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Front matter

Class

.lilM

Book C 2)^

Contents

Chapter. Page.

Frontispiece — Mrs. Ctiurcliill at Forty Years.

I. Sketch of Author's Life 13

CHAPTER I. Sketch of Author^s Life

Mrs. Caroline Nichols Churchill was born in the township of Pickering, Upper Province of Canada, December 23, 1833.

Her parents were originally from the United States of America. Her father, Barbour Nichols, served in the United States in the War of 1812, and was honorably discharged on the borders of Canada about the time Tecumseh the Shawnese chief was killed. Her father met and married his first wife in Canada. This resulted in a residence of forty years in a foreign country. Mrs. Churchill's mother was the second wife, and from a family of wealthy Pennsylvania farmers of Holland and German stock. The father having served as a soldier in the war of the Revolution, Mrs. Churchill remembers well the maternal grandmother as a pensioner for her husband's services in the war which brought independence to this country. Mrs. Churchill also knew her father to have a pension for his services in the

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War of 1812. The Holland and German stock were the people of strong purpose and eternal diligence ; the father stock were intellectual. His father was a naval officer; had his commission from George the Third. He came to help subdue the rebellion against the mother country, and, with his wife, settled in Khode Island. Mrs. Churchill's father was born in Providence, K. I., 1785. Died 1885. Lived a hundred years.

There are people who would like to know how Mrs. Churchill spent her childhood days. By helping to do everything she was able to do where there is a large family with moderate means.

All families, unless very wealthy, are reared on the socialistic plan: Every individual must contribute to his or her share of care, work and responsibility as soon as old enough. It is the only way the great mass of the human family can be reared. Mrs. Churchill's mother was the second wife of an elderly man, her father being nearly fifty years of age when she was born. The children of this match were generally gifted, but not vigorous physically. In writing of what will seem a long time ago, it must be remembered that Andrew Jackson was serving his second term as President of the United States the year of Mrs.

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ChurchilPs birth. The nation was comparatively young, poor and ignorant. There were not the opportunities for education or the acquisition of wealth that now exists. Mrs. Churchill and sisters were called upon to help weed garden, to drop corn, to make and mend family clothing — no small matter before the sewing machine appeared. Elias Howe's sewing machine first appeared in 1841, but many years elapsed before the invention came into general use. The family stocking yarn was spun at home in those days, and the knitting of socks and stockings was no small job for a good old-fashioned family. In the early forties the manufacturers began to buy up the wool, so that women and girls had more leisure. The pastime of this particular family was reading the New York Ledger, the Herald, and Tribune, and any religious paper that came to hand. Mrs. Churchill finds it the custom of men with large and expensive families to hie themselves to some remote corner of the earth, that the family may be reared with less expense. Especially does this method occur in age, when great effort is no longer possible. Where the subject of this sketch lived schools were scarce and of not much account. At the age of thirteen Mrs. Churchill was

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sent to her maternal grandmother in the United States, where she had the benefit of a few months of a good public school, and improved the opportunity, to the astonishment of the home folks. When she returned, at the age of fourteen, weighing seventy-five pounds, was engaged to teach a private school in the neighborhood. The people requested this, and the mother consented, saying, "If she tires of it she can give it up.'' This school proved more of a success than many things undertaken later in life. The child was a natural reader and a good speller for her years and opportunities. She knew the multiplication table and the four ground rules, with much hesitation. About the best of her accomplishments was the ability to recite a great number of stories verbally, and all the nursery rhymes then procurable, and to sing twenty-five songs and an innumerable number of hymns. The family, the church and the school had only vocalism in those days, as the star of Jenny Lind had just appeared, and had not shone long enough to enlighten the people upon the importance of instrumental music in the family or church and the school. Twenty-five dollars was the compensation for three months' teaching. There were very few

SKETCH OF AUTHOR^S LIFE.

appropriate school books for children; everything but spellers seemed to be made for grown people. Mrs. Churchill's pupils, twelve in number, brought anything they had at all suitable for child reading, even to nursery rhymes. Dick Whittington, Kobinson Crusoe and the story of Blue Beard were the classics*for the children of her time and locality. Sometimes the little teacher would get out of sight in the morning and shed a few childish tears, because dreading the responsibility of her daily task. The mother usually appeared upon these scenes with words of encouragement, saying, "You know that you enjoy the school when in session as well as you could possibly enjoy the camp meetings you hold when at play on the intervale, where the timber lands echo your voices so gloriously. You sing as if to the stars in the schoolroom; you certainly ought to be happy if it is noise you enjoy.'' This little talk usually restored calmness and the necessary vim to face another day's work. The young people heard more sermons than anything else, consequently were greatly given to singing, preaching and praying. Holding funeral services was a favorite pastime. This seemed to partake of the tragic, which is certainly an element of

