
 hecame fully con\erted to the work and was a <^reat 
 hel}» to him. If she had persisted an«l hindered him 
 from joining the eonferenee. who would ha\e doue the 
 Work that he has done '. 1 do not know hut he is 
 lahoring yet. 
 
 Time and (»pp(»rtunity olferinir. I went down to 
 \isit my sister and her family in Mor;;an county, and 
 attend a camp nieetin*^ on Mr. llarriTs farm, still in 
 Father Cartwri^ht's district. AVhen we arrived at 
 my sister'> I thouirht to stop and stay with her the 
 tirst ni«;ht, foi- I had no i«lea .-he would atteinl the 
 meetinjr at ni;;ht. Ihit, to m\ astonisliment, I 
 learned tliat slie, with hir whole family liad movetl on 
 to tlie camp i^ruund, to remain until the do.-e (»f tlie 
 the meetin*^. It was jpiite late when we «;t»t to the 
 cam}) ground, an<l the evening meeting hatl U'gun. 
 Our friends manife.-ted great joy .»n our arrival, an«l I
 
 "96 REC()LLf:CTIf)NS OF 
 
 <ian assure yuu I felt lia})})y when I learned from one 
 of lier dauo^liters that my sister was nnder conviction. 
 Rev. Peter Acres was tliere and had preached several 
 of his searching sermons, and they had found way to 
 her heart, and tlie daughters said to me. '-'Behold I 
 she ^^rayetli." They knew and were satislied that she 
 had been to the grove alone, and that they had heard 
 her praying. "OhI"said I, ''girls, we must pray 
 without ceasing, and I do helieve we shall see her 
 safely converted before the meeting closes. " 
 
 The camp ground was in a lovely spot, plenty of 
 good water, beautiful shade, and every convenience 
 that could be expected on a camp ground. A large 
 congregation and some of the best preachers of our 
 conference were in attendance, and. everything con- 
 spired to make the occasion interesting and profitable. 
 There had been a good many conversions already. 
 1&.J sister was a very attentive hearer, and we thought 
 prayerful, although she had not ventured in to the 
 altar. The next day, when they called for mourners 
 I went up into the altar and tried to labor with the 
 mourners, and I was much blessed. AVhile there 
 were shouts of new-born souls all around me I began 
 to raise my voice and cry '• Glory I " My sister was 
 very much surprised to see me, as she expressed it, so 
 excited. vSlie said, ''Oh I girls; you must go and get 
 her out of there. She will die.'' "Oh! no;" they 
 replied, "she is enjoying herself. We Avould not dis- 
 turb her for anything." " Well," said she, " I 
 wnll go and get her out of there. Where is Brother 
 Eoe \ I should think he would be crazy about her." 
 Then she found the Doctor and said to liim, "Are vou
 
 KK<»Mn.K I.I I I.. !i7 
 
 not Jifniiil sister will kill hiT>(.*lf ( Whv dnni v..u 
 go aiul ^ret lier out of there T' *• ( )h I no, sister," 
 said he. *' 1 would not disturh her for anything. I 
 want lier to enjoy herself. IVrhaps she is doing sonic 
 good." '• 1 don't think anylMuly ought to kill them- 
 selves to do good," she replied; *' 1 will go and try to 
 get her out of there myself." She made her wav int«> 
 the altar near me and reaehe<l out her haml to toueh 
 me. 1 clasped it and said, " Now. dear sister, won't 
 y(»u here and now give your heart to the dear 
 liedeemer, and, let II im mould it into His innige." 
 Just then she fell, like a dead person, on the ground, 
 and cried, '' Lord, save me or I j)erish I " She lay for 
 three or four hours in that situation, and numy who 
 came to look at her said, ** I do believe she is dying.'' 
 Many of the preachers came and ])rayed for her and 
 exhorted her to believe and trust the Lord. She did 
 not sj)eak. There was no uneasiness in my mind, 
 however. I believed the Lord was doing the work iu 
 His own way. I sat by her and held her hand in 
 mine, trying to exhort her to believe. ** 1 Relieve, sis- 
 ter, and the Loi-d will reveal Himself to you in the 
 pardon of your sins." She uttered a K>ud groan and 
 said, **Can the Lord forgive such a great sinner as 
 ine?'' ** Yes, yes; sister. It was for sinners Jesus 
 died — iust such sinners as vou and L Can't vou 
 ]>elieve r' " Ves," said she, "I do believe. Dear 
 Lord, save a trembling sinner: 
 
 ' Whose hope still iKJvenujj 'roimd thy word— 
 Would Ught ou some sweet proiume there. 
 Some sure support af^aiuBt despair.' " 
 
 Just then my hus]>aiid held up some of the blessed
 
 98 RECOLLKCTIOXS OF 
 
 promises, such as, *• Come unto me, ye heavy laden, 
 and I will give you rest; " *• Believe, and through Him 
 ye shall l)e saved; " •* Son, or daughter, give me thy 
 heart." Just then her countenance changed from an 
 agonizing expression to that of cheerfulness, and she 
 exclaimed, '' What mercy, that God should forgive 
 such a sinner as I. I do believe, dear Lord. Accept 
 the offering of a broken heart. I do believe the 
 Saviour loves me and died to redeem me." Just then 
 the light of joy was shed abroad in her heart and she 
 expressed herself thus: "The great transaction's done. 
 I am the Lord's and he is mine I "' From that moment 
 we felt that she was saved — saved through faith on 
 the Son of God. Oh I what joy there was in all the 
 circle of her friends. From that moment she was a 
 different person, so meek and lowly, and such a 
 decided Christian. She united wi^li the churchy 
 erected the altar of prayer in her family and 
 traveled with her children on the way to Zion. She 
 passed into that better land a number of years since. 
 
 This camp meeting was a great blessing to many. 
 There were many conversions. I do not know the 
 the exact number converted, but there were scores and 
 scores. The church was o^reatlv strenc^-thened, the 
 ministers newly commissioned and the work still 
 spread on and on. AVe went home mnch encouraged 
 to do onr duty and trust in a prayer-hearing God. 
 
 About this time Brother Royal came to our house 
 and said he wanted us to go with him and make a 
 new home in a new tovm on the east side of the San- 
 gamon river. He said the proprietors were offering 
 two lots to each settler. Thev wished to have a
 
 ik«»mii;k ijm;. *"• 
 
 Metlmdi.st town estal>li>lu'<l. aiul lie tlinu«rljt wu c«>ul«l 
 du l>t*tter as ivi^anled husint'ss tliiiii we wei*e then 
 doiiii^. He wanted my hushaiKl tn ^o and ]>ractiee 
 medieine there. He had stndied medieine in Ken- 
 tucky, and wished to praetiee when he first came to 
 Illinois; Imt 1 opposed him so stron«^ly that lie had 
 not t^iven his entire attenticjii to the husiness, hut had 
 practiced to some extent amon<i: his nu>st intimate 
 acquaintances. After comini^ to Illinois he adopted 
 the botanical system of practice, and was very succet^s- 
 ful, but I could not think of his makiui^ it a business 
 for the reason that he woidd be away from Imme so 
 much, leaving me with the great responsibility of 
 raising our family of boys, for we now had f«»ur and 
 the oldest not <|uite eight years old. I tinally con- 
 sented to move to the new village. It was called 
 Athens, lay in the east part of Sangamon county, four 
 miles from the Sangamon river. It was pleasantly 
 located in the edge of a grove, bordering on a beautiful 
 prairie. North east of the village two miles there 
 was a log meeting house, and west of us twi» miles 
 there was another. There was but a small class at 
 either of them, but there were some excellent meml»ers 
 in each. (Jne in the west class, Father Stringtield, 
 was an old veteran in the service in Kentucky. He 
 had traveled mostly in the upper part of the State, 
 and I was not acquainte<I with him there; but I love 
 to think of our acquaintance with him in Hlinois. 
 Our names were jihiced on the chiss record at Urother 
 (or Father) Stringtield's. We move<l into a house in 
 his yard. He lived on a farm that lay near the 
 church or meetinir house. We lived there until we
 
 100 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 built a liouse in tlie village, for there were no houses 
 there except one dwelling house, one store, one black- 
 smith shop and a horse mill, which made it necessary 
 for us to build a house. Brother Eoyal had built a 
 stable and moved into it before we got there, and had 
 commenced his liouse. We all had to build of logs. 
 Thev were near by, and were the best material that 
 could be had for the purpose. The men had to go 
 six miles to get a tree that would make clapboards to 
 cover the houses. My husband went eight miles to a 
 saw mill to get some slabs, such as they saw off the 
 outside of the logs. We were too poor to afford a 
 floor made of proper boards, they were so high, and 
 cost so much. We soon got our house up, the floor 
 <io^^^l, the roof partly on, and moved in. 
 
 Our circuit preacher was the lamented Asahel Phelps. 
 He was young in the ministry and his health was 
 rather delicate. He had just recovered fi-om a severe 
 and protracted illness in the southern part of the 
 State, and was just able to attend C-onference when 
 it met, and they thought best to send him north. He 
 came rather reluctantly, but was very acceptable. 
 He was a host on doctrinal points, but proved a great 
 revival preacher; that year he preached at both of 
 these meeting houses, and we soon became acquainted 
 with and strongly attached to him. He appointed a 
 prayer meeting and also left an appointment for 
 preaching at our house. Some one in the congrega- 
 tion said, ^' I believe Brother Eoe's house has not got 
 all the roof on it yet.'' '' Well, said he, '• Brother 
 Eoe, I suppose you will be ready in time, will you 
 not i " '' Yes,'- he replied, ''I will try and have it on
 
 KKo.NTIKK I. IKK. 1"1 
 
 by tliJit tiiiK', no ])rev(.'ntinir l^rnvidenct*." UmtliiT 
 Itoe wurkt'd with all the diligence j)06sil>le, and the 
 day the ])rayer nu'etin<; was to be at night, lie went 
 for the last h»ad of boards, i^ettiii«i^ lioine just in time 
 t«» nail thcni on. But lie lacked a few b<»ards, so that 
 we held our first ])i*aver meeting in a lujuse without 
 an entire roof. The house was full, aiul we had a real 
 old-fashioned shouting })rayer meeting. And that 
 was the commencement (►f one of the best revivals I 
 ever enjoyed. Brother Phelps preached in the power 
 and demonstration of the s])irit; Brother Royal had 
 great liberty in preaching the word; l^rother String- 
 field preached alternately with Brother Maclemore, and 
 the licuise was repeatedly tilled with })eo})le. The Ljrd 
 blessed the word, and it was carried home to the hearts 
 of sinners. Many flocked to the Saviour, sought for 
 }»ar<lon, and found peace in believing. 
 
 AVe lijid })reaching every Sabbath at the churches, 
 and at our house in the village in the evening. The 
 spirit of the Lord attended the word, and it proved 
 thej)owerof Gud to the salvation of many. Therein 
 that humble dwelling I have seen the hoary-headed 
 sinner who was steej)ed in sin, the middle aged an<l 
 the youth, kneeling together, pleading far redemption 
 through the blood of the Lamb, and heard them 
 rejoice in a sin-jjardoiiing (iod. The work went on 
 and on, until there was such an awakening sjiirit all 
 through the country, that the official members could 
 not get one night's rest in the week. 
 
 I>rother Catterton, who afterwards became the 
 father-in-law <»f Brother Phelps, was very useful in 
 this revival. He was a licensed exhorter and circuit
 
 1<;>2 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 steward, a bricklayer Ijv trade, and lived just on the 
 
 edo:e uf the villacre on a small farm. (Jhl what 
 
 power there was in his exhortation. Two of his 
 
 daughters sought and found the Saviour in that 
 
 revival. The oldest, Charlotte, afterward l;)ecame Sister 
 
 Phelps. The second one, Eebecca,when she approached 
 
 the mourner's bench, had on a verv nice bonnet, and 
 
 kind Sister Sackett approached her and was about to 
 
 remove it, when her father spoke up, *' Xever mind, 
 
 sister," said he, '-let the bonnet go. I can lay brick and 
 
 get her uk »re. I had rather see her there than riding in a 
 
 coach and six." Brothers Catterton and Eoyal and my 
 
 husband were o^oinc^ ni^ht and dav amonoj the mourn- 
 er o o V O 
 
 ers. They would be sent for fi-om miles in the 
 country, saying. ''Come and pray with us. We are 
 lost and undone if we can't get religion." In one 
 instance, where they were sent for, a man and his 
 wife were converted l:»efore they got there, and were 
 shouting and happy; so they had nothing to do Ijut 
 rejoice with them. 
 
 One day Brother Boyal, my husband and several of 
 the brethren were talking about the mercy of God in 
 the salvation of the people ; how the work was spread- 
 ing ; who was converted last night ; when they expected 
 Brother Phelps and how much they needed his help; 
 hoped he would remain with us during the next week, 
 etc., when some one remarked, " Brethren, I love the 
 work, but it will not bring bread and l>utter." 
 '* Xever mind," replied Brother Boyal, '* I have one 
 load of every kind of potter's ware left, and we will 
 live while that lasts." Every kind of business was 
 stopped and the people stood about in groups in the
 
 KlioNTIKIi I.IFK. 1<.>3 
 
 ^tivets uf uiir villiii^c and in the vards and houses, 
 readiiiu^ tlie Bihle and talkin*^ about tlie »i^reat work. 
 v>in^ini!: '^'i^^ ju-ayer could be lieard from some direc- 
 tion at almost any hour of the day or ni^ht. We 
 had a ]>k'asant female prayer ineetin*^, which was a 
 Source «»f much irootl, a*nd there were manv souls con- 
 verted. It was conducted by dear old Mother Ilo«j^er6, 
 wluj was our leader. She exliorted j)(»werfully, aud 
 t>h! what a near aj>j)roach she would make to the 
 J.ord in ])rayer. It did seem as thou<;h the Lord 
 denie<l her uothing she asked for, as she did truly 
 a>k in faith, nothing d(»ubting. She was a power in 
 that revival, aud has long since gone to the climes of 
 glory. ^Icthinks there must have been some bright 
 stars added to her crown during tliat revival, ^[ost 
 all who labored at that time, as well as many who 
 were converted, have gone into our Father's kingdom, 
 — J)rother Phelps, Father Stringiield, Father Made- 
 more, lirother Shepard, Sister Sackett, and Sister 
 lloyal. Oh I Sister Itoyal was a host in that revival, 
 lilessed be her memory. It is right to think of the 
 \enerable dead who lived and labored to sustain our 
 behjved Methodism all along the century and say, 
 *• Blessed be their memory." For numy do claim 
 them as the instruments in the hands of the Lord to 
 bring them to the fold. Oh I my heart kindles with 
 a desire to })ass over the river and enj(»y that rest. 
 Ibit all my time will I wait j>atiently till my Lonl 
 >hall say, ''It is enough; c(une up higher." And 
 with hopeful trusting lieart we nuiy believe who- 
 ever may live to see an hundred years, will see 
 Methodism clotheil with that jn.wer there is in a
 
 104 EECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 sanctified literature. May the Lord ever keep us as a 
 Church liumble and holy, and may it be a power to 
 tell to earth's remotest bounds that God is Love and 
 died for a sinful world. For He hath said, '*Come 
 unto me all ye ends of the earth, and be ye saved." 
 Bless the Lord, Oh I my soul, for a full and free 
 salvation. 
 
 Brother Cartwright was still our Elder. He left 
 an appointment for a quarterly meeting, and Brother 
 Phelps thought it best to have a camp meeting at that 
 time, as neither of our meeting houses would hold 
 half the congregation. He consulted the stewards 
 and class leaders, and Brother Cartwright sanctioned 
 it. The meeting was located at Father Stringfield's^ 
 a very convenient spot. AVe did not think of holding 
 the camp meeting more than two weeks before the 
 time appointed, but everybody seemed ready for a 
 camp meeting, and when the time came we were there 
 in Methodist order. Everything cons23ired to make 
 the meeting interesting, and it was. Much good was 
 done. Here I first ^aw the lamented John Sinclair. 
 He was traveling some circuit near, and so it was con- 
 venient for him to come and help Brother Phelps, 
 who was very thankful for his assistance. He was 
 the means of doing much good there, and many 
 souls were converted and the church much blessed. 
 There was a great baptism of the Holy Spirit. If I 
 recollect right, it was the last night of the meeting, 
 after the meeting closed at the stand, a groujD of those 
 veterans came to our tent with two or three mourners. 
 They sang and prayed with those mourners until they 
 were enabled to realize bv a livino^ faith that their sins^
 
 Flio.N'IIKK I.IKK. !••.'> 
 
 were foi'iri veil and the l«»\'e of (tckI slie<l \va> aluKjul in 
 their hearts. •' Ihtw streainiii*^ inercv flowed to every 
 heart.'' AVell niiirht we say we sat together in 
 a lieaveiily phice, while His glorious ])resence here 
 our earthen vessels till, and we could antedate the day 
 when we should meet around tlie Father's tliront' and 
 sin*^ halleluia to Him who loved us and washed us in 
 His all-atoning blood, and gave us His spirit to hear 
 witness with ours that we were the children of (T(»d. 
 Oh I how we loved one another; how we loved a 
 Christian ministry; h(>w we loved a world that lay in 
 wickedness, far from G(mI hy wicked ways. There 
 were a good many of them there, and it seemed that 
 the preachers and exhorters were commissioned 
 anew to cry '' Behold I behold the Lamb." They did 
 so, and went from tent to tent and preached Jesus and 
 the remission of sins. And Oh ! what a time of the 
 outpouring of the spirit of the Lord. AVhat a 
 gracious farewell we had next morning when we 
 parte<L My heart is imbued with the same blessed 
 spirit while I write. Glory to God Un- his redeeming 
 and sustaining grace, and for the hope I have to-day 
 of soon meeting those dear Fathers and Mothers, who 
 were Fathers and Mothers in L<rael to me, and those 
 dear Hrotliers and Sisters who helped us to bear the 
 standard of Methodism and unfurl the banner of free 
 >alvati<jn in those days. 
 
 We remained in the village some time, nearly three 
 years I think. I )uring this time we became ac<piainted 
 with old Father Mitchell, the old pi«»neer minister, 
 who was one of the earliest sUmdard lK*arers in 
 Illinois. There was a gnicious j)ower attende<l hift
 
 106 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 preaching. He held a two-days meeting in our vil- 
 lage during one of his itinerant tours. I think he 
 was the soundest man on the doctrine of the Trinity 
 that I ever heard preach. He, too, has entered into 
 the harbor of rest long since. 
 
 Wliile living there we attended another camp meet- 
 meeting at the ^Valters camp ground. A great many 
 of our classes went to this meeting, and there were 
 many souls converted and wonderfully blessed. I say 
 -classes, for the three classes were pretty large. I 
 think the one in the village numbered about ninety- 
 five persons, and we began to think of building a 
 -church — lonof since our loo^ house had become too 
 small, and we had worshiped in a large school-house. 
 Our village had grown very much, and truly it was 
 a Methodist village. I have heard Brother Phelps 
 say he had ''often stopped when he had been walking 
 out in the morning or evening and listened and heard 
 eight or ten families at prayer all at the same time.'' 
 
 Here we became more acquainted with Brother I. 
 H. Sinclair. He came over on our side of the river 
 to perform the marriage ceremony for Brother Phelps, 
 ^nd we had a two days' meeting appointed on the 
 camp ground near Father Stringfield's, and he preached 
 in great power while there, and the Word was like bread 
 •cast upon the waters, it could be gathered many days 
 hence. 
 
 That fall we attended a conference campmeeting at 
 or near Jacksonville. The conference was held in the 
 town, and the campmeeting was conducted as usual, 
 except that we had a greater number of preachers, and 
 of course, a greater variety of preaching. There we
 
 Ki:<>N riKU i.iiK. 107 
 
 l)eeaiiie iiC(iiuiiiiU'(l with Jolui and Janice .Mitcliell, 
 verv pruinisiii*; y<»imii' nu'ii. It was tliere nho that 
 \vc became accjuainted with r»r<»ther I>e^^s. In early 
 days Ills hiburs were iiiucli blessed in building up 
 Methodism in tlie northern part of the State of lUi- 
 n«»is. 
 
 I think that Uishop Uoberts presitled at the confer- 
 ence. There was a i^reat Sabbath-sch<M»l demonstra- 
 tion. On Sunday, all the schools in that section were 
 invited, and met at Jacksonville, and marched up to 
 the canipirronnd in a <h)nble column. Never sliall I 
 foriret what a beautiful si^ht it was to see them march 
 onto the cam})«rround and take their seats; olil I felt 
 then that was the way to ]>lant Methodism (and I feel 
 so now.) AVe had a very a]>propriate address from 
 JJrother John T. ^[itchell, and well do I recollect how 
 vouui' he looked; how icenteel and commandiuij: was 
 his appearance, and how his words burned in the 
 liearts of his hearers, when he encourat^ed us to look 
 forward to the time when that army of Sabbath-school 
 scholars would grow uj* and take our places in the 
 ranks of the ^lethixlist army, and battle for the right. 
 This encouraged our hearts to hope that some great good 
 might result from our labors in the Sabbath-school in 
 our village. From sixty to eighty attended regularly. 
 My husljjind was superintendent, and he liad a good 
 number nf faithful teachers, an«l the school ])rospered 
 beyond »»ur anticij>ati<»ns; but with all our ]>ros]K'rity, 
 we felt, religiouslv, like livini; and dvin;; there 
 together, but the Lord decreed it othei'wise, and we 
 were willing to be UmI by lliin, knowing that thr path 
 of duty is always the ]>ath of safety.
 
 108 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 CIIAPTEE YI. 
 
 DOCTOR S ADVENTURE OX THE FARM. 
 
 Tlie TOimg doctor bought a good deal of corn one 
 fall, and got it hauled to him for one shilling per bushel, 
 and he also bought about one hundred fine young 
 shoats. He kept a trusty man who took good care of 
 them, and I had a few of my o'^^^l. In tlie spring we 
 fenced in a forty-acre lot for them which cost over one 
 hundred dollars, enclosed a reservoir made by a buf- 
 falo wallow in a ravine, and then made a dam below it 
 for the hogs to drink from and wallow in ; built a nice 
 shed for them to sleep under, as well as fur shade ; and 
 this cost him fifty dollars more. He laid in enough 
 corn, as he thought, to last until the new corn would 
 do to cut up and feed green. He thought he had his 
 plans nicely arranged, pitched his crops, got in his 
 wheat, oats, barley and corn — nearly an hundred acres 
 of corn on which to fatten his hoo^s. The season was 
 very favorable; plentiful showers, gentle breezes and 
 a rich sunshine brought on the crops early. By the 
 Inth of Julv the barlev and wheat were harvested and
 
 FRONTIKi: I.IKK. 109 
 
 in stacks, uiul tlie (»;its iiuarlv all dnwn ainl l«»uii(l: 
 corn nicely cultivated, ami well i-an'*!, and nnthini; 
 could luuk ninre pmniisin^ than the whole en»p. They 
 closed up the lahors of the week Saturday evening all 
 feeling cheerful and hu})ing to linish harvesting on 
 Monday. 
 
 We had a beautiful <^arden of vegetables also, hut 
 Sunday afternoon it became a little cloudy, or rather 
 hazy, so as to dim the ])eautiful sunshine of the 
 morning. Some of the family had been to Crab Orch- 
 ard to attend meeting, and as they were on their way 
 home thev discovered somethin*' flvin«; everywhere in 
 the air, but they could not ascertain what it was. One 
 says to the other, ''See how thick they are getting; I 
 wonder if it can be grasshoppers? I fear it is.'' They 
 seemed to come nearer and nearer until they began to 
 light on the ground, and then they knew that it was 
 that greatly-to-be-dreaded scourge — grasshoppers. We 
 who were at home had discovered them also, and they 
 came down like i^reat clouds and settled all over the 
 farm and garden, except a little plat where we had 
 lettuce and onions, and on the ])each trees which were 
 not far from the house. AVe had quite a number of 
 them, and they were loaded with fruit, and the seeds 
 were just hardening, and I heard pa say just before 
 his death, '*! never saw such nice ]>each trees before; 
 I should not wonder if we should, have fifty bushels 
 from them next year." "Oh pa," said I, "that is too 
 much to expect; that will be only three years from the 
 setting.'* "Well," said he, ''they bear in this country 
 the third year from the seed, but those were raised in 
 a nursery and set here, and that will put them back a
 
 Hi) EECOLLECTIOXS OF 
 
 year — it will be three years next spring since tliey 
 were set out.-' "Well," said 1, " there are a few of 
 those seeds we planted come up, and we will see if 
 thev bear.- ' They did l)ring forth peaches three years 
 from the sprouting, nice large peaches, but few on a 
 tree. They ripened nicely, and the trees were then 
 loaded with fruit. "vYe felt sad to see those grasshop- 
 pers eating the fruit right off the seeds and leaying 
 them hano'incr to the limbs. They ate all the leayes 
 off and deyoured the l)ark of the small limbs, there 
 being hundreds on quite a small twig. 
 
 They destroyed our sweet corn in a few hours the 
 tirst day, and still they came — the earth was literally 
 coyered with them, many being as large as a small 
 finger, and shaped just like any other grasshopper. 
 They commenced their destructions on Monday — they" 
 settled down on the ground Sunday night and did not 
 eat anything — (they do not eat at night, but cuddle 
 up in a pile like a swarm of bees.) Tuesday morning 
 I saw heaps of grasshoppers as large as a wash tub. 
 Numbers of these swarms could be seen all through 
 the garden, and if I had thought to haye poured 
 hot water on them I might haye sayed our four hun- 
 dred head of nice cabbage that was just heading. But 
 I did not think, and as a consequence the cabbage was 
 destroyed. They ate the lettuce and beets, but to my 
 great joy they had not touched the black seed onions. 
 I gathered some of those onions for breakfast and 
 went in with great joy to tell the doctor's wife that 
 the cabbage and onions had been spared as yet. She 
 ran out to see if her plot was safe. She said, "Ma, 
 mine are all right." I hoped that they might be
 
 KKoMIKK I.IFK. 1 1 I 
 
 tr]>arO(l, Imt the 'liojipers took tliciii as tlicv made tiicii- 
 way to the rorntit'ld. lU'forc ten o'clock tliciv was 
 lUit an onion or cal>l>a«^e left — we liad j)lante<l a «xreat 
 many onions. They eoninienced on a forty-acre tield 
 of corn, which we could see from tlie house, about ten 
 o'clock, and before night there was not an ear of corn or 
 green leaf to he seen, and the stalks looked as though 
 they had been boiled. All was over ; the potato bugs had 
 taken our late potatoes, and now the 'hoppers our 
 garden, corn and fruit. I assure you it was sad, but 
 it was so all over the countrv. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ^' 
 
 W 
 
 
 k
 
 112 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 CHAPTEK YII. 
 
 REMOVAL TO ROCK RIVER PROGRESS OF METHODISM. 
 
 Brother ^Ym. Eoyal was recommended by our 
 quarterly conference to the annual conference at its 
 session in Jacksonville, Morgan county, Illinois, in 
 the fall of 1831, and was appointed to a mission 
 extending over several counties, embracing the town of 
 Bloomington, Illinois, and the surrounding country. 
 There he labored to plant the standard of 
 the great Eedeemer, and lay the foundation of 
 Methodism. He worked in great suffering and want, 
 but his heart was fired with zeal for the salvation of 
 precious souls and the cause of his Master. Himself 
 and family endured hardships as faithful soldiers of 
 the cross, and the Lord abundantly blessed their 
 labors. Sister Barbara Eoyal was a great help, 
 through the grace of God, in sustaining her husband 
 in the then arduous duties of the Gospel ministry. 
 
 How many circuits, churches and charges were then 
 a mission? It would be impossible for me to tell. If 
 some of those faithful standard-bearers, such as
 
 FKOXTIER LIFE. 113 
 
 Bros. I^yal and Cxjulclis, with utliers, were permitted 
 to view the hindscape they would cry out, "Praise tlie 
 Lord! nothing but the grace of God and our blessed 
 itineracy could have done this great work, and to Him 
 be all the glory." 
 
 Brother Phelps grew rapidly in spiritual life and 
 ministerial intiuence, and was soon ordained i)residin«»" 
 <?lder, and was sent north in the year of l832-'33. 
 
 Brother Maclemore, Brother Overstreet, and 
 Mother Rogers were soon released from their service 
 •and passed over the river Jordan in the sweet assur- 
 ance of that rest that awaits the faithful. Mother 
 Rogers was very useful at the Athens revival. She 
 was the leader of our female prayer-meetings. 
 
 Brother Sacket moved to Bock river and settled 
 near Elkhorn Grove, about twelve or fifteen miles 
 west of the river. There were but a very few families 
 located in the Grove then. There they labored 
 faithfully to plant Methodism in all its sim- 
 plicity and truth, and it flourished and grew, 
 watered by the showers of divine grace. One 
 revival succeeded another until there was a large class 
 formed. Dear Father and Mother Ankeny were 
 iiniont; the fruits of these revivals, and have lonir 
 since gone home to receive their reward, with many 
 others whose names I cannot give. 
 
 l>rother Sacket wrote to mv husband, tellin«; him of 
 the beautiful country that was open for settlement, 
 and urged us to come. Brother Catterlin had soM 
 liis nice little farm and had moved north and settled 
 in Hennepin, Putnam county, on the Hlinois river. 
 He also wrote the doctor, urging us to come. So, in
 
 114 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 tlie fear of tlie Lord, we left our home and friends in 
 tlie village with regret, but felt it our diitj as well as 
 interest to go, so we took oiir departure in Xovember, 
 1S31-, for Eock river. 
 
 AVe had a family of live boys, healthy, promising 
 children, and felt it our dutv to trv and cret us a 
 farm, as we thought it the best and most prudent 
 place to rear our boys. My husband told me that if 
 I would come to this new country he would discard 
 the practice of medicine, and Avould turn his attention 
 to farming. This pleased me. I was willing- to endure 
 any privation that could be expected in moving to a 
 new country, if I could only rear my boys on a 
 farm. 
 
 We traveled as far north as Putnam county, and 
 there we met some friends who advised us to stoj). 
 They informed us that the Indians had not, nor would 
 not go until spring, and perhaps not until the spring 
 following, and that the few settlers there had not raised 
 more grain than they could consume, and that the late 
 settlers had came there to buy grain, paying a high 
 pricr for it, and if we went on we would have to sup- 
 ply ourselves in the same way. This news brought 
 us to the conclusion that we had better take their 
 advice, which we did, and remained there for some 
 time. 
 
 In December, 1835, my husband came to Rock 
 river and selected a claim, that being the mode of 
 securing a farm. He erected a cabin and returned to 
 Putnam county for his family. We were almost 
 ready by the time he returned for us, yet regretted to 
 leave our home, although it was temporary. We had
 
 FKONTIl.i; 1.1 1 K. I 1 r> 
 
 fouiid kiiul iiei»;lil)<>r.s and Christian friends, to whom 
 we liad l>econie verv nnieh attached — some Methodists, 
 others Presbyterians: the latter had a hir<j;e church, 
 and we often worshij)ped witli tlieni. 
 
 Brother Phelps had resiirned his othce as elder, and 
 was travelin*^ the IIenne})in circuit, and he would 
 come to iKir house and j>reach everv four weeks, iis 
 most of them were divided into four week circuits at 
 that time. lie and his horse, '*Tom" hy name, had 
 a hard time of it traveling through the mud and 
 slouichs. We did not have much of a Ciju^'re^^ation, 
 hut Brother Pliel])s said he would come " if he had 
 nnly our family for an audience/' And he did so, 
 much to our comfort and instruction, until we came to 
 Uock river valley. 
 
 We left our home in Putnam county in 1836, early 
 in March. At the close of our first day's journey we 
 had arrived at Ilennei)in, and there we had a good 
 visit with Brother Catterlin, his wife and interesting 
 daughters (they had no sons.) The weather was very 
 unpropitious for traveling, as the frost was just 
 comin*' out of the ''round, and the ice was lietjinnini; 
 to break up in the streams. But we were obliged 
 (through fear that some one might take our claim 
 from us in the absence of my husband, as was often 
 done) to proceed on our journey. The night we 
 stopped with Brother Catterlin's family it rained very 
 hard, takin;; the frost out of the «;round and s«»ftenini; 
 the ice in the river so that our team could not cross 
 <»n the ice. Brother Catterlin informed us that there 
 was a ferry al)out eight miles above Hennepin, and 
 that he understood the river was open up there an<l
 
 116 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 boats running. So we started for the ferry, and got 
 along nicely for a few miles — we were driving oxen, 
 as we dared not start with horses, it being so very 
 muddy, and there being no grain on which to feed 
 horses. After traveling about half the distance, we 
 turned into the timber, making our way to the river. 
 We found that the road had not been worked much, 
 if any, since it had been made, and the rain had 
 washed away all the bridges, which were many. It 
 seemed as though w^e crossed a creek, that wound 
 through the Illinois river bottom, at least five or six 
 times, and had to build a bridge at every crossing. 
 It took us till near sundown to accomplish this. 
 
 Brother Catterlin had told us that a suspicious set 
 of people lived at the ferry, and advised us to drive on 
 a few miles from the ferry to stop over night. Well, 
 there we were at the ferry, — sundown, and the w^ind 
 blowing a tempest of snow and hail, the ground freez- 
 ing under our feet. My husband called again and 
 again for the ferryman, and it seemed as though- some 
 one answered, but we could not understand anything, 
 the wind blew so hard, and my husband concluded he 
 would have to go ahead and see what he could do. 
 He could see a hut plainly on the other side. The ice 
 seemed to be strong in the middle of the stream, but 
 near the shore it was broken away, and the water was 
 rushing along in a strong current, some four feet in 
 width, between the ice and bank. A small tree had 
 been felled by some one, and this indicated that they 
 had crossed over to the ice, and the doctor was resolved 
 to try and get over. I begged him not to make the 
 venture, but instead, build a tire by a log near the
 
 FRONTIER MFK. 1 IT 
 
 roa^l and stay there all night. "Oil !" said he, *' von 
 and tlie children wonld perish here.'' " Yon will 
 perish," said I, ''if yon attempt to cross that river, 
 and if we ninst perish, let ns all perish together.'' 
 Bnt he was resolved t(> go, and taking a long pole in 
 his hand, climbed npon the tree. I cannot describe 
 my feelings, for I never expected to see him retnrn; 
 bnt soon he was safe on the strcmg ice. ''Xow," he 
 called ont, "dont feel nne^isy, I will not ventnre on the 
 weak ice," and with the remark, " I will often caII ont 
 ' all right,' " proceeded. For a while we conld hear 
 him, and each token of his safety was received with 
 delight, and the little boys would smile, while their 
 teeth chattered with the cold, when they heard their 
 pa's voice. At length we conld hear the welcome 
 sound no more, and we could not tell whether he had 
 gone down into the deep or not, and perhaps it might 
 Ije the storm or the rushing, roaring water as it passed 
 us that prevented us from hearing his voice. Oh I 
 what suspense I suffered for an half hour or more. 
 If ever I trusted and prayed earnestly it was then, and 
 I felt that Ilis everlasting arm would sustain me, and 
 no harm would befall us. Pretty soon 1 heard him 
 ^ay, "All safe!" 
 
 On his arrival <jn the other side, the doctor learned 
 that the ferry Inid been opened, but the ice had floated 
 down into the channel, and that they had run the boat 
 through and had closed it up, but men were at work 
 half a mile below cutting another opening through the 
 ice, but it Would be impossible for us to get across 
 that night. "Well," .said 1 to my husbaiul, "the Lord 
 will take care of us, and no harm will befall us."
 
 118 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 There seemed to be no other alternative but for us to 
 remain where we were, as we could never grope our 
 way back over that miserable road and shattered 
 bridges, to a house six miles liack. This psalm came 
 to my mind, and it fell deep into my heart: "I will 
 both lay me down in peace and sleep, for thou. Lord, 
 only niaketh me to dwell in safety." So we concluded 
 to build a tire by the log and get supper, and then 
 make our beds in the wagon and try and get warm, 
 and sleep if possible. The gale had passed over, and 
 it was now more calm. 
 
 Tlie doctor went about cutting some wood from the 
 limbs that had fallen from a tree near by with which 
 to build a lire, while I took the things out of the wagon 
 to get supper with. 
 
 Just then a man aj^proached us in haste, saying, 
 " We have got the boat over on this side, and will take 
 you across the river yet to-night ; we had to make a 
 landing about half a mile below here.'' We hurried 
 our thino^s too;ether and went sloncr down the bank of 
 the river about half a mile, and there we fc^md the 
 boat and several strong men. We had two yoke of 
 oxen, one cow and a dozen small shoats. They thought 
 it best to take the stock over first, and then return for 
 myself, the children and wagon. They run the wagon 
 near enough to the river so that they could, on their 
 get it on the boat. My husband and the two oldest return, 
 boys went over with the first load to assist in getting 
 the stock ashore. I was now alone with my three 
 smallest boys, and wrapped them up and kept them as 
 warm as I could in the wagon. 
 
 Wliile I sat there in the front of the watron — which
 
 FKOXTIKK I.IKK. 119 
 
 was fixed up in enii«^rant fashion, with hows and cover — 
 nieditatin*^ upon the goodness of (lod, who was ahont 
 to deliver lis from this ex])osed situation we were in, 
 the little boys were saying t<^) me, "Ma, we will soon 
 be where there is a warm tire." Just then I looked 
 down u})oii the water above the opening they had cut 
 for the boat to pass through, it being only of sufficient 
 width to admit the craft, using })oles by sticking them 
 int(> the ice to ])ropel it along. Near the shore the 
 ice had tliawed, and the water was running. In 
 the river I could see the body of a dead man, with 
 his face just jn-otruding out of the water, and 
 it was dreadfully mangled, and looked as though the 
 ravens had been i)icking at it. It was twilight, and 
 as I looked upon this scene, a cold shudder ran over uie. 
 I recalled what Brother Catterlin had told us, and his 
 wcu'ds of warning, to "drive on a few miles from the 
 ferry, before sto]>])ing for the night." and the rumor 
 afloat that a man had been killed at this place during 
 the winter. 
 
 At that moment the men cried (»ut, "AH safe 
 over." Thev so<»n came l)ack again, and with the 
 shout. "all aboard," j)ulle(l the wagon onto 
 the boat. AVe were soon safely landed on 
 the opjMjsite bank of the river. The oxen were 
 soon hitched to the wagon, and drivfii with all haste 
 possil»le u]) the hill, the men following and (»ften 
 hallooinj; at the team, and one of the men remarked 
 with an oath, ''That woman and the children will freeze 
 to death before that team will get them to a house." 
 "We soon halted at the d(jor of a miserable cabin. They 
 had l)een kind enough to build up a log heap of a fire 
 
 L
 
 120 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 for US to get warm by, and the woman remarked, with 
 some embarrassment, " I should have had some supper 
 for you had I anything to get." " Dear woman," said 
 I, "do not feel unhappy about that, we are thankful 
 for the comfort affored by your lire, we can soon get 
 supper for ourselves when we get warm." But we did 
 not get very warm, for there were cracks all around 
 the house large enough for a dog to crawl through. 
 The door was made of clapboards, and they were sa 
 warped and sprung, that it was but little defence 
 against the pitiless wind. After awhile we got a little 
 warm, and I prepared some supper and made our 
 beds on the floor and retired. I ha,d sought in vain 
 for an opportunity to tell my husband what I had 
 seen in the river. 
 
