USA > Missouri > Bates County > History of Bates County, Missouri > Part 5
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They had their first interview with Osage Indians on August 2. This is the chronicle for that day and it is worth remembering in con- nection with some disputed facts of history, to be discussed later : "This day moved on favorably. Passed the Little Osage river, and opened our eyes upon a most beautiful prairie. Came to Chouteau's establish- ment, where we found a number of families of the Osage Indians. We had an interview with them and made known the objects of our visit. They gathered around us in a friendly manner, and their countenances apparently brightened with gladness at our arrival. Having ascertained that most of the chiefs and warriors of the tribe were absent on a hunt, we moved on a little above Chouteau's settlement and landed for the present." The next day an Indian runner was dispatched after the chiefs to inform them of the arrival of the missionaries. "This day the brethren performed the task allotted to them last evening. No good situation was discovered on the Little Osage. Resolved to make a trial tomorrow to move our boats as near it as we can conveniently get." Saturday, August 4 .- "We started our boats up the stream, and passed very pleasantly until just at night when we came to a ripple which had not water sufficient to carry us up. We were obliged to turn back a little to a place where our boats could lie in safety, and to land for the Sabbath." Lord's day, August 5 .- "Attended public wor- ship as usual. Brother Pixley and Brother Montgomery preached. We enjoyed a very peaceful season, having none to disturb us."
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Place Settled for the Missionary Station.
Monday, August 6 .- "This day most of the brethren went up to the United States Factory to take another look for a situation for our' establishment, and found a place which we all think very suitable for the object. Here we met with Mr. Williams, who is appointed inter- preter at the factory. We conversed with him some time concerning this tribe of Indians, and then returned to the boats. Attended monthly concert in the evening." Tuesday, August 7 .- "This morning we con- cluded to make a further trial to get our boats up the stream. Unloaded part of the goods on board the first boat, and worked half the day, but could not effect our object. This evening we met for business. As our boats are stopped for the present, and we know not how long they must remain here; as the chiefs of the nation are not yet assembled, and we know not the particular time when they will convene; and as we have been informed that it is the general wish of the Indians that we should establish on the very spot which we ourselves have selected; under these circumstances we resolved to convey our goods to the station in our skiff, and to build a warehouse without delay."
Wednesday, August 8 .- "This morning we set two men and a boy to the skiff, while a number of the brethren went up to our intended station, to cut timber and begin our establishment. On these. and on all our future exertions, may the Lord add his blessing."
It is proper to say here that the ripple mentioned over which they could not get their boats at the stage of water is what is known as the Rapid de Kaw, about a mile and a half east of Halley's Bluff on the Osage, and about three miles east of the junction of the Little Osage and the Marais des Cygnes rivers, whose confluence makes the head or beginning of the Osage river proper. One statement in the foregoing is inexplicable. It is stated they "passed the Little Osage." This is clearly error, as shown by their later statement about looking for and finding no suitable site on the Little Osage. The government survey. shown on the map of Prairie township, fixes the location of Chouteau's place, but the exact location of the United States Factory where Mr. Williams was stationed is not now known; but everything points to its site about a mile down the Marais des Cygnes from Har- mony Station, or practically right where the village of Papinsville is now situate. The precise location of Harmony Station, which has been much confused by writers, is shown on the lithographic copy of the government survey furnished by the general land office at Washing-
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ton, found in this volume. There can be no error in this. The survey was made in 1838, only six years after the virtual abandonment of the mission.
Journal of the Mission.
The sad story of their affliction soon after their settlement is so accurately and graphically told in the "Journal of the Mission" that we give it as there written. It is a story replete with human interest.
"Thursday, August 9 .- This morning Brothers Newton, and Bright took their departure for the Missouri to purchase horses, oxen, and cows. To-day we plant potatoes.
Arrival of Indian Chiefs.