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human tastes. At last the end of this school term came. Several of the mothers were present to witness the closing exercises, and expressed themselves well pleased with the progress the children had made. Some one says, "What did you do with the money?" Never troubled about that; teaching the school was her part of the affair; the mother took charge of the financial part of the undertaking, and nothing was thought of it. The children had been drilled with all the energy of which the young teacher was capable. Mother's sitting room was the schoolroom. Mrs. Churchill was congratulated upon the fact that she could board at home, as it was customary for teachers to board around; however tired, entertain the neighborhood evenings, and sleep with the children at night. Things have changed for the betterment of the condition of teachers, and yet there is great chance for improvement. Mrs. Churchill was considered eccentric, as people usually are who have studious habits and some idea of the value of time, caring more for books than for dress or spending time on dress parade. It is said she could never be induced to wear kid gloves, because it took too much of her valuable time to put them on and off. Because of exclu-

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siveness in childhood, she was dubbed "The Lady/' which was taken, not as a compliment, but as cruel satire. Mrs. Churchill was married in the early fifties. People did not know what else to do with girls, as there were few avenues of employment for them. A husband was selected, and, however inappropriate^ the girl was expected to conform to the condition. Anna Dickenson, a young Quaker woman, of great ability as an orator, appeared about this time,1855, and, with the help of other able orators, succeeded in get- 'ting a number of avenues of employment opened to women, and helped create a public sentiment in behalf of the colored slave. Things have been improving ever since for all mankind, as far as sentiment can make for the better. Mrs. Churchill had but eleven or twelve years of married life; her husband died in the early sixties, leaving a young daughter to rear. The young men, pioneers of a new country^ were speculating in real estate, and, as panics are created for the purpose of catching the unwary, all were financially ruined. In 1860 the North and South were splitting hairs over technicalities; later they got down to what men call business, what women know to be very poor management. This, how-

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ever, puts the countrT in a perilous condition and makes things hard for women and children. With the Civil War and the Indian Avars some localities were in a very bad plight for several vears. Mrs. Churchill taught in summer and did family seA^ing winters when the weather was too severe for teaching, using every spare moment for study. It is strange to contemplate how little sympathy or encouragement the great mass of people have with one who differs from them in tastes, to the extent of desiring an education, while they are content with little or none. This may arise from the fact that so many people think thev have not the abilitv to use more than thev have ; and mav to some extent be true. For the practice of composition the keeping of a diary was severelv condemned bv a ladv who o'ave her employment, although it was not done in working hours; the ladv considered the time of an em-

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ploye hers for entertainment. ^The keeping of a diarv could onlv be a waste of time, as it would never be read after being written.-' The diary was concluded at the end of an eventful year, and read by the very person making the objections, and loaned to her friends until it disappeared, after the manner of very many full-fledged books.

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In this day and age a woman does not quite belong to others unless she is a society woman or a school teacher. Teachers can be found in many parts of the country dying of tuberculosis, who have been killed by being called upon to entertain the idle, after exhausted with the day's duties. Mrs. Churchill came to the conclusion that a woman with minor children to care for should be a pensioner. Men do not want her as a competitor in business, and it is certainly very unfair to expect her to perform the duties of men without either opportunity or protection. Men certainly make themselves very ridiculous in their worry about race suicide, when no effort of a practical character is ever made whereby thousands might be saved from untimely deaths from unavoidable poverty.

Mrs. Churchill's only living child chanced to be strong and healthy, so that, in some respects, the conditions were not so burdensome as many a poor mother endures. Mrs. Churchill was never in a state of health to take much responsibility in the way of business, especially if the occupation should require indoor labor.

The time came when a married sister could give her daughter a home indefinitely. This

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gave the mother an opportunity for something in the way of preparing herself for occupations that would at least give a chance for something better than a state of invalidism. California climate was tried. The outdoor life was the only means by which even fair health could be maintained, so canvassing was resorted to for an occupation. The sea did not agree with this case, at the same time the outdoor occupation did for summer employment. When winter came the exposure of travel was abandoned for study in doors. This was the time Mrs. Churchill devoted to getting out her own books — little descriptive works, that pleased the people of that locality, and they sold readily. The Californians are the most generous, genial and hospitable folks to be found in any country. Mrs. Churchill declares there is something in that climate that causes its inhabitants to appreciate the good qualities of others that she has never observed to the same extent elsewhere. Mrs. Churchill was in California from 1870 until 1876. The reason of her change of home was because of finding a climate better suited to her constitutional peculiarities. A high altitude and dry climate made more dif-

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ference in her whole life than she ever thought possible in any country on earth.