 Soon after our arrival at the cabin all the 
 men left except the owner. He furnished us with 
 some cut-up corn with w^hich to feed our team 
 and then retired, his bed being near our own. 
 After all wa^s quiet I tried to tell the doctor of what I 
 had seen in the river, and found that I had been over- 
 heard by the other occupants of the house, and they 
 seemed to be uneasy, and were wdiispering to each 
 other. I then told them all about it, and asked them 
 if anyone had been " drowned near that place." Tliey 
 said " Xo," but thought the body "might have floated 
 down the river." After this they seemed to be more 
 restless and uneasy, and shortly afterward the man got 
 up and went out to a hut of a stable, got his horse 
 and rode away. I did not sleep any through the 
 entire night, for I feared I had done wrong in 
 telling them. I thought it possible they might fear
 
 FKONTIKK lAVK. 1 iM 
 
 exposure hy my telliiii^ Jil»«>iit .seeing the dead body, 
 aiul this miglit briii^ harm to u.s, and ])erhaps cost us 
 our lives. 
 
 I learned from the woman that the men had «^(>ne tn 
 a tavern, as they called it, u}) at the usual ferry. 1 
 thought that her husband had gone up there to let 
 them know of our discovery. I awoke my husband 
 and told him of my fears, and when he learned that 
 the man had actually gone, he felt a little alarmed, 
 and we concluded to get up and go to some other 
 place where we would feel more secure. It was Sun- 
 day morning, and we thought if we could get out on 
 the ])rairie we might find some church-going people. 
 
 AVhen we started from home we expected to cross 
 the river at Hennepin and get to lvn(jx's Grove by 
 Saturday night, and spend the Sabbath there with 
 some of our friends. But having met with so many 
 misfortunes, we were then twenty miles from there. 
 
 We packed up our effects on short notice — we could 
 not think of spending the 8a1)bath in that })lace — and 
 started on our journey, the woman directing us which 
 way to go. We traveled about six miles in a north- 
 westerly course when we arrived at a house. AVe 
 stopped and inquired if we could stop there until the 
 next morning. They told us that most of the family 
 had gone to meeting, but gave us permission to stop 
 until they should return, and thought it likely that 
 we could stay over night. We found the people of 
 the house very pious, j)leasant and intelligent. We 
 told them where we had put up the night before, what 
 we had seen, etc., and what our fears were. Tliey 
 said thev had everv reason to l»elie\e tliat our fe:ir>
 
 122 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 were well founded, as those people at the ferry were a 
 shiftless, drunken set, and being in such an out-of-the- 
 way place, they could carry on all sorts of mischief 
 without being found out, and that there was strong- 
 suspicion of a man having been killed there in the 
 winter for his money, and they would inform the 
 neighbors and see if anything could be discovered in 
 regard to it. They thought those men would be likely 
 to make an effort to recover the dead body, and if that 
 was acomplished there could be no discovery made. 
 We took our departure early the next morning, and 
 never heard anything more concerning the mystery. 
 We traveled along pleasantly but slowly, and night 
 found us about a mile from Knox's Grove, a beautiful 
 little grove situated in Bureau County, and about 
 sixteen or eighteen miles from Princeton. As night 
 came on it grew very cold. There was a very little 
 snow on the ground, and it was frozen enough to bear 
 the oxen up, but they slipped and slid about a great 
 deal. Just before we got to the grove we had to cross 
 a slough and then quite a stream. The oxen went into the 
 slough a short distance, and then stuck. After whipping 
 and coaxing and tugging and striving and unloading, my 
 husband got discouraged and gave it up. 1 said, ''My 
 husband, let me take some corn in my hand and go 
 before them, I think they will certainly pull to get tc» 
 it, they are so hungry." ''Well," said he, "try it." I 
 did so, and they pulled it out, and soon we were on 
 solid ground. But just beyond us was the stream. We 
 found that it was frozen over, and the oxen, not being 
 shod, could not stand upon it. "Wliat to do we did 
 not know. Finally we concluded to take the oxen oif
 
 FKoNTIKK I. IKK. 123 
 
 the toiiijue :ui(] tie them t«» tlie wjii^on und feed them, 
 and walk to the (ini\e. ^Fy liushand was a j^ood 
 skater, and he took lir>t one cliild and tlien another, 
 nntil he had taken them all safely over, and then he 
 told me to take hold of his arm and he would take 
 me over. I did so, and we were soon on our way. 
 As we ai>]>roaehed the (iruve — it was lutw <|uite dark 
 — just across tlie road lay a lar<^e ])rairie wolf. 1 had 
 never saw one before although I had lived so long in 
 the Prairie State. I was very much frightened, and 
 thought it wouldjuni]) u]) and come at ns, but when 
 we approached nearer we found it to l)e dead, and then 
 tlie doctor had quite a laugh at me. 
 
 AVe found a house near by and enjoyed a good night's 
 entertainment. Our kind friends went out with my 
 husband tlie next mon\ing and scattered hay on the 
 ice, then w^et it and let it freeze, and thus they brought 
 the oxen over in safety. AVe pursued our journey and 
 arrived at AVashington (4 rove, on Kock river, in what 
 is now Ogle county — there was no county organized 
 then, nor for nine or ten months afterward. 
 
 Tlie Indians had taken their departure two or three 
 weeks previous to our arrival, and their tracks were 
 yet fresh in the Grove. Our family made maple 
 sugar — caught sap in the troughs the Indians had 
 made,and boiled syrup with their remaining camp-fires. 
 The frames of their wigwams were still standing in 
 the gnjve. The ma])le trees are still plenty in AVasli- 
 ingtou Grove, and 1 am astonished that the people 
 have abandoned the use of them for making sugar. 
 
 At the time we arrived there, only three families 
 lived in the (irove — at that time the enii«;rants settled
 
 124 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 ill and just around tlie Grove to secure the timber. 
 There were two families on the southwest side, and a 
 bachelor's hall, kept bv a Mr. Fav just across the 
 creek that runs through the Grove. There lived 
 another family with a bachelor brother, Hyrem Leon- 
 ard, in the Grove. 
 
 Tlie Grove looked delightful to us, after traveling 
 over a prairie of eighteen miles without seeing a lire. 
 The weather was extremely cold, and we suffered very 
 much. Mr. Blackmore gave us a cordial welcome to 
 all the hospitality their little log cabin afforded — six- 
 teen feet square. The doctor l)oarded with this kind 
 familv while he was makintj: his claim and putting- 
 up the body of his house. This family had lived near 
 us in Putnam county, and had moved to Rock river 
 the year previous. They were anxiously looking as the 
 time for our arrival had expired. The doctor had 
 made arrangements with them for us to remain until 
 he could make our house comfortable enough for u& 
 to move into. The family consisted of an old lady, a 
 widow, one son, a bachelor, one sister, a maiden lady, 
 and another, a widow with three children, seven in all 
 in the family. Our family numbered seven, live boys 
 and ourselves, the oldest ten years and the youngest 
 three years. There we were, fourteen of us in a little 
 cabin sixteen feet square — a little over a foot apiece 
 — with a lireplace made l)y building a mud wall 
 against one end of the house, leaving an opening at 
 the top of the roof, forming a funnel on the top of the 
 boards, with sticks and mud, to make a draft. Oh', 
 what nice log lires we would build up, and I assure you 
 the cabin presented an appearance of comfort, with
 
 FKoNTIKK I.IKK. I'J.") 
 
 our l)i«^ fires cm our broad mud hearth neatly swej)t, 
 our beds made up on our scaffold bedstead, all around 
 the log wall well daubed with mud." "Jack Frost" 
 dared not to make his aj)pearance. On one side was 
 the door, and on the other was a four-li^ht window, 
 and under that stood a four-legged table made of clap- 
 board, hewn out of an oak tree by a tool called a 
 frow, well known by settlers of a new country. On 
 this table we ate our meals; six could be seated, and 
 sometimes we crammed in some of the small children. 
 Oh, what comfort we enjoyed, I never enjoyed such 
 comfort in a richly furnished parlor, as I did in our 
 log cabin. 
 
 Mother Blackmore was an old Revolutionary Meth- 
 odist. Her maiden daughter was a devoted Christian. 
 They brought their certificates of membership with 
 them. The widowed daughter was a back-slider, 
 although a fine woman otherwise, with one of the 
 warmest hearts ever placed in its casket. She loved 
 the Methodists, and believed in their doctrines. The 
 brother was a decided friend to Methodism, but knew 
 nothing of experiuiental religion at that time. 
 
 In that cabin, under those circumstances, we had 
 divine service the first Sabbath after our arrival; 
 preaching by llev. J. Noe, a local Methodist minister 
 wh<j had moved there a few months j)revious. He 
 had been preaching alternately in the log cabins 
 around the Grove, and had formed a small class. Tlie 
 Missionary, Brother Joseph McKeon, of former 
 acx[uaintance in Sangamon County, Illin(»is, had 
 arrived a few weeks previous. The mission was 
 called the Buffalo Grove Mission, attacheil Ut the
 
 126 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 Galena District, Eev. Alfred Bronson Presiding^ 
 Elder. AYlien Brother McKeon came to the mission, 
 Brother Moe handed in the names of the members to 
 him, and he organized a class properly, appointing 
 Father Isaac Eosecrans as class leader. There were 
 fifteen, besides our families, in attendance, and nearly 
 all staved to class. AYe had an excellent class meet- 
 ing. I never shall forget it. I expect to recall it in 
 the better world, if I am so happy as to get there. 
 To one who had been for some time without religious 
 privileges, especially that of class meeting, it was 
 precious. True, Brother Phelps had class with us 
 when he preached at our house, but there was seldom 
 any but myself and family present. Of course I 
 expected to live in this new country without religious 
 privileges for a while; but now the first Sabbath 
 found me so delightfully situated, here to meet with 
 some of the old pioneers who had stood the toil and 
 burden of earlier days and helped to plant the stan- 
 dard of the Cross and sustain Methodism in Ohio,. 
 Vermont, and other places, and hear them tell of the 
 wonders of Emmanuel; how wonderfully the grace 
 of God had sustained them mid all the trials of life; 
 and then speak of their hopes of an eternal inheritance 
 in the better world, and their hopes of seeing this 
 wilderness blossom as the rose. They hoped the 
 gospel seed would be sown all over those ])rairies^ 
 and that it would produce '* an hundred fold," and 
 in the end, everlasting life. Well do I recollect how 
 my heart was filled with the love of God, how near 
 my Saviour was, how strong the emotion of Christian 
 love was toward that little group. There were
 
 FRONTIER LIFE. 127 
 
 Christian tics funned there tliat day never to l>e 
 broken. 
 
 I met there fur the tirst time Fatlier and Mother 
 Koseerans, Brother and Sister Ch^rk, Hruther and 
 Sister Dorset, Sister Chloe Benedict, wlio is now the 
 wurtliy cunsurt of our much esteemed I>rother Barton 
 ('art\vri»^ht, and others, who have entered into the 
 lieaven of rest. And then to realize that the mission- 
 ary of the Cross was there before us, and that lie was 
 our own familiar friend. He had been our minister 
 in the Sang-amon Circuit, lie had visited at our 
 house, and we had enjoyed sweet Christian couusel 
 with him. This increased our joy. I had always 
 known our Methodists to be a working people, but I 
 <lid not ex[>ect to find them here, so close on the 
 track of the savage, and so near the emigrant ]>ath. 
 J>ut it was even su, and it was a great cumf<»rt tu me. 
 
 Father and Mother Ilosecrans stayed and took tea 
 with us, and we talked over uur past exi)erience in 
 regard tu the success of the Methodist church every- 
 where we had lived. The old gentleman remarked, 
 •' One reason of their success is, that they are all and 
 always lalioring to scatter its sacred intluence. I hope 
 it will l>e so here, and if so, there is not a doubt in 
 my mind but it will be the power of (timI to the 
 salvation of the j>euple here as elsewhere. Xow, 
 brethren," he continued, ** we must liave a church, 
 even if a small one and l)uilt of logs. We must have 
 a ])lace to worship. The Lord does not <lespise small 
 thin<;s." With one consent the ])rothers and sisters 
 resolved to make an effort to buikl a log meeting 
 house, and our interview closed with i^ood feelini;.
 
 128 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 On the Ml of April, a few weeks after our arrival, 
 the doctor said to me, " Mother, I think we had better 
 move into our new home to-day; I could get along 
 much better with my work if all were there." I was 
 much pleased with the idea, and in a few hours we 
 were packed, loaded and on our way, the distance 
 being about two miles, and our friend Blackmore said 
 he would go and help us that day. We could not hire 
 a man for any price, but occasionally the neighbors 
 would go and help each other, and thus our friend 
 Blackmore kindly offered us his assistance that day. 
 We arrived at our new home safely, found the house 
 built of round logs and the roof on; the upper or 
 chamber floor laid with clapboards. The logs were 
 neatly hewn down, the clapboards shaved smooth with 
 a draw-knife and nailed over the cracks, all of which 
 was very neat and comfortable. Only part of a chim- 
 ney was built, no floor below, except what was made 
 of the large chips that the doctor had hewn from the 
 logs, and they lay promiscously over the ground 
 inside. 
 
 Every one of us went to work heartily, the doctor to 
 flnishing up the chimney, friend Blackmore to haul- 
 ing some stone with which to fix up the fireplace with 
 back and jams, so that the fire would not burn the 
 wood work. The little boys and myself busied our- 
 selves with laying those large chips smooth and 
 regular, and it made quite a temporary floor. Pretty 
 soon we had things so comfortable I got dinner, and 
 friend Blackmore partook of our frugal meal and then 
 took his departure, with his best wishes, saying that 
 some member of his family would be up soon to see
 
 FUoNTIKK MI'K. 1*J'.» 
 
 Low we ir<'t aloiiirat oiir m-w lionic. After <»ur iVirnd 
 had left, the doctor and I went to ]>\ittin;^ up some 
 slielves, made of cla]>h(>ards, for a cuphoard, some 
 itemporary bedsteads; made a table out of a dry«;oods 
 ))0x, and by night we began to feel cpiite at home at 
 i>ur own iireside. 
 
 Our cabin was just within the edge of the grove, 
 which made a nice shade in summer, and a good 
 shelter in winter. As evening approached we felt a 
 little lonelv so far from neighbors — two miles to 
 the nearest neighbor; twelve miles to Dixon; lifteen 
 miles to the nearest neighbor northeast of us, and two 
 miles to Kock river. There were a number of fami- 
 lies settled on the west side of Rock river, but there 
 ^vas no ferry near us, so it was rather a lonely place. 
 
 As we drew near the lire — it was a little cool — I 
 meditated thus: ''Xow, if I could hope that my hus- 
 band would remain at home, as a farmer generally 
 •does, with his family, I could bear this lonely feeling, 
 but I know not how soon he may be called away, and 
 I left here with my dear little ones, without a door to 
 ])r(jtect us from an attack of prairie wolves, or any 
 other wild animals which might be roving through 
 this new country." I asked the doctor if "he had ever 
 seen any wolves in the grove."' ''Oh! no," said he, 
 •''they stay on the prairie, that is why they are called 
 prairie wolves. They will not hurt us, but they may 
 pick up some of our pigs or chickens; they will not 
 attack a })erson." 
 
 The hardy |)ioneers, with the a])proval of the mis 
 :sionary, went to work, and in a few weeks they had a 
 :nice, sound log meeting-house, hewed down inside, and
 
 130 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 the cracks battened up with clapboards. This made- 
 it look white and clean. The floor and seats were 
 made of piincheons, as they were called, the door of 
 clapboards, and after being neatly brushed out it was 
 ready for dedication. The next thing was to haye a 
 two days' meeting and dedicate it to the Lord. 
 
 Brother Mclvean went for Brother Thomas Hitt, (of 
 early memory) of the Illinois conference, who had 
 moyed and located on the west side of Rock riyer,. 
 about six miles distant from the stream, in the 
 suburbs — now- — of Mt. Morris, to assist him in the 
 dedication seryices. It was giyen out all round 
 the mission. When the day arriyed we were aston- 
 ished to see the congregation. How our hearts glowed 
 with gratitude to the Giyer of all our mercies, for 
 this blessing. Neyer did the hearts of any society, 
 who were about to dedicate a church, worth ten,, 
 twenty or tliirtj thousand dollars, throb with such 
 emotion as did ours. There was no anxious thought 
 as to who would make up, by subscription, or 
 otherwise, the remainder due on the church, for all 
 was paid. 
 
 Brother Hitt preached a yery aj)propriate sermon, 
 and the people listened with delight, and with aston- 
 ishment realized that there, on almost the same 
 ground where the Indian wigwam stood but a few 
 months since, and only the yell of the saya^e wa& 
 heard, now there was a Christian church reared, and 
 the sure sound of the gospel trumpet echoed and 
 re-echoed in our hearts, and in the groyes (the 
 church was between Lafayette and Washington 
 Groyes.)
 
 in 
 
 FRONTIKIt LIKK. 131 
 
 think I shall ever recnllect the sweet, sacred feel- 
 ir that pervaded the congret^atiun as tliey sang those 
 sacred verses, composed l)y the divint; AV^atts: 
 
 "From all that dwell below the skies, 
 Let the Creatijr's jiraise arise; 
 Let the Redeemer's name be sun^', 
 Throiijjfh every land, by every ton^'ue. 
 
 Eternal are thy mercies, Lord; 
 
 Eternal truth attend thy word; 
 
 Thy praise shall sound from shore to shore, 
 
 ' Till sun shall rise and set no more. 
 
 Your lofty themes, ye mortals briufr, 
 In songs di\'iuely sing. 
 The great salvation loud proclaim, 
 And shout for joy the Saviour's name. 
 
 Li every land begin the song — 
 To every land the strain belongs — 
 In cheerful soimds all voices raise, 
 And fill the world with loudest praise." 
 
 Tlie benediction was pronounced and the services 
 closed. 
 
 Thus began our acquaintance with the lamented 
 Hn »tlier T. Hitt. lie was very useful in tlie settling 
 nf this country. lie ])reaclied nearly every Sabbath, 
 and with great accej>tability. lie attended all the 
 <|Uarterly, two-days and canij)nieetings, and hibored 
 with much love for the good of ])recioU!^ souls, and a 
 lasting nieniorv should be kept of his untiring labors 
 in founding, building and sustaining the llock River 
 Seminary. It cost some eff<jrt to build and sustain 
 such an institution at that time, I assure you, and had 
 it not been for the sustaining grace of God in our 
 hearts, and his tillin<^ our hands with his benefits, we
 
 132 EECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 never could have done it. Many a liard day's work 
 did my little boys do hauling lumber from a small 
 water mill, on Kite creek, with which to build. Oh I 
 what labor, what untiring energy it took to accom- 
 plish it ; but thank and praise the Lord, it was done. 
 
 I well recollect the year and day that the corner- 
 stone of that institution was laid; it was on the 4th 
 day of July, 1840 — the same year that the Rock River 
 Conference held its first session, commencing Aug. 
 26, and continuing till Sept. 2d. It held forth in a 
 large tent a few miles from 3It. Morris, on a camp- 
 meeting occasion, two sacred and long to be remem- 
 bered incidents in the history of the Rock River 
 Conference. I hope it will not be forgotten when the 
 history of that conference is written. 
 
 AVell do I recollect Bishop l\"augh's sermon on that 
 memorable occasion on Sabbath morning— what power 
 there was in that sermon, the spirit of the Lord over- 
 shadowed the congregation, the presence of the Most 
 High rested upon us. Many who may read this may 
 remember, with me, that sacred occasion. Bless the 
 Lord for all his beneiits, and may He ever abide with 
 the Rock River Conference. Well do I recollect how 
 small that body was then. There are but a few of 
 that venerable company left, although it is but 
 forty-live years since. A few years hence there 
 may not be any left, all having gone over to pos- 
 sess the ])romised land. But how that body has 
 increased; it now numbers about one hundred and 
 eighty-seven men of talent, men of noble acquire- 
 ments; oh I may they know what it is to live in the 
 depths of humility, and rise to all the heights of love.
 
 FKONTIER LIFK. 133 
 
 AVliut a jM»\vt*r tlicy iiuiy In' in the salvati<»n nf the 
 world if they live at the foot uf tlu' i-r<»ss, with an 
 entire consecration of their all to (i<kI and his canse; 
 and oh I what a crown they will have in that day, when 
 He Cometh to make up his jewels. 
 
 How many of this noble hody of men have obtained 
 the better part of their eai'ly t'diicati<.ii at tliaf dcai- old 
 Rock River Seminary I 
 
 Great <^ood has resulted to the church, intli\ iduals 
 and community in general. All through the Uock 
 River Conference you will find men of talent, whose 
 characters have been moulded there. Also ])hysiciAns, 
 lawyers and business men have received their educa- 
 tion at that Rock River Seminary, and are scattered all 
 through our community. And well may we say that 
 while dear Brother Hitt, and may of his co-laborers, 
 such as Rev. John Clark, John T. Mitchell, A. E. 
 Phelps, and other of the first trustees and agents, have 
 ceased from their labors, yet their works do follow 
 them, and this noble old institution has strui^f'led 
 through many hard waves that threatened its ruin, as 
 a Methodist instiution, and through the untiring 
 efforts of its worthy trustees and noble friends, now 
 stands on a firm basis, and is manned with a noble 
 faculty, and bids fair to be more useful in its latter 
 than in its former days. Long may it live to shed its 
 influence over the rising generation. 
 
 I remember when we, a few Methodists — a hand- 
 ful in comparisoj' to what there is now in the Rock 
 river vallev — lai<l our offerin<;s on that altar, and tlie 
 Lord accepted and sanctified them, and our children 
 have grown uj> and shared in its benefits, eight in all,
 
 134 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 six soii> and two daughters, have received the hest 
 part of their education there, and liave gone out to do 
 battle witli the cares of the world, all the better for 
 the kind instruction they received there. AVell do I 
 recollect when the noble Xr. Pinckney came to the 
 institution. He was just fresh from the classic hall, 
 his heart warm with the love of God, and deeply 
 imbued with the worth of precious souls ; was well 
 calculated to be useful, and nobly did he do his duty. 
 The Lord blessed his labors, and many souls were 
 brouorht to the knowledo-e of the truth throuo^h his 
 
 O o O 
 
 instrumentality. I recollect a sermon he preached in 
 the uj^per hall, before it was divided up into rooms. 
 Great power attended his words — what a crowd at the 
 altar of prayer; what an earnest struggle there was to 
 enter into life, that is hidden in Christ ^vith God. 
 
 We will now call the attention of the reader back 
 to the little lot-- meetinij-house. We soon had a dav- 
 school and Sabbath school organized, and we all felt 
 quite at home. Brother ]\lclvean was faithful to his 
 work — hunting up emigrants who were Methodists or 
 inclined to be, putting them into classes, encouraging 
 them to be faithful, visiting them once in four weeks, 
 that l)eing as often as he could possibly get around. 
 I think there are several districts now, composed 
 mostly of what was '• Buffalo Grove Mission." 
 Aboitt September, 1S3H, I think, Bro. McKean had a 
 camp meeting at Elk Horn Grove. Brother Bronson, 
 our presiding elder, preached the Word in powerful 
 eloquence, and many souls were converted; many 
 believing and were sanctified. The conversions were 
 mostlv coniined to the class of vouno: folks, averaofino;
 
 FKOXTIKU LIFK. 135 
 
 fi-niii ten to tifteen years of a<^e. 8<>iiii' uf the 
 brethren were talkini^ to l>rother Bronson on tin* 
 sulrject, and said thev were afraid those yonn«^ con- 
 verts would fall out hy the way; and some of the 
 brothers and sisters thought the youn«;er children 
 t>ught to be taken out of the altar. The elder said, 
 *' No, no, brothers, that would be wrong. I fear you 
 would grieve the spirit of God if you did scj," Just 
 then we heard the shouts of the new-born souls. 
 '• That work is of the Lord,'' said the elder, " I feel it, 
 it comes like electricity to my heart.'' "Would you 
 let them join the church? " asked a lu-other. "Yes,'' 
 replied the elder, "there are ten chances to save them 
 in the church, to one out of the church. Take them 
 in and nurse them, and they will grow up men and 
 women in Christ Jesus. Don't lift your linger 
 against it." Among the converts were my friends 
 the Blackmores, who welcomed us so kindly on our 
 arrival. The son and widowed sister each got religion, 
 and went home rejoicing in the Lord. This added two 
 jnore to our little class. There were a few more 
 families who moved in, and among them were some 
 Methodists who joined with us. I think the class 
 numbered about twenty-five or more ])ersons at this 
 time. 
 
 A few weeks after the camp meeting we suffered 
 the misfortune of having our little church burned 
 down, and for awhile we were com2)elled to use our 
 little loi^ cabins a^cain, and often thev were a blessin;; 
 to our souls. x\nd we rejoiced in the hope that we 
 Would some day enjoy a uiansion in our Father's 
 liouse, where lire could not consume it. lly the
 
 136 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 following spring we had another church built upon 
 almost the same ground. iSow there was a small saw 
 mill started in Washington Grove, and we had the 
 logs sawed this time. The church was built of 
 frame, the shingles were made by hand for the roof,, 
 and soon Brother Hitt was called to dedicate another 
 church, and still the only one in Eock River Yalley.. 
 AYlien we moved to our new home there was not a 
 house in sight, no road except the one we had made 
 traveling from AYashington Grove. AYe named our 
 home " Light House," because it stood upon an 
 eminence, and from the circumstance of our taking^ 
 in those who were traveling on the " Old Indian 
 Trail," running from Rockyford, (now Eockford) to 
 Dixon, where there was a trading post and a fort. 
 Many travelers would have perished the first winter 
 we were there had it not been for the light I kept in 
 the window, when it was stormy, to direct my 
 husband, and others avIio might be out in the storm, 
 to the house. There is a strip of timber running up 
 from Eock Eiver, forming a beautiful little grove. 
 This stands on a bluff, and just below it in a large 
 hollow is one of the loveliest springs that ever ran out 
 of the earth. All around it there was a grove of 
 small trees, but now they are large and majestic. 
 Many times have I gone to the top of that bluff, and 
 casting my eyes over that beautiful prairie, I could 
 not see a single human being. I could occasionally see 
 a deer bounding swiftly along, or a wolf skulking — the 
 birds flitting amid the tall grass and lovely prairie 
 flowers. I would reflect thus: Dear Lord, who will 
 settle this beautiful prairie? It will be settled some
 
 FRONTIER I.IFK. 1*>7 
 
 day without <li»iil»t. Ami tluMi I would knt'cl an<l 
 beg the Lord to send Hume intellii^eiit Christian 
 people' among ns. This was the constant yearning <»f 
 my heart. 
 
 In the spring of 1S37, there came -three excellent 
 men from Canada, Brother John Martin, the father 
 of our weu'thy brothers — J as,, Ilemw, and J. W. 
 Martin, of the Kock Kiver Conference; the otlier^ 
 Bro. Nathaniel J^>rown, tlie brother of J^ro. S. Brown^ 
 of Light House Point; also Bro. Anthony Wood. 
 They were hunting for a Methodist liome. AVe were 
 glad to welcome them; they found locations to suit 
 them, and then they returned to Canada for their 
 families. In the fall they returned with their families, 
 with ]>ros. Philip Plants and Amasa Woods Jiccom- 
 panying them. About this time Bro. Enoch Wood 
 and Brother Henry Farwell moved in h\nn New 
 York state. They came in Methodist order, bringing 
 their letters with them. The following year brought 
 Bro. Xettleton and Bro. Ilichard Martin, from 
 Canada. Bro. E. Martin was a local minister, strong 
 in doctrine, very exemplary and useful among us. 
 
 Brijther Moses Xettleton brought a large family 
 with him. They have grown u]) to be useful men 
 and women among us. The oldest daughter 
 was married, an<l I think it was the first 
 wedding in our colony. They now reside at 
 Liirht House Point, and thev have done much to 
 sustain Methodism there. Their home is a resting 
 jdace for the itinerant and weary pilgrim. Tiieir 
 hearts and hands are ever open to receive and admin- 
 ister to the wants of the friends of Zion. l>rother J.
 
 138 KECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 Martin had four sons and one daughter. They were 
 dedicated to the Lord in infancy, and the three older 
 children were converted in Canada. William, a very 
 pious young man, died at the age of 21 or 22 years — 
 the iirst death • in our colony. It w^as hard to give 
 him up, there was so much promise in his character, 
 and his loss was deeply lamented. Brother Luke 
 Hitchcock preached the funeral sermon at the new 
 frame church, I don't think I ever saw so much 
 deep-felt grief manifested on a funeral occasion. 
 Some who read this may no doubt remember this sad 
 -occurrence. Yet they sorrowed not as those who 
 have no hope of immortality and eternal life through 
 our Lord, Jesus Christ. Two were spared, and two 
 more sons were born in Illinois. And now there are 
 three of the sons co-workers and ministers in our Zion; 
 •James is in California conference, Henry in Hock 
 River Conference, presiding elder of the Rockford 
 'district, John "W. in the Minnesota conference. 
 
 Brother James xs'ettleton, youngest son of Moses 
 JSTettleton, is a useful member of the M. E. church, 
 and of the official board of Light House Point, ever 
 ready, he and his good wife, for every good word and 
 ^vork. 
 
 And still the friends came in from Canada. Soon 
 Brother John McKenney and several of his brothers, 
 •and dear old Father and Mother McKenney came 
 with them. Brother John Edmonds came in early 
 time, and settled on a beautiful farm near the laro-e 
 spring and camp ground, and he still lives there, 
 getting rich and doing good. He has done much for 
 the cause of Zion, and has long been a faithful super-
 
 FKoNTIKK I.IFK. 189 
 
 inteiuk'nt «>f tlie Sabbatli sclmnl, and jtniys fur its 
 >iu'cess evervAvliere. He bnjii^lit his mother, three 
 sisters and a brother witli him. His mother was a 
 ])ioiis, devoted Christian, a good tailoress, and was 
 very nsefnl in onr colony. The sisters were very 
 i,'ood lionsekee})ers, and often did they come and 
 hel]) me, nineli to my relief, when burdened with 
 labor and care; they always came in the dignity of 
 the lady and the spirit of a Christian. Two of those 
 young ladies were converted soon after they moved to 
 <»ur neighborhood, and joine<l our class. Sarali, the 
 voun^er, is the worth v consort of Brother Jas. 
 Nettleton, before mentioned, of Light House Point. 
 
 Brother Edmonds and his excellent wife, have 
 raised a large family, have taken a great deal of pains 
 to educate them, and the Lord has converted them, 
 and they bid fair for great usefulness. Li their 
 }>leasant family I found kind entertainment. 
 
 AVhile attending a camp-meeting, on the dear old 
 camp ground, in July, 1S69, I formed a brief 
 acquaintance with Doctor and Sister Palmer, the 
 threat revivalists. Thev were very useful, while with 
 us on this camp-meeting occasion, and we hope the 
 Lord will permit them to visit us again. 
 
 In the year LS37, Brother Kobert DeLap was sent 
 to our charge, but failing in health, he had to return 
 home. Brother Henry Summers was our Presiding 
 Elder, and succeeded in getting Brother J>arton Cart- 
 wright to sup}>ly us; he came, and was acceptable and 
 useful among us. 
 
 That fall Brother Lsjuic Paul was sent to uur circuit 
 and he thou^^ht there had better l>e a class formed at
 
 140 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 our lioiise. This was very congenial witli our feel- 
 ings. He preaclied and made an effort, and there 
 were twelve united in a class that evening, and 
 John Martin was our class leader. 
 
 AYe had enlaro^ed our cabin tliat vear, and we offered 
 the use of it for a meeting house, and it was gladly 
 accepted, and our humble dwelling was honored with 
 the preaching of the gospel and the presence of the 
 Lord for more than two years. Many precious souls 
 were converted there, and our little class gradually 
 increased. 
 
 The next summer Brother Paul thought we would 
 have a campmeeting in the grove, near the spring — I 
 used to go there to do my washing, and under those 
 little trees 1 had knelt many, many times, and pra^^ed 
 the Lord that there might be a campmeeting there, as 
 the place was so well fitted for it; such excellent water 
 and such a beautiful grove. And now the Lord was- 
 about to answer my feeble prayers, and I rejoiced in 
 hope that my children and fi-iends would be converted 
 there. Our oldest son sought and found the Lord at 
 a campmeeting the year before at Elkhorn Grove, 
 on the west side of the river. He had been faithful 
 and joined the class at his home. But there were 
 others of my children who were old enough to know 
 the joys of salvation; and while I was thankful for 
 this token of mercy, I was anxious for the rest of my 
 children. 
 
 Brother Paul gave out the announcement of the 
 campmeeting all around the circuit. It was then a 
 four-weeks' circuit, and there w^as great solicita- 
 tion and anticipation in regard to it. The time
 
 FRONTIKII I.I IK. 141 
 
 <lrew near, and tlie sjxtt was 8ek'ctc'<l for the 
 meetin*^. 
 
 There was a faniilv liviiij; in our nei«z:h]t«)rh()(Ml wlio 
 had been to Miehi«^an on a visit, and eanie home with 
 the sniall})o.\. They lived mar the place selected for 
 the cain}>nieetini^. This news tlew, as it M'cre, round 
 the circuit— altlK>ut;h we had no tele^ra}>h then — 
 and the j)eople were much alarmed, and Jjrothers Kose- 
 crans and Martin, and all the otticial members thought 
 no one would come to the meeting, and so no prepa- 
 ration was made. Brother Paul came on Monday, 
 and finding this condition of things, went to my 
 husband and inquired of him what he thought, as he 
 had been in attendance on this family through their 
 illness, and he re])lied that he had "vaccinated all 
 through the neighborhood; that the family was almost 
 well, and the house could be tlnjroui'hlv cleansed, and 
 he would warrant that no barm would come to any- 
 itne." ''Well, if you will do that," said Brother Paul 
 in re})ly, "1 will push the meeting."' lie sent the 
 news by letter, and on liorseback, all round tlie circuit, 
 and himself remained at Jiome and rallied the brethren, 
 lie labored intensely, and Ijy Friday evening there 
 were the usual tents on the ground, and the camp- 
 ground well arranged. Brother Summers safely 
 landed, and we had a gracious meeting that night. 
 On Saturday a number nn»re settlers came in, and 
 then we had (piite a large congregation. J^>rother 
 Summers preached and prayed in the si)irit. Brother 
 Lumerv was there and i^ave us some of his old- 
 fashioned spiritual ])reaching, so spiritual that some 
 <»f tlie wicked ones calle<l him the " llolv (ihost
 
 142 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 Preacher." The spirit of the Lord was upon the 
 people, the place was sacred on account of it. What 
 attention, what religious zeal was manifested there I 
 
 But there was another difficulty. The country was 
 overrun by Blacklegs, some called them, — a set of 
 horse-thieves who were stealing horses and cattle, 
 robbing houses, and doing all sorts of mischief, 
 and many of the people feared they would be there^ 
 at least on the Sabbath, and do some mischief. Sab- 
 bath came, and earlv in the dav the "' rmo- leader " 
 of this set was seen to walk on the ground with a num- 
 ber of suspicious looking characters with him. The 
 ministers kept an eye on them, as they kept pretty 
 closely together; but they were attentive listeners to 
 the preaching, and appeared civil. Many of the 
 congregation were alarmed, but I was not; and told 
 the brothers and sisters if we treated them kindly 
 they would do us no harm, and perhaps the Lord 
 would convert some of them. Brotlier Summers 
 thought so too. I was acquainted with several of 
 them through the Doctor's practice in their families. 
 I had reason not to fear them, as they respected the 
 Doctor, and would treat me and my friends kindly 
 for his sake, although he was not present, being off 
 visiting the sick. After we had been at dinner at 
 our tent the '" leader '' came to me and said, *' Mrs. 
 Roe, a number of us would like to get some dinner 
 with you if you will take the money for it.'' *' But," 
 said I, " that would be wicked, and I don't think I 
 could do it." " But," he said, '* I feel that would 
 be imposing upon you to eat without paying for it, as 
 there have been more than lifty eaten with you
 
 FRONTIKIi I.IFK. YA'.) 
 
 already. AVe tliall ^<> away without uur (liniier iink'.>> 
 you will accept 6oniethin«^ for it." ^'AVell," I replied, 
 "lirother Suinmers, our elder, is here, and if you 
 will give him something you can leave it on the tahle 
 hy your plates, and I will give it to him as a present 
 from you." Said he, "AVewish to give it to you, 
 and you can dispose of it as you see fit." *'WelL 
 well," 1 said, "sit down and eat your dinner." They 
 did so, and when they left I found several d(»llars on 
 the table, and I gave it all to Brother Summers. 
 They lingered that evening till the meeting was ahout 
 closed, and then left without doing any harm hut 
 taking a saddle off our tent, having seen Brother 
 Law put it there while they were taking their <linner. 
 The meetiuij commenced at earlv candle-liirht. 
 Brother l.umerv ])i*eaehed in the s]>irit. IJrother 
 Paul exhorted, the i>ower of the Lord was in every 
 word, every prayer. What an easy access the child 
 of (iod had to a throne of grace I Brother Paul 
 called for mourners, the altar was soon crowded, and 
 the cry from the gray haired sinner d(^>wn to the 
 youth was, '* Men and brethren I what shall we do to 
 be saved? God be merciful to me a sinner I '' They 
 were direct^ to believe on the Lord Jesus, and the 
 promises held up to them, and many claimed those 
 precious promises, and found Ilim of whom Moses 
 and the Pro])hets did tell. The next mnrning we had 
 a love feast at the stand, and it was a love feast 
 indeed. There were (piite a number wh<> found peace 
 in believin<; while in the love-feast. Amoiiir them 
 were three of Brother IK-iiry Farwell's s(>ns. They 
 were quite youths then. Jackson, the oldest:
 
 l-Jr-i RECOLLECTIOXS OF 
 
 Charles, the next; and John Y., the third. The two 
 younger now reside in Chicago, and this sacred leaven 
 that was hidden in their hearts that beantifnl 
 mornino^ in that little crrove has diffused its influence 
 all along their lives. 
 