"Saturday, August 11 .- After labouring until towards night we returned to our boats, where we found the chiefs of the Osages assem- bled together with near seventy of their people, anxious to attend immediately to the business of our establishment. But as the night was coming on, and the Sabbath approaching, we gave them to understand that they must wait until Monday ; for we professed to regard the Sab- bath as holy time, and we could not attend to any worldly business on that day. They then stated that they could stay until Monday; but that they were destitute of provisions. We then turned them out pro- visions for their support. This was an interesting season for our fam- ily, to see these tawny sons of the forest approaching in their warlike attitude, and seating themselves at their fires within a few yards of our boats.
"Lord's Day, August 12 .- This morning the Indians thought of moving up the river a few miles near our proposed station, as we had to hold our council at that place ; but we invited them to remain with us through the Sabbath, to which they very readily agreed. We went on shore, and held public worship among the Indians; and although they could not understand our speech, yet they could form some idea of the propriety of our worship. Brother Pixley preached in the morn- ing, and Brother Dodge in the afternoon.
"After our exercises were through, we brought our children out to attend to our Sabbath school lessons in the presence of the Indians. May a blessing attend the performance of this day. Had a talk this evening with the big soldier. He asked us how long we expected to remain with them. We replied, 'As long as we live.' He said, he now saw us we are men; and had the appearance of good men; but he
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wanted to see us next year, and the year after, and in about three years he could judge better whether we were good men. He said that when he was off on his hunt after buffaloes, he heard that the mis- sionaries were coming to them, and on his return he met a man who told him that the missionaries had come, but, said he, they have bad hearts, but he was now convinced, as far as he had become acquainted, that what that man had told was false. We tried to turn his attention to the education of his children, but to this he had many objections, yet we thought it full likely he should be one of the first to send chil- dren to school when we are ready to receive them. Things seem to wear as favourable an aspect among this people as we could reasonably expect. May God direct us in the path of duty.
Indian Council.
"Monday, August 13 .- After breakfast we assembled our family, old and young, on the deck of our boats, and the Indian chiefs came on board, and in token of friendship shook hands with the whole. We then immediately repaired to the spot in which we proposed to erect our establishment, in order to hold our council. Previously to entering on business, we invoked the gracious benediction of heaven to rest upon us in our deliberations. After reading all the papers necessary from the general government, and expressed something with regard to our site, the chiefs expressed perfect satisfaction, and pointed out the bounds of a certain tract of land for our accommodation. On this tract we have the best mill-seat without doubt in this part of the country ; a large quantity of excellent timber ; several creeks of water; quantities of limestone and coal, and a great abundance of as good prairie land as we could ask for. This site is bounded south by the main branch of the Osage river, immediately on the bank of which we have a most beautiful spot on which to erect our buildings. In this grant there is perhaps fifteen thousand acres of land. A deed of this is to be given when we can get time to survey it.
"Tuesday, August 14 .- We now engage in good earnest to pre- pare for business, having the spot for our establishment fixed.
"We have a fine field before us for making hay. Some of the family employ themselves in that business, and others engage in fixing tents, tools, &c.
"Thursday, August 1 .- Our boats are seven or eight miles down the stream, and cannot at present be moved nearer. We keep three
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hands constantly employed in running the skiff to fetch up such things as are immediately necessary, and to move up our females, and the feeble part of the family.
"Lord's Day, August 19 .- To-day we held public worship at our station under the shade of some oak-trees. Brother Dodge and Pixley preached here, and Brother Montgomery at the boats. Several men who are employed at the government buildings attended with us.
Arrival of Messrs. Chapman and Fuller.
"Monday, August 21 .- This day several of the members of our family, and three of our hired men, are attacked with the ague and fever, and other disorders. We are in the hands of God, and whatever he does will be well.
"Saturday, August 25 .- This day we finish unloading our boats. It has been a heavy job, as we had to raise our goods up a very steep bank. We have them now secured under shelter. The family have all left the boats, and arrived at the station. We are now all dwelling in tents. May the God of Israel overshadow us, and cause that our tents may be the tents of Zion, where the Lord God Omnipotent may delight to dwell.
