CHAPTER VI
FURTHER INCIDENTS
IN October, 1825, the
family of Colonel Snelling left to visit their friends
in the east. Before they reached Lake Pepin the ice
was running so rapidly that they could not proceed;
it had cut through the cabin of their boat, and the
leaks made it very uncomfortable. It must be recollected
that though a steamboat had visited the fort some
[some] two years previous to this, it was only an
annual occurrence, under charter of government, to
convey men and supplies thither.
A log cabin was hastily
thrown up at the point where our travelers abandoned
their boat,and an express sent back to the fort for
sleights and provisions, as they had nothing but corn,
which they boiled in ley, on which to subsist. A second
express was despatched, [dispatched] and after two
weeks the joyful sound of sleigh-bells greeted their
ears. THe little boy of Mrs. Snelling ran out to meet
them, found ready access to the provisions, and with
a loaf of bread in each hand, returned in haste to
his mother, exclaiming, as he threw in into her lap,
"Eat, mother, eat."
The half-famished group
partook of the coarse food with a hearty relish—sweeter
to them than the most dainty fare to pampered appetites.
They concluded to return at once to the fort, where
they were soon joyfully welcomed by their anxious
friends, among whom were reckoned some favorite Indians.
One aged and infirm savage,
who had always furnished them game, came leaning on
his staff. He was sick at the time, and could scarcely
crawl back, to his lodge, where the next day he died.
In 1851, Mrs. Snelling,
having seen much affliction in the loss of her husband
and children, but still retaining much of her youthful
vivacity and buoyancy of spirit, visited this country,
after an absence of twenty-five years. She was gratified
with the development o fits resources, and the progress
with the development of its resources, and the progress
of civilization, and many a pleasing reminiscence
was revived amid these once familiar scenes.
The introduction of steam
into this remote region was an important era in the
history, not only to the white, but the red man. Men
and women, prompted by the love of souls and their
Savior, had, in obedience to the command "Go
ye into all the world," taken life in hand, and
entered upon the great and trying work in this vast
arena, of instructing the blood-thirsty savage in
the principles of the Gospel, of leading his dark
mind to the fountain of life and peace.
In 1830, a Methodist mission
was established a few miles below Fort Snelling. In
1835, Rev. T. S. Williamson arrived,
with his family and assistants; and several others,
about this time, established missions at different
points, these being among the first efforts of the
Presbyterians in this vicinity. Through the influence
of Dr. Williamson, and in accordance
with the long-cherished desire of the few Christians
at the Fort, the first church was organised [organized],
consisting of traders, officers, and their wives,
and the missionaries, to the number of 20.
One of this little band,
Major Ogden, recently deceased, was
a young man of most unquestionable piety, and commendable
devotion to the cause of his Master. He
40
became an elder in this church, and
delighted to do good as he had opportunity. Remote
from civilization, and far from those he most loved,
while superintending the erection of Fort Riley, he
died, in the vigor of manhood. There is moral sublimity
in such a death. Who would not die "the death
of the righteous," and whether cut down in the
vigor of youth, or in the ripeness of age, be ready
for a crown of glory.
Later Settlements >> Chapter
VII