 Brother Summers gave an opportunity to any who 
 wished to join the church, and there was rising of 
 forty united, and most of them joined our class. 
 Among them my second son, F. M. Roe, and Brother 
 FarwelFs three sons. Brother Martin's only daughter 
 (Sarah Jane). She lived a faithful, exemplary life, 
 mid a few years ago died a happy Christian death, 
 and has gone uj) to possess the goodly land before 
 her aged parents. But their j)rospects are bright for 
 an inheritance there. I have kept a Christian watch 
 over that happy group, and never knew but one 
 to willfully and wickedly backslide. That was John 
 Carr, Jr. But he was mercifully reclaimed on his 
 death-bed, I believe in answer to a mother's pi-ayers, 
 and died in a sweet hope. Some others have gone to 
 rest, but many still remain, and are pillars in our 
 ■church. 
 
 Our meeting closed with the best of feelings, and 
 from that time we had a continual revival for two 
 years. And our class increased till it had to be 
 •divided, there were more than a hundr^ members. 
 By this time we had got a frame school house, and 
 held our meetings there. Brother John Clark held 
 the first quarterly meeting in our school house just 
 before he left for Texas. It was a gracious revival. 
 Then we held a protracted meeting for several weeks
 
 FKoNTIKK lAVK. \^'* 
 
 and we were worsliippinj^ tliere when some of the 
 leaders of the despenido gang were captured for 
 murdering one of our best citizens, who was sliot 
 within two miles of our school house. 
 
 The year hefore we built our school house l>rother 
 Luke Hitchcock was sent to our circuit, and oh! how 
 useful he was in buihling up our Zion. I recollect 
 he preached his lirst sermon in our log cabin. Some 
 said he was too proud for our ''log cabin Methodism,'' 
 but they were mistaken in the man. There was a 
 dignified bearing in his appearance and deportment, 
 but ohi how humble, kind and polite he was in all 
 his social relations. I never think of our early 
 accpiaintance with him and his excellent wife but 
 with the greatest pleasure and earnest Christian 
 feelings. He was then a young man, luit long has 
 the Lord spared him to labor among us. Many long 
 years has he traveled our prairies to ])reach the ever- 
 lasting gospel. I often think what a rich reward 
 awaits the veterans of the Kock Kiver and Illinois 
 Conferences. Such laurels as they will wear when lie 
 cometh to make up his jewels. Father Cartwright, 
 Jesse Walker, S. II. Thompson, John Sinclair, A. E. 
 Phelps, John Clark, J. T. Mitchell, Hooper Crews, 
 8. H. Stocking, R. Haney, I. Paul, B. Cartwright, 
 L. S. Walker, Jas. McKean, R. K. J^lanchard, A. 
 Bronson, Father ^fead, Brother Summers, and all 
 such, with many others too numerous to mention 
 liere. I think Brother P. Judson traveled our 
 circuit after Brother Hitchcock. Some revivals took 
 })lace on the circuit, but none in our class. That year we 
 built our parsonage. A good state of religious
 
 146 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 feeling existed, but no revival this year, as the subject 
 of building a church was under consideration. 
 
 The next year Brother L. S. AValker was sent to 
 our charge. The parsonage was finished, and he 
 moved into it with his excellent wife and family. 
 The first donation I ever attended was at the new 
 parsonage. We were glad that we had a home for 
 our preacher, and wished to make a demonstration, 
 so we appointed a day, and as many as could get into 
 the house assembled, and each family that attended 
 took some refreshments for themselves And friends. 
 We had a very pleasant time, had prayers, returned 
 thanks, and retired to our homes, leaving the preacher 
 and family some better off than we found them. 
 That year we had a good revival at the "Old Church," 
 as we began to call it, now that we talked of having a 
 new one. And we talked in earnest; the Doctor 
 offered a lot of three acres, large enough for a church 
 and a burying-ground, and other subscribed liberally,, 
 and soon there was enough to justifv" the building 
 committee to commence. The friends at the old 
 church approved our action, though they could 
 not help us; but after the revival there 
 they were a little more generous, and helped 
 us some. Brother Walker was with us two years, 
 and then Brother Brooks came to our charge. 
 He labored with us acceptably, but we had no revival 
 that year. The church building moved slowly. It 
 was not then as it is now; no iron horse running all 
 over the country. The lumber had to be drawn fi'om 
 Chicago, and the wheat had to be sold for fifty cents 
 per bushel to purchase the lumber with. We expected
 
 FRONTIEIi 1. 1 IK. 147 
 
 tliat things wuiiUl move slowly, l)iit the hearts of the 
 people were tixed to build a new church, and where 
 tliere is a will and that will is to the glorv of God 
 and the good of souls, there is a way. And it was so in 
 this case. The first builder became discouraged and 
 gave it up, but the conti-act was then let to our much 
 lamented Brother Woodcock, and it was pushed to 
 the completion, and dedicated to the Lord. There 
 liave been many good revivals within its sacred walls. 
 There is a large membership there now, and the 
 otiicials are mostly made up of our early converts. 
 
 Our worthy Brother, Bart<jn Cartwright, who 
 labored with us in those early days, is now the 
 preacher in charge on the Light House circuit. After 
 his arduous labors as Chaplain in Gen. Sherman's 
 army, his family is now living in the little brick 
 parsonage — Ijuilt more than twenty-four years ago. 
 He has been very useful in that circuit, and I hope the 
 Lord will water his labors with showers of grace, that 
 he may be more useful in his latter than former days. 
 
 Our mission is now divided up into several districts, 
 and a great many to^^^ls are scattered over the land, 
 and in almost every one you can trace the fruits of 
 Methodism, and I think if the veterans were permitted 
 to view the landscape o'er, their language would be, 
 ** Glory to God in the highest!" And what may we 
 not hoj)e for in the next century, if the church con- 
 tinues humble and faithful to her trust!
 
 148 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 CIIAPTEK YIII. 
 
 EECOLLECTIOXS OF METHODISM IX CHICAGO. 
 
 In tlie fall of IS 36 my husband thought it best to 
 move to Chicago, as he was very much worn down 
 with the practice of medicine. Instead of coming to 
 Rock river to be a farmer as he anticipated doing, he 
 had run unavoidably into a heavy practice — there were 
 scarcely any physicians in the country — and it was 
 impossible to get rid of it. He practiced with great 
 success, while the little boys and myself managed to 
 open and improve a large farm. The little log house 
 at the edge of the grove that had answered for kitchen, 
 parlor and bedroom, as well as for a meeting house, 
 for years, had given place to a nice frame house on 
 the broad prairie. 
 
 Everything had prospered for us since we came 
 to our new home, and it would take a great while to 
 tell of all the mercies in temporal things, as well as 
 religious, while there, but let me say: "The Lord 
 careth for those who put their trust in Him."
 
 FRONTIKR MKK. 149 
 
 We tlien owned a half section of land, and everv- 
 thinir that was necessary for onr C(Jinfort on a lari^e 
 farm, hut we were both much worn down with the 
 cares and duties of life, and thought it best to rent our 
 farm, move to Chicjigo, put our children in school and 
 trv to rest for a year or two. Our oldest son had 
 studied medicine for two years, and liad attended 
 medical lectures at Cincinnati, and he would take u]> 
 the practice of his father, and we could rest and 
 recruit our health. But contrary to our anticipations 
 or calculations, my husband went into a large ])ractice, 
 but his health improved, and the last year of our stay 
 there his practice was worth $2,500. 
 
 "\Ve moved to Chicago December, 184^), and there 
 were but two M. E, churches in the city at that time. 
 The great city of the west was then in its infancy, 
 and of course Methodism was weak. The old Clark 
 street church was then in its youth, just linished. 
 Brother Byan was there, and they had a large number 
 of excellent members such as Brother and Sister Sliaw, 
 Bro. and Sister Wheeler, Bro. and Sister Shaddle, 
 Bro. and Sister Lyman, Bro. and Sister Lunt, Bro. 
 and Sister Whitehead, with many others wlmse names 
 I cannot recall. 
 
 Jjrother S. Bolles presided over the old Canal street 
 charge, and labored with all his untiring zeal and 
 energy. There was a large membership there also, 
 some of the excellent <>f tlie earth, such as Brother 
 and Sister Shermen, Bro. and Sister George, Bro. and 
 Sister Wisencraft, Bro. and Sister Hagan, Hm. and 
 Sister Webb, i>ro. and Sister Kettlestring, and dear 
 Sister Brown, her husband having passed over the
 
 150 EECOLLECTIOXS OF 
 
 river of death, and entered the Church Triumphant 
 a few weeks before our arrival in Chicago. Brother 
 and Sister Brown were the same (of early memory) at 
 Light House Point. Our names were attached to 
 the Canal street charge. I was placed in Brother 
 Wisencraft's class, and he was a faithful leader. My 
 husband was installed as a leader, and placed on the 
 official board. And indeed we were a live church, 
 alive to duty, and how sweetly we lived and worshipped 
 together. 
 
 The old Fort still stood in Chicago, and how I felt 
 when I looked upon it and thought of the time 
 when Father AValker visited us in Springheld (he 
 then had charge of the mission there) and remember- 
 ing how deeply he was impressed with the importance 
 of planting gospel seed there, and especially of planting- 
 it through the instrumentality of the M. E. church, 
 and the deep interest he manifested while he told us 
 about his visits to the old Fort, and his anticipations in 
 regard to the place becoming a great city, and an im- 
 portant point for Methodism, and of the sermons he 
 had preached in the old Fort, wliile all around was an 
 imcultivated j^rairie ; and while I stood there I looked 
 over the beautiful young city, and I cried out, ''AVliat 
 has God wrought here since Father Walker traveled to 
 this mission in 1831? how He has watered the seed 
 that has been sown here ; how abundantly it has pro- 
 duced, not only an hundred fold, but a thousand. 
 Behold what a great matter a little lire kindlethi" I 
 would say to the gospel minister, ''In the morning sow 
 the seed, and at noon withhold not thine hand," but 
 cry, "Behold! behold the Lamb!"
 
 FlioMIKR LIFK. 1 "» 1 
 
 AVe had ])n)tnu*te(l et!'«»rt and iTvival influence evi'iy 
 ^vinter while we remained there, and the work deej)- 
 ened and spread every year; it coukl be seen and felt 
 thrc>u«,di all the walks of business life, the merchant, 
 lawyer, physician, mechanic and day laborer demon- 
 strated by their daily walk and conversation tliat they 
 had been with Jesus, and we enjoyed sweet Christian 
 communion at the old tabenuicle of a church, and 
 it was made sacred In' the presence of the Lord. 
 
 Our classes and prayer meetings were such as 
 will be remembered througli eternity. I have heard 
 many testify at the love feast to the ])ardoning mercy 
 of God, and speak of Brother .l(»hn (Mark as being the 
 instrument in the hands of the Lord, whereby they 
 were brought to a knowledge of pardoned sin; others 
 of J3rother IL Crews, and of Brother Ryan, and one I 
 heard sj)eak of the first class meeting ever held in 
 Chicago, his name I cannot I'ecollect. He told me the 
 particulars in regard to the meeting, and of many 
 inci<leuts of the mission, the Indians, etc. lie had 
 lived in the Fort at the time he spoke of. Well might 
 we say, ''AVhat hath Lord wrought in that l>eautiful 
 city since 18501" — that was the year we left it. 
 
 My husband and four oldest sons left for California 
 while I and my four youngest children started for Mt. 
 Morris, Illinois. Oh I that unfortunate year, how 
 many broken hearted mothers and or])haned children 
 it made I how many sacred family ties were sun- 
 dered I how many characters and constitutions were 
 ruined! and how much money was lost in seeking 
 after sordid •'old eternitv onlv will reveal. lUit I am 
 thankful to sav, mv husband and sons, (although
 
 152 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 they lost everything in worldly goods) came home 
 better men for having been to California; they learned 
 valuable lessons there that they could never have 
 learned anywhere else. They seemed to have a more 
 abiding trust in the Lord. I have never heard of so 
 many going out of any one family and all returning" 
 alive. 
 
 Among the many tokens of kindness and comforts 
 that I provided for them, I made u]) a suit of burial 
 clothes, and while I was putting them up and bedew- 
 ing them with tears, I recollect of offering up a fer- 
 vent prayer to Him who doeth all things well, that 
 they might not be under the necessity of using them, 
 and they brought them back to me without having 
 undone them, and my husband said to me, "Mother, 
 here is the bundle you gave us, and said we 
 must be careful of them. I am thankful we 
 did not need them." "Ohir said I, "I am so 
 thankful; I had much rather you would bring 
 them back, and know you did not need them^ 
 moneyless as you are, than to have had one of your 
 bodies enrolled in them, and brought me a bag of gold 
 instead." I never had faith to pray for their success 
 in getting gold, but I did have faith and did pray 
 fervently that the Lord would spare their lives and 
 bring them safely home, and this prayer was answered. 
 
 Praise the Lord! I am thankful that it ever Avas 
 written that "if ye ask in faith ye shall receive." Oh! 
 how comforting the grace of God is to my heart in all 
 this trial. The oldest child left with me was a son, 
 John H. Roe, about sixteen years old, and he sought 
 and found mercy at a revival at the good old semi-
 
 FKO-NTIKK I.IKK. 
 
 i:.:', 
 
 nary, and "vvas a devoted Christian, i^ntwin*^ in ^rueo 
 every day. There were two (hni<^diters and one son 
 son younger. We kept \i\> the family altar, and we 
 Biirronnded it and poured out our hearts to God, our 
 Redeemer, iu fervt^it prayer morning and evening for 
 sustaining grace and their safety, he (John) leading in 
 prayer one time and I the next, and (), h(>w the Lord 
 blessed us. Oh I what a comfort that child was to me 
 in that season of trial. Can I ever cease to love him, 
 or to praise the Lord for giving me such a child ^ Xo,. 
 and I hope to praise II im in eternity. 
 
 
 i^ 
 
 m 
 
 m 
 
 m 
 
 
 ^ -J 
 
 M 
 
 *«.
 
 154 KECOLLECTIOXS OF 
 
 CHAPTEE IX. 
 
 RECOLLEOTIOXS OF PAYNES POIXT. 
 
 Whex they returned, it was thought best to 
 locate on a farm on the east side of Rock River near 
 Paynes Point, about seven miles from our first home 
 in Ogle County. Fifteen years previous, my husband 
 helped to build the first two log houses which were 
 put up in PajTies Point. They still stand comfortable 
 houses yet, and were tenanted by some of our 
 best citizens when we came to the Point in 1851, one 
 by Brother Augustus Austin. 
 
 About two miles east of the Point, on the old road 
 leading from Oregon, seat of Ogle County, to 
 Chicago, we built a comfortable little stone house, 
 and moved into it November 6tli. 
 
 Our old friends welcomed us back. My husband 
 commenced practicing, with his usual success, the 
 boys to improving the farm. AVhen we came to the 
 Point there was a small class there. Our names were 
 attached to it. We met in a school house, with 
 Brother L. Hitchcock presiding elder, Brother Wing,
 
 l'l{(»NTn:R MKK. 155 
 
 preacher in cliar^jce, IJrotherrf 8uverei«(ii, Wa<Ls\V(jrtli 
 and Cani])tiekl, local preachers who preached jdter- 
 nately, so we had i)reaching every Sabhath. Here 1 
 liave heard the worthy old veteran Father Puffer 
 preach. He was stroni^ on doctrinal points. Jlere 1 
 heard Brother Canii)l)ell preach, then a local preacher, 
 but formerly a preacher on Light House circuit. I 
 heard him preach a powerful sermon at Paynes P(»int 
 two or three years previous, when J^rother A. Phelps 
 was preacher in charge. 1 think that Brother L. G. 
 "Walker took the Point into the itinerant work when 
 he was traveling Light House circuit. In answer to 
 a request from Sister Taylor, George Taylor's wife, I 
 liave heard Brother Shar]), of ('anada Conference, 
 then local preacher, who afterwards moved to Cali- 
 fornia, — preach in sister Taylor's cabin in early times. 
 Sister Tavlor was a woman of stronj; faith, verv 
 exemplary in life, lived faithfully and died a hai)j>y 
 death. She used to attend meeting's at our \o<^ cabin 
 at Light House. She was anxious to have her house 
 taken in as a preaching place then, the circuit was so 
 large, but the circuit was cut up and changed so 
 afterward, that J]rother AValker took it into the 
 charge. 
 
 There was an<jther family l>y the name of Taylor 
 who were useful in those early days in planting 
 ^lethodism at the Point. Mother Taylor was a 
 huml)le, exemplary Christian. Her pravers went up 
 like iioly incense to 11 im who licareth })rayer, that 
 there might be people there whose hearts were tixed 
 Ui serve the J.ord, that there might be a church 
 erected thei-e. And her prayers were answered. She
 
 156 RECOLLECTIOXS OF 
 
 lived to see it and enjoy its privileges in her last days. 
 She was nearly ninety years of age. I saw her not 
 long before she departed, at a quarterly meeting, she 
 was exulting in redeeming grace and dying love. 
 She spoke of the comforts of religion along the 
 journey of her long life, and her prospects of enter- 
 ing into rest, and a few months afterward she fell 
 asleep in Jesus. 
 
 I think the first revival influence at Paynes Point 
 was through the instrumentality of Brother Wing, the 
 winter previous to our removal there. There were a 
 number of converts, among Avhom was Sister Eleanor 
 Gray Taylor, George Taylor's oiily daughter, who 
 afterwards married my third son, Giles B. Poe. She 
 was received into full connection after we came to the 
 Point by Brother L. Hitchcock, at quarterly meeting 
 held in the grove. She was a faithful Christian until 
 her death, which took place on the 10th day of 
 January, 1863. She left her devoted family to unite 
 with her sainted mother to praise the Lord through 
 eternity. 
 
 Brother Wardsworth, a local preacher, mentioned 
 before, was- a very early settler. His life has been 
 mostly devoted to the local ministry of the M. E. 
 church. In his house the itinerant has always found 
 a welcome home, made so by the kind hospitality and 
 Christian spirit of him and his devoted wife, Mary 
 "Wardswortli. Their names were attached to this 
 class when it was first organized, and faithfully have 
 they labored to build up and sustain the church of 
 their early choice. They were formerly from ^'ew 
 York State. Thev were anxious to do all in their
 
 IIM.NIII.K UFK. 157 
 
 power to build up Methudism around them; Itut now 
 there was a time that called for all their liberality and 
 energy. There must be a ehureh built at l*aynes 
 Point, the little school house would not hold the 
 con«^re<j:ation any lontj^er. 
 
 Ih'other Wardsworth sitrned liberally and circulated 
 a subscription paper. There were more than a thous- 
 and dollars subscribed, a buildini^ conimittee aj>point- 
 ed, Bros. A. Austin, J. Buttertield and AVardsworth, 
 being the members of that body, and they went at it 
 with zeal and ener«:v. The lumber was to Ije hauled 
 from Itockford, the stone to be dug for the foundation, 
 and a great deal of hard labor to be done; but they 
 had some faithful co-workers, and it was accomplished, 
 and we had a nice large church standing at the edge 
 of a beautiful grove, looking so dignitied — a credit to 
 the builders, to the neighborhood and the Methodist 
 church — and now it was to be furnished. Sisters 
 AVardsworth and Buttertield took a horse and buggy 
 and went from place to place, until they secured the 
 means to do that, and the church was dedicated, the 
 whole cost being about tifteen hundred dollars. 
 The remainder was raised the day of the dedication, 
 and the church was free. 
 
 Brothers L. Hitchcock and 11. L. Martin were 
 the ]jreacliers in charge. There was a protracted 
 meeting continued from the dedication, and J:{rother 
 Martin labored faithfully, and with the help of the 
 local brethren the meeting continued six weeks. It 
 was good sleighing, and the })eo])le came from a 
 distance. The house was crowded, and there were 
 scores of souls brought to the knowledge of. grace. My
 
 158 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 fourth son, M. C. Eoe, among the rest, was savingly 
 converted and united with the church. 
 
 Most of these converts are living and faithful. Some 
 of them have gone to glory, and others have gone 
 forth to bless the world, with an orderly walk, and a 
 Christian example, while others remain there holding 
 up the Christian standard, hoping and praying for 
 another shower of mercy. 
 
 %^^^^^., 
 
 ^^m^%
 
 PRONTIEK LIFE. 159 
 
 CHxVPTER X. 
 
 RPXOLLECTIONS OF ROCKFOKD AMJ oLli NKW lloMK ( »N 
 THE riiAIRIK. 
 
 Ill June, 185(), we sold our new liunie at Paynes 
 Point and boutrlit some new land fartlier east about live 
 miles, and apiece of land in the suburbs of the beauti- 
 ful city of Rockford, and built us a nice house, and 
 thought we would settle down there and enjoy social 
 and relii^ious life in* our declinint^ years, as we had 
 battled long with frontier life. 
 
 AVhen we lirst knew liockford it was nothing more 
 than the Rocky ford of Rock riyer, with a few log 
 houses near it, but now it was a beautiful city. But 
 I remember that those log houses, some of them, were 
 built and occupied by praying people, one by Brother 
 and Sister Samuel Grej^ory, another by Brother and 
 Sister David Beers. Another faithful servant of the 
 Most High was Sister Enoch. Long and fervently 
 did she pray and labor for the prosperity of Zion, and 
 es]>ecially the church of Rockford, and the Lord per- 
 mitted her to see it bud and blossom as the rose, and 
 she passed over in triumph to the Promised Land.
 
 160 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 Those live persons constituted tlie iirst class organ- 
 ized at Eocky'Ford in 1836. It was formed by Bro. 
 Wm. Kojal, then traveling on the Fox River Mission. 
 If I mistake not he formed a class at Belvidere, and 
 Brother and Sister Mason formed a part of that class. 
 How faithful and diligent were our frontier ministers 
 in hunting up the lambs of the fold, forming classes, 
 and appointing leaders who, like good shepherds, led 
 them to living streams and into green pastures, while 
 they inspired them to faithful endurance, amid all the 
 difficulties and hardships of frontier life, and together 
 they were enabled to hold up the standard of truth, 
 which is mighty, and will always prevail. Great will 
 be their reward. 
 
 These dear brethren at Rockyford had their family 
 altar erected in their little log cabins, and had their 
 weekly prayer meetings. They poured out their souls 
 to Him who heareth and answereth the fervent prayer 
 of faith, and sent them a preacher. Brother Royal 
 sought and found them, and left them an appoint- 
 ment: this encouraged them very much. The first I 
 learned of them, as a regular charge, was in 1838, 
 then it was embraced in the Chicago district. Brother 
 John Clark, presiding elder, L. S. Walker, preacher 
 in charge. These brothers did much to sustain 
 Methodism in Rockford that year. I have heard 
 Brother Gregory speak of them and many others of 
 the early Methodists of Rockford. 
 
 The preaching of the AVord was blessed, the class 
 increased rapidly, and when Brother Bolles had charge 
 of the circuit they had a gracious revival, and they 
 were enabled to build a nice brick church, and there
 
 FRONTIKK I-IFK. U)l 
 
 are still many of the stamlanl-heaivrs holdiiiix <>n to 
 the faith once delivered to the Saints. 
 
 The first winter 1 lived in Rockford was a season 
 of threat revival in the First ^fethodist chnrch, as yet 
 the only one there. There were scores of sonls brought 
 into the fold of God that winter; many are now 
 pillars in the church. Brother Heed in charge, 
 preached in the power and demonstration of the 
 spirit. Every word seemed to be seasoned with 
 grace and sanctilied to the hearers' benefit, saint and 
 sinner, and the work prospered, and the people 
 devised trreat thini^s, and s«>on the Oourt Street church 
 Avas built, and then the Third Street, and now another 
 in South Rockford, and their membership now num 
 bers al)out twelve hundred persons. Soon they will 
 need another. 
 
 These churches have been blest with seasons of 
 revivals. May the Head of the church still be with 
 them, and the heralds of grace preach the pure old 
 Methodist doctrine '' Salvation by faith on the Son of 
 God," and there will be a sacred hallow shedding its 
 sacred influence over the surrounding country, fi'om 
 the Rockford station. It is a beautiful growing city, 
 and I attribute much of its prosperity and success to 
 the piety of its early inhabitants. To God be all the 
 glory! 
 
 After we jrot settled in Rockford, we did not feel 
 altogether satisfied. We felt as though we were not 
 occupying tlie right ground exactly, and concluded 
 to Come out and improve our new land. It was 
 situated in the southeast })art of White Rock Town- 
 .<hi]», a])out six miles north <>f Lane Station, and one
 
 162 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 mile from the road leading from Lane Station to 
 Rockford. ^Ve built a small house and moved into 
 it. There were but a few neighbors, no class, and not 
 even a school house to worship in. At Lane Station 
 there was a small class but no church, they worshipped 
 in the district school house. AVe were again on 
 missionary ground. AVe handed our letters back to 
 Paynes Point charge, and the friends gave us a warm 
 welcome. I told the Doctor this looked like frontier 
 life again. '• But,"' said I, '• we will have a church 
 here some time.-' And he replied, '' It does not 
 look much like it now." "I have seen worse 
 chances than this for a church,'' I again said. 
 '' Oh I ye of little faith, believe and ye shall re- 
 ceive.'' 
 
 That fall there was a school house built in the 
 adjoining district, and in the spring we prevailed 
 upon Brother Wardsworth, whom I mention in the 
 preceeding chapter, to give us an appointment and 
 see if we could o^et a concrrecration. He left an 
 appointment, and the seats of the school house were 
 comfortably filled, and they manifested so much 
 interest that Brother AVardsworth left another 
 appointment, although he had to travel thirteen miles. 
 The congregation increased, and he continued his 
 appointments, once in four weeks. In the winter 
 following, he labored in the revival at Paynes Point. 
 In the spring he sent us another appointment, and by 
 this time there were a good many moved in, and our 
 school house was filled. Brother Wardsworth was 
 quite encouraged, and said he wished some of the 
 circuit preachers would take us into their charge.
 
 FRONTIKIi l.IKK. 1(13 
 
 either the Lane chart^e, or Lvnnville char«i:e, which lies 
 still north of us. 
 
 The doctor saw the preachers on 1)oth cliari^es, and 
 urt^ed them to come and })reach ft)r us, hut they 
 thought it impossible, l^rother AVardsworth would 
 say to us scjnietimes, ^' Well, Brother and Sister lv«je, 
 this seems something like your early pioneer life, does 
 it not? away out here, without any church or any of 
 your classmates r^ I replied, ''Yes, it does, hut we 
 are on the stepstone of better days; we shall have a 
 meeting house here sometime." lie and the doctor 
 would huuAi at me and say, by way of enc<»urairin;r 
 me, " It is a long way ahead; I fear we Avont get one 
 in Lane." '* You'll see," was my reply, '' I have faith 
 to believe." 
 
 The first year we were here, Father Hayes built 
 across the road from us. This was a comfort to us, 
 for they were old and tried friends of ours in this 
 new country, although we had lived most of the time 
 ten or twelve miles apart. Brother ILiyes was a 
 meml>er of the Paynes Point charge, and had given 
 liberally to the building of the new church at that 
 place, as well as ourselves. To live so near t()gether 
 was a privilege that we enjoyed. Their children were 
 settled near, and made a good share of our c<»nirrega- 
 tion. 
 
 That fall the doctor and I went to our last (quarterly 
 meeting at the Point, and besought Brother IL L. 
 Martin to i*epresent us at the Conference and try and 
 get us attached to the Lane charge. Brother Hannah 
 was sent to that charge with an appointment for Koto's 
 >L-ho<»] house, lie preached for us once in two weeks.
 
 16tl: RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 He formed a class, and there were twelve persons 
 united. He labored with us two years with great 
 acceptability. 
 
 Brother Wardsworth promised ns a protracted meet- 
 ting, and I think in the latter part of October he com- 
 menced the meeting. Brother Hannah preached and 
 Brother Wardsworth exhorted and conducted the 
 prayer meetings ; he also yisited every family within 
 two miles of the school house, and there was a great 
 turn out of attentive hearers, and the seed fell in good 
 soil, and produced good fruit, and there was a general 
 awakening and quite a number of conyerts, among 
 them Brother and Sister Emory Hayes, Sister Eliza- 
 beth Hayes, Brother Hiram Hayes' wife, and one of 
 Eather Hayes' daughters who lived at home, Miss 
 Minnie, and John Gilcrist, a young man who lived 
 at Father Hayes', Brother David Hayes' wife, Mary 
 Ann, and our youngest daughter, Frances Maria Boe, 
 united w^ith us, and we felt it quite an accession to our 
 little class. Father Hayes was like the good old patri- 
 arch, ready to say, " iSTow, dear Lord, let me depart in 
 peace, I haye seen all my children converted." Oh I 
 what joy we felt in this token of mercy ; and now, 
 when 1 talked about a meeting house, they were not 
 quite so doubtful. 
 
 Bro. Hannah was with us two years, and labored 
 faithfully in word and doctrine, and now the brethren 
 began to talk of building a church in Lane — they had 
 built a small parsonage. 
 
 Bro. Brookens came on tlie circuit and went to 
 work with his usual zeal and energy, and had a pro- 
 tracted meeting at the school house that winter. It
 
 FKoNTIKli LIFE. 165 
 
 was attended with much good, there being several 
 cuiiversioiis. Among them were, Jolin Conlin, l^ro. 
 and Sister Mills, wlio united with our class. The next 
 year Ih-o. Brookens returned to Lane and had a 
 ])rotracted meeting in the basement of the clnirch, 
 that part of the edifice being completed — the up})er 
 portion was not yet finished. The meeting resulted 
 well, there being a number of conversions. 
 
 The next year Bro. Plum labored with us, but there 
 was no revival that veai*. The next year, lamented 
 Bro. Crackeren labored with us, preached faithfully, 
 but no revival. The year following Bro. Page was 
 with us. lie was a fine speaker and a strong 
 reasoner. He commenced a protracted meeting in 
 our school house. The weather was very unfavorable, 
 yet much good attended the effort. There were three 
 conversions, and four accessions by letter from the 
 Congregational church. 
 
 During those years we had three quarterly meetings 
 in our school house, the first, while Bro. Ilannali was 
 with us, Bro. Kease ])residing elder. I well recollect 
 a remark he made when we drove up with a two-horse 
 wagon with a tal)le and the preparations for the sacra- 
 ment, quite like old frontier life. The doctor was 
 away from home, and as he was steward and class 
 leader, I felt it my duty to ]>rei)are and take those 
 things. 
 
 The next was while J>ro. Brookens was with us, 
 Bro. Jewett ])residing elder. He was there in due 
 time. I saw him take his shawl, roll it up, and {)ut 
 it into the window opj)osite the stand where a pane of 
 irlass had been broken out. Oh I hi>w mortitie<l I felt.
 
 166 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 I offered a fervent prayer to the Lord to open the 
 way whereby we might huxe a comfortable place to 
 worship in. lie could not preach Avith that cold air 
 rushing in upon him; but oh I what a sermon he did 
 preach for us, with his blanket shawl for a defence. I 
 then began to talk more earnestly about building a 
 meeting house, but it was thought quite impossible, 
 while they were building at Lane. 
 
 The next quarterly meeting was held while Bro. 
 Page was with us, Bro. John Gibson, presiding elder. 
 The school house was too small, and we went to a 
 beautiful grove near by. Bro. Gibson preached in the 
 spirit, and the Word was borne home to the hearts of 
 some. Bro. Page called for mourners and there were 
 a few went forward for prayers. This was the last 
 quarterly meeting Bro. Gibson held on our circuit. 
 
 Previous to this meeting there was a subscription 
 paper circulated for a meeting house in our neighor- 
 hood, as the Lane church was finished and dedicated. 
 The doctor told the brethren and friends that he 
 would give one hundred dollars and a site on the 
 northwest corner of his farm if they would accept of 
 it, and the subscription was circulated with the view 
 of its being built there, and there were twelve hun- 
 dred dollars subscribed, and a building committee 
 appointed, but they concluded that the doctor's site 
 would not answer; they would have to have a north or 
 west front, and they preferred a south front. And 
 now Bro. H. Hayes offered a site for a south front, 
 and he being one of the building committee, he took 
 the oversight of the building, and it was hurried to 
 speedy completion.
 
 FRONTIKK LIFi:. 1»M 
 
 The cunference of 18()4: sent our much esteeintMl 
 friend and Bro. L. S. AV^alker (of early memory) to the 
 Lane cliar<;e. He came on and we welcomed him 
 with all our hearts, and it brought the fond recollec- 
 tions of former days, when the Lord was precious, and 
 we enjc>yed sweet Christian communion together, as 
 well as social relations with him and his dear family 
 when they lived in the little hrick parsonage near our 
 home at Light House Point. AV^e prayed most 
 fervently that the Lord would make them useful on 
 our charge. He commenced his labors with a Chris- 
 tian confidence and a sweet reliance on IHm who had 
 been his shield and strength for lo! these many years, 
 lio]ung and praying that the Lord would revive his 
 work all through the charge. There were then four 
 appointments. 
 
 Our church was near completion when he arrived, 
 and he did all in his power to forward it, and it was 
 linished and dedicated on the 12th day of January, 
 LS05. The dedication services were conducted by 
 Kev. M. Raymond, of Evanston. There was a i)ower 
 in his sermon that reached every heart. The house 
 was crowded. 
 
 Tlie building committee reported a deficiency of 
 ^1,200. This was in consecpience of the rise in build- 
 ing material and the price of labor. It was made up 
 in a short time, and the dedicatory cerenu>nies was 
 conducted in the most solemn manner, and I felt that 
 the house was the Lord*s, and my heart said, "Amen; 
 jiraise the Lord I I have seen the desire of my lieart." 
 And I felt in that hour that the Lord would revive 
 His work in that sacred ])lace.
 
 168 EECOLLECTIOXS OF 
 
 Bro. AValker made an effort just then for a pro- 
 tracted meeting, but owing to bad weather, and other 
 obstacles, it was not prosecuted, although there was 
 some good done. We passed through that conference 
 year with a good state of religious feeling, our congre- 
 gation increasing all the while. 
 
 Bro. Walker preached many faithful sermons for 
 us, and the conference of 1865 returned him to the 
 Lane charge. He was well received and preached 
 with great earnestness, and seemed to have the weight 
 of souls on his heart. He promised us a protracted 
 meeting in the fall, but there were hindrances with the 
 farmers until about the 20th of January, ^66, then 
 our meeting commenced. The preaching and praying 
 were fervent, the congregation increasing, and was 
 mostly made up of the heads of young families and 
 young people. There were many of the congrega- 
 tion who were powerfully awakened, but were not 
 willing to come out and take a stand for the Lord. 
 Bro. Walker told them from the pulpit, what he 
 thought, and urged upon them the great responsibility 
 that rested upon them while they stood in the way of 
 others. Our beloved Bro. Begle was with a local 
 brother who belonged to the Lane class, also Bro. 
 Haymaker; they both labored with great acceptabil- 
 ity. These local brethren had labored with great 
 success in our other protracted efforts, and while Bro. 
 Walker urged these responsibilities upon the congre- 
 gation, having given the opportunity to kneel at 
 the altar for prayer Bro. Wm. H. Kingw^alked forward 
 to the altar, and said, " Xow, my dear friends, I want 
 you to pray for me, I am in earnest, I want to seek
 
 FRONTIER LIKK. 169 
 
 the Lord, I fear / am in tlie way of others, and if so, 
 I want to get ont of the way." And as he advanced 
 still neai-er the altar, he said, " Now, my dear friends, 
 if you follow me, you will follow me to the good 
 World, for hy the grace of God I mean to find it.'- 
 And he knelt down, and one after another and still 
 another of his friends followed him, until there were 
 quite a number. Then the c<»ngregatioH knelt in 
 fervent prayer. ()]il what earnestness was felt and 
 manifested there on that sacred spot which had so 
 lately been dedicated to the ^[ost High. Oh I what 
 emotion filled the hearts of those wlio had watched 
 every expression manifested l>y those dear friends ;ind 
 kind neighbors whom we had ]U"ayed for so long and 
 felt so anxious they should come and taste the joys of 
 pardoning love, and what joy we felt, as one after 
 another they arose and spoke of the goodness of God 
 in sparing them; to see that sacred sight and then 
 speak of the joys of salvati(.>n and their resolutions to 
 serve the L<jrd all their days. The cloud was broken, 
 and victory was on Israel's side. 
 
 From that time on for as much as live weeks, the 
 altar was crowded with mourners every night. AVe 
 held noon-day ])rayer meetings, and they were 
 precious seasons. There we heard the young convert 
 tell of the joy in believing on the Lord Jesus, and 
 hear one after another say, "The Lord has converted 
 my children, my father, my motht'r, my sister and 
 brother and my neighbor.'' And so on; and there 
 wrestle ''Jacob-like" until the blessing came, and the 
 Saviour gave us His new and ln'st name, Love. 
 
 The w^ork went on and <»n, until everv house in the
 
 170 
 
 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 neigliborliood became a house of prayer; and the 
 accessions to our class were over seventy persons, and 
 we hope they will live faithful and be triumphant in 
 death. Some of the converts joined other churches, 
 the Baptist and the Presbyterian. 
 
 Ero. AVeller, the Presbyterian minister, came uj^ 
 from Lane, and preached fur us several times, and 
 when the meetings closed there were three classes 
 formed and prayer meetings appointed for different 
 places, where there were several conversions. Two 
 years have elapsed and the most of them are faithful 
 members yet, and to Him who hath loved us and 
 washed us in His atoning blood, be Glory and Do- 
 minion forever I
 
 FRONTIKK LIFK. 171 
 
 CHAPTER XL 
 
 VISIT TO NKIJRASKA. 
 
 We left our new home, as we called it in a fiu-iner 
 chapter, situated on a beautiful prairie in Ogle county. 
 White It<jek to^\^lship, six miles north of Rochelle, on 
 the twelfth day of June, lSt>8 — the next day after I 
 was C3 years old, and the doctor in his 68th year, 
 would be 08 on the :^Oth day oi August. We got our 
 tickets and were seated in a splendid car on the great 
 Xorthwestern railroad leading from Chicago to Omaha. 
 Xebraska, at six o'clock in the evening. 
 
 We had just sold our new home for four thousand 
 dollars, and felt it our (hity to lay out at least a part 
 of it in land in Xebraska, and now started tliere for 
 that ])urj)Ose, and to visit two sons who resided in 
 Iowa near Cedar lliipids. I assure you, kind friends, we 
 did not leave that comfortable home wliere we had 
 resided for a number of years without deej) emotion. 
 The last child had gone <»ut and left us to ])attle witli 
 life's cares alone, while tiny made a Imnu* for them- 
 selves and families, and tliev were settle<l some
 
 172 KECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 distance from us, and we were lonely, and thought 
 we would lay out a good part of the money we had 
 in land, and part in improvements, and try to draw 
 our children to a new country where we might all be 
 united in our efforts to do good and derive good. 
 