"Lord's Day, August 26 .- This morning we have the pleasure of hearing the word dispensed by Brother Chapman; and Brother Dodge preached in the afternoon. At the close of the exercises, we were visited by a number of Indians.
"Monday, August 27 .- The chastisements of the Lord are upon 11s. A number of our family are in a state of debility; but, as yet, there is no case very alarming.
Visit from Sans Nerf.
"Friday, August 31 .- To-day held a talk with Sans Nerf; in which he expressed a wish, that we would aid him in preparing a communi- cation for the government, requesting that all white men, who have not been suitably authorized, might be kept from trading with his peo- ple. Such irregular traders, he observed, are the cause of the young men being so bad. Government, he said, told him that there should be but one road to the Osage nation; but he found that there were two,-that is, one by the family here, and another on the Arkansas. In reply, he was told, that, although there were two roads, or families;
(5)
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yet they led in one direction. They were sent out by one society to accomplish one and the same object, which is to do them good as a nation. He was also informed, that, in respect to helping the chiefs by advice, or any other way, to guard against any depredations of bad traders, we would do all in our power. We held a long talk upon the concerns of his nation, and of our mission, in which he manifested many things which were very important. After this talk, Sans Nerf, while partaking of some roots and nuts, said, "You see the diet upon which we principally live." He was told to set his blacksmith to work in making ploughshares and hoes against next spring, then to plough and plant the ground, and he would soon have a better living. This evening received a visit from Major Graham, the principal agent among the Osage Indians.
"Saturday, September 1 .- Brothers Newton and Bright returned from the Missouri, with a pair of horses, four oxen, and seven cows, with their calves. They have brought with them a number of letters; among which there is one from the secretary of the board, bearing date the 8th of July, which we received with gladness. Our whole family are now collected together at our station for the first time. Brothers Chapman and Fuller, from the Union Mission are still with us. Sister Howell is about to leave us; and altogether we have no church organized, yet we conclude to hold a communion season at the table of our Lord to-morrow. We held a season of prayer this evening. May God prepare us for the duties of the coming day.
"Lord's Day, September 2 .- This morning at eight o'clock, we meet for a preparatory conference, in view of attending the communion. Brother Pixley preached in the morning; and Brother Dodge admin- istered baptism to Brother Seeley's child. Brother Chapman preached in the afternoon; and the Lord's supper was then administered. This day six months ago, we held communion with our dear brethren in New York. This evening Brother Fuller and Sister Howell were married.
"Monday, September 3 .- This evening join in concert with the Christian world in supplicating mercy upon the perishing heathen.
"Tuesday, September 4 .- Our hired men are now debilitated, and there are but four of the brethren who are in sound health. What the Lord is about to do with us, we cannot tell.
"We are now all in tents, and our kitchen and dining-table in the open air. The winter is drawing on, and we have not begun to erect
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our houses for want of a team. With what strength we have, we are now about to commence, as we have been furnished with a good team for the business.
"Wednesday, September 5 .- This day we commence hauling tim- ber for our houses. May God grant to us strength to accomplish our undertaking, or grace to be submissive to his will. A number of our family are this day taken down with our common complaint.
"Friday, September 7 .- Four men out of sixteen, are able this day to labour. May we rejoice that the Lord gives us as much strength as we still possess.
Sickness Increasing.
"Monday, September 10 .- Our number for business is this day diminished one-half. Last week we had four, to-day two. Blessed be God that we have any. Had a very heavy thunder-shower to-day, which thoroughly tried our tents. Most of our people were drenched with the rain, but the Lord is our Protector, and will guard our health as far as is for His glory. May we be content with that.
Departure of Messrs. Chapman and Fuller.