Here is a little personal sketch that may be of interest to some reader of this book. Mrs. Churchill is in height five feet and four inches; bust measure, thirty-two inches; waist, twentynine. Kather small hands and feet. Fair skin, with very red lips, but little color in face. Rare white hands. Very brown hair, one of the light nut brown shades, not very abundant ; study ever caused it to fall. Eyes an intellectual gray, with drooping lids. Nose rather small, known as a fine nose. Lips full, with strong teeth, rather inclined to be what is known as "out mouthed.'^ Chin large enough for firmness, with genial expression and pleasant smile. Head measures twenty-one and a half inches around, which is average; fourteen and seven-eighths inches from center of ear, which is more than average. Neck, twelve and a half inches. Great animation in countenance when talking. Her chief attraction. Constitution rather light; health seldom perfect. A student by mental temperament. Not mathematical nor mechanical, but an abstract reasoner. Order of brain, statesmanship, philosophical and poetical. Not really great in anything but perse-

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verance, firmness and self-respect. Longs for a more ideal civilization. Is so much in earnest upon this point as to give the best years of her life towards this attainment. Naturally peaceable in disposition. Had the reputation in early life of never striking a brother or sister or a pet of any description, nor forgiving an insult or injury. Later in life, with a larger mental growth, finds no one of sufficient importance to hate. Her self-esteem looks upon the human family as too insignificant, and irresponsible, to even despise. Charity covers the entire race. Temperament, emotional, sympathies easily excited. Has a strong sense of self-preservation. In childhood seldom took risks that children do, in climbing, jumping from high places, and so forth. Was called lazy, and an inveterate old granny, for the above reasons. Was quiet and retiring, preferring books and music to society. Early in life was dubbed "strong minded." Had very little interest in neighborhood topics. Was distinguished for speeches remarkable. Was never popular; there was nothing in it, for this individuality. Had a remarkable musical voice, for strength and sweetness. A memory that few could equal in the way of events of general im-

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portance and statistics, but could not remember the component parts of sour milk griddle cakes, until age developed stronger will power.

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CHAPTER II. The Perils of Sleigh-hiding

Mrs. Churchill says she does not care for sleigh-riding, in fact would rather never see snow; she gives an experience which settled this matter with her for all time. Sleigh-riding is ever a fashionable amusement in snowy latitudes. The Upper province of Canada, now known as Ontario, was the scene of this narrative. Cousin Asa was going to Skugog Island on business, and wanted Mrs. Churchill's father to accompany him. The father was not long in discovering that he also had some collecting to do upon the Island. This chanced to be the birth day of the subject of this sketch, her twelfth, and she began to believe herself quite a young lady. The mother interceded in behalf of two of the little girls ; as the weather was pleasant there seemed no objection to giving the children an outing, it was so near the Christmas Holidays, December 23rd.

There were friends upon the Island who would be glad to entertain the children for the few hours of their stay. The young folks danced with

THE PERILS OF SLEIGH-RIDING.

glee, as the real holiday spirit was abroad, and the thought of a fifteen mile ride in one day, and back the next, was fraught with a world of novelty. The probabilities of a safe journey were thoroughly discussed by the wisdom of the assembly, and the young people dressed out for the occasion in warm, home-spun clothing; there were thick hoods and warm cloaks, and stockings were drawn over the shoes, in place of overshoes. There was little attempt at display on such occasions at any time, and least of all when visiting on this Island of uneuphonious cognomen, as the people were very plain, living mostly by spearing fish through the ice in winter and trapping fur-bearing animals.