 With this great desire we started, but not without 
 a pang of regret at leaving the pleasant home where 
 we had supposed we would most likely spend the 
 remnant of our days; where we had seen the great 
 wild prairie bud and blossom as the rose ; where the 
 Lord had converted so many of our dear kind neigh- 
 bors, and the last one of our dear children whom we 
 had prayed for so anxiously for years; where we had 
 had many struggles with the enemy, always obtaining 
 the victory through divine grace, all of which cost 
 some effort, I assure you, and had we not felt that it 
 was our duty to go forward we should have given it 
 up. But we felt that we were in the path of duty, and 
 that our Heavenly Father was leading and directing 
 us. 
 
 Having learned by long experience that the path- 
 way of duty is always the pathway of safety, we felt 
 that we leaned upon the Arm that moved the uni- 
 verse, and we went forward. And I must say that 
 while my dear husband and I walked around the 
 place to take a last look at what was our once happy 
 home, but wdiich we had now sold to another, that 
 there was such a spirit of thanks and praise and 
 humble gratitude to our Heavenly Parent pervaded 
 our souls that we scarcely felt a tint of sorrow in 
 parting with it. My husband said, "Oh! mother, 
 how good the Lord has been to grant us the desire of
 
 M^•^^F^;R mkk. 173 
 
 our heart in tlie coiivi'r>i<>u uf our kind nei^dihors iind 
 cliildren, and ])erniittin»; us to see tliat neat little 
 church huilt and honored with the conversion of many 
 souls in it. And n«»w, if we «,'o willin^dy and ha])j)ily 
 to Xehraska we may see all there that we ha\e here." 
 " But I fear not," said I, *'we are getting old." 
 
 ^'But,-' said he, '' many of our friends th(»u«,dit it 
 impossible we would ever see this orchard hear, but 
 see what lovely fruit we have, and we may live to 
 liave it there. The Lord always blesses the diligent 
 hand, and I feel almost as willing and able to work a.s 
 I ilid when we began here. So we will i)ut our trust 
 in the Lord and go forward." 
 
 " But," said I, ''don't you regret to leave this nice 
 farm where we have taken so much comf<jrt and done 
 so much hard work?" 
 
 'Oh, no; the Lord lias blessed our labors here, and 
 He will bless us there if we put our trust in llim. 
 AVe have labored hard to make it comfortable; we 
 have enjoyed it, and I hope they will." 
 
 "Pa." said I, "those are my sentiments exactly." 
 And we never mentit>ned our nice home attain. We 
 got our business arranged, and started as remarked at 
 the beginning of this chaj)ter, and went on our way 
 rejoicing. 
 
 It was thout'ht best that our vouui^est son, Malconi 
 C. Roe, who was pnicticing medicine with his father, 
 should go with us, and we found it very })leasant t«.» 
 have him seated at our side in the car. 
 
 AVe traveled very ])leasantly — the cars were heavily 
 loaded — and safely through a lovely country; crosseil 
 the Mississippi river on the new bridge in safety
 
 174 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 although it creaked so we were somewhat alarmed; 
 passed through Clinton, then a nice flourishing city, 
 and many other pleasant towns, and arrived at the 
 large and prosperous city of Cedar Rapids. They left 
 some cars there, and we went wdiirling on to Fairfax 
 station, eight miles farther on. We got off on the 
 platform just as the clock struck two — there was no 
 depot — and found our way as best we could by inquir- 
 ing. There came up quite a severe shower just as we 
 left the car, and we stopped under an awning in front 
 of a store, and a dog rushed out and commenced bark- 
 ing furiously, and I was very much frightened for 
 fear they would shoot us for burglars ; but they heard 
 us talking and calmed down. We went to the store 
 in the morning and had a good laugh over our 
 burglar scare. The shower ceased, and we found our 
 children next door. 
 
 We were much pleased to meet them and find them 
 well. The other sons lived but a few miles distant — 
 the eldest IT. C. Roe, a physician and local preacher, 
 the younger, Mathey C. Roe, a carpenter by trade, but 
 was just commencing on a farm — had just finished 
 Fairview church. Since he came to the neighbor- 
 hood he had formed a class and was its leader; had 
 built a church, and had preaching regularly every 
 Sabbath only about one year and a half. Well done 
 for a new country, thought we. The oldest son 
 preached for us Sabbath, and we had a good class- 
 meeting, and we enjoyed the sermon very much. 
 
 Monday morning the train was on time, and we 
 went on our way rejoicing. The weather was lovely; 
 the lields were waving with grain, promising thirty or
 
 KKONTIKR I.IKi:. 175 
 
 forty biislicls U* the acre. AVe were verv nnich 
 pleased to notice tliat in alnuKst every dei)ot town 
 tliere was at least one, and sometimes two or three 
 nice small churches, and one good school house. This 
 spoke well iov the enterprise and thrift of the j>eople 
 of our new country. Even Fairfax, alth()Ugh it was 
 a small place, was struggling to build two new 
 churches. I feared there would he sc»nie strife 
 among them, hut ho])ed that it would he nothing more 
 than good religious zeal and energy, each aspiring to 
 do the most good in the shortest time, and I i)rayed 
 the Lord t«> help them in their efforts to promote His 
 glory and save pi-ecious souls. 
 
 ^Vliile at Fairfax we attended a Sundav-school pic 
 nic — this was on our return fn»m the far west — as a 
 celebration of our ^«ational Independence, that was a 
 a credit to the new settlement. It was near the Fair- 
 view church, and was managed mostly by their class 
 and Sabbath -school. They marched in a column from 
 the chureli to a beautiful grove about half a mile from 
 the church. Here we had the good old Declaration 
 of Independence read by a young man of promising 
 talent, Mr. Megar; a very api)ropriate speech by Rev. 
 (rordon, of Cedar Rapids; good music by the 
 Keystone choir, and a splendid dinner. ^lany 
 scholars and teachers, and a large company of very 
 intelligent ])eo])le ])resent, evinced the deep solicitude 
 felt in the Sabbath-school cause, and this spirit seemed 
 to pervade the whole country. 
 
 I Would not fail to mention that Iowa has several 
 splendid literary institutions to l)oast «»f. The ^I«»unt 
 Vernon, the oldest, stands on a beautiful eminence,
 
 176 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 and is a splendid building. A beautiful slope fi'om 
 the railroad to the college pavement, I would say, is 
 one of nature's beauty spots. Energy and enterprise 
 have done much to beautify it, and the very scenery 
 is calculated to induce study. Long may it live to 
 bless this redeemed world! We also saw the State 
 Agricultural College. This is a splendid edifice, and 
 is located near the center of the state. The building 
 displays a great deal of taste, and, as it stands on a 
 beautiful eminence, we had a nice view of it from 
 the train. It has done much for the culture of the 
 state. y 
 
 We also saw a small tribe of Indians near the Iowa 
 river. It was a very broken, hilly region, such as we 
 saw nowhere else in the State. Their dirty little 
 huts or wigwams were huddled together in little 
 groups on the hill sides, exhibiting filth, want and 
 destitution. We saw a number of squaws hoeing 
 corn in small fields or patches near the huts, while 
 the Indians lay lounging on the ground or sitting on 
 large stumps, covered only with a few rags and their 
 heads all trimmed off with feathers. When the cars 
 j^assed them they yelled like Indians. The car win- 
 dows were crowded full to see them. Oh ! how I 
 pitied those poor squaws, and the whole tribe or tribes, 
 as my mind glanced at the contrast. How thankful 
 we should be that we live in a gospel land and among 
 a people who fear the Lord. I earnestly pray the 
 Lord that some means may be devised by which this 
 great, and in some degree, a noble race may be brought 
 under the influence of the gospel of our dear 
 Redeemer, and into the covenant of grace. What a
 
 FKONTIKK LIKK. 177 
 
 cliaiitJ^e it wtnild ])nKluce in tlieir relations to each 
 other, to the world, and to that better world. 
 
 We passe(f"on over nearly two liiindi-e<l miU's in 
 
 that dark night, only knowing that we were j)assing 
 
 over i)rairie country, over l)ridges, through strips of 
 
 timber, and occasionally stopping at a depot to leave 
 
 mail; but uptin returning on the same road in the 
 
 •day time we found the country to be very similar to 
 
 the northeastern part of Iowa, but not so well settled. 
 
 About seven o'clock we came in view of Council 
 
 Eluflfs. We rode a good many miles in sight of these 
 
 bluffs before we came up to them and arrived at the 
 
 city. These bluffs are covered with a green verdure, 
 
 ■composed of a fine, soft grass, looking much like 
 
 velvet. The railroad runs near their base along the 
 
 Missouri river bottom. Being covered with this 
 
 velvity verdure makes them ])erfectly beautiful, oh! 
 
 nuii^nilicentl I never saw anvthint; in creati(jn that 
 
 proclaimed more clearly that the Hand that made us 
 
 is divine. Such a continuous chain of them for 
 
 miles, such beautiful peaks, such deep gorges and 
 
 gulches — they seemed to vie with one another to see 
 
 which would be the most singularly formed. I can 
 
 think of nothini; more like it than «;reat banks rolling 
 
 •one against the other, and all covered with green 
 
 velvet carpet. I suj)pose they do not look so magni- 
 
 •cent when the green verdure has p<issed away. The 
 
 anxious i)assengers, and there were a great many of 
 
 them on board, — many of them land viewers boun<l 
 
 for Nebraska, — were glad, very glad, to see the city, 
 
 and hear the conductor cry out, '' C'ouncil Bluffs,'' for 
 
 it was now after eight o'clock, an<l the train wa^ due
 
 178 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 a little after seven. AVe had had nothing to eat since 
 we left Boone Station; there is a splendid eating 
 house there, well arranged, well furnished with every 
 comfort that could be found on any railroad, east or 
 west, and we were all very glad to see a place where we 
 could get refreshments. Immediately after landing 
 upon the platform we were accosted by one of the 
 proprietors of the Commercial Hotel, I. P. BushnelU 
 who politely enquired if we wished entertainment in 
 a kind tone of voice, while the other men and boys 
 ran around crying at the top of their voices, " This 
 way, this way, right to such a place, or such a hotel. '^ 
 The doctor told the gentleman he would go with him. 
 He drove the cab politely to the platform and 
 lielped us in very kindly, drove to his hotel, and then 
 furnished a good warm breakfast, which we did 
 justice to I assure you. We soon learned that we had 
 missed connection with the train that would have 
 taken us from Council Bluffs to Brownville, but at 
 three o'clock another train went down on the St. Joe 
 t.^ Missouri Yalley road. 
 
 After breakfast Mr. Bushnell spent some time in 
 the parlor, and from him we learned some very inter- 
 esting incidents connected with the early settlement 
 of Council Bluffs. It was then a small place, and 
 was overrun with Mormons, who had stopped here in 
 their retreat to Salt Lake City, after having been 
 routed from|Xorthern Illinois. About this time a 
 Methodist minister by the name of AVilliam Simpson 
 came to the ])lace in pursuit of horse-thieves, and he 
 saw the great importance of establishing a charge 
 there under the control of the Methodist conference
 
 KKoMIKK I.IFK. 179 
 
 and endeavuivd to do so. A Mormon elder bv the 
 name of Hyde felt that lie was eiieruaching upon his 
 influence, and oj)posed and jjerseeuted him very much. 
 But l^ro. Simj)Son labored there for several years 
 with success, sulxlued the Mormon influence and built 
 a church costing a considerable sum, and established 
 a regular charge there. They have had succes- 
 sive revivals, and in iSOs built another church 
 costing :^*23,00O, which was dedicated by l^ro. 
 Eddy, editor of the Northwestern Chrtstlaji Advo- 
 cate. They now number 8S3 members. Other 
 denominations labored and succeeded, and are doing 
 well, and since the railroads have been built throu^di 
 that city it has gro^\^l rapidly, and there is a good 
 religious influence there. !Mr. Bushnell is a smart 
 and intelligent young man; has had the advantages 
 of an excellent college situated at Iowa City. 
 He is well calculated for any business, but his aim 
 was to become a gospel minister, ^[y husband, son 
 and myself were well pleased with his acipiaintance. 
 Long may lie live to bless the world. 
 
 Tliree o'clock arrived, and we were ijuite ready to 
 go, and our host conducted us safely to the cars — 
 there was no depot — and we had to get off on some 
 boards. The road was not flnished, only worked down 
 opposite l>n»wnsville, but the train would not go to 
 the terminus. That evening we got within seven 
 miles of Hrownsville, ])ut up a splendid tavern which 
 had just been finished to accommodate travelers. We 
 found in our host an old acc^piaintance of Chicago; had 
 a ])leasant visit with the family; made an early start, 
 
 opTJosite l*rowiisvil]e: th«'re
 
 180 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 they helped ns out on some boards and into a cab 
 which awaited us fi'om Brownsville, which was on the 
 opposite side of the Missouri river. So I had Ihe 
 pleasure of riding on the first steamboat that ever run 
 on the Hudson river, and the first steam passenger 
 car that run on the Missouri River Yallej road there 
 at Bro■v^^lsville. All the land hunters that went into 
 ]N"ebraska crossed the Missouri river. It was then 
 thought the rearest route to the land ofiice that was 
 open for entry. 
 
 Mr. Brown drove us safely to the river, which was 
 three miles distant, and when we got there we learned, 
 to our disappointment, that the steam ferry boat had 
 sunk a few day previous, and there was no way to cross 
 the river but in an old scow — an old ferry boat they 
 had used for years — and I shuddered at the thought — 
 oh I that turbulent, muddy river — but the ferryman 
 said it was perfectly safe. My husband said he 
 "thought it was safe," and I told him that "One thing 
 I knew, that we leaned upon the Arm that moved the 
 universe, and duty called, and I hoped the Lord would 
 preserve us." Myself and husband went onto the boat, 
 and one after another came aboard until there were as 
 many as ten men on the boat, and they loaded in 
 several barrels of eggs and kegs of butter from a 
 grocery near by, and we moved slowly fi-om the shore, 
 and oh! how my heart throbbed, but those beautiful 
 lines came to my mind, "When through the deep 
 waters I call thee to go, the rivers of woe shall thee not 
 overflow." The ferry man was very cautious. The 
 water was very still, and we moved slowly,, and after 
 some time arrived safely at the other shore.
 
 FRONTIKie LirK. 181 
 
 A very t^enteel youiit; iiuin, win* was |)n)j)riet(H' of 
 the Stiir Hotel, which whs near tlie bank of ihe river, 
 met us, took our satchel and politely conducted us to 
 his residence, where evervthin*^ was in order. As we 
 passed through the hall to the parlor, we saw Dr. 
 Molony, of Belvidere, 111., whom we were (piite inti- 
 mately ac(|uainted with. lie came into the i)arlor 
 and we had a very pleasant greeting. He had been out 
 into Richardson county, ISTeb., to visit his farm 
 of oOOO acres, where he had two sons at work, besides a 
 number of hands improving the land; had a very large 
 peach orchard, and would probably raise 500 bushels 
 of peaches that year. The Doctor was anxiously 
 waiting for a boat to come down the river, on which 
 he intended going down the stream to some point, 
 take the cars, and return to Belvidere. The Doctor 
 was a great land speculator, and he, with many others, 
 have l)ought up large tracts of the very best land in 
 Xebraska — bought it up with college scrip which 
 was sold only a few years ago by that State, thus 
 shutting out the homesteader, and the country is not 
 settled up around there yet. They held the land at 
 >55 per acre, l>ut had bought it for GO cts. an acre 
 with scrip. 
 
 Brownsville was a very prosperous town, made so 
 by the new settlers in the country lying back of it; 
 was the County Seat of Otoe county, which was 
 bounded by Richardson, Johnson, Gage, etc. The 
 settlers all hauled their goods, groceries and luml^er 
 from that ])lace. It is the most romantic i)lace 1 ever 
 saw; churches and houses sit upon the very to]) of the 
 Missouri bluffs, and were tinished in the latest stvle.
 
 182 KECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 and looked as if they might he tipped over the steep 
 embankmeut by the tirst storm \vhich might strike 
 them. But some of them have stood there for many 
 years. It was long years ago a trading post for the 
 Indians. There were some good buildings put up 
 then, and many of the maret here still, and there are 
 many enterprising men in Brownsville. 
 
 The land office was there for many years ; my husband 
 and son went there, as others did, to get some field 
 plots to enter and buy. Our friend Mayberry met us 
 there, and they found the gentleman in the land office 
 very kind and polite. They got their field notes, 
 hired a nice double livery rig, and went off to look for 
 land. AYe traveled throudi a o-ood deal of Kichard- 
 son county, and went into the southeast part of Gage 
 county; found our old friend and neighbor, Tobin, 
 settled on a nice farm of half a section, one hundred 
 acres of which was in nice wheat and corn. They 
 had left our neighl)orhood in Ogle county. 111., about 
 fifteen months previous, but they still lived in their 
 camp, which was made of logs at the bottom, and 
 boarded up the sides and over the top, but it was 
 somewhat shattered and looked dangerous to sleep in, 
 so we took supper with them and then went on to 
 "Pap Tyler's,'' as he was called by everybody who 
 knew them, real kind-hearted old people, who lived 
 on the east bank of the Big Blue river. They pro- 
 vided entertainment for all the traveling: communitv. 
 We were splendidly entertained over Sunday. AVe 
 learned from Bro. Tobin and Bro. Tyler's folks that 
 there would be circuit preaching at Blue Springs 
 by Bro. Mann, on Sundav at twelve o'clock, and Sun-
 
 KKoNTIKK I. IKK. lS3 
 
 (lay-sclioc»l at half }>ast tt'ii, an<l Wi'w iiiucli ])I<'a>«'(I 
 witli this information. 
 
 Bhie Sprini^s was a litth' town jnst hiid out on the 
 west side of the I)i<,' IMne river, tlie largest stream 
 rnnniiii^Mhroni^h tliat part of tlic couiitrv. Near tlii> 
 town are three lar«;e s|)rin«;s sitnated eloselv to«ri.tlier, 
 tliv water is verv hlne, whieli i^ave tlie phice its name. 
 There liad heen a severe rain while we were at 
 P>rownsville, and liad raised the river so it was not 
 safe to drive onr earria<jje across; but l>ro. To])in said 
 he wonld eonie nj> and bring his big wagon, and take 
 us over to eliureh and Sabbath-scliool. I don't think 
 1 ever saw a nieer stream than the Blue, it is like tlie 
 sj)rings, unusually blue, and glides over beautiful 
 white rocks and has very steej) banks. It takes an 
 experienced }>erson to drive safely through, Init Uncle 
 Tobin liad experience, and he took us safely to the 
 western l)ank of the beautiful Big Blue, and drove up 
 to the d«»uble log house where the preaching was to 
 be. In Blue Springs were found, on the bank of the 
 river a saw mill, and grist mill, j)artly enclosed; one 
 <lry goods store, Ilodge 6c Hanson, proprietors; one 
 )»lacksmith shop; a shoe shop; two or three very 
 small board houses, and in the log building where the 
 ])reaching and Sabbath-school were to be, a family 
 lived in one end, and the jmst office and a small 
 grocery occupied the front end; and there were three 
 or four traveling tents j)itclied upon the village green, 
 which were tilled with emi;;rants. After the sermon a 
 small but interesting Sabbatli-school was held. The 
 congregation })Oured in till there was not a seat to l>c 
 had; the natives gave away to the new emigrants and
 
 1S4 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 then stood up as long as one could crowd in ; those 
 who could not get in stood around the door and two- 
 small windows, until there was quite a circle. The 
 preacher pressed in, and took quite a dilapidated 
 chair which was set for him. He was a fine looking 
 man, but any one could see from the expression of 
 his features that he was very much depressed in 
 spirits from some cause. He arose, stepped behind 
 the chair, opened the Bible and read a chapter, read a 
 hvmn, and the congregation joined in and sang it 
 with tones of deep-felt melody such as touch the heart. 
 Oh! what an earnest, solemn rendering of thanks- 
 arose fi-om the hearts of those people I ^hat an 
 earnest beseeching the Lord for continued mercy. 
 And while on our bended knees we felt that the Lord 
 oyershadowed us, and eyerj one felt that the Lord was 
 present. We arose and Bro. Mann took for his text,. 
 *' Wliat \yill it profit a man if he gain the whole world 
 and lose his soul," and preached a heart-comforting 
 sermon. At the close he told us that that would 
 necessarily be his last sermon, for awhile at least,. 
 that his family was suffering, and he must go do\\^l ta 
 the riyer and hunt up some work to supply his family 
 with food; being a mechanic, he thought he might 
 get some work there. 
 
 The class-leader arose and said, " Brethren, we are 
 all so near Bro. Mann's condition that it will be 
 difficult for us to do much, but it will not do to let 
 him leaye this work; we will pass the hat and see 
 what we can do to-day, and the oflicial board must 
 make some arrangements for him and his family right 
 away. It is eyen as he said; they are suffering. I
 
 FRONTIKK LIKE. 1S5 
 
 was at his house a day ur two since, ami they ha<I 
 nothing but corn bread and wild goo8el)errie6, cooked 
 without sugar, to eat, and corn coffee to drink." 'I'hr 
 hat was passetl and ^8 were collcted. Hro. Mann was 
 in cliarge of what was called Club Creek Circuit, but 
 now changeil to Blue 8})ring Circuit. It is a noble 
 circuit now, supporting three preachers well. 
 
 In after days, when we moved to that country, we 
 found Bro. Mann at his post laboring for precious 
 souls, and have heard him say more than once that 
 that eight dollars seemed to do him more good than 
 one hundred at many other times in life. lie had a 
 wife and four children. lie preached twice and often 
 three times every Sunday, and frecpiently through the 
 week; a deeply pious man; has tilled some important 
 positions in that conference. 
 
 We succeeded in securing one eighty acre tract of 
 land in Blue Springs neighborhood, went on from 
 there to Sicily Creek, about twelve miles, passed over 
 some nice prairie land, found some nice new farms 
 near the stream; met Bro. Mann at Bro. Knight's; 
 took dinner with them, and through their instrumen 
 tality, secured another eighty-acre lot of land near 
 Sicily creek. They then had a class of twelve or 
 fourteen, and many of the members were very intelli- 
 gent, although they lived in log huts, and some in 
 dugouts, and had an earnest of an iidieritance above, 
 a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 
 — blessed hoj>e! 
 
 I often think of (tur trij* to P,lue Springs on that 
 blessed Sabbath morn, as we were seat^Kl in Bro. 
 Tobin's nice large wagon driving down the creek
 
 186 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 valley to the ford, the beautiful stream gliding ])y 
 over the large white rocks on one side, and the moun- 
 tain range of beautiful building stone which rose in a 
 solid mass as high as sixty or one hundred feet on the 
 east bank, the bottom land spreading out from the 
 stream, and all along the bank of the creek the large 
 oak and walnut trees spread out their mighty arms to 
 protect us from tlie rays of the sun, while the 
 feathered tribe flitted through them, proclaiming that 
 the Hand which made us is divine; and while passing 
 down the road to the crossing in rather a meditative 
 frame of mind, Mrs. Tobin looked up with a radiant 
 smile lighting up her features and her black eyes 
 glistening with joy — she did not speak very good 
 English — while she said, '^ Tobin, Tobin, I did not 
 think we should have the Doctor's folks here in this 
 new country to go to church with us so soon when 
 we parted with them in our nice new church. I am 
 so glad, I am so glad I" ''That is so," said Bro. 
 Tobin. We rode along for a few minutes in silence, 
 reflecting uj^on the singular Providence which had 
 brought us together under such pleasant circum- 
 stances. 
 
 When me bid them farewell, the evening before 
 they started for Nebraska, it was in the nice new 
 -church which both families had helped to build; 
 where the Lord had converted each other's children and 
 dear neighbors ; and where, eighteen months previous, 
 we had expected to remain the rest of our days ; where 
 we both had comfortable liomes, and Bro. Tobin had 
 just built him a splendid house just the year before; 
 and now, on this beautiful Sabbath morning, we met
 
 FKoNTIKK mm:. 187 
 
 ill the wilds »»t' Xcln-aska, i;la<l to asstMnl)le in a small 
 log room t«> worsliij) the Lord, some wee|)iMi; and 
 t»tliers smiliii*^, and 1 assure v<»u, reader, there was 
 <lee|) fei'lini;. The Doctor remarked, " I>rother Tohin, 
 if we are faithful tn dutv, do all we can tn ^t-t iij» the 
 hanncr «>f the Lord, we >hall >ee soiils c< diverted ami 
 ^•Imrches hiiilt in this conntrv." .Inst then we arrived 
 ;it the ford and the Doctor remarked, **Ma, here is the 
 Uii; liliie river we have been told so much ahoiit." 
 *-And," I remarked, "the half has not been told.'' 
 **It is surely so," said he. AVe drove np to the little 
 lotr house, got out of the wagon and entered the little 
 church, and truly the Lord was with us. 
 
 The next day, when we met Bro. Mann with a few 
 other brethren, we felt and realized that they were 
 children of the Lord. AVe left Sicily Creek witli 
 Jh'o. Mann, and he directed us to some land he 
 thought nearer to the road than it really was. We 
 found several pieces, but the doctor did not think 
 they would pay to enter. But we lost our compass. 
 There were but a very few roads here, and we lost 
 ours. Jji'o. ^lann invited us to go to his house to 
 .>^tay that night, but we did n(>t make it, and so ])Ut 
 up at a log hotel, or jtart log and j»art l»oards, on the 
 Fort Carney r<jad leading from St. Joe to Fort 
 Carney, the road upon which all the provisions for 
 the Fort, and over which all the Californian emigra- 
 tion passed. We stayed all night there, and early 
 next morning the doctor and son and friend Mayberry 
 took a scout around the country for about fifteen 
 miles, but found n<» land to secure by entry. Theit» 
 was lots and lots of beautiful land and water and some
 
 188 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 timber, but all entered by the college scrip or at 
 government price, $1.25. And the gentlemen came 
 home to the tavern all discouraged. The doctor said 
 he would go back to Iowa and pay $5.00 per acre for 
 land before he would buy such land as he found there^ 
 and we loaded up and started for home. "We crossed 
 the Blue, aj^d drove through Beatrice, and the land 
 looked better and better every mile we traveled, and 
 my husband would remark, " Wliat splendid land."" 
 Wlien we got within about ten miles of Beatrice, the 
 doctor remarked, " Boys, if I could buy this land for 
 two or three dollars per acre I would give it." May- 
 berry said, "Well, doctor I will take you to a man 
 right off who has three sections in one body that he 
 will sell. He has live hundred acres broke, and has 
 twenty teams at Avork breaking." We soon began to 
 see the teams, and soon saw the old gentleman 
 himself mounted upon his pony, and riding to and fro- 
 among them. We drove up to him, and Mr. 
 Mayberry gave us an introduction and told him that 
 the doctor wished to buy a section of land. The 
 doctor said, "Will you sell?" " Yes, sir, one or more 
 sections if you wish," said the gentleman. "At what 
 price?" "Two and a half for the sections which 
 have no breaking, and live for those that have 
 breaking, or two hundred and fifty dollars a section." 
 We looked the land over, and the doctor told him 
 he would take the unbroken section at $2.50 per 
 acre. Mr. I^^ewhall said he would come to the tavern 
 where we were going to stay, and go with us to 
 Brownsville and make out the deed, and we bid him 
 good evening. At eight o'clock in the morning he
 
 FKONTIKK I.IKK. 189 
 
 "Was on liaiul, and we drove to IJrownsville that day, 
 distant about forty miles. The next day we had our 
 pipers made out, and on the morrow starte<l for liome. 
 Mr. AValker took us over that dreadful river in a sail 
 boat, there being no steaml)oat yet. 
 
 The last night we stayed at the l^rownsville tavern 
 there were nine states rejiresented by emigrants hunt- 
 ing land. All had bou^^ht more or less, but most of 
 tlieni were speculators. 
 
 We had a very })leasant time at IJrownsville; formed 
 the ac<|uaintanee of (juite a number of Christians, Mr. 
 Dorsey, Methodist; Mr. Lett, Presbyterian, both of 
 whom were very intelligent business men, and had 
 }ield positions in the land office, and had been citizens 
 there for twelve or iifteen years. They gave us a 
 ^ood deal of interesting infornuition in regard to the 
 progress of business and society in the community; 
 they were acquainted w^itli all the enterprises of the 
 dav and hour: thev were there when there was nothintr 
 but a few log huts there; they had helped to build a 
 splendid school house and several churches, a Baptist, 
 a Methodist and a Presbyterian. They invited us out 
 to a strawberry festival. There were some as line 
 residences in Brownsville as I ever saw, and each one 
 of those gentlemen owned one of them. The Dorsey 
 family were among the first residents in the town, and 
 Father Dorsey died there a number of years previous. 
 
 I think we lift Brown>ville the iJsth of June on the 
 Valley railroad, and while we had been gone they had 
 put up a good de])ot and tavern, and we had a nice 
 platform to get out on — quite an iiiii»rovement for 
 such a new county. We liad a wvy i»leasant ride to
 
 100 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 Council Bluffs; got there just in time to get onto the 
 Northwestern train for the east — about seven o'clock. 
 We rode all night, and arrived in Boonsboro just in 
 time for a splendid breakfast, and from there hurried 
 on and got off at Fairfax about twelve o'clock; found 
 our children all well ; stopped a few days with them 
 and then started for our home in Oo^le countv* 
 delighted with our trip and the new country, and we 
 had traveled all that distance, and had not heard one 
 bit of profane language or seen a drunken man. 
 
 Our children prevailed upon us to stop in Malta. 
 DeKalb county — two of them lived near there — and 
 we concluded to do so, until they could get ready 
 and go with us. We bought some property there^ 
 fixed us up a nice home, as we thought perhaps we 
 might have to wait a year or two. But we were not 
 satisfied, as we felt that duty called us west, and we 
 felt as thoutrh we ouo-ht to iniluence our children to 
 go west, as we believed it would be of great advantage 
 to them, in a pecuniary sense, and they could also be so 
 useful in that new country, and it would be so pleas- 
 ant to have them settle near us — in the same county 
 at least. 
 
 We spent the winter very pleasantly at Malta. We 
 •helped them build a church there, the first Methodist 
 church Ijuilt in that place. They had helped the 
 Baptists ])uild, and occupied their church every other 
 Sabbath until they had boarded out their money, and 
 then did the same with the Cono^re^ationalists and 
 boarded that out. And now it was time to build for 
 themselves. So they went at it in earnest, and built 
 a nice church, and then thev had a orracious revival.
 
 KlioNTIKK I.IKK. IIU 
 
 Many preciuiis s<nils were converted tlirongli J>ru. 
 Hunker's inriuenee. AVe stayed there until spring, 
 and then conehided that, as our chihh-en were not 
 <^ettin^ ready to go with us, we would have to go 
 alone and drive the stakes. We hoped they would 
 rally around our new home, and we offered each one 
 who Would go with us or follow after us HM) acres of 
 land, hut they all had conifortahle small homes, and 
 money was very scarce through the country and they 
 could not sell, and so could not go, hut we ho]>ed they 
 would come as soon as they disposed of their effects- 
 AVe continued to get ready. Our youngest son, who 
 went with us to visit Xehraska, had just returned 
 from Bennett Medical College, Chicago, a few months 
 previous, and was opening up a nice practice in and 
 around the village, and his friends urged him to stay 
 and his wife inclined to stay with her friends; so we 
 found we were to ijo alone. One <;randson, ^[. P. 
 lioe, volunteered to g«» with us, and we hired another 
 man, Michael Shelly. C'liartered a car, loaded it with 
 furniture, wagon and team, [dows and harrows, five 
 bari*els of flour, barrel of pork, butter, pickles, forty 
 bushels of ])<>tatoes, and started it westward, tlie 
 hired man on hoard to take care of the horses and 
 <»ur favorite dog, Pont<>. The <loct<»r, myself and 
 grandson left on the passenger train that night at 
 three o'clock, sad to leave our dear children and many 
 dear frien<ls behind, but feeling that wv were in the 
 pathway of <luty, that the I.onl was guiding us, and 
 hoping that good would come out of it. we were 
 cheerful. 
 
 The doctor took consi<lerabIe me«liciiie uitii liim.
 
 192 RECOLLECTIOXS OF 
 
 He had been keeping a drug store in connection with 
 a grocery through the winter while at Malta, had 
 decided not to travel and practice any more, but to 
 prescribe at his office. This he did a great deal, but 
 frequently his friends would prevail upon him to go 
 with them on the cars and prescribe for difficult cases, 
 who were not able to come to him. He did not 
 intend to ride and practice in that new country. 
 
 We overtook our freight car at Cedar Eapids all 
 safe. They were to lay over there for the Sabbath, 
 but we went on to Fairfax, and stopped with our 
 children. We spent the Sabbath together, and 
 attended two new churches — the Methodist in the 
 forenoon and Presbyterian in the afternoon. They 
 were both finished off in fine style. 
 
 Monday morning our freight car passed us under 
 good headway all safe, and the hired man gave the 
 signal. At twelve o'clock we boarded the passenger 
 train and pursued our journey very pleasantly, and 
 about dusk we overtook our freight again all right, 
 and here they dropped off one passenger car, and the 
 Doctor prevailed on the conductor to couple on our 
 freight car. It was very gratifying to us, to know 
 we were all on the same train and under good 
 headway. We passed on SAviftly and safely, and about 
 daylight arrived at Council Bluffs; got our breakfast 
 at a good hotel; found our friends whom we had 
 known on our former visit all well, and they gave us 
 a hearty welcome. 
 
 The next thing was to get our car shipped onto the 
 Missouri Valley road. It cost us twenty -five dollars 
 to do this, and it was tu run down the road to a new
 
 FRONTIER LIFE. 193 
 
 station just opposite Xebniska City — I don't think 
 they had named the station yet — but the freiglit 
 woukl not reach there till the next morning at ten 
 ct'clock. AVe boarded the ])assenger train and went 
 that far that evening, and when we arrived tliere we 
 fnund that the depot agent had gone to Illinois to 
 get married, and in his phice was a cross, illnatured 
 fup. AVe in«|uired fur a tavern. "There is none, and 
 you can't stay here," said he. The Doctor replied, " I 
 guess we can stay; I see there are quite a number 
 of folks who appear as though they are staying here; I 
 see two or three houses here." " Well, they can take 
 care of themselves," said the agent. " Well," said I, 
 "w^e can stay in the depot." "Xo you can't," said he, 
 *'we do not let people stay in our depot." 
 
 Just then a very fine looking young man spoke up 
 and said, ''Grandpa, and Grandma, if you are not very 
 particular, I think you can get pretty good entertainment 
 at my boarding house; the house is not iinished up, 
 but it is pretty comfortable for this warm weather, 
 and their board is good; there are also some nice old 
 people stopping there, and you will enjoy their 
 company." "Thank you, kind sir," said I, "we will 
 go with you, and you must accept our gratitude for the 
 respect shown us l)y yourself." 
 
 lie advanced across the road and we followed. lie 
 showed us in and intnjduced us to the kind folks as 
 some -^travelers wIkj wanted lodgings for the night." 
 They kindly replied, "We will do the very best we 
 can for them; we have one bedroom that is lathed, 
 and we can iinish another in time to sleep in," and, 
 from the rapid tap, taj) of hammers, it woidd seem
 
 194 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 as though their predictions would be fulfilled. There 
 were two bedrooms with quilts hung around the lathes 
 for the old folks, while the young men slept on the 
 diningroom floor ; and the hotel keeper and lady occupied 
 the kitchen ; thus we were all comfortably situated for 
 the night — after having partaken of an excellent 
 supper — and I assure you we were very grateful to 
 those kind people for their hospitality. The unkind 
 fop would gladly have seen us lie out doors. 
 
 We slept well and awoke much refreshed. The sun 
 arose bright and cheerful, but soon went under a 
 cloud, or the cloud went over the sun. We could 
 hear the mutterino^ thunder and see the licrhtnino^ 
 flash, and just as our freight train appeared on the 
 track, the rain and hail came down in a perfect 
 tempest, but our car was safely uncoupled and run 
 onto the side-track. That cloud passed by, and 
 then another, and so on the whole day and night. But 
 those old people were very intelligent, and they done all 
 they could to make it pleasant for us. Their children 
 were very kind ; gave us good board and plenty of it,, 
 and on the whole we were quite comfortable. 
 
 The next morning was calm and lovely over head, 
 but oh! that Missouri mud, I never saw anything like 
 it. The Doctor tried to get to the river, but it waa 
 impossible — mud knee deep, and in many places 
 sloughs of water up to a man's waist. lie came 
 back and said we would have to be resigned to our 
 fate, and went to unloading our car; had taken the 
 horses out the day before and put tliem in a not very 
 good stable, but they stood it pretty well. That day 
 the Doctor looked around and tried to hire two or three
 
 FRONTIKR UKK. 195 
 
 teiiins with whicli to take lis to tlie iiei^liUrn-liood where 
 our hiiul was situated, f«nir inik's from Cral) Orcliard, 
 on the emigrant trail leading from Nebraska City to 
 Fort Kearney, in Gage county; ])ut they did not 
 succeed very well, only secured one team. 
 
 They loaded up early the next morning and we 
 hid farewell to our kind friends and started, I on top 
 of our wagon load seated on the spring seat, while the 
 Doctor acted as teamster ; but we had not traveled but 
 a few rods when I lost my l)alance and fell to the 
 ground, but by a great effort I managed to light on 
 my feet, and here the mud was ankle deep. I made 
 my way to a knoll that was covered with old leaves, 
 and drew off mv shoes and stockiiii^s and waded 
 through the mud to the river, which was about half a 
 mile, through dense woods. The teams got there first, 
 and they were a perfect daub of mud, and the men 
 had to scrape the wheels several times while on the 
 road. 
 
 We crossed the river in safety, and I was thankful 
 to place my feet on Nebraska soil once more, after 
 having washed them in the Missouri river and dressed 
 them. The Doctor and I concluded to walk throuirh 
 the city that we might view the largest city in our 
 adopted state, and what had been the Capital until 
 within eighteen months, when it had been moved to 
 Lincoln. We saw some very fine business blocks, 
 nice churches, school houses and beautiful residences 
 with lovely surroundings, and some of the nicest 
 gardens and nurseries that I ever saw; we could 
 scarcely believe it, although we saw it with our own 
 eyes, all was so lovely; and all this was once a wild
 
 196 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 Indian territory, but was now under such line im- 
 provement, and families out of the city, on the Fort 
 Kearney road, had their large farms and splendid 
 buildings. 
 
 As soon as we got onto Xebraska soil we had good 
 roads, except the sloughs, and there we had tugging, 
 I assure you, yet the teams stood up pretty well under' 
 the travel. "We expected, or hoped to reach a very 
 good tavern that evening, in the edge of the DeKalb 
 settlement, which located there three years previous, 
 but about sundown we had to drive through a bad 
 slough, and there got stuck. We worried for some 
 time but to no avail. There was but one small house 
 in sight, which was two miles from the tavern. The 
 men concluded to go to the house and see if they 
 could get a team with which to take me there, and 
 see if we could stay there — the house was about a half 
 mile distant. Both of our teams were in the slough. 
 The kind folks said we could stay, but had but one 
 bed, and no pro^-isions but bread and milk. The 
 gentleman got out his team and came to our assist- 
 ance, and by this time it was almost dark. They con- 
 cluded to drive in with the team and get some beds, 
 bedding and provisions, and take me to the house, 
 and the men would take off the teams and bring them 
 up and leave the wagons until morning. 1 was 
 thankful to find a place where I could sit do^Ti. 
 