"Tuesday, September 11 .- We experienced a very powerful rain during the night. Brother Chapman and Brother Fuller and his wife, leave us to-day, to return to their station. May God go with them and bless them. Visited this evening by one of the chiefs, and num- ber of the people of the Little Osage village. This chief made a formal introduction, by showing some papers signed at the city of Washing- ton, in 1812, by some of the heads of department, signifying his good behavior, &c. After showing these, he informed me that he had a talk to deliver to-morrow.
Talk with the Little Osage Chief.
"Wednesday, September 12 .- Held a talk with the Little Osage chief, in which he made inquiries as to our object in coming to this place-how long we expected to stay among them-and what we cal- culated to do. After receiving answers to these questions, he expressed satisfaction. We then inquired whether he and his people would be willing to send their children from their village to our school when we should be ready to receive them. He said he was going to a great council at St. Louis. The people there had always used him well, and
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what they told him he would do. We gave him to understand, that we were sent by good men in the great city of New York, with the appro- bation of their Great Father, the President of the United States, to do them all the good in our power. He appeared much pleased, and said that if any of the people in his village should steal any thing from us, he would see that they were returned.
"Saturday, September 15 .- This day and evening we are again drenched with rain. Our situation is rather uncomfortable, but we have reason to bless God that it is no worse. We are thronged with the Indians, and have been all the week. What a view we have of the human family in its native state!
"Tuesday, September 18 .- This evening met for business. Brothers Newton and Bright reported as follows with regard to the business transacted at the Missouri. The cost of two horses, four oxen, and seven cows with their calves, including their expenses, amounted to $295 96-100. Cash paid out by them at Franklin for postage, $9 79-100, making in the whole $305 75-100.
"Wednesday, September 19 .- This day Brother Dodge, who has been complaining for several days, is very ill, and but few in the family are able to labour.
"Wednesday, October 10 .- From the 20th of September to this day, such has been the state of the family, that no regular minutes have been kept. It has been with great difficulty, that we can find suffi- cient help to take care of the sick ; but so it has been the providence of God, that when one has been taken down, another has been raised up to assist in the kitchen, thus far. Our buildings have been for several days entirely suspended, and no business attended to, but taking care of the family. We have, however, got our warehouse in a situation to receive goods, and have secured the greater part of them in it. The Lord has seen fit, in His all-wise Providence, to make another breach upon us. On the 5th of October, He called Brother Seeley's child to Himself. Thus He is lopping off our tender branches. Oh, that the Providence of God, in relation to this family, may serve to humble us, and bring us near to Him. We have had much rain, which has rendered our situation uncomfortable. But the Lord has helped us through the whole, and we have abundant cause of gratitude. In this interval, our horses have broken away from us, and as yet, we have not heard from them. Brother Newton has now gone in search of them to Fort Osage. Three men came over from the Arkansas yesterday. They are on
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their way to St. Louis, and they offered to assist in putting up a house or two.
"Friday, October 12 .- This day very pleasant, after the rain of yesterday. The men above mentioned, go to work to erect us a house. This is a Providence which we looked not for.
"Saturday, October 13 .- The missionary family continues very feeble. A number are very low. What the Lord is about to do with us, we cannot tell. Oh, may the afflictions which we are called to endure, serve to humble and to quicken us in the path of duty.
"Monday, October 15 .- To-day an Indian brought home our horses, which had been strayed a number of weeks. He found them near the mouth of the Osage river.
"Tuesday, October 16 .- This day, the men on their way to St. Louis leave us. We are left again feeble-handed, but little can be done besides taking care of the family.
"Wednesday, October 17 .- Our family are generally shaken with the fever and ague. How easy it is for the Lord to bring down the stoutest constitution to the borders of the grave; and it is equally true, that He is able to raise it up again. May we trust in Him.
"Friday, October 19 .- This day Brother Newton returned from the Missouri, with several hands to assist us in putting up our houses. He also agreed with a man to come soon, and put up four or five by the job. This begins to cheer our prospects. May we suitably notice the good hand of Providence in this event.