The men of the party were thought by the children to be great, kingly-looking fellows, although they now know neither were over five feet five and a half. To the young girls their father and wealthy farmer cousin were the embodiment of all manly virtues, wisdom and greatness. The father was dressed in homespun grey, with an overcoat made of buffalo skins, with collar and cap to match ; his leggings were of wool sheep skin. The cousin wore a great coat of grey homespun, with leggings and overshoes that made

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his legs look like the picture of a polar bear. The horses were big, blooded bays, each wearing a string of bells that could be heard for more than a mile. Robes were in abundance, consisting of homespun kersey blankets woven with a twill, buffalo and bear skin robes, cushions and feather pillows. It was well this party were to remain over night, as the days are short in those latitudes, especially both sides of the holidays. There is not much time for keeping the lamps trimmed for burning to lighten the long evening's work. The young folks w^ere placed in the body of the sleigh, as it was thought they could hold the covering over themselves better than if occupying a seat. The children were full of giggle and cheap wit, the latter being jfired unsparingly at the two monarchs on the front seat. One said "they looked like great bears when in reality they were only old dears.'' The little folks were enthusiastically happy at the turn affairs had taken to give them such an unexpected treat. The main comfort of child life is that they know nothing of the comedies and tragedies of life. The comedy is all they care to see. "Hope springs eternal" or what were the use of trying existence?

THE PERILS OF SLEIGH-RIDING.

As the afternoon advanced it became colder. There were nine miles to be traversed on the open ice before the other side of the Island could be reached. Just before going upon this expanse of ice a wayside inn appeared. This place was either called the "Last Chance" or "The Dew Drop Inn." The children were too unsophisticated to understand the nature of the joking sign, and too cold to ask the usual quota of questions ; but for these facts the true name would not at this date have been mixed with doubt. The entire party alighted at the Inn and refreshed themselves, as was customary in the dark old days of whiskey toddies or rum punches. The father of the young girls was a church member in good standing, but in those days the church never meddled with a man's politics unless it should interfere with the minister's salary. In that case it might be ^^ different/' There was a little jug in the sleigh, holding about a quart, a type of the much sung "Little Brown Jug." This was brought from its hiding and filled with what was understood to be the real "Highland Dew." This narrative will prove that men were the same order of grafters in ye old time as at present. What was consumed in the house at the time, no doubt from

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the necessities of the occasion, was genuine, as it required much diluting for the younger members of the company. As the well warmed party returned to the sleigh the landlord remarked : "It will be a cold ride away from the sheltering timber." Continued he, "You will be obliged to face the bleak north wind for about nine miles. The ice carries a great deal of snow, and the drive will be slow, try as you will. You cannot reach your destination until dark, and do your best. Look to the little girls often." This was the admonition of one who lived near the lake, and had become weather wise in regard to the location. As soon as the ice was reached a change came over the entire party. The huge horses settled down to hard pulling. The bells were less musical. The giggling of the young folks ceased. The whole party seemed to feel impending trouble, the nature of which could not be remedied by discussion. The sleigh creaked and groaned as it labored through the obstructed road. The ice occasionally cracked with a booming noise, like the distant roar of thunder or booming of cannon. Great crevices appeared in the icy road, which the horses evidently understood, as they passed over them without seeming to notice anything

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remarkable. The children were afterwards told that the fishes could not live in the waters O/f these small lakes but for those great cracks in the ice, which brought them fresh air. Occasionally the young folks peeped out enough to see the fishermen's huts upon the ice, where they were sheltered while taking the big salmon trout and other fishes. The horses had changed color so that their own groom would scarcely have known them. From handsome bays they had become as white as the beard of Santa Clans. The hard pulling had made them sweat ; the frost had done the rest. The faithful creatures snorted frequently to keep their nostrils free from ice. The two monarchs on the driver's seat resembled polar bears more than ever, their headgear being more or less covered with frost, and something like anchor ice.

The father turned frequently to the little girls, evidently with anxiety, wishing mentally, without doubt, that they had remained at home. Mattie, the younger child, was of a very active temperament, and did her best to make things lively. When about half the distance had been gone over the lake, she shouted as if the necessity were a very urgent one : ^Tather and Cousin Asa, is it

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not time to try the little brown jug? I am cold and need something to warm me up." The father passed the little jug, saying as he did so, "Get the cork out if you can." Mattie was equal to the occasion, but quickly returned it, saying, "It is frozen up." The jug was returned to its former resting place with a frozen bounce. The quality of that "Mountain Dew" was said to be "strained." The father remarked that there was little danger of this branch of the family freezing to death, but the other child would lie there and perish without demonstration.

At length the journey came to an end. The destination was reached. Mattie was first out of the sleigh to announce the coming of the others. The subject of this sketch was found to be unconscious, and with much anxiety carried into the house. When she regained her senses a large open fire-place with a well constructed wood fire was the first thing that met her gaze. Her hands and feet were undergoing manipulation. "She is not frozen," said the father, "only chilled," but ten minutes more might have finished her career."

Next day home was reached without unpleasant experiences, as the ride was in the forenoon.