 They had two or three chairs, and the lady, a kind- 
 hearted soul, offered to get the supper; said she, 
 "Grandma, you look so tired, you had better lie 
 down." I was tired, sick and lame. I did lie down 
 on the beds they had thrown down on the floor, and
 
 FRONTIKU I.ll-K. 197 
 
 uhl how good rest did seem to me, {ind 1 soon beciime 
 unconscious to all around me. Pretty soon the 
 Doctor awoke me for 6U])per. I took some refresh- 
 ments, and the kind lady fixed her and me a very 
 comf<»rtable bed on the bedstead, and I went to bed, 
 thankful that I was so well provided for. She fixed 
 the rest of the beds on the floor as best she could. 
 
 1 had not been asleej) long when I was awakened by 
 something falling on my face and liands, similar to 
 fine hail. I called out to the Doctor, "Please get a 
 light, there is sijmething falling on my face and hands, 
 and all over the bed." This aroused the lady, and 
 -he remarked, '' It is only the dirt falling out of the 
 -od which our house is made of, and when the wind 
 blows, now it has become dry, it crumbles off, and we 
 are so used to it that it does not disturb us." So the 
 Doctor did not strike a light, and the rest fell asleep, 
 "but I could not sleep, for I was afraid every minute 
 that the whole roof would fall in on us. But morning 
 came; the ro(jf was still on the house, and we were 
 all alive and very thankful that we were as comfortable 
 a.s we were. 
 
 The men folks went early and dug out our wagons 
 and brought them to the house. AVe ate our break- 
 fast, reloaded our wagons, bid our friends adieu, and 
 went on our way, cheered with the hoj)e of reaching 
 our future h«»me that day; arrived at I^ro. Howard's, 
 on Van k-ee creek, near the line be.tween .lolmson and 
 Gage counties, on the Johnson side, about sundown — 
 alx»ut four miles from our secti«ni nf new land, with 
 no breaking on it except the hedgert»w. Never shall 
 I forget the kindness we received fmm P.ro. Howard's
 
 198 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 family. They allowed us to remain with them until 
 we could get up a shanty to cover our heads so we 
 could get some prairie broke up on which to raise a 
 crop for the next year. Bro. Howard sold us some 
 logs for sleepers for our house, grandson and the 
 hired man, cut and hauled them up to our section the 
 next day, while Doctor and Bro. Corbin, one of our Ogle 
 county friends whom we were very glad to find in 
 the neighborhood, went six miles to a small steam 
 mill, where they ground corn and sawed lumber, and 
 got some Cottonwood lumber and hauled it up to our 
 place. It was now Saturday evening. We spent the 
 Sabbath with Bro. Howard's family very pleasantly. 
 They had a large log house, in which were two large 
 rooms below and some other rooms above ; had two sons 
 and two interesting daughters and a niece who made 
 their home with them. One son, James Howard, and 
 a son-in-law, Mr. Brown, who lived near them, came 
 home on Sunday. We had some excellent singing and 
 a prayermeeting. Oh! how we rejoiced to think we 
 had found a people who feared the Lord. Those good 
 folks had been there seven years ; had just come when 
 they had the great Indian stampede. It was some- 
 thing like this : There came a runner through the 
 country purporting to be from Fort Kearney, crying, 
 "Flee for your lives, the Indians have taken the Fort, 
 and are killing every family they come to!" Bro. 
 Howard had his misgivings about the report in the 
 first place, but soon the settlers began to pour into 
 their neighborhood on their way to Brownsville; 
 every hour there would come a new recruit. Bro. 
 Howard advised them to take a stand there and see
 
 FRONTIER LIFE. 199 
 
 what wuiild be the result. They came pell inell, some 
 without hats or shoes; some in their nit^ht clothes, with 
 very little provisions, some without any, until there 
 were two hundred ur mure men, women and children 
 on the ground before sundowni. Each family felt it 
 their dutv to communicate the news to their neijrh- 
 bors as soon as they received it, and it reached a good 
 many. Bro. Howard and his neighbors contributed to 
 their comfort as far as was within their j)(>wer in 
 clothes and provisions. 
 
 Tlie next day they were a little more composed, as 
 the Indians had not appeared, and many of them 
 began to think, with Bro. Howard, that the messen- 
 ger who, a few hours previous, they considered to be 
 their best friend,' was an unprincipled scalawag. 
 Some of the men went in search of him, but could 
 hear nothing of him. They gradually left and 
 returned to their respective homes, and to their joy, 
 found them as they had left them, and they never had 
 another Indian scare. 
 
 Monday morning came, full of sunshine and joy. 
 The news that the Doctor's folks had come, ran all 
 through the neighborhood, and a good many of the 
 men came to see if they could do anything to assist 
 us — there were about a dozen families within four 
 miles — (Bro. Howard kept the stage ottice, and Bro. 
 Dilhvorth the post office.) Tlie Doctor secured a 
 carpenter to help him. He had dischargeil the team- 
 ster we had brought from the river; got another 
 wagon and team, loaded on our goods and drove to 
 our new home, and it was very necessary that I should 
 go along to cook for the men.
 
 200 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 "We had a lot of shrubbery in boxes, with a little 
 dirt in the bottom, and if I had a moment to spare I 
 wanted to be setting that out in our hedgerow, and 
 put in some garden seed, as it was then the first day 
 of June. 
 
 The men soon had the iioor down and the stove up, 
 and I had a good warm dinner on the table in the 
 bright sunshine, and they all partook of it cheerfully; 
 then the hammers went tip-tap putting ujd scantling 
 and boards, while the hired man broke the hedgerow, 
 and by sundo^^Tl we had our rooms almost enclosed 
 and a temporary roof on the house, sufficient to cover 
 our beds ; had our shrubbery set out and quite a garden 
 made. We ate supper, and by nine o'clock were 
 comfortably situated for the night. We himg up 
 some quilts and carpet in the part of the house that 
 was not yet boarded up — they had worked up all 
 the lumber. 
 
 I looked and looked all day to see if we had any 
 neighbors, but could see only a little sod hut about 
 two miles distant. Most of the people settled near the 
 timber and water, but when it became dark I could see 
 the glimmer of a lamp light in that sod hut. Oh, how 
 it cheered my heart. We awoke refreshed. The Dr. 
 cheerfully started teams after some lumber and 
 shingles, to Tecumseh, nineteen miles away. Thought 
 they would be back that night. 
 
 We took the cotton wood we used for our roof and 
 made a small window; made a door and fixed some 
 shelves to set things on. We left our cupboard at the 
 river with many other things — two heavy loads in all — 
 which we could not bring until we got a roof to cover
 
 FRONTIER LIFE. 201 
 
 them. Nii^ht came but no liim])er, which did ii<>t 
 arrive until ten o'clock the next mornin«^. We spread 
 some tarred ])aper over our beds that kept off the 
 dew. AVhen the teams came next day they had not a 
 shingle on board, but the promise of some in a few 
 days. They had a lot of stock boards and some 
 scantling. 
 
 The men went to work and put up the rafters and 
 nailed on the sheathing, and this made us (piite com- 
 fortal)le, as it shut out the sun, and we ])egan to feel 
 • juite at lionie. The Doctor liad bought a very line 
 cow for forty dollars. 
 
 The kind neighbors brought us in quantities of 
 beautiful lettuce, raddishes, onions and new potatoes, 
 and some one came to welcome us every day, some 
 from as far as ten miles. All seemed so pleased to 
 think they had a good, old experienced physician in 
 the neighborhood, although they did not expect him to 
 ride much. We had been there nearly a week, the 
 weather had been very fine, and we had enjoyed our- 
 selves very well, only we feared getting a wetting if 
 it should rain. 
 
 We spent Sunday afternoon in writing to our 
 friends, telling of our safe arrival and kind reception; 
 that we had found a number of Illinois friends there, 
 Mr. Corbin, Mr. Filley and Mr. Shaw; that they had 
 all come to see us and were pleased to find us so com- 
 fortable. After finishing our letters we all retired for 
 the night, as we thought, to have a good night's rest, 
 but about two oVlock there came a severe shower, and 
 the rain ])<)ured down through the sheeting onto the 
 beds, and thnjugh the carpet onto our beds below.
 
 202 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 The men began to hnstle down the ladder, but oh! 
 there was no refuge there, for the rain poured down 
 through the cracks of the chamber floor in streams as 
 large as one's flnger, and before daylight everything 
 was as wet as if they had been taken out of a river. 
 The men stretched some umbrellas over the stove, 
 kindled a Are and I got breakfast. The rain slacked 
 up a little, and by noon they began to think of going 
 after the shingles, but found it so slippery that it 
 would not do to attempt it that day. We stood it as 
 well as we could that day by putting on one wrapper 
 after another; when one would become saturated 
 we would wring it out and hang it . on some posts the 
 men had fixed up out doors between showers; the 
 wind blew and they would dry some. The Doctor 
 would hold the umbrella over me and the stove while 
 I cooked the meals, and by nightfall it had cleared 
 away and ceased raining, and I fixed the beds as com- 
 fortable as I could by taking every thing we had in 
 trunks and boxes. AVe went to bed, and were quite 
 comfortable in comparison to the night before. 
 
 Morning came and brought us a lovely sunrise. 
 My grandson said, ''Grandma, give me a bite of 
 breakfast and I will see if I can't get those shingles 
 here and get a roof over your head before you and 
 grandpa suffer this way again." He was soon oif, 
 and by four o'clock arrived with the shingles. 
 Everything else was laid aside, even the two breaking 
 teams were stopped — Bro. Corbin was plowing for us 
 — and he took a hammer and went to work. The 
 Doctor, my grandson and Bro. Corbin all worked with 
 energy, I assure, for there was a cloud in the west,
 
 FRONTIKK MFK. 203 
 
 and we feared another niiii storm. By night tliey 
 had the last shingle nailed on the west side of the 
 shanty: I had the beds, (piilts, etc., all nicely dried, 
 and we set the beds on the west side of the house so 
 the roof would shelter us a good deal if it should rain. 
 But we were s])ured a wetting, and by noon they had 
 a sj)lendid roof on, the only frame building there was 
 to be seen from Tecumseh, the County Seat of John- 
 son county, to Beatrice, the County Seat of Gage 
 county, a distance of about thirty -live miles. It was 
 called the '' half-way frame house," by a great many. 
 
 Now we had been there ten days, had built our 
 frame house, broke up eight acres of })rairie, and had 
 it planteil in corn, squashes, pumpkins, melons and 
 cucumbers, and our shrubbery out, garden made, 
 sweet potato plants set, and I assure you it began to 
 look like home. There is not many young people who 
 Could have done better than we did. AVe hired some 
 men to dig and wall up a well close to the shanty 
 door. We bought another (piarter section of land 
 lying on Yankee creek that had forty acres of timber 
 on it. Some of the best in the county; so we had wood 
 and water. 
 
 The Doctor hired some teams to haul stone 
 from Mr. Fillev's quarry, live miles distant, cal- 
 culating to build a stf>ne house — the country 
 abounded with splendid building stone, but none 
 very near us. 
 
 In about three weeks after our arrival our best 
 horse took sick and died, but a kind j)rovidence oi)ened 
 the way so we were enabled to buy another sj)an, 
 although horses were very scarce and high at that
 
 204 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 time. So we had three horses to plow with, and suc- 
 ceeded in breaking up forty acres that summer. 
 
 "We had been to Bro. Howard's to prayer nieeting^ 
 two or three times. They were in hopes of haying- 
 a preacher appointed to their charge at the next con- 
 ference. There we learned that there would be a 
 quarterly meeting on the 5th of July at Beatrice. 
 They were to haye a celebration on the 4tli, on the 
 bank of the Big Blue riyer in a beautiful groye, and 
 Bro. Leman was to be the orator of the day on the 
 Fourth, and the presiding elder on Sunday. 
 
 We did not get out to the celebration, but started 
 early and got to the quarterly meeting in time for the 
 love feast ; and how surprised and delighted we were 
 to find such a large congregation so comfortably 
 situated in that beautiful groye, where we could hear 
 the water, not of the Junietta, but the Big Blue riyer, 
 rippling oyer the loyely white rocks on its way to the 
 Father of Waters, adding a deep solemnity to the 
 deyotion of the hour. We had a loye feast indeed, glad 
 to mingle together in Christian deyotion on the yery 
 ground and in the groye where the yell of the say age 
 Indian was heretofore only heard, and the posts of their 
 wigwams still stood. Bro. Leman preached us a sacred 
 gospel sermon, and the congregation seemed to realize 
 that they were in the presence of the Must High. 
 His theme was, "Salyation by faith on the Son of 
 God," at the close of which the elder took up a collec- 
 tion for the supprort of the gospel. We were much 
 surprised when we heard the report of the steward — 
 twenty dollars — especially as the day before was the 
 Fourth. The elder remarked that there was "more
 
 KKoNTIKR MFK. 205 
 
 tliJin his allowiinco, such a thiiii^ as SL*hlt>m ucciutlmI; 
 what shall he cKnie with itT' < )ue of the stewards 
 rej)lied, " Put it ill your }>ocket, Kl<ler, to pay your 
 horse keepiu*]^, 1 see you had to jiut it up at the 
 tavern." The Ehler then administered the sacrament 
 to nearly one hundred communicants. I understood 
 there were a numher of them members of the Congre- 
 gational church. A good nuiny the Methodists had 
 come a distance of ten, fifteen and twenty miles. We 
 then received the benediction. AVe found I^ro. Ell- 
 wood, the preacher in charge, to be the minister who 
 h\bored so faithfully in the great revival at liochelle, 
 111., and we had a warm greeting, I assure you, and 
 we were kindly invited to his house, met his dear 
 family with great pleasure; formed a good many new 
 ac([uaintances; found Bro. Dorsey there, whose 
 AC([uaintance we made at Brownsville in the land 
 office, but he had since moved to Beatrice. We then 
 and there made the acquaintance of Bro. Dorsey 's 
 dear old mother, whose family was among the lirst 
 settlers of Brownsville; they helped set uj) the banner 
 of the Lord, and nobly did they sustain every effort 
 that was made t(j spread the inlluence of literature, 
 science and religion over that new country. The old 
 gentleman had gone to his reward, and the dear old 
 lady was ready to enter that rest that remains for those 
 "vvho love and serve the Lord, and a short time after, 
 bid adieu to mortality with a bright prosj)ect of an 
 endless life, through Christ, our Redeemer. We stayed 
 all night, made some purchases, and returned home in 
 safety. 
 
 We now bciran to think we were in ac<»uiitrv whiTe
 
 206 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 the gospel was pretty well established. The Capital 
 was prospering nicelv, and other public buildings were 
 going up rapidly, and the city settling with a very intelli- 
 gent and religious class of people ; our county offices 
 were filled with enterprising men, and we hoped to 
 see the time when the thousands of acres of rich 
 prairie that lay around would be settled by an intelli- 
 gent, religious community. 
 
 We beofan to think seriously of buildino: a more 
 comfortable house for wirter. We concluded we 
 would have to give up the idea of building of stone* 
 as there were several streams between our place and 
 the best stone quary, over which there were no 
 brido^es. They o^ot stuck several times and lost their 
 stone in the creek, and finally gave it up and con- 
 cluded to c^et out some limestone that was on our side 
 of Mud creek to underpin with and build a frame 
 house, for if they got stuck there they could be pulled 
 out by farmers as they went to Brownsville to market 
 their wheat, and they would be orjad to take on a lio:ht 
 load of lumber and bring it through for us quite 
 reasonable, and we settled our minds to do so. 
 
 The boys got out and hauled the stone, while the 
 Doctor and Mr. Corbin laid the underpinning. We 
 found a good carpenter near by; the farmers brought 
 on the lumber; the Doctor, Bro. Corbin and my 
 grandson all worked on the siding and shingling, and 
 by the middle of September we had up a good large 
 frame house indeed, with a brick chimney, ready to 
 occupy, all but the lathing and plastering — the lath, 
 lime and hair were in Brownsville. Bro. Corbin 
 wanted to return to Illinois for his family, so Morris
 
 FRONTIKR LIFE. 207 
 
 P. Roc, our grandson, took liim to Brownsville, near fifty 
 miles distant, and brought the material fcjr plastering. 
 We had two good large rooms al>ove and below, one 
 Mow much the largest, so that we could have 
 religious meetings in it. 
 
 Some one liad to go tx) Illinois to attend to some 
 business. The Doctor thought 1 could attend to it as 
 well as he, and I had better go and he stay to see to 
 having the house plastered and made comfortable by 
 the time I returned. I could go very safely with Bro. 
 Corbin. I hoped my son, the young Doctor, and his 
 family, whom we left at Malta, would come back with 
 me. I got ready, and in a few days we were on our 
 way to Brownsville. We crossed the Missouri river 
 on the new steam ferryboat, Mr Rodgers as polite and 
 kind as ever; g«>t an early start, and by four o'clock 
 we were safely landed, Mr. Corbin in Rochelle with 
 his family, and I with my dear children in Malta. I 
 found them quite in the mind to go home with me. 
 The young doctor said he could not think of our 
 living out there away from our children, and he felt 
 it hiii duty to go home with me, and his wife con- 
 sented to go. So in a few weeks we had our business 
 all arranged and on our way. The Doctor's wife and 
 children were on the cars with me. We had a pleas- 
 ant tri}), arrived safely, found all well to the joy of all. 
 The Doctor drove through with a span of horses and 
 a buggy; found the roads pretty bad, but got to the 
 Missouri river in about twelve days, but the river was 
 frozen over so the ferryboat C(juld m»t run, but not 
 sufficiently to bear up a team, and he had to stay there 
 eight or ten days.
 
 208 KECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 I wrote to the Doctor as soon as the children had 
 decided to return home with me, and he was delighted 
 with the idea. Just about this time the scarlet fever 
 broke out at Crab Orchard and up and down Yankee 
 creek. Up to this time the Doctor had not pre- 
 scribed but a few times away from home, but con- 
 stantly at our frame house, as it w^as called, every day, 
 more or less, he was extracting teeth, lancing tumors, 
 etc. They came to him from twenty mile around, as we 
 could not think of his taking those long rides; we felt 
 as though he had done his duty at that in Illinois. 
 
 The settlers on the creek bottom were very un- 
 healthy, as they invariably used the creek water, and 
 lived in dugouts or sod houses. The Doctor advised 
 them to get out on high land, and dig wells, and 
 where they did so it was a great improvement to their 
 health. But now this awful disease had broken out 
 and was very severe. We were looking for our son, 
 the young doctor, and wished to hold the practice 
 for him. He consented to go, and met with his usual 
 success ; but when the fever first broke out the people 
 were not aware of the danger — and everybody goes to 
 see the sick in a new country — and it spread very 
 rapidly. 
 
 The young doctor arrived in safety, about the 28th 
 of December and went right into the practice and 
 relieved his father. We had some neighbors, a Mr. 
 Gale, who bought a section of land of Mr. ]N"ewhall's 
 partner, who had two hundred and fifty acres broke 
 on it — had moved in on it while I was in Illinois — 
 and brought two other families, a son and son-in-law. 
 They went in and stopped with the Doctor until they
 
 FKONTIKK LIKE. 2o9 
 
 could build them a house similar to our suininer 
 house, oidy iiiuch large, and ])a])ered it with heavy 
 j)a|)er, whicli made it quite comfortable. They built 
 on the northwest corner of their section, and we built 
 on our northwest corner, that made the distance 
 between our houses one mile, although our sections 
 cornered — their southeast and our northwest corners 
 joined. But I cannot tell the comfort it was to our 
 hearts when we realized that w^e had kind neighbors 
 within a mile of us. 
 
 They thought we must take Christmas dinner with 
 them. Christmas came, but no young doctor arrived. 
 This was a great disappointment to all, but we went, 
 hoping every moment that he would come; but he 
 did not arrive until next morning about ten o'clock. 
 AVe were permitted to welcome him to our new home, 
 whicli was warm and comfortable and contained ])lenty 
 to eat, with joy. AVe related to him the particulars 
 of the arrival of our kind neighbors, and the pleasant 
 interview we had with them the day before, and the 
 promise we had fnjm them to return the favor on 
 New Years day. This was very gratifying to him. 
 lie lia'd worried a great deal about our being out there 
 so far from neighbors, with no one to Ciire for us if 
 we were sick, or to bury us if we should die. He 
 could scarcely realize that he was at our new home in 
 the west, but it was so. 
 
 We had not gotten over our lirst gush of joy when 
 a nice looking old gentleman rode up to the door and 
 inquired if the young doctor had arrived — the whole 
 neighborhood was in anxious exj)ectation of his arrival. 
 The Doctor answered, *' Yes, 13 ro. Andrews, he has
 
 i^lO RECOLLFXTIOXS OF 
 
 just arrived; I hope tliere is no one sick that you need 
 his services." "Yes," said he, "AVe have some very 
 sick children at our house, and we want him to go to 
 them as soon as possible; and there are others in the 
 neighborhood who are sick, and I know they will want 
 him. '' AVell," said the Doctor, '' wont you come in 
 and take dinner with ns'^ it is just ready, then I think 
 he will go with you." The old gentleman came in. 
 and Morris P. Roe fed his horse. The young doctor 
 requested that his father go with him until he became 
 a little acquainted with the people. His father con- 
 sented, and they were off for Mud creek. When they 
 arrived they found the people living in a dugout 
 which was covered with mud and straw, and contained 
 two or three rooms, and three very sick children. 
 
 They had not been there but a very short time 
 when a gentleman came in to see if they had the 
 Doctor there ; ''Yes," was the reply. 'T am glad to hear 
 it ; I hope now we will not have to go fifteen or twenty 
 miles for a doctor and then not get him." After an 
 introduction, the gentleman asked him to go to his 
 house, which was about half a mile distant, saying- 
 there were "two or three very sick children at his 
 house, and in others." As soon as they had pre- 
 scribed for those they were with, they went to the 
 next house, and so on, until they had visited four or 
 five families, and prescribed for twelve or fifteen 
 patients. Tliis was a pretty good call for the first 
 day. Tlie fact was, they all had good crops of 
 wheat, but had put off their threshing until cold 
 weather, and they had nothing but old tattered shoes, 
 some of the boys having none; they all had to help 
 
 1
 
 FKONTIKK LIFK. lM 1 
 
 each other. They luid been very much exposed, and 
 as all lived in sod houses or dugouts, were all taken 
 down pretty much alike, the disease Ijein^ j)neumonia, 
 and some were very sick, while others were not so 
 bad. This tocjk them until ten o'clock, and we were 
 glad to see them safe home again. 
 
 The next morning they went into the scarlet fever 
 district; some were better, while others were just 
 coming down. All were very thankful to see the new 
 doctor, feeling he would relieve his father. lie was very 
 successful in ])rescriV)ing for his j)atients. Those on 
 Mud creek lost none Imt very small children, and this 
 success gave him all he could do, and from day to day 
 liis practice increased. < )ur luaise was full of patients 
 from a distance; they were chronic cases, caused by 
 living in sod houses and dugouts. The doctors urged 
 them to build on high land; haul their wheat to tlie 
 river, get lumber and build, if it was but small houses. 
 They did so as fast as they possibly could, and by the 
 next spring tlie country wore a different aspect, and 
 many who were almost gone with chronic diseases 
 were much improved. 
 
 We liad a pleasant, open winter, with one or two light 
 falls of snow, but at no time was it an inch deep. AVe 
 raised an abundance of very tine vegetables, and the 
 fall was crowned with large (quantities of gi-ai)es, wild 
 fruits, and tlie finest of wild ])lums, and we gathered 
 them by the bag full. We had raiseil a considt-rable 
 crop of sorghum, and had it manufactured into molasses 
 at a nice mill within two miles of our j)lace. We put 
 up a great deal of the fruit i^i the sorghum — the nicest 
 I ever saw.
 
 212 KECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 Soon after tlie young doctor came we bought two 
 hundred pounds of very nice pork at ten cents per 
 pound, and all the wheat we needed at iifty cents a 
 bushel ; so we were provided with an abundance for 
 the winter, warm house and plenty of wood and water, 
 and felt very much at home. Our friends met with 
 us on Xew Years day, as anticipated, and we had a 
 nice, social time. 
 
 The spring opened nicely. We had twenty acres of 
 wheat sown and our crop of oats in by the 15th of 
 AjDril. "We thought we would set out a nice 
 grove of Cottonwood on the west side of our 
 house. The Doctor took help and went to Mud 
 creek and took up several thousand nice cotton- 
 wood scions, and he and I set them out. Then 
 we went to Yankee creek and got a number of goose- 
 berry, raspberry and plum bushes, mountain cherries 
 and some nice elm shade trees, and the Doctor and I 
 set them out with our own hands; we also set out a 
 nice strawberry bed. There came along a fruit peddler, 
 of whom we bought fifty apple trees, some Siberian, 
 also cherry and plum trees, and set them out. We tlien 
 went to Mr. Filley's and bought fifty peach scious. 
 They had brought the seeds ^vith them, and had 
 planted them, and they were then iit to set out, and 
 we had planted quite a number of peach seeds we had 
 taken with us; and we also planted some grape roots 
 which we liad brought with us, and I assure you, our 
 place began to look as though somebody lived there, 
 and intended to improve it, and dear husband and I 
 enjoyed it very much. We thought if we should not 
 live to enjoy the benefit of our labor, our children.
 
 FRONTIER IJFK. 213 
 
 ini<]^lit, an<l we did it, not oidy witli ])li':isurc, l)Ut with 
 deli^iflit. The Doctor cultivated it with a sulky plow 
 whicli he boiii^lit for the ])ur}>ose, kept it perfectly 
 clear of weeds, and it grew nicely indeed. 
 
 Tlie young Doctor's wife was a little homesick for 
 a little while, but as she became ac<iuainted with the 
 people and the country, she liked it very well, and we 
 found in Mr, Gales' familv, and their children's 
 family, very kind neighbors and pleasant associates. 
 Their children were near the age of the Doctor and 
 wife, and they enjoyed each others' society very much. 
 
 We had a preacher on the Crab Orchard charge and 
 could attend preaching there every two weeks. Mr. 
 Elijah Filley and a few others organized a school 
 board and levied a tax on a larfje district includintr a 
 good deal of speculat(>rs' land, and built a s]>lendid 
 stone school house and furnished it with charts and 
 globes, and started a splendid school. We were 
 invited to have our meetings there. We had held 
 meetings in the large room we had arranged f(»r that 
 purpose in our new house, and at one time we sent 
 fifteen miles for Bro. Ell wood to come and hold a 
 protracted meeting with us. lie had came a numl)er 
 of times and preached for us, and we had our room 
 well tilled with attentive hearers; we had to send a 
 horse and buggy after him, as he had no carriage of 
 his own. He often walked out to appointments near 
 Beatrice, but this was too far for him to walk. 
 
 Mr. Elwood came, and there was a general turnout 
 from Mud creek, Yankee creek, Jk'ar creek and Placer 
 creek, also. Those creeks headed in tlie bluffs of this 
 large tract of table lands where we had settled, and
 
 214 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 run off to tlie Big Blue river, and really it was a beau- 
 tiful tract of country. The people came out and we 
 liad some good preaching, and good resulted. There 
 were some who dated their conviction from that meet- 
 ing, who ultimately found the pearl of great price, 
 and became useful Christians, but who Avere very 
 wicked before; and if the meetings had continued, I 
 think there would have been many conversions ; but 
 there came a severe storm, for that country, and the 
 people could not venture out with their children at 
 night, and the meetings were closed and deferred to 
 some other time. That time came after awhile, and 
 the meeting was opened at the new stone school house 
 in the Filley district. There were a number of con- 
 versions. A class of fifteen or eighteen was formed, 
 the Doctor put in as leader, and that charge at- 
 tached to the Blue Springs charge. Bro. Ellwood 
 preached there every two weeks, so we could enjoy 
 religious services every Sabbath by going to one 
 appointment one Sabbath and the other the next. 
 
 ^Ve had a good many pious fi*iends who came 
 to the Doctor's for prescriptions, and that was 
 a great comfort to us. Among them was an 
 old gentleman and wife who had traveled in 
 the Black Eiver Conference for forty years or 
 more. They had borne tlie burden and heat of the 
 day in that country when it was new. He had been 
 a very useful minister of the gospel for many years ; 
 had seen many souls converted and brought to a 
 saving knowledge of the truth as it is in Christ, and 
 when he had grown old, he came to Xebraska and 
 located, got him a homestead, had it nicely improved.
 
 FRONTIKli I.IFK. 215 
 
 and he and his wife wore li\ injr vurv coinfurtahly in 
 their okl age: l)Ut their Iiealth was very pour. They 
 came to see the Doctor, and we had a very pleasant 
 visit, and our hearts hurned with awe wliile we talked 
 of the rich provision made for a sin-stricken world in 
 the atonement of a crucified Saviour; and we parted 
 with the blessed hope of meeting in that better world, 
 wiiere we would praise the Lord for redeeming grace 
 and dying love. We had (piite a number of such 
 visits from the old veterans of the Cross. 
 
 The presiding elder, Bro. Leman, made us several 
 visits, and he always left us strengthened in the good 
 old way — it always strengthened our hearts to see 
 men of his ability, natural and acquired, laboring for 
 the good of the church and j)recious souls. l>ro. Mann 
 came to see us often. lie was always fervent in 
 >])irit, serving the Lord. 
 
 The voun<; doctor had two verv interestin«; children, 
 a daughter about six years old, and a son a little over 
 four years of age. They were a great deal of comfort 
 and Company to us. The little boy was always with 
 his grandpa, ready to carry the hammer and nails, or 
 anything he could do for him, and the little girl was 
 with me most of the time when working in the 
 garden dropping seeds, pulling weeds, picking peas or 
 berries, feeling that she was a great help, and she was. 
 When in the house she would be at my side learning 
 to knit or sew, making chjthes for dolly, hemming a 
 }>ocket handkerchief for her pa or grandpa. And tlnis 
 the spring passed by very pleasantly. 
 
 Our crops began to ripen, and it nnuU' pretty i>usy 
 tinjes with evervbodv, and soon the harvest was
 
 216 KECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 gathered. Grandpa had a nice patch of melons of all 
 kinds, and the children as well as the rest enjoyed 
 them very much. The young doctor was busy with 
 his patients and long rides, and his wife was busy 
 helping about the house work, and all preparing for 
 winter. The corn, cabbages, beans and j^otatoes had 
 all ripened nicely. We had a fine crop of tomatoes, 
 ground cherries and citrons, and there was a great 
 deal of wild fruit, and our sorghum was very nice, 
 so we pickled and preserved a great deal of such 
 things and stowed them away in our cellar. 
 
 We killed a nice fat jDig, and made ready for our 
 journey to Illinois ; it was necessary for us to attend 
 to some business, we wished to make a short visit and 
 hoped to bring some of our children home with us. 
 The weather up to this time had been very pleasant. 
 One of our neighbors, an Illinois acquaintance, was 
 going to N^ebraska City with a light load of wheat, 
 and said he would put on a nice spring seat and take 
 us to the Missouri river. The day we started it froze 
 pretty hard. That night we stopped with some 
 Chicago friends who lived on the road about half 
 way to the city. They had been up to our place on 
 a visit and to get medical advice; we had a nice time, 
 and they wished very much that we would stop and 
 see them when we made this trip, and we promised 
 to do so. We got there about dusk, they gave us a 
 hearty welcome and a good night's entertainment, 
 and next morning drove into the city with us. Their 
 name was Squiers, and my husband was their family 
 physician while we lived in Chicago. Sister Squiers 
 and I belonged to the same class, attended female
 
 FRONTIKK LIKK. '2 1 T 
 
 prayer meeting regularly every week, and iM.tli 
 belonged to a teni])erance organization e4illed the 
 Daughters of Rechab, which was very useful in that 
 city. ^fr. S<|uiers said he feared we could not cross 
 the river; it was not frozen hard enougli yet, but it 
 might be in tlie morning, so we would go on to the 
 city, and if we could not cross we could nuike a good 
 visit with liis brother^s family who lived near there. 
 We started for the city and arrived there about one 
 o'clock, and fuund uur friends well and glad to see us. 
 The doctor found Elder Leman, who made liis home 
 in the city, and he was waiting anxiously for the 
 river to freeze so he could go over to a <|uarterly 
 meeting, and he informed us he would accompany us 
 on the cars for some distance. It snowed a little and 
 froze very hard. The elder came and told us it would 
 do to cross on foot. So we bid our friends good-bye, 
 took our satchels and walked to the river. It looked 
 dangerous; I had crossed it in a scow, a sail boat and 
 steamboat, but it never looked so dangerous to me 
 before. I advised my husband to wait another 
 night, but just as we were trying to decide, a teamster 
 with a light load drove onto the ice. We watched 
 him closely, fearing every moment we would see him, 
 horses, wa^^on and <;rain, all sink throuj'h the ice. We 
 could hear the ice crack, but he reached the other side, 
 and cried out, ''Safe! come on." The elder starteil on 
 lirst. Pa said, '*Ma, do you think you Ciin venture?" 
 *' Yes," said I, 'Mf you will let me hold your arm 
 closely." ''Well, let's try it," said hi'. I thought if 
 one went to the bottom t(» be buried in the mu«l, I 
 would rather have Ujth go together. The elder
 
 218 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 stepped very cautiously ahead, and frequently would 
 stop and examine the ice, and then remark, " Come 
 on, doctor, all safe." And in about half an hour we 
 were relieved of our anxiety, suspense, and I must 
 acknowledge, trembling fear, for every time I moved 
 my foot on the ice I was afraid it would go right 
 through ; it did not look thicker than a heavy pane of 
 glass. But we reached the east shore in safety, and 
 we were truly thankful for the mercy shown by the 
 Divine Hand which had led ns through such great 
 danger. 
 
 On the east bank we had a very line view of the 
 city, we could see the Court House, and the majestic 
 old Capital Theological Institute which stood on a 
 beautiful eminence. ^Vhen we got into the car Elder 
 Leman gave us an introduction to the President of 
 the College who was going to Council Bluffs. We 
 enjoyed the conversation, and found him to be a very 
 social and intelligent Christian gentleman, who was 
 trying to do all the good he could in this new coun- 
 try for the spread of the gospel, education, and social 
 society. We gave him our good wishes, and separated 
 at the Bluffs. I loved to look at them; I gazed to 
 catch the last glimpse, there is so much natural 
 beauty and grandeur about them. Then we took the 
 C. B. (fe Q. road, passed through Cass county, on 
 to Cirinnell. There we took a new road, I think 
 they called it the Iowa Central, intersecting the 
 Northwestern at Marshalltown, passed on to Cedar 
 Bapids, and reached our son's about twelve o'clock. 
 Attended Fairview church on Sabbath. Found two 
 of our grand-children very sick with t^^^hoid fever;
 
 FRONTIKR I.IKK. 211* 
 
 our son just getting over the worst <)f the same fever. 
 Stayed with them several ihiys, then passed on to Ogle 
 oonnty. 111,, juid at night we reached our friends in 
 Jl(,»chelle during one of the most severe storms I 
 ever witnessed. It hlowed and snowed a perfect tem- 
 pest, (h-ifted the track so the trains could not run for 
 more than a week; now the first part of February, 
 1S70, and we were so shut up we could not visit our 
 friends as we had anticipated. Gladly would we have 
 visited many, many of our dear old friends, hut we 
 look to a blessed reunion in our Father's liouse where 
 our l)lessed Savit>r t(»ld us there were nuiny mansions. 
 An<l we thought, perlia])s, we would live to come 
 again and visit when it would be more pleasant 
 weather. 
 
 A number whom we met said to tlie Doctor, *' Oh, 
 I am so glad to see you looking so well; you have not 
 failed much since you left us; why, you look good for 
 twenty years yet, and hope we nuiy have many more 
 good visits.-' 
 
 '• Yes," said I, "if it was not for that scarey old 
 ri\ei', which is always in the way, we might stay and 
 have a good visit now.'' 
 
 I have always regretted that we did not, but just as 
 soon as soon as the track was cleared and it began to 
 thaw, we had to hurry to get over before the ice 
 rotted, making it unsafe for us to cross, for sometimes 
 it takes a month or more for the ice to run out, so we 
 ha<l to hurry. 
 
 As 1 said before, we left Dr. F. C. Roe's about the 
 15th of February, at two o'clock Saturday afterntMHi. 
 Arrived at Sterling and waited for train fn»m liock-
 
 220 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 ford to Eock Island until four o'clock. Arrived at 
 Rock Island about sundoAvn during a severe snow and 
 hail storm. We had to change cars and go on the 
 Chicago, Burlington (fe Quincy road. This was severe 
 on us, for we got quite damp, and did not get 
 dry thorouglily until next morning, at Council Bluffs. 
 It was a very unpleasant night, the storm beating 
 heavily against the cars, and often I thought the wind 
 would surely blow the train into the ditch ; but morn- 
 inof liaht found us all alive and safe at Council 
 Bluffs. AVe were soon hurried to a good tavern, where 
 a orood breakfast, warm room and nice bed was fur- 
 nished, where we could be alone or go into the parlor 
 as we chose. We hoped to get back over the 
 river some time that night, and spend the Sabbath at 
 Xebraska City. They were holding a protracted meet- 
 ing there, and we should have enjoyed that very much^ 
 but heard that the river was impassable, and made up 
 our minds to stay at the Bluffs until we could pass 
 over. The Doctor went to church, but it was so slip- 
 pery I did not venture out. About two o'clock a lady 
 came in on a train just from Xebraska City, saying 
 she crossed on foot, and they thought it could be 
 crossed until eight o'clock. There was a train going 
 to the city at four o'clock, so we concluded that we 
 would take that train, hoping to cross in safety and 
 get to the evening meeting. So we went to the depot, 
 found the train just ready to start, and had a very 
 pleasant ride do^vn the valley to the city. AYlien we 
 arrived there they told us it was impossible to cross 
 with the cab but they would take us to the ice in the 
 cab, then conduct us as safely as they could ; at the other
 
 FRONTIER LIFE. 221 
 
 side we would tind the Cincinnati lluuse cab awaiting 
 us, and we were anxious to get to our old tavern be- 
 cause we knew the pro})rietor would attend the meet- 
 ing, and we wished to go with them and hear Brother 
 Alexander preach, so we concluded to try it. The 
 joung man that offei*ed to guide us over said it was 
 very dangerous, the ice was full of holes, but as they 
 had been walking liack and forth most of the day, 
 though they could guide us safely over if we would be 
 verv careful. Thev had seen the ice crumbliuir off 
 «'\round the holes a good deal. When I got out of the 
 cab and stepped on the ice, my heart fairly leaped, and 
 I shuddered all over, but they moved cautiously on 
 and we followed very carefully, and as we looked on 
 either side we could see great holes, and they looked 
 as th(jugh they would break through fi'om one to the 
 other every moment, but we moved very cautiously, 
 and gradually neared the other shore, the men on 
 both shores cheering us. At length we reached shore, 
 and I cried out from the sincerity of my heart, "Praise 
 the Lord; my feet are on Nebraska soil once more." 
 