THE PERILS OF SLEIGH-RIDING.

Mrs. Churchill has never since been partial to snow or ice, or sleigh-riding.

The temperance people who read this sketch can take heart at the way they have changed public sentiment in the last half century. Mrs. Churchill is not one who thinks reforms come without effort or agitation. The very sentiment against strong drinks was brought about by persistent effort on the part of intelligent women and the churches they represent. There has been accomplished in the last hundred years more for humanity and more in discovery and invention than was brought about in two thousand years of entire man management. Within a hundred years woman's education has created an influence that no half-civilized nation has experienced. Note the difference ! The wisest of men begin to think that no nation can long continue in development of its greatest achievements or possibilities without the councils of a womanhood of sufficient influence to help mould national affairs. There are now influences at work to belittle the masses of mankind and keep them for drudges. But if woman continues in mental development there will be found a remedy for most of the serious

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social ills that exist. We are living out the adage all have heard reiterated so many times, that two heads are better than one if one is a woman's.

CHAPTER III. The Indian War in Minnesota

It was the latter part of August, 1862. The Governor of the state sent word to the people that it were better in some localities for the inhabitants to leave the country for a time at least, as it would be impossible to give them protection in their own homes. Mrs. Churchill was teaching in a country place, but near a post office, where the possibility of getting the latest intelligence was much better than in most localities. One beautiful hazy day in August a band of Indians came in sight of the schoolhouse, dismounted from their ponies, placing their guns across the back of their steeds and began firing. Although they were quite a distance from the house, the children could not be detained. The grass over a greater part of the country was yet wild and tall. In two minutes there was not a child in sight. Mrs. Churchill concluded that she would hold the fort by hiding behind the open door, as this gave the room the appearance of having been vacated. The teacher hardly be-

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lieved that an attack would be made this time of day, as the harvest v^as going on and there were many persons in the fields that could have been assembled for defense against so small a band. Next day, however, eight families had concluded to vacate. The pigs were let out of their pens, the canary birds were set free, the horses were harnessed to all manner of vehicles and the cattle were driven as an asset, as money was very scarce in a community of pioneers. It was dif&cult to make any progress through several days' journey, because of the great anxiety of the people living along the road to get the latest information from the seat of war. The train was constantly stopping, until the men became accustomed to the situation and learned to manage by cutting the questioners very short. All kinds of rumors were afloat. It would seem that frightening women with unnecessary fiction was a part of Indian warfare.

The first night out was spent in a house deserted the day before, for the same reason that others were left. For the first few days those starting from the same neighborhood remained together. Some had friends they could tarry with until something definite could be determined upon.

THE INDIAN WAR IN MINNESOTA.

Mrs. Churchill's party was bound for Winona, Minn. The first night out there was a larger number to be fed and sheltered than at any time during the trip. Mrs. Churchill was the most mature woman in the caravan who had no young children to care for, nor any one specially to look after when tired out from cattle driving, so took it upon herself to superintend what was needing general supervision. Clean straw was brought from lately-threshed stacks and an abundance of it put upon the upper and the lower floors of the house; as there were only two rooms, both of goodly proportions, the carpeting was easily accomplished. The women took entire charge of the upper floor, while the men occupied the entire lower part. In making arrangements for supper the women did themselves credit by getting up a lug pole that would hold two great kettles that had been used for rendering lard. Then a fire like a small log heap made it possible for every one to get an ear of boiled corn and potatoes for their need. These necessities were foraged from an immense field adjoining the house. Everybody who had anything to say remarked, "that if the people were at home we would pay for this; but as they are not, we will forage, as it is war time V^

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This excuse served to palliate the conscience, not yet hardened to the situation. The men vi^ere hungry and cross as bears. No one thought it at all strange, considering the day's work. The women spread their tablecloths with what had been brought from their homes, but the hot corn and potatoes were not slighted, much being eaten before entirely cooked. While occasionally one congratulated himself upon still wearing his scalp, word went around that a little five-year-old boy, belonging to this company, was missing, and so far all efforts to find him had been unavailing. Sad news, to say the least. The mother was then nursing her tenth child. Not a man in the traveling company would consent to look for the lost baby. The men folks of that family were not along. Probably left at home to care for property, as some were sending their families to places of safety, while they themselves took refuge in a primitive fort at night and defended property as best they could under the circumstances. The men of this company had walked all day and driven cattle ; it was not a matter of wonder that they did not "enthuse" over the prospect of a night spent prowling in the cornfields or tall grass for a child, dead or dead asleep. A few