 We found the cab awaiting us, and were safely 
 conveyed to the Cincinnati House, where we received 
 kind welcome. AV^e found our kind old friends at tea. 
 We partook with them, after which they lit a lantern 
 and led the way to church; oh! what a splendid church, 
 what a large congregation, and oh I what a sermon 
 from the lips of dear Bro. Alexander, lie was not 
 much larger than a fifteen year old boy, light com- 
 plexion, smooth-faced, clear, bright eyes, a smooth, 
 strong voice, and every word was clothed with tlie 
 spirit of the Most High.
 
 222 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 Tliey were just closing their meetings. There had 
 been a 2:reat manv conversions durino^ the meetinscs, 
 and they were rejoicing in the Lord, but still there 
 were many who had resisted the Lord and the spirit 
 of grace, and were saving to themselves, " Woe is me, 
 the harvest is passed and I am not saved ; I may not 
 live to see another revival meeting." There was a 
 great deal of deep feeling there. The chnrch seemed 
 a sacred place on account of the presence of the Lord. 
 Many praying fathers and mothers, who had dedicated 
 their sons and daughters to the Lord in the ordinance- 
 of baptism, and watched over them for a good many 
 years, hoping they would yield and be saved by grace,, 
 and especially during this meeting, must see the 
 meetings close without their loved ones giving any 
 evidence of pardoned sin, and a fixed purpose to serve 
 the Lord, which occasioned some deep feeling. The 
 meeting closed with a good old-fashioned Methodist 
 hand-shake, and some appropriate singing. 
 
 Just as we were going out of the church a great 
 crushing noise was heard. I inquired, '' What does 
 that mean?" The reply was, " It is the ice breaking 
 up, and is rushing out through the channel." Oh J 
 how thankful I was to the Lord for our preserva- 
 tion through that hour of peril and danger. Those 
 dear old folks in the Cincinnati House were among 
 some of the very iirst standard hearers in that now 
 large city. They held their first meetings in their 
 little log house, while the Indians yelled and hooted 
 around them, but that night they worshipped in one 
 of the noblest churches I ever saw. 
 
 We had a good night's rest with our old pioneer
 
 FKoMIKK I. IKK. '223 
 
 friends, Jiiid after u ^^,,0(1 warm l>reakfa>t, and ]>rayers 
 in their private parlor, and manv, many warm, earnest 
 wishes tliat we tw«» mi«^lit be successfnl in lMiildin«^ 
 np our new home, and in luddin*^ up tlie hanner of 
 the Lord, we took our seats in the sta<^e, which 
 runs frnni Nebraska City to Beatrice, our county 
 seat, and started for <»ur home forty miles away. The 
 stiige run within a (puirter of a mile <»f our house. 
 On our way we met our grandson, who had come to 
 meet us, and we were thankful for it, because the stage 
 was a miserable old rickety thing. AVe arrived at our 
 home next day, found all well and they were very 
 glad to see us. And we could say with the poet 
 "there is no place like home," «ven if it were far 
 away in the west. The doctor seemed much invigor- 
 ated from his visit to the country where he had spent 
 thirty years of his life. The best ]»art of his man- 
 hood had been spent in Illinois in liock River \'alley 
 visiting and relieving the sick, with great acceptability 
 and success. Oh I how cordially would his friends 
 grasp his hand and say to him, '* Doctor, we are so 
 pleased to see you stand the wear and tear of frontier 
 life so well in vour old aj^e." One j'entleman said to 
 him, '* Doctor, you look as though you were good for 
 twenty years yet." *'Oh, yes," said he, "Ihaveagooddeid 
 of j»hysical energy yet, but seventy-oneyears have made 
 their impression on my system." " I hope you may live 
 to make us a number of pleasant visits yet," said the 
 old gentleman, "it does us a great deal of g(»od to 
 shake the hand that has ministered to the relief of 
 }>ain so often, and it d<>es gratify our feelings to look 
 upon the noble form that has Ijent over the sick-l>ed
 
 224 RECOLLECTIOXS OF 
 
 of ourselves and families so often, to our great relief. 
 Don't jou remember when you was called to my dear 
 wife when she was so dangerously sick, and how soon 
 you relieved her? and how sick the children were 
 with scarlet fever, and how you saved them to us, 
 while other doctors were losing almost every patient ? 
 And well do I remember how kind and attentive you 
 were to me when I had that severe spell of typhoid 
 fever ; I expected to go then, but you stuck to me so 
 faithfully and brought me out, and I have had 
 remarkable health ever since, and have been able to 
 raise my family, when had it not been for your skill, 
 kind attention and care I certainly would have gone 
 -and left my family' orphans to shuffle through the 
 world alone. You must allow myself and others to 
 express to you our gratitude." 
 
 '*Ah," said the doctor, "Heuben, you must remem- 
 ber the Lord was in all this, to Him you owe the 
 gratitude. The Lord has led me all my days, and to 
 Him be all the glory if I have ever done any good." 
 This was not the only expression of this character 
 given him while on this visit. Although we were 
 shut in by snow and storm, we met with many of our 
 ■old friends; the expressions from them were of similar 
 character, and the answer was much the same; every 
 good gift is of the Lord. I have ever been thankful 
 the Lord permitted us to make that visit, although 
 we passed through so many dangers to accomplish it, 
 especially thankful after the results of a few months. 
 
 Xow it was the latter part of March, 1871, and it 
 was time to look around and see about putting in the 
 crops. We were fortunate in hiring a very good
 
 FRONTIKK I.I IK. 225 
 
 mail, ami <»ur i^raiulson was there to helj) ns. "We 
 liad t\v«> ^ood teams, and had i'ortv acres uf fall hreak- 
 in«^ done for corn. The Doctor was cheerful, and 
 tin night he saw the openiiii^ for a line crop. 
 
 The Doctor and 1 ke})t our shrubbery clean and put 
 in a tine <j^arden and a nice crop of j)otat()e8, while the 
 ])oys put in about twenty -live acres of spring wheat, 
 twenty -live of oats, ten of barley and forty of corn. 
 The next thing was to plant the hedge-row all around 
 the section. This was broken on the section when we 
 bought it. They broke it well the year before, and now 
 it was broken again and harrowed finely, then 
 re-harrowed until it was as fine as a bed in a flower 
 garden, then laid off precisely in the middle and the 
 osage seed drilled in. The hired man had arranged 
 with the Doctor that when that was done, he was to 
 take time to go west and find him a homestead about 
 sixty miles distant. lie worked very diligently until 
 It was ready to receive the seed — it was necessary to 
 have the furrow that was to receive the seed smooth 
 and straight. 
 
 The young Doctor had all he could possibly attend 
 to — his fatlier going out as counsel occasionally. His 
 rides lengthening constantly — way out into Johnson 
 and down into Pawnee, even to County Seat, Pawnee 
 City — often as far as thirty miles, lie Wiis from 
 home, and the grandson had gone to plow some on 
 his homestead. "Xow," said the Doctor," I can help 
 the man lay off that furrow; I have wanted to do that, 
 Ixjcause I can lay it off straighter than either of the 
 boys; but I knew you would allol)jectto my dcjingit,but 
 I shall take jdeasure in it." I insisted on his not doing
 
 226 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 it, but he said, "Oh! it will do me more good than 
 harm ; I would like to handle the plow once more. 
 Harness the horses and we will be off." "Oh! pa," said 
 I, "don't go, it is quite warm, and it might make you 
 sick, or you might be sun struck." "Oh! no," said he, 
 " I think not; I will go out and try it; I feel very well 
 this morning." By this time they were off. He seemed 
 to feel very much like a boy going into a new job. 
 The young Doctor's wife and I watched them until they 
 hitched onto the j^low and started off nicely. They 
 left the wagon where they hitched onto the plow; but 
 they had gone onl}^ about a mile on the hedge row? 
 when the Doctor said, " Hold on, I am about to fall ; 
 I feel very strangely." Mr. Maine ran to him, and 
 he let go the plow handles, and Mr. Maine steadied 
 him a few steps to the grass, where he sat down. The 
 man said, "Doctor, I will go and get the wagon and 
 take you home." "Oh! no," said he, "get a little 
 water and bathe my head and chest ; I will get over it 
 in a little while; it is just a dizzy spell." He ran to 
 the creek, it was but a few steps — they had a cup 
 along — got some water, bathed his head, unbuttoned 
 his collar, bathed his chest, and he soon breathed 
 quite easy. He remarked to Mr. Maine, "As soon as 
 I centered my eyes on the beam of the plow I 
 felt sick at my stomach, and grew very dizzy, 
 and should have fallen if you had not caught 
 me ; but don't say anything to my folks about it ; they 
 will be so alarmed about it; I don't think it is any- 
 thing serious. Lay off the hedgerow as best you can 
 and let it go; I felt a good deal of pride in having it 
 laid off straight, but let it go. You will not be here
 
 FKONTIKK LIKK. 227 
 
 ngain for an hour or more, and if I liad my cane I 
 mi<:;ht walk home across tlie section; it would only be 
 about a mile." Mr. Maine looked around and picked 
 uj) a stick that had been dropped there. "I can walk 
 with that," said the Doctor, "but you had better come 
 ntund with the wagon, I may not feel like walking, 
 and then you can take me home in it." 
 
 After he had lain there, perhaps an hour, he took his 
 -tick and walked home very slowly. I saw him 
 
 • •oming, took my staff and went to meet him. He 
 >aid he thought it was ''too warm for him to hold the 
 plow, and Maine thought he could do it himself, and 
 I concluded I would come home." lie took the rock- 
 in<i: chair and I ofave him a drauirht of i'ood cool 
 water. He rested awhile and then laid do\m on his 
 lounge, took a pleasant na]), awoke and ate his dinner 
 as usual. 
 
 Mr. Maine finished the hedge planting and started 
 started the next day for his homestead. Nothing was 
 learned by the family about this incident until ^Ir. 
 Maine returned home. Previous to this — the latter 
 part of April, after our return from Illinois — the 
 Doctor was attacked with congestion of the lungs, 
 something he had been subject to from the earliest of 
 our acquaintance, as often as once in two or three 
 vears. Two or three time I thouijht it would be his 
 last, but there would be some means sanctified to his 
 recovery; but this time he was more violently attackeil 
 than I ever saw him. He had been (piite well and 
 busily engaged making garden and superintending 
 the farming business; ate suj)j>er as usual; seemed 
 
 • lieerful; had prayers as usual, and when he arose
 
 228 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 from liis knees lie said, " Ma, I am afraid I am going 
 to have a spell of that congestion on my lungs, I feel 
 great pain in them." I asked him if he would take 
 something to relieve the pain. He told me wliat to 
 get; he took it and went to bed, but not to rest; he 
 was in great agony, and I called the young Doctor. He 
 came immediately, and as soon as he entered the room 
 he said, " Pa, you are very sick." "Yes, indeed I am," 
 said he, "if I don't get relief soon I shall not live until 
 morning." "What shall I do for you?" said the 
 young Doctor. "Give me a lobelia emetic." He did 
 so, and it relieved him some, but he continued very 
 sick for several days, I think about ten days, some- 
 times better and then worse, so that we despaired of 
 his life for several days. The young Doctor did not 
 leave the room day nor night during that sickness. 
 
 The congestion left the lungs and receded to his 
 heart, then he had a dreadful bad spell. It then 
 receded to the pleura. He said he could feel it as 
 plainly as he could feel the hand on the surface. 
 From there it receded to the spine, then the Doctor 
 got control of it and gave relief. He said to me when 
 he began to feel easier, "Well, Ma, I think we have 
 routed that congestion from place to place until we 
 have cleared it out of my system, and I shall never 
 suffer from it again." He was very weak and much 
 reduced in flesh, and it took him some time to conva- 
 lesce, but he came up nicely, and in about two weeks 
 was able to ride to Beatrice in a very easy buggy. 
 
 In a few days he went to Tecumseh, the county 
 seat of Johnson county. He had been selling a piece 
 of land, and went there to make out the papers. It
 
 FRONTIKIi I.IKK. 229 
 
 was a ]>retty l«»n«; riile ft»r him, und lie htayeil over 
 Tiii^'lit witli ^fr. Charles Mayberry, the gentleman who 
 went with us to look uj) our land on nur first trip. 
 He returned home next day about noon. ficliuL'" nnich 
 invigorated by his ride and visit. 
 
 We had been talking of going to lilue Springs to 
 quarterly meeting, which was about nineteen miles 
 distant. We had been there a number of times and 
 enjoyed it very much. But we all thought it would 
 l)e too much for the Doctor; but after having stood 
 this ride so well he thought we might go to (juarterly 
 meeting; so we concluded to go, as there would be some 
 time for him to rest. p]arlv Saturdav morniiii; we 
 started, had a pleasant ride, got there in good time, 
 heard Elder Leman preach a good sermon, stayed all 
 night at Bro. Ell wood's, our former ])reacher at 
 Bethel church. White Hock Township, near our last 
 home in Illinois. They were glad to see us, as they 
 had not met us for some time. 
 
 Sabbath morning we had a good old-fashioned love 
 feast and the Doctor enjoyed it very much. Ileandniany 
 <jthers were so happy thev scarcely knew whether they 
 were in the body or not. He exhorted more than was 
 usual on such occasions, pleading with the brethren 
 to live faithful to the cause of the Master, especially 
 the young; said he, '*8oon, and perhaps very soon, 
 us old wlks who are l)earing the burden and iieat of 
 the day will drop off of the stage, and go to that 
 better W(>rld, and then those resjHjnsibilities will fall 
 on you. ( ) how nciir you ought to live to (tckI by 
 faith and humble, devoted })rayer.'" There was deep 
 feeling; some praye<l, some wej)t, while others shouted
 
 230 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 — it was a love feast indeed. Just as the love feast 
 was over, public worship commenced. The Doctor 
 sung a beautiful hymn of a farewell spirit, and as he 
 sano^ he went around the room and shook hands with 
 every one in it. A lady said to me after his death, 
 "Oh! how his face shone, that blessed Sabbath morn- 
 ing; it did seem to me as if the angels hovered over 
 him. I do think the Lord was preparing him for this 
 great and sudden change. AYe were so glad he shook 
 hands with us all, and we had hoped the Lord would 
 spare him to us, he was doing so much good." 
 
 After the love feast closed, Bro. Leman preached 
 one of his best sermons. It was food to the soul, 
 and strength to the heart and hands to go forward in 
 Christian duty. Then we had such a sweet, solemn 
 season at the sacramental altar. There were forty or 
 fifty communicants. With this ordinance the meet- 
 ing closed. But oh, what a change in that tow^i 
 plot; four years since we met with some of those 
 people, and worshipped in a small log house, there was 
 but two or three houses of any kind, and a number of 
 emigrant tents, but now there were twenty-live or 
 thirty, neat small buildings, and a good stone church, 
 and everything prosperous. We had a good meeting 
 then in the log house, in which was good done and 
 souls blessed, and Bro. Mann sent on his way rejoic- 
 inti". In the love feast Sabbath mornino: a brother 
 told something of his experience — he was a backslider 
 at the time of the meeting in the log house four years 
 previous. lie was one of the first settlers at Blue 
 Spring; came to this country on purpose to get a 
 farm ; and the new town was laid off right up to the
 
 FKoNTIKIi I.IKK. 231 
 
 line (»f liis farm, and he was deeply interested in 
 j»ul»lie atfairs. There was some ditHeulty ;^rew np 
 amun*^ them, and he was led to sjiy and du Bunie 
 things that injured his standing; there was no meeting 
 to go to; he lost his interest and became (piite wieked. 
 l>ut at tliat meeting the spirit of the Lord re])ruved 
 liim for sin. unrighteousness and a judgment to 
 eome, and he never f(»und peace until he found it the 
 hlood of the Lamb, that cleanseth from all sin tlirough 
 repentance and faith on Ilim. Now he was rejoicing 
 in the love of God shed abroad in his heart. AVe 
 were much cheered when the Ehler told us how the 
 Lord was blessinii: the work all around his district. 
 
 We had a good social prayer meeting at Bro. Ell- 
 wood's; he was preacher in charge at Blue 8i)rings 
 then, later liecame presiding elder of Beatrice district, 
 and lived in Beatrice. We closed our meetiiiir bv 
 expressing a hope of a reunion, at least in our 
 Fatlier's House, where there is rest for the wearv 
 The Doctor had come up so nicely from that severe 
 >I)e]l of sickness, that we hojied lie would live f«»r 
 many years of usefulness. 
 
 AVe returned home in safety and found all well, 
 and the young doctor rushed with business. Our 
 <|uarterly meeting was to come off soon at Crab Orch- 
 ard. That charge was yet to be supplied by the con- 
 ference, and we were looking for a new elder and a 
 new ])reacher. We knew but very little about our 
 new elder. The circuit prejicher, Bro. Hull, had come 
 on a few days j>revious to the (juarterly meeting; had 
 L,'ot located in a little log house about a mile from the 
 ochool house, in readiness for the quarterly meeting.
 
 232 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 "We had built a good school house at Crab Orchard 
 the year previous. Formerly the meetings had been 
 held in Bro. Howard's log house. He was a noble 
 pioneer Methodist class leader, and an early settler 
 there, and kept the stage house for years for the line 
 that run from Bro^vnsville to Beatrice when we went 
 there. Many precious seasons have the Doctor and I 
 seen there in the little log house and in the new 
 school house. They had a good revival all winter the 
 first winter it was built. Xow we were going to have 
 a quarterly meeting there. 'We were all anxious to 
 see the the new Elder and circuit preacher. 
 
 Bro. Howard knew there would be a large congre- 
 gation out, and had built a nice leafy bower in front 
 of the school house. We had heard a good many 
 rumors concerning the new Elder; some said he was 
 a formal, dry eastern man, who had joined our late 
 conference ; knew nothing about our western frontier 
 habits, manners or meetings, and our hearts were sad y 
 but oh, how soon this veil of sadness dropped when 
 he came to the door of the school house. His form 
 was noble and majestic; his complexion very clear; his- 
 eyes dark blue ; hair dark brown ; his apparel very neat, 
 and how kind and gracefully he bowed as he entered 
 the door, and with Bro. Hull he took a seat behind 
 the teacher's desk. He arose, read a chapter, sung a 
 hymn, took his text and preached a splendid sermon 
 in the demonstration of the spirit of the Lord, and all 
 were very much pleased with the new elder, Bro. 
 Maxwell. We gave him a hearty welcome. In his 
 sermon he referred to his early travels over that 
 country a number of years previous, when he could
 
 FRONTIKi: MFK. 288 
 
 only find a small settlement once in twelve, fifteen or 
 twenty miles, only two (»r tliree log cabins or dugouts 
 and a few inmates composed the settlement. He wjig 
 the first missionary who traveled over tliose vast 
 ])rairie8 and up and down the streams. The little 
 settlements were all very near the streams for conveni- 
 ence of water and timber. There were a number of 
 those early settlers there that day from a distance of 
 fifteen and twenty miles to see their boy missionary 
 and hearliim preach, thankful that he had been faith- 
 ful to the great commission, and grown in grace and 
 the knowledi'e of God. While he had been laborinj; in 
 otlier parts of the vineyard of the Lord, this country 
 had multiplied into many large settlements, and the 
 little vines he had planted, and tliose faithful old mem- 
 bers of the small classes he had formed had multiplied 
 by faith and prayer, while otlier faithful ministers 
 had been sent by our infant conference to labor among 
 them, had grown to be large vines with rich fruits, 
 and that day he could stand under the braiicht's and 
 proclaim a free and full salvation. 
 
 I was truly thankful that I was permitted to enjoy 
 this reunion with those faithful frontier soldiers of 
 the cross. Sabbath morning we had a blessed love 
 feast, and at half dast ten the school house and the 
 leafy shade were closely packed, and the elder stood 
 under the shaded lx>wer and preached another blessed 
 sermon; had a sacred, solemn time at sacrament; the 
 presence of the L(jrd overshadowed us. In tlie after- 
 noon Bro. Hull preached an excellent sermon, and at 
 the close the ehler asked the doctor to close by j>myer; 
 he did so, and oh I what a near aj>pn»ach hv made to
 
 23i RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 the Lord, it seemed as though the very heavens were 
 bending over lis; some were shouting, some were 
 wonderfully drawn out in prayer, while the penitents 
 were weeping all through the congregation; the doc- 
 tor still pouring out his soul to God in prayer, 
 especially for the people of this neighborhood, es- 
 pecially the impenitent and backsliders of this neigh- 
 borhood. I think I never heard him beseech the 
 Throne of Grace with so much earnestness before. 
 Ah, little did we think at that time, it was the last 
 prayer he would ever make at our little school house, 
 but so it was. It was growing late, and some were a 
 great way from home, so the elder closed by singing 
 the doxology and saying the benediction. The place 
 seemed sacred on account of the presence of the 
 Lord. Some went away singing, some weeping, some 
 saying, "Praise the Lord, and all that is within me 
 praise His holy name." 
 
 There was a dear old Sister Blue who lived on the 
 road between our house and the school house, in a 
 little loo: house. She was a widow, verv devoted, 
 always happy, and was tenderly regarded and loved by 
 all the class. We asked her to ride with us, and she 
 thankfully accepted our invitation. The doctor 
 assisted her into the wagon — we all rode in wagons 
 then in that new country, although it looked like an 
 old settled country to the elder in comparison to what 
 it was when he, the Pioneer Missionary, rode through 
 it with his hymn book and Bible in the saddle-bags to 
 tell the story, the good old story of Jesus and His 
 love, — and we had a pleasant time in our ride, talking 
 of the goodness of the Lord, and His supporting
 
 FRONTIKIC I. UK. 235 
 
 grace in tlio l«jss of her two liusbands aiul several 
 children. And when we arrived at lier little gate, the 
 doctor helped her ont «>f the wagon, and she went 
 slowly up the narrow )>ath that led to her lonely little 
 house; everything was neat and cozy around it, but 
 not one smile to greet her nor one foot step to meet her. 
 As we went on our way toward home, I said, ''Oh, dear, 
 pa, how lonely that dear old soul must be living there 
 all alone, shall it ever be that I shall be left to live like 
 her? I am glad the Savior is with her to bless and 
 comfort her, I know he is, she is always so happy." 
 ^' Ma." said he, "we are both growing old, and it is 
 certain, iiccording to the course of nature, we must both 
 go pretty soon." "Oh, pa," said I, "I wish we could 
 both goat the same time." "So would I like that; we 
 have traveled and labored together for nearly fifty years, 
 the 11th of next November it will be lifty years, 
 almost a half century. But it is most likely one 
 will be taken and the other left. I am almost live 
 years the older and it is likely I will go first, but you 
 will have the blessed Savior to lean on who has been 
 with us in so many troubles, and sanctified them all 
 to our orood. lie will alwavs be with vou and com- 
 fort you; I know the children will all be kind and 
 good to you." "Oh, yes, but they can never fill your 
 place. I fear you have some idea that you will go 
 fioon, if so, pa, you ought to attend to your business 
 affairs; there is all your property, you ought to make 
 some arrangements about that." " 1 know, but I 
 made a will and acknowledged it before Sc^uire Webb, 
 and Bro. Pitney witnessed it. Do you know where it 
 is? I think it is am«jng your paj»ers, I saw it nut a
 
 236 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 great while ago." " But that wont do, it was ^Titten 
 twenty years or more ago." "It was written when 
 yon went to California," said he, " but if you have it 
 it is all right, it was my will then, and it is now; if 
 I should write a dozen wills they would all be just 
 like that." " But," said I "that is destroyed by time.'^ 
 "Oh, no." said he, " it would be good for fifty years, if 
 no other was made, so you can rest easy about that if 
 I should go suddenly." 
 
 We then talked about where we would like to be 
 buried. Both expressed a wish to be buried at 
 Lio^ht House cemeterv, because it was our first home 
 in Eastern Illinois, and another reason was we gave 
 the ground for that use, and another was that there 
 were a good many of our old friends lying there who 
 came soon after we did, and we would like to arise on 
 the morning of the Resurrection with those whom we 
 had loved, and labored with to sustain the cause of 
 our blessed Redeemer ; and there were a number of 
 our grand-children buried there, but none of our 
 o^vn dear children. Our dear little Mathew H.,. 
 lay in the family cemetery at Eddyville, Ky. We 
 then talked of the manner of burying people in 
 their usual habit of dress. I said, " Pa, would you 
 like to be dressed in your wearing apparel?" "Xo,"^ 
 said he, " I think white is much more appropriate for 
 for the burying apparel." "So do I," was my reply. 
 "There is no harm talking about these matters, 
 although we may live many years yet," said I, " then 
 we know each other's mind on the subject if anything 
 should happen." " Oh, no," said he, " don't feel 
 gloomy about it, I have no terror of death since
 
 FRONTIER LIKK. 237 
 
 Jesus has lain there. 1 dread n«»t its «j;luoin. 1 have 
 lived my threescore years and ten and you are pretty 
 <jk)se after nie, hut if the Lord will, we can stay ten 
 years more. His ^race will sustain us, hut I have one 
 «^i*eut desire, that the good Lord, whom we have served 
 together almost fifty years, will take us home to rest 
 l»efore we become helpless. That is my greatest 
 desire." 
 
 We had often talked on the subject but never with 
 so much feelini?. Just then we arrived at our home. 
 It was this idea that suggested to me that one or the 
 other would go soon, and also told me that I had better 
 write to the childi-en about coming to see us on our 
 jiiarriage anniversary, the 11th of Xovember, and 
 tell them we did not want any Golden AVedding, it was 
 themselves we wanted to see, and they must be sure 
 to come. Xow there were seven letters to write, and 
 I went at it, and all read to the same purport. In 
 the morning the doctor went to tearing down our 
 little emigrant shanty, and intended to use the lum- 
 ber in adding on some more rooms. He and Morris 
 P. Iwoe had just finished the summer kitchen and 
 moved the stove in. ''Now, Ma," said the Doctor, 
 cheerfully, "you can get the dinner and not suffer so 
 with the heat." I thanked him kindly and went to 
 work. 
 
 Just as my dinner w^as about ready a team drove up 
 to the door, and it proved to be some of Morris P.^s 
 friends from Downer's Grove, Du Page county, 111. 
 They were hunting land to buy in Xeljraska, and 
 had called to see Morris. We were very much 
 pleased to see them, and made them welcome. After
 
 238 KECOLLECTIOXS OF 
 
 dinner the Doctor told Morris to harness the double 
 team for him and he would hitch onto the sulky plow 
 and plow out the grove, and he could take the riding horse 
 and 0:0 with his friends and see if he could not find a 
 farm that would suit them, as he knew of several that 
 were for sale. " I would like it," said the Doctor, "if 
 they would buy near us, and then more of their 
 friends would come, and they would be quite an 
 addition to our neighborhood.'' •* Yes,*' said Morris, 
 '*and they are the right kind of folks." The young 
 men were off pretty quick, and the Doctor hitched 
 onto the riding sulky plow, and soon he had his little 
 grove plowed out nicely and called me to see it. ''Xow, 
 Ma, don't that look so nice? it has only been out a 
 little more than two years, and I cannot plow it any 
 more Avith my riding plow.'' *• Then you will have to 
 plow it with a crossing j)low,-'' said I. "It does 
 look nice, dont it? you can see the frirrows clear 
 throucrh the o-rove." "Xow, Ma," said he, "it is 
 pretty nice to raise anything so beautiful in so short 
 a time. One thing that makes it look so nice is, I 
 trimmed it uj) the other day. and it is so perfectly 
 clean." "Yes, Pa,'' said I, "there is not so nice a 
 grove in the county for its age.'' '' You are joking, 
 Ma," said he. And oh I what a pleasant smile played 
 over his features as he said, "Oh, Ma, it would not 
 have been so nice if you had not helped me set it out 
 so carefully." Then we both had a cheerful laugh. 
 
 Ohl little did we realize that we were raising a 
 grove that was to wave its beautiful dark green leaves 
 over his grave ; but it was so. Soon after this pleasant 
 interview and chat about the o^rove he said, "Ma^
 
 FKnNTIKK LIKK. 230 
 
 wliere will I find the lufilfr; 1 tnld the hoys I \v«nild 
 like to liave them kill a iiiee sh<»:it this evening; they 
 said they would he at hoiiu* hy half past ii\'e, ur six 
 o'clock at least; that will he time enoui^h." He made 
 the tire, tilled the hoiler. and I helped him put it on. 
 The hoys were there on time, l)utchered the hog, 
 and the Doctor told them t(» hang it up and let it 
 cool, and he would cut it up in the morning. AV^e 
 had tea, then prayers and retired for the night. 
 
 In the morning the Doctor cut uj) the meat nicely, 
 salted it, and brought uj) some nice spareribs from the 
 cellar, saying, ''Ma, that will be nice for breakfast.'* 
 Soon all was readv and we were seated. After askin^r 
 a blessing he helped us all, as was his usual custom, 
 and then sipped his coffee, and remarked, '* Ma, this 
 coffee is splendid; if you should live until you were 
 an hundred years old you would not forget how to 
 make good coffee, and fry nice spareribs.'' "Quite a 
 compliment. Pa," I replied. "Well, it is so; it seems 
 to me as though I never relished a meal better in all 
 my life.,' ''I am very glad if it suits you. Pa," was 
 my reply. 
 
 After breakfast the Doctor said to Morris, " You 
 had better go with the young men and see those other 
 farms this moring, and I will take the team and plow 
 out my melon i)atch.'' He said, "Grandpa, you had 
 better let me do that ; you are tired with cutting up 
 your meat, and had Ijetter not go out, for it is going 
 to be very warm to-day; I fear it will be too much for 
 vou." "Oh, I (ruiiiis not; vou harness the team and I 
 can do it. Grandma thought what I did yesterday 
 would hurt me, but I think it did me good." "Hut
 
 240 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 grandpa," said Morris, "it has been very cool for a 
 number of days, and now this morning it has turned 
 very warm, and this is one of the longest days in the 
 year. I think yon had better let it be ; I will do it 
 carefully." " I guess it will not hurt me; you harness 
 the horses, I will be careful." Re did as requested, 
 and the young men went to see the farms, and were 
 to be back by ten o'clock. 
 
 The Doctor went out to hitch the horses to the plow 
 which stood near the back door. (The young doctor had 
 been called away some ten miles in the night, and we 
 did not know when to look for him when he went 
 over there, for he had very often to go all around the 
 neighborhood; so when the young men went away 
 there was no man on the place but Doctor. We felt a 
 good deal of uneasiness about the young doctor going 
 out in the night, as the country was full of horse 
 thieves, and one had escaped from the sheriff a few 
 nights previous with handcuffs on, only a few miles 
 from our place, and we thought there was danger 
 from both parties. There were thirty or forty men and 
 officers out after the thief. It was supposed he had 
 gone to some of his own crew not far away, and we 
 feared he might be shot at by either party in the 
 night; he was to cross Yankee Creek near where 
 they caught the one who had escaped a few nights 
 before, and we were feeling very anxious about him.) 
 "Wlien Doctor went out at the back door the young 
 doctor's wife and I begged and entreated him not to 
 go out in the hot sun, but he smiled and said, " Don't 
 be so foolish, it will not hurt me." "Oh, Pa," said I, 
 "it is so warm and you have your liannels on, and I
 
 FRONTIKIi MKK. '241 
 
 see tlie clouds liave passed away and tlie sun lias 
 come out so verv liot." "( )li," Baid he, "do not \)e 
 uneasy, I will come in if it is very hut." And as 
 lie passed around the corner of the house, 1 said to 
 Sarah, " I hope he will not stay out long." " I don't 
 think he will," said she. " I don't think I ever saw it 
 so hut." She came and got the pail and drew a pail of 
 water. Just then I went to the door to see how the 
 Doctor was getting along, and as I looked out I saw 
 liim turn around the corner with his team. I remarked, 
 ''Pa, I am so glad you have cume in; I thought you 
 did nut realize how very warm it is." AVhile he was 
 hitching his team he remarked, "Just as I fixed my 
 eyes on the beam uf the pluw I grew dizzy and blind, 
 and fell down by the side of the plow, and I du not 
 know lung I laid there." Said I, " Pa, ycui have not 
 been out but a few minutes." Sarah luuked at the 
 clock and said, "Xot more than twenty or thirty 
 minutes." I said, " Do come in and let the horses 
 stand until the buys come." " I will," said he, and 
 stepped around tu the north door and entered the 
 sitting room. I said, "Du take the rucking chair," 
 placing it between twu winduws and the duur. Just 
 then Sarah brought him a draught of cold water she 
 had drawn. He drank it, remarking, ''That is 
 deliciuus." I said, "Pa, yuu had better take some- 
 thing." " I will take something out uf that bottle 
 that stands un the table," said he. " I tuuk a sup iis I 
 came in, and it has started the circulatiun and j)ergpi- 
 ration; see how nicely moist I am; will get over it 
 Soon; my head feels iill right now," shaking his head. 
 I remarked, " Pa, I am afraid it is something more
 
 242 RECOLLECTIOXS OF 
 
 serious than you are willing to admit of." ''Oh, I 
 guess not." "Shall I get you a bowl of water and 
 wash you off nicely and get some lighter clothes on?"' 
 "You may," said he; "I do not think it will stop the 
 perspiration, if I take a little more of those bitters to 
 keep up the action." I unbuttoned his collar and 
 bathed his breast and shoulders, and combed his hair^ 
 after which he said, "I feel all right now." "You 
 will when you get those woolen clothes off ; shall I 
 get some clean, dry ones?" "Pretty soon; I guess I 
 will lie down on the lounge and rest a little first." 
 "We had a lounge in the room where he rested often. 
 He had but just lain down when two of our neighbors 
 came in, one to get the Doctor to go and see a sick 
 child, one whom the Doctor had been to see a day or 
 two before, when the young doctor was out on one of 
 his long trips. The Doctor welcomed them and 
 chatted with them cheerfully for half an hour. After 
 the gentleman had described the symptoms the 
 Doctor concluded to send some medicine, and the 
 young doctor would go when he returned home. He 
 said to our daughter-in-law, "Sarah, if you aWII 
 hand me thus and thus out of the medicine 
 safe, I will fix some medicine for Mr. Arm- 
 strong." Sarah did with pleasure what he requested. 
 He arose, sat on the lounge and prepared the medicine 
 — I think we may say he died at his post, and I think 
 he was truly called of God to that post — and the 
 gentlemen bid us good-morning and started home. 
 
 They had but just started when the young men 
 arrived. They were going thirty or forty miles further 
 to see a sister, and I had prepared them some lunch to
 
 FRONTIER LIFE. 348 
 
 eat on the way. They had found a farm that suited 
 pretty well, and if they did not lind something l>etter 
 on their trip, they would come hack and hny. They 
 were in a hurry, putting their things into the wagun, 
 hidding good-bye, etc. AVlien they came into the 
 room to hid the Doctor good-hye, he raised up and sat 
 «jn the lounge again, and with a smile said tu the 
 young men, " Now, boys, I am so glad there is some 
 hojje that you will come back here, and I hope yon 
 will, and then the old folks will come. Now, if you 
 do come back, I want you to remember that the latch 
 >tring is always on the outside.'" (This is an old- 
 fashioneil })hrase, to express hospitality, that the 
 frontiersmen frequently used, and he meant all it 
 could express.) ''Come right here and stay until you 
 can lix up your home, and such as we have we will 
 give unto thee; I want you tu feel as though you were 
 coming to your father's house." They thanked him 
 very kindly, and went out to harness and hitch uj> 
 their horses. 
 
 The Doctor said to me as he laid down, "Ma, if 
 you will get an early dinner, I think Morris had 
 better take the team and take us down to Bro. 
 Howard's," (he was Squire just over the line in John- 
 son county, where the land the Doctor had been sell- 
 ing lay) ''and take Lovell along, and all acknowledge 
 those papers; it has been put off too long now." 
 ••You don't think you are able to go, do you^" said I. 
 ••Oh, yes; I feel all right, only I am a little tii*ed." 
 "Well," said I, "I want you to put on some 
 cooler clothes." " I will," said he. I remarked, " I 
 wish those lx)y8 would stay to dinner; I have done
 
 244 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 my best to persuade them, but tliey will not stay; 
 they are hitching on their horses now." I spoke to 
 the young doctor's wife, and told her what he had 
 said, and asked her to sit by him while I went and got 
 dinner. '^ I w411. Ma," said she, " I will run up stairs 
 and get my sewing and stay with him ; I don't think 
 he ought to be left alone." She ran up stairs, saying, 
 " I will be back in a moment or two." I turned into 
 the kitchen to attend to my dinner. 
 
 Just at that moment Morris had bid the boys good- 
 bye, and stepped onto the door sill. I heard some- 
 thing fall, and Morris cried out, "Grandma! come! 
 come! Grandpa has fallen on the floor and is dying, 
 I do believe." Sarah and I both ran, and just as we got 
 our hands on him he drew one gurgling breath and 
 two short gasps, but the air did not go into the lungs. 
 Morris screamed for the boys — they had not gone 
 more than five rods from the door. They came back, 
 hitched their horses, and were ready to do anything 
 they could to assist us; took a horse and rode across 
 the field to our neighbor's who, we knew, would go 
 after the doctor. The other young man stayed and 
 helped us rub him and put draughts on every artery. 
 "We tried to get him to swallow, but never got him to 
 take one drop. I clasped his hands when I first got 
 to him and asked again and again, " My dear husband, 
 are you conscious ? if so, if you can't speak, do press 
 my hand!" But no motion, not the least, nor the 
 slightest pulsation. After we got to him all was over. 
 
 Pen cannot describe the anguish of that hour ; every 
 heart was ready to burst with grief. Just at the 
 moment we gave him up, a gentleman rode up to the
 
 KKHNTIKK I.U-K. 245 
 
 door, wlio stn|nn'(l ill 'l\'fmnsili, tlu' couiitv seat uf 
 Johnson county, u distant relative by marriage, l>y 
 name, Calvin Mayberry. lie was very inncli sur- 
 prised and grieved at the scene which was before liini; 
 we liad just got the Doctor straightened out on a bed- 
 stead and a sheet thrown over him. Calvin had lK*en 
 at our house a few days before, and had found him 
 l(X)king so well and feeling so cheerful over our 
 I>n>]K)se<l re-union in November, that it was a very 
 great shock to him as well as to us. The messenger 
 who went for tlie young doctor liad told the sad news 
 at the stage house on the road, Bro. Howard tlien 
 sent word to the post office, and its occupants to Bro. 
 Hull, the new preacher, and in less than an hour the 
 hous^ was full of warm, sympathizing hearts and 
 ]iel]»ing hands ready to assist in any way they cpuld. 
 p]ven dear old Sister Blue•^vas there, and oh I how 
 Comforting lier kind words were, and how kindly she 
 said, ''Sister Koe, don't grieve so, Bro. Hoe has only 
 ifot into port a little early, a few more struggles and the 
 Master will say, ' It is enough, come up higher, enter 
 into rest.' ]>ro. Roe has fought the good fight, kept the 
 faith and entered into rest, and if we are faithful we 
 will l>e permitted to enter with him into the joy of 
 our Lord." And the consoling W(U*ds of all those, or 
 many of them, with whom he was so very haj^py a 
 few days ago at cpiarterly meeting, were like cordial 
 to our wounded hearts. 
 
 Mr. ^layberry told the news all along the r«»ad and at 
 ;it Tecumseh ; there were a number of our friends living 
 there. About one oVlo(;k friend Ellis arrive<l with the 
 vouuir doctor all safe. He had rode about thirtv miles
 
 246 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 in pursuit, and returned in two hours and a half. 
 "With all our grief there was a current of thanksgiv- 
 ing and deep-felt gratitude to our Heavenly Father 
 that his life had been spared, running through our 
 minds. He regretted he had not been there, and so 
 did we, but he thought it hardly possible that any- 
 thing could have prevented the sad stroke. Some 
 thought it might have been caused by sun stroke, but 
 I think it was caused by that old congestion which 
 had lingered in his system for many years, and in 
 that severe spell he had in the spring, it then fastened 
 onto the spine, and now it was carried to the brain, 
 and finally terminated in apoplexy. The first symp- 
 toms were on the day he was helping Mr. Maine lay 
 out the hedge row; the second, that morning about 
 half past nine o'clock in the garden; and the last, 
 a few minutes before eleven o'clock, June 21st, 1871. 
 
 The young doctor got young Mr. Xewhall, or he 
 very kindly offered, to go to Blue Springs for Brother 
 and Sister Ellwood. I wanted Bro. Ellwood to preach 
 the funeral sermon, for Doctor and he had labored to- 
 gether through two revivals in Illinois, and ever since 
 we came together in this new country we had been very 
 intimate friends. Our very kind fi-iend Mr. Ellis, 
 went to Beatrice, fifteen miles, for a cofiin, and what 
 else was necessary in that line. There were ten or 
 twelve of our friends who stayed with us all night. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. McCann came to our assistance about 
 the first of any, and I assure you they were 
 very kind and helpful. Mr. McCann superintended 
 the digging of the grave. We made up our ininds to 
 have it in the little a'rove that Doctor thouo-ht so much
 
 FK«>NriKK I.IKK. 247 
 
 <>f, and there, ri«^lit acmss tlie furrow- that he had 
 plowed 4vS hours a«^(>, we hiid him to rrst until we 
 Could hriui^ liini to Illincus. JJrother and Sister Hull 
 stayed all night witli us, and I gave Hro. Hull the 
 text I wished to have the funeral sermon preached 
 from :'' Blessed are the deiul who die in the Lord 
 from henceforth, yea, saith the Spirit, that they may 
 rest from their labors, and their works do follow 
 them." — Revelations, IX Chap., 13th Verse. And I 
 told him it might be possible tliat Bro. Ellwoc>d 
 might not come, and he would have to preach. He 
 said he would do it. I chose that Bro. Ellwood should 
 preach because he and the doctor were so intimate. 
 
 The day was extremely warm, and a good many of 
 the friends had been there from lU o'clock because the 
 Avord in regard to the lK)ur of the services had not 
 been given out very detinitely, but it was intended to 
 hold the funeral at 3 o'clock. Some had a great w^ays 
 to go and were getting restless, and, as Bro. EHwikkI 
 did not come, it was thought best to have Bro. Hull 
 preach, and he preached a good sermon. Bro. Ell- 
 "wood arrived when he was about half through, and 
 made some very ajjpropriate remarks. You would 
 have been astonished to see the congregation that was 
 there; both the large rooms were tilled to the last 
 foot, and there were more outside than inside. Oh I 
 what attention and what sym}>athy could Ik? reml in 
 every face; it was evident that one had gone who was 
 revered, honored and loved, llful we few who were 
 permitted to follow him to the very nice grave that 
 was shaded by those beautiful leafy l>oughs, U'en at 
 liome with our kind frien<ls and relatives in Illinois,
 
 248 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 we could not have received more kindness and sym- 
 pathy. My heart glows with gratitude while I A^Tite, 
 to Him who doetli all things well, and to my kind 
 friends also, of whom I like to think and talk, for the 
 kind sympathy and attention given me. 
 
 A few more storms, a few more beating waves, and 
 we will meet in our Father's house to go out no more. 
 There the inmates never say, "I am sick." Xo death 
 there, we shall live on and on through endless ages to 
 praise him for full redemption. The service closed. 
 Our kind friends left us with kindest feeling, all but 
 Brother and Sister EUwood, They remained with us 
 until two o'clock next day. This was a great comfort 
 to us, and when they left we were lonely and sad. 
 
 Of all the sorrows that I ever passed through I 
 must say this was the deepest. I have lost father, 
 mother, sisters and brothers, and sweet little angel 
 babe, and thought my grief as deep as any heart could 
 suffer, but it was not like this. Xo, no; the great 
 deep of my heart was all broken up, and part of my 
 grief was that I could not say " Thy Avill be done," 
 for many years. I had been able to say '' Thy will be 
 done," under losses, disappointments and afflictions, 
 and thought, that having meditated, consulted and 
 prayed on this subject so much, I would be able to 
 submit with Christian resignation if he should be 
 taken and I left. But I was mistaken. I could nut 
 bear the idea that we should never unite our prayers at 
 tlie faniilv altar a^^ain; never acrain o^o totjether to the 
 ])ublic worship, or social i^rayer or class meeting; 
 never see him at my sick bed, ready to administer 
 couifort and relief; never enjoy a cheerful meal with
 
 FRONTIER LIFE. 249 
 
 liiiii as I enjoyed that morning — oh I little did I think 
 that it was the last. Xo; never have liis strong 
 arm to lean on in the day of tronhle. I strnggled 
 fervently in prayer to my Heavenly Father for grace 
 to say '* Thy will he done." I knew if I cunld he 
 able to say that with all my heart I could hear it so 
 differently. I still struggled, with that faith that 
 takes no denial, and the victory was miiie. All was 
 peace and resignation. How calmly I could say, 
 *' Thy will be done. I will trust Thee, though Thou 
 slay me.'' And with what sweet |)eace and comf(»rt I 
 consecrated my soul and body anew to II im who 
 doeth all things well; and from that hour I have kept 
 the victory amid all the tri.ils I have ])assed, and they 
 have not been few. I have never felt as though I 
 would call him back if I could. N«>, never; nor any 
 other of my Christian friends. But often it seems as 
 though I could say with the poet: 
 
 See the happy spirits waiting,', 
 On the banks beyond the stream; 
 
 Sweet responses still repeatinj^', 
 Jesus, Jesus, is the theme. 
 
 Hark, they whisper; lo, they call me, 
 
 *' Sister spirit, come away." 
 Lo, I come, earth cjui't d*-tain me, 
 
 Hail the realms of clay. 
 
 I often think of how I felt as 1 stood at the open 
 grave. "Go, dearest Pa,'' I said in my heart, '* and 
 rest from your lab<jrs. You can't come to us, biit by 
 Divine (^race we axn come to you, and we will." Oh! 
 what a blessing that th<»ught, that a Throne of (Trace 
 is made accessible and Heaven possible, through faith
 
 250 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 in the all-atoning blood of the Lamb that has redeemed 
 a sin-stricken world. 
 
 A few weeks elapsed and duty prompted me to have 
 the will probated. All was left to me, to do with it 
 as I thought best. And oh I the great responsibility. 
 My heart cried, '* Dear Lord, I am not sufficient for 
 this great responsibility. Xothing but Thy grace can 
 sustain me; but I have said ' Thy will be done,- with 
 all my heart, and with Thy grace to sustain me, I will 
 try and do the best I can." There were heavy crops 
 to be gathered and sold to meet liabilities; the farm 
 to l)e rented ; the deed and mortgage before spoken of 
 to be seen to, and a multitude of cares. Amid my 
 sorrow and loneliness it seemed a great deal. Oh I 
 what would I have done if I had not a precious 
 Saviour to lean on? And oh I how near He was to 
 me to comfort and sustain. 
 
 Dear Pa's remains were laid so near the house that 
 I could sit at my bed room window and look on the 
 spot. I spent much of my time there in prayer and 
 meditation. Oh I what a comfort to feel my Saviour 
 so near, and the more resigned I felt the happier I 
 was in the anticipation of a blessed reunion with my 
 dear husband and many other loved ones who had 
 gone before. And oh I how often, while walking in that 
 lovely little grove and standing by the board fence 
 that enclosed the grave, I felt that nothing but God's 
 grace could sustain me in this great loss and sorrow. 
 And there I would wi-estle, Jacob like, until I could 
 say with my whole heart, '• Thy will be done." Then 
 tliere would be such a sweet, sacred peace shed over my 
 whole beincr, and I could almost realize the reunion 1
 
 KUoNTIKi: LIFK. 'J.') 1 
 
 ex})ecteil, ;uk1 tlie j^reciniis prmnisefi were applied to 
 my lieart, such as these: " AVhi-re I uin ye sliull he 
 'also;" "These are they who have come up out «»f 
 great trihulatiou, aud washed their rohes and made 
 them white in the hlood of the Lamh."' 
 
 The youucr Doctor rented the farm f<»r the next 
 year, and it was arranired for me to stay there. There 
 were ])lenty of room for them and me when I luul tlie 
 TWO bedrooms furnished, and the grandson, Morris P. 
 Roe, spoken of l)efore, agreed to stay with ine until 
 the crops were gathered. Oar hired man came back, 
 lie had secured a good claim or homestead. My 
 liusband had sup])lied him with money to defray all 
 expenses, and he began to think of sending for liis 
 wife. When he came he w{is willing Uj work out the 
 balance of his term to pay for what money he had 
 and get more to send tor liis wife, and the luirvest 
 Work went off nicely. We had a line lot of corn, 
 forty or tifty acres, and as good corn as I ever saw 
 grow in any country. Morris P. stayed until the 
 small <ri*aiii was all harvested and marketed, and when 
 the corn was ripe for husking, my kind neighbors 
 came and husked out about fnur liundred bushels and 
 cribbed it, and I hired ^^r. Maine to husk the rest in 
 the field. 
 
 Our friends in lllincjis desired to have a reunion at 
 the home of our oldest daughter, ^Lrs. May berry, and 
 liave us all meet together to condole the loss of onr 
 dearly beloved father and husband, as we could not 
 be together at the time of his death. Our oldest son, 
 Dr. U. C. Koe, had moved bjuk to Illinois, and 
 located in Franklin (irove. Lee Co., and lives there
 
 i^52 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 yet; my second son, Dr. F. M. Roe, resided then and 
 does now, at Downer's Grove; the third son, G. B. 
 Roe, is a farmer and lives at Paynes Point, and has 
 for a long time — more than 29 years ; the fourth son, 
 Mathew C. Roe, lived then in Lynn Co., Iowa; 
 the oldest daughter married J. C. May berry; and 
 the fifth son, John H. Roe, lived in Louisville, Ky; my 
 youngest daughter, Francis M. Conlen, lived then and 
 does now in DeKalb Co., 111. ; the sixth son, Dr.. 
 Malcom C. Roe, lived in Xebraska, Gage Co., with 
 me. Now the object was to get them all together 
 once more that we might sympathize with and com- 
 fort each other over our great loss, and each one felt 
 it very deeply. 
 
 The 5th of February, 1873, found us all there, and 
 Mr. Mayberry gave us splendid entertainment. It 
 was a gracious season; we sang and prayed, and there 
 was deep feeling while we talked of Doctor's kindness,, 
 counsel, prayers and death; there seemed to be but 
 one spirit, and that was sympathy for each other, 
 reunion and love; it seemed as though the Doctor's 
 spirit mingled with us though unseen. We spent 
 several days together, and talked of bringing hi* 
 remains to Light House right awa}^, but I thought it 
 might be possible the children would mo^e to 
 Nebraska, and then we would want him there; and I 
 could not think of living there without his grave 
 being near me; so it was postponed. We enjoyed our 
 visit together very much, and while we were together 
 it was thought best that I should choose a trustee; 
 as the law allowed me to do. 
 
 My noble boy from Kentucky had no family, and
 
 FRONTIKK I.IKK. 253 
 
 lie put out Ills stn»n«; urniH for me to lean uj>on. The 
 rest of my children tlu>u«;ht it best, and I chose him, 
 and he has borne tlie burden of my business, and has 
 been very kind, very, for lo! those nine years, and has 
 been very attentive to my interests. Our business is 
 so blended that what is for his interest is f<»r mine, 
 and what is for my interest is for his; but there is one 
 thing about our business that is a little unj)leasant, 
 and that is, we cannot be together as much as we 
 would like to, as my interest is in Illinois, and his is 
 in Kentucky, and his b\isiness is such that he ci\nnot 
 visit me oftener than once a year; then lie rights up my 
 business and goes again; but we correspond about 
 once a week, and oh, how his loving counsel comforts 
 my poor old heart; I can scarcely wait with the 
 patience I should until the mail comes that brings the 
 kind message; I think it one of the greatest blessings 
 of this life that we can correspond so quickly, surely 
 and nicely with those we love. 
 
 Soon after this arrangement was made the young 
 doctor, M. C. Hoe, betjan to think of returnin*' to 
 Nebraska. The rest of the children had returned to 
 their respective homes, and when he and his family 
 went, 1 wished to g<j also. I^ut about the time they 
 Avere ready to start I was taken violently sick with 
 lung fever, and was taken to my oldest son's home, in 
 Franklin, Lee county. 111., and oh, how kind they all 
 were to me, especially dear Emma, the oldest daughter 
 at home, who went down with the (piick consumption, 
 and died in about six short mouths Uom that time, 
 much lamented by her parents, brothers and sisters, 
 and many loving friends. She w;is at my l>ed-
 
 254 KECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 side, always ready to smooth my pillow, or give me 
 my medicine, and I shall ever, with loving gratitude, 
 remember how tenderly her soft hand was pressed to 
 my aching head, or how gently she would rub my side 
 when I suffered the most severe pain. And her father 
 was so very kind; he scarcely left the room, unless it 
 w^as to go to the office for medicine, or for a bit of 
 nice beef to make some beef tea, and they fed it to me 
 by the teaspoonful. 
 
 One night, when he was expecting the crisis, a 
 gentleman came to get him to go to see his wife, fif- 
 teen miles away, who was very sick, and feared she 
 would die. The Doctor told him he could not possibly 
 leave his mother that night. The man told him if he 
 would go he would give him the best horse on his 
 farm, and he had some very fine ones. But the 
 Doctor said, "Xo, dear sir; I cannot leave my dear 
 mother; there will be a crisis with her to-night, she 
 will be better by morning, or will not be living. I 
 will prescribe for your wife, and you go home and 
 give the medicine as I direct, and I will try to be at 
 your house as soon as I can drive there in the morn- 
 ing." He sat by me all night and watched my pulse 
 and gave the medicine himself, and about twelve 
 o'clock, he said, " Ma, there is a favorable change in 
 your pulse ; I hope by morning there will be a very 
 evident change for the better." I told him I could 
 breathe easier. " That is very evident," said he, "and 
 I hope you will be quite comfortable by morning.'' 
 And as each one came into my room in the morning, 
 they remarked, "Oh, grandma, you are better." I 
 answered, "Assuredly, I am much easier." By nine
 
 FRONTIER LIKK. 255 
 
 ■ •'clock the Doctor tlumi^lit it safe to leave me, and he 
 went to his patient and fonnd her much l)etter. 
 
 That chiy the y(>un«i^ doctor called to let nie know 
 he was going to start for ^'ebraska. lie said, " Dear 
 nia, you are l>etter, but so very weak, that it will be a 
 long time beftjre you will be able to travel to Xebnusika, 
 but do not be uneasy about home, 1 will take care of 
 home and do the best I can," and as he stooped down 
 to kiss me, the great tears dro}>ped onto my face, and 
 as he left the room I said, "My dear son, take good 
 care of your dear father's grave." 
 
 I gradually improved, but from the first of that 
 tickness I felt that to live, to me, was Christ, but to 
 die would be gain; I should leave a world of toil and 
 care and pain, and go to a world of peace and joy, to 
 meet those loved ones who had gone l)ef« >re ; and al)ove 
 all I should be with Christ, my living Head. The 
 Doctor asked me several times, " Ma, shall I not send 
 for tlie other children?" "Oh, no," I said, "I have 
 been with them all so lately, and bid them farewell in 
 view of my journey to Nebniska, and testitieil to them 
 the power of Divine grace at all times and under all 
 circumstances, to comfort and sustain them, they will 
 know I am leaning on Jesus, and if so I shall enter 
 the i)ortals safely.'' Death seemed to have no terror, 
 and the grave no gloom ; I felt that Jesus had lain 
 there, and I dreaded not its gloom. I realized so 
 -weetly those beautiful lines: 
 
 There sweetly I'll rest 
 Till He biilfi me iirise 
 Id triumph desceudin^' the ekiee. 
 
 1 gained nicely with the kind care I received from
 
 256 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 the good doctor and family, and in four weeks was 
 able to start to my western home. My son who lived 
 in Iowa, Mathew C, accompanied me. "W^e had a 
 very pleasant trip, and arrived safely at our western home 
 about the 20th of April, and found my husbad's grave 
 just as I left it. and that the young doctor and family 
 had arrived in safety and were preparing to move to 
 Beatrice, having conditionally rented the farm to Mr. 
 Maine. I took with me from an Iowa nursery a 
 thousand grafts of fruit, with the intention of culti- 
 vating quite a little nursery. I had grapes, currants, 
 gooseberries, raspberries and strawberries. After my 
 son had set out my nnrsery nicely for me he returned 
 to his home in Iowa. After looking the country over 
 a little he made up his mind that he could not sell 
 his farm in Iowa, and come and live in Xebraska with 
 me. He thought our country very fine and our home 
 nice, but he liked Iowa better, and thought it to his 
 best interest to remain in Iowa. I was in hopes he 
 would make up his mind to come the next spring at 
 least, and with this hope to encourage me I tried to 
 be reconciled to my situation. I rented the farm 
 to Mr. Maine, I was to furnish the seed and team and 
 he to do the haiwesting and receive half the profits. 
 He had let a large, destitute family into my largest 
 and best room, in a very severe storm, for a few days, 
 until the storm should abate. They were making 
 their way to their homestead west of us about 
 seventy-five miles. We had had previous to this very 
 mild winters, but this winter was very severe, but 
 there was plenty of work they could get to do. 
 They were two old men and two vounof men, and they
 
 FRONTIKU LIFE. 25 i 
 
 fuiiiid theiiiselves wvll housed in :i ^^mul \v:ii-iii house, 
 with ]>k'ntv of uiihusked c«>rM in thr tichl and 
 jdentv of i^ood wood in the ^rove iioarbv, :i nice hir»^ 
 ^tuve in the room, and the man I left there hired them 
 to haul his wood and gather the eorn tui shares, and 
 they never left there until the first of April. There 
 were nine in the family, and they had made dreadful 
 work with my house, tore off the })la8terin«^, ])roke 
 out the glass, burned the lioor, and destroyed things 
 iT^ general, and with the loss in old corn and wood and 
 destruction in the house, I suffered over an hundred 
 dollars loss, and no one to pay me in either gratitude 
 or money. 
 
 The Doctor moved to Beatrice. His object in 
 doing so was to concentrate his ]»ractice; he thought 
 the peo})le wonld not go so far for him, but they did; 
 went from the settlements all around where he had 
 l)racticed before, and plead so hard, that he would go. 
 It was very sickly that fall, and his change of residence 
 eventually made his practice harder on him than ever 
 bef<.>re, 
 
 1 was left alone with the tenant and his kind wife; 
 she was very kind to me, but her husband was very 
 unkind, cross and crabbed; but 1 wha enabled, through 
 divine grace, to bear it with a good deal of j»atience, 
 as it was such a comfort to me to be so near my dear 
 husband's grave. I planted roses, mosses and tniiling 
 tlowers all around it, which amused aud intere>ted m^ 
 some. 
 
 I had a nice garden, and worked in my nursery 
 some. The tenant would not help me, Ijecause it was 
 not so stated in the lease; would n«»t even so 
 
 Q
 
 25S RECOLLECTIOXS OF 
 
 much as plow it for me; and was not willing the team 
 should be driven to church on Sunday ; said it must 
 rest; so I had but little means of grace that summer, 
 but had the word of Life and a present Saviour to 
 bless and comfort me. I took the Christian Advo- 
 cate to read, and occasionally my Christian friends 
 visited me, and the Doctor would call every time he 
 came near my place, and that was quite often. Those 
 ^Tsits were a great comfort to me; and I could visit 
 my husband's grave as often as I wished, and to 
 watch the rose buds open, the vines twining over and 
 around it, and the flowers shedding their sweet fra- 
 grance over it, did my heart good, and brought to 
 my mind the cheering doctrine of the blessed resur- 
 rection of the bodv that lav there crumblino: in the 
 dust, and often my mind was led to reflect on that 
 morning when the trumpet shall sound and the grave 
 shall give up its dead, and this mortal shall put on 
 immortality and rise to meet the Saviour in the sky, 
 with ten thousand thousand angels around Him, and 
 we shall see Him as He is, and we shall be like Him, 
 and where He is, we shall be also. I had rather a 
 pleasant time, although there were many lonely hours 
 and days. 
 
 I received a letter about the middle of June from 
 my son John, who was in Kentucky, saying he 
 would visit me about the iirst of July. He had 
 never seen our new hume or any part of Xebraska. 
 I thought I would like to have my home look as 
 cheerful as possible. As I had anticipated this visit, 
 my old carpet being quite worn, I had prepared a 
 nice new rag carpet and sent it to the weaver's. iJear
 
 FRONTIKK lAVK. 250 
 
 old Sister Aiidrewrf had urran;^'ud with a })hi.sterLT 
 to plaster my rooms that had heen ho much' ahiised. 
 I C(juld not get lime then, but had heard uf some at 
 l>lue Springs. I hired a team, wagon and boy, took 
 some milling and went to Blue Springs to get some 
 lime, and had the privilege of staying all night with 
 dear Sister Ellwood and family, and a number of my 
 friends called to see me while there. They were much 
 pleased to meet me; but to my great disappoint- 
 ment I found there was no lime; it was all used 
 uj); but I learned of some on my way home, not far 
 from where my carpet was. They had sent me word 
 that my carpet would be done that afternoon, and I 
 intended to call and tret it. After calliui; on a few 
 friends in the morning we started, but had to go by a 
 <liiferent road from what I had traveled with my 
 husband, and ohl how I felt the need of his strong 
 arm to lean upon then. We traveled a few miles on 
 the road I was acquainted with, then turned off into 
 another road. The boy was rather stupid, and did 
 not understand much about traveling. It was an 
 extremely warm day, very much such a day as that on 
 which my dear husband died, just a year previous. 
 AVe were on a large prairie, and the already dim road 
 became invisible, so we no longer knew which way to 
 go, and I was very much overcome by the heat. We 
 were then on the l)luffs of Mud creek. 1 told the boy 
 I knew if we went any farther in that direction we 
 Would })ass the house. We seemed then al)out a mile 
 from tlie house. AVe went down the bluff into the 
 creek bottom, and as soon as we did so the bluffs 
 shut out all air from us, and mv clothes beinir black.
 
 260 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 besides holding a large black umbrella over us, 
 seemed to attract the rays of the sun to us. I could 
 scarcely get a breath of air and could not see. I told 
 the boy to hurry the horses, as I was afraid I could 
 not live until we could get to the house. He did so, 
 and when we got there the kind friends had to lift me 
 out of the wagon, into the house and onto the bed. 
 They dashed me with cold water, gave me some of 
 Dr. Roe's ready relief, rubbed my extremities with it 
 to divert the action to the surface, and I soon began 
 to breathe with more ease, and could see and hear 
 better. After an hour or two I took a cup of tea and 
 some other refreshments. 
 
 About five o'clock we started on our way for the 
 lime. Sister Andrews and family urged me stay all 
 night, but I told them I thought I would rather go, 
 as the man would be at my house to do the plastering, 
 and I had but little time in which to have the plaster- 
 ing and cleaning done and my carpet down, before my 
 son would arrive, and I thought we could get the lime 
 loaded before dark, and there would be a nice bright 
 moon, and I would rather risk riding by the moon- 
 light than go in the morning when the sun shone. 
 They said perhaps it would be better, and one of the 
 young men went with us to help load the lime, and 
 Sister Andrews said he might go all the way home 
 with us, too, but as I knew the way perfectly after I 
 got onto the Beatrice road, I did not tliink it 
 necessary. 
 
 We got the lime loaded, and got onto the Beatrice 
 road just as the moon was rising, and we had only 
 seven miles to go then, and the road was good, but our
 
 FROXTIKU I. IKK. 201 
 
 load was heavy, team ]»«).. r, aiid wi- n«'('('.>.s:iril\ liau t<> 
 go slow. AVe (lid m»t reach hoiur until ahoiit eh'M'ii 
 o'clock. 
 
 Early the next morniii",^ the i>la>teivr was there, 
 and prosecuted and finished his juhof plastering nicely, 
 and I got my house cleaned, and ciirj>et mmle and down, 
 and everything in comfortal»le order hy thetiniemy son 
 arrived. Hut the mason said that if I ha<l nut ;rut 
 home that night he would have taken another job, and 
 I Would have been disap})ointed. AVe had a good 
 visit. The Doctor and family and some other friends 
 came and visited with us, and I went with my son and 
 called on them and a lady who had lived in Kentucky 
 when he first went there and taught schocd ; she was a 
 little girl then, and went to school to him, but was 
 now married and had two sweet little children, and 
 resided in Beatrice. When she heard he was coming 
 she left a standing invitation with the Doctor for him 
 to call and see them and bring his mother. He and 
 the Doctor's family had a pleasant visit with them. 
 The lady's mother lived with her, and they were 
 delijrhted to see their old friend and teacher; and he 
 was much pleased to find there in that far-«»tf new 
 country an old friend and ])Upil. The greeting was 
 cordial, I assure you, and I conlially invited them to 
 visit us, and they thought they W(»uld, but it was 
 (juite ;i distance and his stay was short, so they could 
 not avail themselves of the pleasure, but we visited 
 often at the Doctor's. 
 
 My son ccjuld not stay hnig on Jiccount o£ bu^ilu•^s 
 at home, but he rode out several times with the 
 Doctor when visiting patients. lie liktMl the mw
 
 262 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 country very much, especially our new home, and he 
 left us with the hope that he would visit us again in 
 the future, but thought it sad to leave me so lonely. 
 
 Xow all my sons had seen the new country l)ut 
 Giles Bolivar, and he talked of coming soon. F. M. 
 Roe had made a short visit m the spring after we got 
 home. 
 
 My tenant did not do much with the farm, and 
 was so unpleasant that I felt as though I could not 
 keep him another year, and began to think of look- 
 ing for another tenant. 
 
 As the fall came on sickness increased, and the 
 Doctor rode day and night, until he was taken very 
 sick himself with billions fever, and his life was 
 despaired of. All the physicians within a great dis- 
 tance came to see him, and all had their doubts about 
 his case, but Doctor Webb, a graduate from the Cin- 
 cinnati Eclectic College, was his attending physician. 
 He was very attentive and kind, and succeeded in 
 bringing him safely through, and in a few weeks he 
 was at his post again, and while he was recuperating, 
 the second ride he took, he took me home to the farm, 
 — I had been with him during his sickness — and while 
 there he made up his mind to rent the farm and carry 
 it on with hired help, and give up the town practice, 
 as he could not stand both, and while carrying on my 
 farm he could cultivate and improve his own farm of 
 one hundred and sixty acres which his father had 
 given him a deed to before his death. This was very 
 gratifying to my feelings, and in a few weeks he 
 moved his family in with me, as there was no house 
 on his farm yet. The tenant remained until the crops
 
 FRONTIKK I.IKK. 263 
 
 were secured aii<l thiii left. After his departure we 
 had plenty of nMun for \\w wintor. It was with 
 8oine rep^ret that the Dortor and family left Heatrice, 
 it heiug then (piite a large and j)n>niising town, ami 
 the citizen? were very anxious to have them remain. 
 When my husband and I first visited Heatrice to 
 attend the quarterly meeting spt»ken of, it was but a 
 little clump of houses m<>stly log, with a few stone 
 dwellings, and a very small frame scIkjoI house to wor- 
 shil> ^'^^ ^^^^ court house was a very inferior building, 
 although there was a good deal of business done there, 
 the goods being In-ought there by freighters from 
 the Missouri river. In less than three years we 
 attended the dedication of a l^eautiful Methodist 
 stone church, with a membership of one hundred. 
 There was also a large brick church about ready to be 
 dedicate<l by the Presbyterians, a large brick court 
 house of a very attractive appearance, a line Bai)tist 
 church in j)rogress, a fifty acre addition to the incor- 
 ]M)ration and that building up ra])idly, a large elegant 
 hotel, and several fine business houses all of stone, 
 and last but not least, a large public sduwd lu>use 
 built of brick, graded, and manned with teachers, 
 two hun<lred scholars, and it has kept ahead ever 
 since the railnjad reached it. No freighters are now 
 to l>e seen campe<l on the road side all along from 
 
 I Beatrice to the Missouri river, as was the custom when 
 we first went to that country. I recollect one time 
 when we ate a meal with some freighters on the road. 
 They had sto]»})e<l (piite early, their teams Ijeing all 
 
 ired out, and had a nice tire starte<l and the c»»fTee.j>ot 
 -teamin<r. Thev were on their wav from lb-. .^vl>-\ ilb-
 
 264 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 on the Missouri to Beatrice with a heavy load, and our 
 team was on the way to Bro\^TLSville to convey Mr. 
 Corbin and my self to the cars, on our way to Illinois, and 
 then to return with lumber for our new house. The 
 men folks halted to inquire about the situation of the 
 road. We were nearing the Ximebaugh, a large 
 stream, and the river bottoms were generally very 
 muddy. We asked about the road, and the freighter 
 replied, " You will hnd it bad enough, I assure you. 
 you. Are you going through to town to-night ?" 
 '• Yes,-' was the answer. " Well, you had better stop 
 and water and feed your team, and if the old lady 
 would like a cup of coffee I have plenty on the lire. 
 I know you will not find any chance to get a cup of 
 coffee between this and Brownsville, and it will take 
 you until ten o'clock to get there. I have plenty to 
 eat, all but bread." " Well," said Mr. Corbin, " we 
 have plenty of crackers and cheese, and some apples. 
 We thought we would get there by late supper time." 
 " Oh, well;" said the freighter, ''let's join and take 
 supper together." The gentlemen said '• All right," 
 and just as we were about to eat, there was a gentle- 
 man drove up who was also going to Bro'^Tis^'ille for 
 lumber. He lived at Blue Springs. He concluded to 
 stop and take his sup2)er with us, which made five in 
 all. He boiled his coffee in a faw minutes, and we 
 were soon enjoying ourselves as well as at a tea party, 
 first one and then another telling something that was 
 interesting about our experience in this country. The 
 gentleman turned to me and said, "' Grandma, I think 
 I saw you at Blue Springs something over two years 
 ago, when you and your husband were looking for a
 
 FRONTIKR LIKK. 265 
 
 1k»iiil' ill tills c'lumtrv. Wt'iv v<ni tlii'ivf" " Ves, 
 sir;'' I replied. " Your liuslmnd is a doctor? '* *' Ves, 
 sir;'- I replied, airJiin. " Vuu atteiideil aineetin«;tliere 
 uii a Sabbath C' .Viraiii I answered, '' Yes, sir.'' 
 " AVell, that was a i^oo*! iiieetin«^, and one I sliall 
 always reineinl»er. I had enjoyed reli«^ion, an<l did 
 when I eaniehere; hut I htranie all absorbed in busi- 
 ness, and anxious to become rich in this world's «xuods. 
 I nei^deeted j)rayer, and of course, lost my enjoyment 
 and became very wicked. I could swear like a pirate. 
 That day I thought 1 would g(» to meeting, as there 
 were a number of strangers there who were viewing 
 our country, and see who they were and what they 
 were; and while you and your husband were talking 
 about the great importance of the early settlers of this 
 beautiful country living faithfully and setting up our 
 banner for the Lord, and laying the foundation of a 
 religious society in this new country, the sj)irit of the 
 Lord awakened my soul to see what I had been doing, 
 and I had no i)eace of mind day or night until I found 
 it in a sense of pardon through the atoning blood of 
 Jesus and the love of God shed abroad in my heart. 
 And now I would not exchange it for all the wealth of 
 this World." I told hini I was glad to tind him in 
 such a state of feeling, and 1 hope<l he w«>uld live 
 faithful and do all the good he c«»uld in the wi»rld. lie 
 asked me where we were located. 1 told him, and he 
 said he knew where it was. " N(tw," said he, *' I d(> 
 hope you and the venerable old doctor will c«)me and 
 see us. We have a good class there now, and are talk- 
 ing of building a church," We did go, and found a 
 great change. 1 think I havr bp.»k«'ii <»f )ii> t.-lling
 
 RBOOij:.Bcnoxs of 
 
 Ms experience in love feast. The Bine Springs class 
 bnilt the first chiircli in tlie Bine Biver Yallev in 
 Gage connty. I felt as though I had been to a class 
 meeting. The men hitched on their horses and we 
 divdve to BrownsviUe that night, although it was ver}' 
 muddy and t-ook ns until eleven o'clock. We left the 
 good old freighter and his son alone, to sleep in their 
 wagon and make their wav to Beatrice the next day. 
 We fonnd the cars ready next morning, and pursued 
 onr way, reaching our home and friends in Illinois at 
 lialf-past two o'dlock next morning. 

 
 FROXTIKK I.IFK. 267 
 
 FUNERAL SERMON. 
 
 Delivered at the IIe-intekment of Dr. John 1i«»e. 
 BY I1e\ . Thos. R. Satterfieli), Pastor (jf Light 
 House Point M. E. Chlkch, Ogle C<>., III. 
 
 '^Blessed are the dead wliicli die in tlie Lord." 
 Pvevelatioiis, U: 13. 
 
 Dr. John Poe was Iniried in Nebraska in June, 1>7 1 . 
 Being on the frontier of a new state, he was away 
 from nearly all of his old friends and relatives, his wife 
 and one son only being present to drop ;i tear. By the 
 affection of his wife (who has made her home in Illi- 
 nois) and children, his body has been brought to thi> 
 place for re-interment, and to-day are gathered in this 
 house his children and friends. They have come from 
 Kentucky, from Iowa, from Chicago, from Malta, 
 from Ashton, from Franklin (irove, from Chana. and
 
 268 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 from Mt. Morris, to be present at tliis re-interment^ 
 and it is thought best to improve this occasion 
 hj an ap])ropriate funeral sermon^ • and I know of no 
 more appropriate words for the occasion than the 
 words selected, "Blessed are the dead which die in 
 the Lord." 
 
 Man is unwilling to consider the subject of death.. 
 The shroud, the mattock and the grave, he labors to- 
 keep out of sight. He would live here always if he 
 cuuld ; and since he cannot, he would put away everj 
 emblem of death from his sight. Perhaps there is no 
 subject of so much importance so little thought of. 
 
 The old Egyptians were wiser than we. We are told 
 that at their feasts there was an extraordinary 
 guest who sat at the head of the table. He ate not;, 
 he drank not; he spoke not; he was closely veiled. It 
 was a skeleton they placed there, to warn them that 
 ever in their feasting they should remember there 
 would be an end of life. If we were more frequently^ 
 reminded of our mortality, and would more frequently 
 think of death, it would lead us to set our affections 
 on things above, and not on things below. The text- 
 says: "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord."' 
 It is the fate of all that live to die. Both the just 
 and unjust must die. Death is no respecter of per- 
 sons. Like Howers bitten l)y the frosts of autumn, 
 generation after generation are swept away. The- 
 peasant dies in his hut nestled among the hills ; the 
 man of business ceases from his anxieties and breathes 
 his last amid the busy marts in the city full; the 
 student leaves his books and papers, and his feverish- 
 brow is cold in death; the prudent physician, after
 
 KKoNTlKK MFK. 
 
 adininistering to the ivlief of otln rs, must leave his 
 pills and powders, his bleedin«^ ami Mistering, 
 ^nd close his eyes ii|>oii liis patients ami open them to 
 _gaze on things invisi])le to us. All that live must 
 <lie. The monarch must lay aside his diacK'iii and 
 scepter; the savage must })art from his sturdy l«»\v, 
 and both re})ose in the narrow limits appointed for all 
 living. "Our fathers, where are they?" Let the 
 graves answer. Their voices are silent in death, and 
 niethinks I hear Abraham say, "Their bodies are in 
 my bosom.'' Ten, twenty, iifty, or one hundred years 
 hence, and all of this coni^rci^ation will lie moulder- 
 
 ■ CI O 
 
 ing in the grave. What says the Apostle^ "Death 
 has passed upon all men, for that all have sinneil.'' 
 Yet with our text we can exclaim, "Blessed are the 
 •dead which die in the Lord." 
 
 Before showing that death by gmce is turned into 
 a blessing, let me make a few remarks in regard to 
 4eath. 1st. Let me begin by incpiiring in regard to 
 its origin. Why is it that you and I must diei* 
 Whence came these seeds of corruption that are sown 
 in these bodies of ours i The angels die not. They 
 know nothiui^of old a^^e and •'rav hairs; of aches and 
 pains ; of coughs, colds and consumption. Why, 
 then, must you and I suffer and die? Because we 
 have sinned. Sin, thou art the mother of death I 
 Adam, thou hast digged the grave of thy posterity I 
 Sin slays the race. We die because we have sinned. 
 " By one man sin entered into the world, ami death by 
 sin; and so death passes upon all men, for that all 
 have sinned." "The wages of sin is death." (>h! 
 how this should make u< liat*' siri. \\>>\v w.* >li..uld
 
 270 KECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 tiy from it as from a deadly serpent. How we should 
 detest it, because the wages of sin is death. Brand 
 from this day forward the word inunlerer upon the 
 brow of sin. 
 
 2d. But again, let us mark the certainty of death. 
 Die I must. I may have escaped a thousand diseases, 
 but death hath an arrow in his quiver that will reach 
 me at last. '' It is appointed unto man once to die, but 
 after this the judgment." Eun! run! Flyl liyi But 
 the fleet pursuer is on your track and will overtake 
 you. Like the fox before the hounds, you may run, 
 but the dogs of death will overtake you. AVe are 
 all right in the center of that stream that is rushing 
 to eternity. Xot by the right side of it ; not by the 
 left side of it; but right in the center of it. And 
 whether we wake or sleep, whether we are at home or 
 abroad, we are rushing onward to eternity. There is a 
 black camel upon which death rides, say the Arabs, and 
 that must kneel at every man's door, and they must 
 mount and away. At every man's door hangs that 
 black knocker, and death hath but to lift the latch and 
 enter and banquet on our flesh and blood. Yes; die 
 I must. I must cross that river. While many things 
 may be uncertain, death is certain. There are so many 
 ways to get out of this world — by apoplexy; by slip 
 or fall ; by a fractious horse ; by a falling wall ; by a 
 misplaced switch; by assassination; l)y a falling 
 bridge. Suddenly the curtain falls, the lights are put 
 out, and man's place knows him no more. In my 
 own house there are a thousand gates to death. From 
 this pulpit where I stand there is a straight path 
 to the grave. From your seats there is an entrance
 
 FRONTIER LU-K. J 71 
 
 into eternity. .Iii>t before every man, WMUuin and 
 child in this congret^ition I see a niattoek, a spade, 
 a eottin, a windiiiir sheet ;ind an open «xrave. ()]i! let 
 ns think how nncertain life is. *' What is your lifelf" 
 asks Job. "It is even a vapor that appeareth for a little 
 time and then vanisheth away." Ai^ain, the Psalmist 
 says, " As for man, his days are as ^niss. As a tiower 
 < 'f the field, so lie ilourisheth. For the wind passeth 
 over it, and it is gone; and the ])lace thereof shall 
 know it no more." Sometimes it is compai*ed to a 
 ])ost, a mail; to a weaver's shnttle; to an eagle hasten- 
 ing to its prey. 
 
 The withered l)ough l)y the highway may crush us. 
 Tlie deceitful brot>k may overwhelm ns. The whiz- 
 zing bullet may pierce us. The calm sky may grow 
 wrathful and with his hoarse voice and red right arm 
 may summon us with liglitning speed into eternity. 
 If we escape from without, some secret enemy may 
 do tlie deed. The head grows dizzy; the blood rushes 
 with unaccustomed speed; the heart sickens and 
 faints; its beatings are hushed, and as the sword leaps 
 from its scabbard, the soul has leaped from the body. 
 
 " Time, like an ever-rolling stream, 
 Bears all its sons away; 
 Tliey riy, forgotten, as a dream 
 Dies at the opening day. 
 
 " Dangers stand thick through all the ground. 
 To push us to the tomb ; 
 And tierce diseases wait around, 
 To hurry mortals home." 
 
 Notice, again, the terrors which surround death. 
 The i)ains, the groans, the dying strife, which make
 
 *^72 EECOLLECTIOXS OF 
 
 our souls start back from tlie tomb. To the best men 
 on earth the mere act of dying is a solemn thing. In 
 death we must leave behind all of earth. We must 
 sav farewell to the house we called home ; farewell to 
 Hreside and little prattlers that have climbed mj 
 knees ; farewell to her who walked bv mj side during 
 life, and was the comj)anion of my youth ; farewell to 
 all things — estate, gold and silver; farewell earth and 
 time; farewell to all the means of grace. Xo bell 
 shall call me to the house of God. There is no rectifi- 
 cation or correction of mistakes beyond the dead line. 
 If I have neglected Christ, I shall hear of Christ no 
 more. 
 
 Oh I picture yourself as dying now. Suppose you 
 have now come to the vast, the shoreless, the illimit- 
 able eternity like a star ; suppose you are now hover- 
 ing between two worlds I Open that window, that I 
 may get a little air. Gather the friends together to 
 see him die. Telegraph for the son ; call the daughter. 
 The fi'iends gather around the bedside. Farewell to 
 you all, a last farewell. A mother bids me follow her 
 upward to the skies. "I know that my Eedeemer 
 liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon 
 the earth; and though after my skin worms destroy 
 this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God, when I 
 shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold and 
 not another's." " For me to live is Christ, but to die 
 is gain." I have a firm and abiding trust in Jesus; 
 His grace is sufiicient for me, but now the lips refuse 
 to speak; we breathe heavily; they stay us up in bed 
 with pillows; the eye-strings break; my hands are 
 paralyzed by my side ; there is a hush now in the room ;
 
 FKO.MIKU MJ.'K. 273 
 
 the clock alone is heanl tickiiigj as the soul floats out 
 into the ether, and the friends l>ai)tise the cheek with 
 their tears. And where am I now, a naked, disem- 
 bodied spirit. The battle is fuught ; the victory is won ; 
 rest warrior, workman, pil«,'rim, j)hysician, rest; thou 
 5irt crowned at last. '* P>lessed are the dea<l which 
 •die in the Lord, for they rest from their labors, and 
 their works do follow them." 
 
 II. Death is a blessing to the righteous. The text 
 is true to the very letter. " Blessed are the dead which 
 die in the Lord." "Die in the Lord!" That is a 
 most remarkable expression; but is an expression that 
 corresponds to others in the Word of (jod. For 
 €xample, the Apostle sometimes speaks of us " being in 
 the Lord/' and sometimes of the " Lord being in us." 
 lie says, for instance, " Christ in you, the hope of 
 glory." Then again, he says, ** I am crucified with 
 Christ; ivevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth 
 in me." "Abide in me and I in you." "He that 
 abideth in me and I in him, the same bringeth forth 
 much fruit; for without me ye can do nothing." AVe 
 abide in Ilim by faith, and He in us by His Holy 
 Spirit. 
 
 Xow, whether the expression be Christ in u>, or we 
 in Christ, the meaning is the same so far as it 
 expresses the union that exists between Christ and 
 Ilis people — between the Saviour and the saved. A 
 union more intimate than marriage, which the laws uf 
 the land may separate. A union more intimate than 
 the soul and the body, wiiich the whizzing bullet may 
 sever. The union existing between Chri>t and his 
 people is one of incorporation rather than ci»-u])era-
 
 274 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 tion. As the trunk and brandies of the tree have sap 
 in common, as my body and limbs have blood in 
 common, so Jesus and His people have all things^ 
 in common. " All mine is thine," he say«. Hi& 
 Father ours ; His merit ours ; His righteousness ours ; 
 His victory ours ; His glory ours ; His immortality 
 ours. And with angels, dominions, principalities and 
 powers, we shall run the high race of glory, and 
 honor, and immortality, the smile of the Lord being 
 the feast of the soul. 
 
 To be in Christ, that is it; to be in Christ, that is 
 the thought that hallows the dying hour. This text 
 has no promises to those who are not in Christ. If 
 in Christ you are saved: out of Christ, you are lost,, 
 hopelessly, eternally lost. But to be in Christ is to 
 enjoy all the blessings He shed His blood to purchase 
 for me. What more could we have? what more could 
 we wish for? To be in Christ is to be in His Father's 
 bosom, all sins forgiven, heaven sure at last. With 
 Christ we shall be crowned in glory. Well then may 
 the Apostle say, "Blessed are the dead which die in 
 the Lord." They are blessed. They must be blessed; 
 how can they be otherwise? Die? yes, they must, but 
 death has lost its sting. The Apostle asks, "O death,, 
 where is thy sting? O grave where is thy victory?'' 
 The sting of death is sin. It is sin that gives death 
 its sting. If you extract the sting from a bee, a wasp,, 
 a hornet, or any insect, it is powerless to hurt you, its 
 sting is gone. So, if the sin which gives death its 
 sting be extracted by the blood of Christ, death is 
 powerless to hurt you, for its sting is gone. So that it 
 makes but little difference when, or where, or how they
 
 KKONTIKK I.IFK. 275 
 
 (He. Tlie thing is nothing, if onlv it Ik* in the I^nnl. 
 Wliether we die in heil, surroundtMl witli frifiids, ur 
 (He in hattle anii<I tlie roar of caiintui, the hur^ting of 
 >hells or whizzinir "f Imllcts and trmans of the dving, 
 or are Hke a niartvr swinging in tlie air, or hnrn at 
 the stake, (►r are engnlfed in tlie iiiiirhtv dec)*, dviiig 
 in the Lord they are blesssed. 
 
 It has j)roved a ciMiifort to a sinking cliild to fed a 
 kind mother's arms aronnd it. to expire with its head 
 resting on lier hosom. And when the dying can no 
 longer see it is a consolation to have some h»ved one 
 near. How often I have heard the dying soMier say, 
 *• I could die happy if I could only see my mother 
 l>efore I die; or if I could only see my devoted wife 
 before I die." But oh I is it not far better to Ix* able 
 to say with Stephen, " I see Jesus at the right hand 
 of God;" or, with Paul, "I am now i*eady to Ije 
 offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I 
 have fought the tight, I have finished my course, I 
 have kept the faith. Henceforth thei-e is a crown of 
 righteousness laid up for me, which the Lonl, the 
 righteous Judge shall give me at that <lay; and not to 
 me only, but unto all them also that love His appear- 
 ing." Or with Senator Foot, of Vermont. He calle(l 
 his companion to his bedside and enfolded her in his 
 arms, asking, ''Can this l>e deaths ha> it come 
 already?" Then looking with eyes of celestial nidi- 
 ance, and lifting up his hands he said, "I see it I I see 
 the gates wide oikjiiI l>eautifull l)eautifull" and he 
 was not, for (iod took him. 
 
 Hut beyond the tender accents of mother, wife or 
 child's voice; oh! how blessed to hear Jesus whisper-
 
 276 EECOLLECTIOXS OF 
 
 in^, "Fear not, for I am with thee. Be not afraid, 
 for I am thy God." We may be ready to sink back 
 saying, "Ah! Lord, the water is dark; the stream is 
 cold and deep." How blessed then to hear Jesus say, 
 " Go forward ; fear not, I have redeemed thee. When 
 thou passeth through the waters I will be with thee, 
 and through the waves, they shall not overflow thee. 
 When thou walkest through the flres thou shalt not be 
 burned ; neither shall the flames kindle upon thee, for 
 I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy 
 Saviour." 
 
 Christians, let the world shrink from death, not 
 you. Death is the portal of life to those who die in 
 the Lord. Think of it, therefore, not as death, but as 
 glory. Think of it as going to heaven; as going to 
 your Father. If you will think of it as death, let it be 
 the death of sin ; the death of pain ; the death of fear ; 
 the death of care; the death of death. Regard its 
 pangs and struggles as the battle that goes before 
 victory. Its struggles as the swell of the sea on 
 heaven's happy shore. It is life in Christ, and life 
 through Christ, and life for ever more. How much 
 happier and holier we would be if we could look at 
 death in that light; if we could feel every morning, 
 I may be in heaven before night; and every night, I 
 may be in heaven before morning. " ^Hien they rest 
 from their labors, and their works do follow them." 
 
 III. But in the third place death is a blessing to 
 the Christian, as introducing him into a place of hap- 
 j^iness and reunion with those that have gone before. 
 
 To the believer death is gain, without any fraction 
 of loss. Do we leave our friends behind in death?
 
 FRONTIKR MFK. 277 
 
 AVe shall meet <nir friends nj) yonder, who have puie 
 before, hjivin*; washed their roU's and made them 
 white in the hl(M»d <»f the Lamh. There we shall met-t 
 a Friend that sticketh closer than a brother. 
 
 Do we leave onr house and comforts here? \Ve <;ain 
 a hinise there not ma<le with han<ls, eternal in the 
 heavens. Do we lose fart h f We i^mIii heaven. Do 
 we lose our life? Oh, no; we »^ain a ln'tter far — for 
 liere we die to live, hut there we shall live to die no 
 more. lie ceases to suffer and hej^ins to Ik; hapj)y. 
 "Comfort ye, comfort ye my j>eoi»le, saith your (Tod.'' 
 Xo l>etter wav of announcing; a <;ood man's death 
 than the old-fashioned way, " lie is at rest — he lias 
 gone home." 
 
 '' With Thee there is fullness of joy, and at Thy 
 right hand there are pleasures forever more.*' "Then 
 shall I Ije satisfied when I awake with Thy likeness." 
 Society in heaven. We shall not find heaven a 
 solitary place. St. Paul says, '* Ye are come unto Mount 
 Zion and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly 
 Jerusalem, and to an innumeral)lecomj>any of angtds.*' 
 Angels are to he our companions in the skies. Xor 
 these alone. People fmm all worlds will he there, 
 and we shall enjoy their society. 
 
 Then shall we meet tliose loved ones who have gone 
 l>ef<jre. Fathers an<l mothers, brothers and sisteni, 
 liusbands and wives, pjirents an<l children, shall meet 
 at .lesus' feet to j»art nevermore. The ho}>e of a 
 re-union with friends on the other >lntn*. lights up the 
 dying chamber with a halo of glory. 
 
 ''(iood-l»ye }»apa; good-bye; mamma hju> come ft»r 
 me to-night. Don't cry papa, we will all meet again
 
 278 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 in the morning/' Such was the language of a dying 
 child as the night shades of death closed around her. 
 Yes; thanks be unto God, we shall all meet again in the 
 morning. How that thrills the heart. Do we re-inter 
 our fi'iend in the dark, damp grave to-day ; how it 
 cheers us to feel that we will all meet again in the 
 morning, "xlnd I heard a voice from heaven saying 
 unto me, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord 
 from henceforth; yea, saith the spirit, that they may 
 rest from their labors; and their works do follow 
 them." Oh I for an angel's tongue that words 
 so beautiful might have all their melodious- 
 ness, all their music, and all their force. 
 Man's mind and tongue are far too feeble to express 
 them. 
 
 Dr. John Eoe was born in the city of Philadelphia, 
 Pennsylvania, August 19th, ISOO. Married Elizabeth 
 Ann Lyon at Eddyville, Kentucky, in 1822. Moved 
 to Sangamon county, Illinois, in 1827. From thence 
 to Light House Point in the winter of 1834. He was 
 the first settler at Light House Point. The beautiful 
 farms and line residences of this region were at that 
 time one vast open prairie. AVlien the settlers began 
 to come in, his double log cabin was opened as a place 
 of worship, and was the first regularly established 
 preaching place for this section of the Rock Piver 
 Mission. The foundations of this strong and flour- 
 ishing Church were lain through his zeal and piety. 
 He brought God and the Bible with him when he 
 came, and they have remained ever since. He assisted 
 in building the first M. E. Church and the first school 
 house of this place. For many years he was a devoted
 
 KKoNTIli: MM. 'Ji!* 
 
 and successful class leader, saviiii: tn the pi'nj.lr. 
 '• F(»11mw 11 le, as I follow Christ." 
 
 In 1^4r) hi* moved to the city ()f ('hicaijn; in ]^\\^ 
 he moved to Mt. ^lorris; in the spring <»f r^.^n, 
 Mith four of his sons, lie went to ('alif«»rnia; in In.'>1 
 lie settled at Paynes Point; in ls,')4 he moved to the 
 city of Kockford; in iSoC* he located at l>ethel in 
 Oi^le Co., 111.; in lsr)5, moved to Malta, J)eKalh Co., 
 111.; in IS^JiHie emi^^rated to Ga^^e County, Neb., at 
 which i)lace he died suddenly of apoplexy, June iMst, 
 1S71, in the seventy-tirst year <»f his a<^e. To him 
 sudden death was sudden glory. 
 
 V\n' nearly fifty years he had successfully ])racticed 
 medicine, lie died at his ]>ost, for about the last act 
 i>f his long and successful life was to make a prescrip- 
 tion for one of Ids patients, and then was liimself 
 forever cured. Cicero said, *^ There is nothing in 
 which men are so allied to the gods as when they try 
 to give health to other men.*' 
 
 Dr. Iwush use to say in his valedictory addresses to 
 the students of the medical college, "(ientlemeii, have 
 two pockets: a small ])ocket and a large pocket; a 
 small jKK'ket to juit your fees in, and a large pocket to 
 put your annoyances in.'' IJut Dr. Roe was a Chris- 
 tian physician; he had the grace of God to help him 
 to overcome his annoyances. To him the Scripture 
 was literally true, "As thy day so shall thy strength 
 be/' AVhen lie came to doctor tlie eye lie had cttm- 
 municiitioii with II im who said to the blind man, 
 ** lleceive thy sight," and this fair world burst uj>on 
 his vision. When he treated the paralytic man, lie 
 liad faith in that (rod wlm said to the j»aralvtic,
 
 280 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 "Stretch forth thy hand,'' and he stretched it forth. 
 "Wlien lie caine to treat a case of hemorrhage, he trusted 
 in Him who cured the issue of blood, saying, " Tliy 
 faith hath saved thee." In the name of God he had 
 studied tlie properties of minerals and vegetables, 
 and had become acquainted with the sources of pain, 
 and knew how to ajiply remedies and assuagements. 
 
 When he came to the bedside of his patients, he 
 had the medicine for the body in one hand and the 
 medicine for the soul in the other hand. And when 
 his patients would die, as sometimes die they must 
 in spite of the skill of the best physician, for the 
 irrevocable decree has gone forth, "Dust thou art 
 and unto dust thou shalt return." But, oh I when the 
 feet of the Christian was touching the dark river of 
 death, he could and did hold up the " Lamp of Life " 
 until it lighted his dark pathway clear across the 
 " dark valley and shadow of death," to that world of 
 light and life above. A\nien morphia and chloroform 
 would not quiet the terror of the dying sinner; when 
 he had terror in his eye and terror in his heart, start- 
 ing back, saying, " Oh I Doctor, I cannot die ; I am 
 not ready to die; " he could kneel do^^^i by his bedside 
 and say, "' Oh I God, I have done the best I could to 
 cure this man's body, but I have failed. Xow I 
 beseech Thee have mercy upon his poor, suffering 
 soul. Oh I Thou Great Pliysician of souls, apply the 
 blood of the Lamb and cleanse his guilt away; open 
 heaven to his departing spirit; and as Thou didst save 
 the thief upon the cross, so be pleased to save him." 
 
 His skill as a physician, his consistent Christian 
 life, his unselfish devotion to all that was noble, pure
 
 FKONTIKK MFK. 2SI 
 
 and i^nod, ;;iviitlv eiuleared liiiii to all who had the 
 gCRKJ fortune to be ac<|uainted with him. Tlie nieilical 
 profession of this ciuintrv do more missionary work 
 without pay than any of the other professions. On a 
 cold ni^ht, when tlie thermometer is twenty de;rrtH?s 
 deii^rees l)elow zero, they must leaye tlieir eomfortalile 
 (piarters and face the storm. Or on a liot (hiy when 
 tlie thermometer is one hundred de*(rees aboye, the 
 doctor must »^o in haste. lie must always go in haste, 
 and yery frequently he must go without hope of fee 
 or reward, except the satisfaction of allaying j)ain and 
 helping suifering humanity. I heard a man say that 
 Dr. liOe had thousands of dollars on his books of 
 gratuitous seryices rendered. 
 
 Jle truly loyed all Christians, and sympathized with 
 all good men. His heart ^yas indeed as bn»ad as 
 humanity. Ilis beneyolent feelings allied him to all 
 the race. Possessed of a stn»ng i)hysie-al frame; 
 of a broad intellect, and of a truly social 
 nature, he attained a Wfll deyt'lo])ed Christian 
 character. 
 
 lie was a man of j>raycr. He .-started eyery m(»rn- 
 ing with a chapter from the Bible and his family on 
 their knees. He forgot not God when employed in 
 the duties of his profession. The morning j)rayer 
 came on one side of the day, and the eyening prayer 
 on the other, forming an arch undef which he walked 
 all the day. 
 
 His ha]>i)iness in this life was to make others 
 lia})py. He liyed, not for himself, but for others. 
 His chief delight seemed to be to minister to the 
 sick, conifort the distressed, and heli) forward eyery
 
 282 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 «jood wurk that had for its object the amelioration of 
 the condition of man. 
 
 He was the father of nine cliildren, eight of whom 
 live to honor his memory. One is not, for God 
 transplanted it to paradise in its infancy. 
 
 His wife, the companion of his youth, the mother 
 of his children, the partner of all his joys and 
 sorrows, still survives him. She is here to-day to 
 shed a tear because of his absence. You weep not 
 because your husband is before the throne, because he 
 has ascended to the general assembly and church of 
 the first born ; but you weep because you shall see liis 
 face no more until you shall e^reet him on the orlori- 
 lied battlements of immortality. Blessed be God, I 
 can bring my text to-day and lay it as a balm upon 
 your lonely, bleeding, wounded heart, "And I heard a 
 voice from heaven saying unto me write, 'Blessed are 
 the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth ; yea 
 saith the Spirit, that they may rest from tlieir labors: 
 and their works do follow them.' " 
 
 A wife and children's affection liave broucrht the 
 husband and father's body from a distant State to 
 repose in this soil. The soil of which he was at one 
 time the sole possessor. He had a clear title to it in 
 fee simple; but in the benevolence of his heart he 
 gave it to the trustees of the Light House M. E. 
 church, both as a |ftace in which to erect a church and 
 as a free burying place for rich and poor. 
 
 Here, at tlie scene of his early labors, he desired 
 that his body should be buried. He desired to rest 
 in close proximity to many of his old class-mates, 
 friends and patients; with the early settlers and
 
 FKONTIKK I.IKK. 283 
 
 ]»iuiieers witli wIkhii ]iv sliart'<l the li;ii<l>liij»s an<l 
 trials of a frontier life. 
 
 It is only his body that ivsts hvw. His inuiiortal 
 spirit is ''without fault before the throne," (»n the 
 <»ther side nf the river of death. Some of his old 
 patients, wlio liave been f(>rever cured, cnnie out to 
 meet him and to \velc(>nie him to the house of numy 
 mansions; and the Old Physician of Heaven, "whose 
 head and liairs are white like wo(d, as wliite as snow,*' 
 came out and said, '' Come in, come in; ' I was sick 
 and ye visited me;' inasmuch as ye did it unto one 
 of the least of these, ye did it unto me; ' 'Enttr tlmu 
 into the joy of thy Lord." '' 
 
 When this church was ei*ected his memory was n<>t 
 forgotten; and while liis memory is enshrined in the 
 liearts of a loving peo})le, the affection of his chil- 
 dren has placed a memorial wind«»w in the east end of 
 this church. Over that window is the eml^lem of the 
 Holy Bible. That Bible was the iruide of his youth 
 and his solace in rii)er years and his «j^uide to immor- 
 tality. It revealed that Saviour " AVho hath alxdished 
 death and brou«rht life and immortality to \\*:^ht 
 throu«:h the Gospel.'' It tells of Him who j»roclaimed 
 Himself "The resurrection and the life; he that 
 W'lieveth in Me, th<jugh he were dead, yet shall he 
 live. And whosoever liveth and l>elieveth in ^^•' -ball 
 never die.'' 
 
 "Let me die the death of the rii^hteous, an»l let my 
 last end be like his." 
 
 To his wife and children, let me exhort you to f«»l- 
 low liim a.s he followed Christ, and the separation will 
 be short and the re-union «rl<>rious.
 
 284 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 Alay God add His blessing, for His Son's sake. 
 Amen. 
 
 The following hymn was then sung: 
 
 Why should our tears in sorrow flow, 
 
 "When God has re-called his own, 
 And bids them leave a world of woe, 
 
 For an immortal crown. 
 
 Is not e'en death a gain to those 
 
 Whose life to God were given? 
 Gladly to earth their eyes they close. 
 
 To open them in heaven. 
 
 Their toils are past, their work is done,. 
 
 And they are fully blest; 
 They fought the fight, the victory won,. 
 
 And entered into rest. 
 
 Then let oar sorrow cease to flow, 
 
 God has re-called his own, 
 But let our hearts in every woe, 
 
 Still sav — Thv will be done.
 
 fkmX'Ukk mkk. 
 
 DR. JOHN ROE 
 
 Fk<»m thk "Oregon (Ogle Co.) Col'kieh/' 
 
 **Tlie announeeinent tliat the funeral eereinoiiies of 
 Dr. John Roe, Sr., would be observed at Light lluui^e 
 Point, was sufficient to attract a large concourse of 
 those who had been neighbors and friends of the 
 * good old doctor ' in the days that are j)assed. It 
 was in the far off winter of 1834 that the then young 
 doctor, iK>or in purse, but rich in the attriljutes of 
 true manhood, determined to carve out for himself a 
 fortune in the then almost untrodden west. The 
 mere mention of the struggles and privations o( the 
 pioneers of our country, has never faikn^l to fill me 
 with the most lively emotions of veneration and 
 gratitude. AVe love to look back beyond the fertile 
 fields, the beautiful hedges of willow, maj»le and 
 orange, the commodious barns, palatial mansions, the 
 •countless Hocks, and the " flowerv orchanl trees ''of
 
 286 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 to-day, to the wild, bleak and barren prairies of forty 
 
 years ago, when 
 
 ' His echoing ax, the settler swirng, 
 Amid the sun-like solitude.' 
 
 "Forty-four years have passed since John Eoe 'staked 
 his claim ' at Light House, built his log cabin on the 
 wild prairie sod, wheretofore the wild fox had dug his 
 hole nnscared. Here this herald of the dawning 
 civilization offered np his fervent prayer amid the 
 primeval solitude. The most ntopian fancy can 
 hardlv realize the chano^e that has been wrouo^ht 
 during the past two score years. Almost on the very 
 spot where Hoe's log cabin stood and crumbled by the 
 corrosion of time, stands one of the finest church 
 edifices in Ogle County. And we could not help 
 thinkino; as we reclined on the cushioned seat, between 
 those walls of marble whiteness and beneath that 
 frescoed ceiling, that these elaborate surroundings 
 were in strange and beautiful contrast with the 
 rugged experience of the early pioneer, whose 
 memory we had there assumed to honor. Methinks 
 that the " memorial window ' erected in his honor, 
 would cost more than the temple in which he wor- 
 shipped. 
 
 " ' Mid whitewashed walls and swinging beam." 
 
 " The subject of this hurriedly written article was 
 born in Philadelphia during the first year of the 
 present century. Was married in 1822 to Miss 
 Elizabeth A. Lyon, daughter of Col. Lyon, of Ken- 
 tucky, and settled at Light House, Ogle county, in 
 1834, at the close of the Black Hawk war. The fleet- 
 footed antelope passed the cabin more frequently than
 
 FRONTIKR I.IFK. '2s7 
 
 the slow-paceti ox tejun, and tlie voiceless solitude 
 t^ive no t«»ken(>f the iron horsi' that lias since mlkHlitti 
 living tide into the heautiful Rock Kiver X'aUev, to 
 huild n|) the waste places, and make these "•^inlensuf 
 the desert" l»loss(Un as tlie rose. Methinks that tlifhC 
 rnii:«i:ed })ioneers nnist have heard the prennaiitorv 
 *• hnni of that advaneini:: ninltitndi' tliat siucf has 
 shape and .^^liaiiow overtiowed." Dr. Kot*, tindin*; 
 himself somewhat hroken in fortune at the ck>se t»f 
 the late civil war, removed to Gage county, Nebraska, 
 where hes«K»n ac^piired a tine estate. Dyini^durini^the 
 summer of 1871, he was buried in a beautiful littlegrove 
 ofcottomvood trees which he had himself plante<l. The 
 affectionate regard of his widow and her sons, has 
 causeil his remains to be brought back from a far- 
 distant State to rest among his earlier friend>. amid 
 the scenes of his greatest usefulness. He now rests 
 in the ground he himself gave to the ctunmunity as a 
 free burial ground to rich and poor alike. It wa> 
 indeed a rich inheritance tt) possess such a father, and 
 it was ideasant to notice the presence of four sons 
 who had gathered from far-distant States to pay the 
 last tribute oi respect to his memory. VAder Satter- 
 tield preached a very aj>j>ro]>riate discourse from the 
 tlioughts suggested in the thirteenth verst* of the 
 fourteenth chapter of Ilevelations: "And I iicard a 
 v«»ice from heaven saving unto nu*, write, lUe.-sed are 
 the deiid who die in the Lord, from henceforth; yea, 
 saith the spirit, for they rest from their lalnirs, and 
 their works do folli»w them.'^ Von may search in vain 
 for a higher type of hunninity than is found among 
 the large-hejirted pioneers. One by one tliey are
 
 2SS 
 
 RECOLLECTIOXS OF 
 
 passing away to be laid beneath tbe prairie sod, as we 
 laid the " good old Doctor " on that beautiful Sabbath 
 morning. And the crumbling stone over his grave 
 will bear the inscription: 
 
 SACRED TO THE MEMORY 
 
 JOHX EOE. 
 
 DIED JUXE 21, 1871, 
 
 Aged TO years. 
 
 OF 
 
 The above was published March 7, 1877. Soon after 
 there was erected a beautiful monument on the tinal 
 resting place of Dr. John Roe, bv his devoted family.
 
 FRONTIKR LIFE. 289 
 
 Birthday Testimony. 
 
 This dav, June lltli, 1S85, I am eighty years old, 
 heing born June 11th, 1805. Was married tu Dr. 
 John Kc>e November 11th, 1821; we enjoyed a happy 
 nuirried life for nearly fifty years, lackiuir onlv four 
 months of that time. He departed from this life 
 June 21st, 1871, at the age of seventy-one years. 
 Oil I how we have missed him these fourteen k»ng 
 years as a loving, kind husband, father, counsellor, 
 physician and bosom friend, none but uur Heavenly 
 Father knows, but I live with a blessed huj)e of meet- 
 ing him in that better world where the inhabitants 
 never are sick or in pain; where there is no night, for 
 the Lamb is the light thereof. Oh, how many of our 
 dear old friends have gone to tliat beautiful world to 
 jiraise the Lord through endless day. I hoj>e ere 
 long to be with them, for our blesse<l Saviour said, 
 "Where I am ye shall be also/' i)h\ blessed liojn* 
 given us through the gospel of Olirist our Redeemer! 
 
 We raised eight children, and the ninth, the oldest
 
 290 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 of our family, departed from this life at the age of 
 ten months. He was a lovely child, but he was not 
 for this world, for the Lord took him to Himself. I 
 haye often thought the good Lord chastened us, for 
 we almost idolized him. I often think uf the 
 chastening of the Lord when I see parents whose 
 hearts are almost broken with grief at the loss of 
 their lirst born. Xo one but those who have felt the 
 pang can ever know what it is to those who have or 
 may feel it, and I hope it may be sanctilied to their 
 gi-eat good, as it was to ours. It led us to lean on the 
 precious promises of the Lord as we never did before. 
 Oh! how sweet were the accents of our Redeemer's 
 lips when he said, " Suffer little children to come 
 unto me, and forbid them not, for such is the king- 
 dom of heaven.'' By His grace we were enabled to 
 resign all to His will. Bless the Lord who doeth all 
 things well! 
 
 The Lord spared us to raise the eight burn there- 
 after. Six were sons and two daughters. The older 
 two and the vouno-est were each successful, useful 
 physicians, loved and honored by their patrons. One 
 son is a tra^'eling agent in Iowa, and is sowing good 
 seed wherever he goes, and is class-leader and steward 
 of a Methodist church; another an excellent farmer 
 in good circumstances in Ogle County, 111. ; another 
 is a lawyer by profession, but is now G-eneral Agent 
 of the Equitable Life Assurance Company, of Xew 
 York City, for Kentucky and Tennessee, and resides 
 at Louisville, Ky. He has the care of his dear 
 old mother, visits me often, and is very kind and 
 affectionate, and always looks after my health and
 
 FRONTIER LIFE. 291 
 
 coiiifen-t. Few inutliers liave six such in»])k*, kind 
 sons. 
 
 The (-laughters are huth married and liave largu 
 families. They are no])le, kind-hearted mothers, 
 loved and honored by their families. The eldest is 
 Mrs. Beanlah M. Mayberry, and lives in Cook 
 County near Chica<i;o, her husband is a memlKJr of 
 the Board of Trade; the youngest is Mrs. F. M. 
 Contin, who lives in Miland Township, DeKalb Co., 
 III.; her husband is a farmer. They have five sons 
 and four daughters, some of them stay with me all 
 the time. 
 
 I have in all forty-(^»ne grand-children and twenty- 
 six great-grand-children; some have died in the 
 triumj)h of Christian faith, some in infancy. I have 
 lived a widow fourteen years; was the youngest of 
 fifteen children, and for more than thirty years I have 
 had no father, mother, sister or brother living, but I 
 have been surrounded by my very kind family, and 
 have not felt the loss as much as I w^ould under other 
 circumstances, although few persons ever loved father, 
 mother, brothers and sisters more than I did. But 
 they have all gone, I hope, to that Ijetter world 
 where I expect to meet them ere long. Praise the 
 Lord for the hope of heaven and immortality, brought 
 to light through the gospel of a crucified but risen 
 Saviour. Truly I can say with the psalmist, " Good- 
 ness and mercy lias followed me all the days of my 
 life." 
 
 It is sixty years since I started on the way to Zion. 
 Karly in life I gave my hand to the Methodist church 
 and my heart to the good Lord, and 1 have never
 
 292 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 seen a niomeiit when I was sorry I had cuninienced 
 the heavenly pilgrimage; hut often I have grieved, 
 and do to-daj, that I have not lived a more devoted life. 
 I can only say, "Forgive, my Heavenly Father, 
 forefive for the Eedeemer's sake." And he said 
 wdien on earth, " Whatsoever ye ask in my name 
 nothing doubting ye shall receive." When I 
 have erred or stumbled, I have repented, sought 
 and found forgiveness in the name of Jesus, 
 to the comfort of my poor heart. Thus I 
 have traveled on the way rejoicing, most of 
 the time, with the hope of immortality in eternal 
 life. 
 
 I have been comforted amidst deep afflictions of 
 body, and hard struggles with our large family. 
 These struggles were especially hard in this new 
 country where we had to go sixty miles for every- 
 thing we had to eat or wear until we could cultivate 
 the rich land, then it produced abundance, and as the 
 Lord has promised the diligent hand shall have its 
 reward, it was verified truly to us. We grubbed out 
 a large spot in the edge of the Light House grove, 
 and there, in the edge of the grove, we had built a 
 nice little log cabin sixteen feet square. Xear our 
 garden my little boys split the trees we had cut to 
 clear the garden spot; they were small and the child- 
 ren could handle them, so they fenced the garden and 
 a nice yard. The yard was beautifully shaded with 
 some of the nicest shade trees, which we had left 
 standing for that purpose, and were so near the house 
 that the limbs lay on the clapboard roof. Hundreds 
 of sweet little birds made their nests there, and at
 
 FKHNTIKK I.IKK. 298 
 
 tliL' first irK'aiii «>f <hivli;/lit tlir L-^mvc wouM he fcliMini^f 
 witli tlu'ir lovely sonp*. 
 
 In that liuniMe \o*r cal.in I >\>vut mhiu* of tljc 
 liappiest (lays i»f my lon^ life; there 1 <le<lieate(l anew 
 my whole lieart, my five little Ikjvs, my new home, my 
 hushand, jind the little all of earthly «(«mk1s we had there, 
 hailed the missionary with j(»y, I cannot express the 
 joy 1 felt when, as our mission had lately l>een 
 attached to the Galena District, they sent Hro. James 
 McCann to us to preach as a Conference Missionary 
 and form a circuit. We were very «^lad to welcome 
 him to our little log cabin, and entertain him the best 
 we could, and he was glad to find us, for we had been 
 co-laborers in the Sangamon circuit in former years. 
 ( )]i! wliat sweet Christian communion we enjoyed that 
 night in singing and praying and planning for the new 
 circuit. Our little son^^sters awoke usearlv next morn- 
 ingto join them in })raising the Lord. AW* had many 
 such treats like this in our little cabin, and after enlarging 
 it by adding another cabin twenty feet long, it became 
 the meeting house. A part of it was used for the 
 school house, and you may say, the hospital, for we 
 often had from six to ten patients in it at a time, to 
 seek tlie kind advice and treatment of a physician an<i 
 my care as a nurse. They came as far iis ten, twenty, 
 thirty and forty miles. Many came sorely afHicted, but 
 went away rejoicing. 
 
 Our cabin acc<jmmodated many of the l>est and 
 noblest humble men that ever graced our conference, 
 such as Brother Brunson, iirother Sumers, Brother 
 Meade, Brotlier Crews, Brother Luke Hitchcock and 
 family. Ilehasjjreached many noble sermons in my log
 
 294 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 cabin. We had a glorious revival commence at the 
 cabin, followed up for three successive years. Many 
 precious souls were converted there; many shouts of 
 new born souls have gone up from those old logs. 
 Some of my dear children were converted there, and 
 many who came from afar off. Precious memories, 
 how it tills my heart with gratitude to meditate on 
 those blessed seasons; but if faithful we will have 
 eternity to tell the good old, old story. 
 
 I believe in the Methodist doctrines. I think they 
 will stand the test in eternitv. I find them £:ood to 
 live by, and I think they will be good to die by ; and 
 would recommend them to all who seek to know the 
 truth. I do not feel like falling out with anybody or 
 person who does not think just as I do. I ad^-ise all 
 to be fully persuaded in his or her own mind. 
 
 Seek the Lord with all your heart. Read the Scrip- 
 tures of Di^'ine Truth, prayerfully trusting to know 
 the truth of His AYord, for he said, '' They testify of 
 Me." I would recommend the Gospel of our blessed 
 Saviour to every creature, and with my latest breath 
 cry, "Behold I behold the Lamb that was slain, but 
 livetli again to intercede for you and for me. 
 
 I am now livino^ in mv own little cottatye, on the 
 C. tfe I. railroad, seven miles east of Oregon, the 
 county seat of Ogle County, Illinois. I would be 
 happy to see any of those dear old friends, or hear 
 from them or any of their families at any time. It 
 would do me good. I am quite an invalid, and can't 
 go from home, if it takes any effort. Perhaps you 
 can remember, some of my dear readers, that I have 
 at two periods of my life weighed three hundred and
 
 FKONTIKR LIFK. 295 
 
 fifty jxjundtJ. Tlit* weii^lit «»f tiesli has Imiken tlie 
 li^aincnts off tliat surnuind and keep the joints in tln'ir 
 Sockets. It is with *^reat j»ain and ditlicidty that I can 
 move witliout the aid of one and soiuetinieB two staffs or 
 chines. I have liad several severe strokes of palsy, an<l 
 suffer much from heart disease, so I exj)ect soon to ^o to 
 our Father's house where there are many mansions — 
 one for you and ituc for me. ^fay we be so unspeak- 
 ably hapj)y as to meet there, to <^o out no more forever. 
 Oh I what a happy time it will l)e when we our friends 
 in Heaven do see, there to sj)end an eternity in 
 pniisinir the Lord our Iledeemer. 
 
 'Twas Grace that t^mjfbt my heart to fear, 
 
 And Grace my fears relieved; 
 How precious did that Grace appear, 
 
 The hour I first believed. 
 
 Throu^'h many toils and snares 
 
 I have already come; 
 'Tw,i8 Grace that brouj,'lit me safe thus far, 
 
 And Grace \^'ill lead me home. 
 
 "»>•
 
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