"Saturday, October 20 .- Our family still remains feeble, but we trust it will do us good to be afflicted. We need chastisement, to pre- pare us for our work.
"Tuesday, October 23 .- This evening, met for business. Brother Newton reported, in relation to his late jaunt, that he had purchased a horse for twenty-five dollars; that he had engaged a number of men to assist in erecting our buildings; that he was treated with great hos- pitality by the people below, and that his expenses during the ten days he was gone, were only seventy-five cents.
"Wednesday, October 24 .- This day one of our houses was fin- ished, and Dr. Belcher and wife, Sister Comstock, and Sister Weller, all very feeble in health, removed from their tents to the building.
"Thursday, October 25 .- Our family are yet feeble, and Sister Montgomery's case seems to be somewhat alarming. The Lord has brought us down in sickness, and lopped a tender bud; but in all these,
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HISTORY OF BATES COUNTY
His hand has been gentle. Perhaps we are verging on to more severe trials. Oh, may we hear the voice of God, and be humble.
Death of Mrs. Montgomery and Her Child.
"Saturday, October 27 .- This evening Sister Montgomery was delivered of a living child, but it did not survive until morning. She appears to be as comfortable as can be expected.
"Lord's Day, October 28 .- Attended public worship as usual. Sister Montgomery appeared to be comfortable this morning, until about eleven o'clock when her countenance changed, and she fell into a swoon, in which she continued till evening, when she expired. Thus fled that immortal spirit, which from a youth has had a longing desire to spend her life in the missionary field. God, in His providence, suffered her to enter it, and took her to Himself. It may be said of her, as it was of David, that she did well that she had it in her heart to build God an house among the heathen. We have no doubt of her real piety and devotedness to God. We believe she has gone to reign with Christ. Oh, that we may all be prepared to follow.
"Monday, October 29 .- This day we follow the remains of our dear Sister Montgomery to the grave. Solemn indeed is the reflection, that she must be cut down so soon ; but it is the will of God, and we would not murmur. We rejoice in the consolation, that what is our loss, is her gain : that while we grovel here in the dust a little longer, she is rejoicing in the Heavens, where neither sin nor sorrow can ever enter.
"Tuesday, October 30 .- This evening Sister Belcher is delivered of a living child. She has been in a low state of health for a long time. She is under as favourable circumstances as can reasonably be expected. The child is very feeble, and life of each is very precarious. What the event will be, time will determine. The doctor himself is very low with the fever and ague. Oh. may the Lord bless them, and soon raise them all to health, together with all the sick of the mission family. But submission is our duty.
"Wednesday, October 31 .- This day four hands arrived from the Missouri, to put up some of our cabins.
Preservation of Their Goods.
"Friday, November 2 .- We have this day examined the principal part of our goods in our warehouse. Our provisions, such as hard bread, flour, and meat, have saved remarkably well; and very little of our clothing has received any damage. When we open our packages,
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and find the great abundance of the necessaries of life, which have been collected for our use, our hearts are impressed with gratitude to our Divine Benefactor, and with thankfulness to our Christian friends for the great kindness they have manifested to us for Christ's sake. Oh, that we may remember that ours is the responsibility for the improvement of these tributes of Christian benevolence. This night Dr. Belcher's child expired.
"Thursday, November 8 .- This day another of our buildings is fin- ished, in which Brother Jones is accommodated.
"Saturday, November 10 .- Brother Dodge's youngest child, which has been sick a number of days, appeared to be extremely low through the day, and died in the evening. The Lord gave, the Lord hath taken away-bless be the name of the Lord. Brother Seeley is attacked with a violent pain in his side.
"Tuesday, November 13 .- Brother Seeley's case grows more alarm- ing. He has a violent pain in his side, and a severe cough. Dr. Belcher and his wife are very low. Brother Bright, and a number of others, are feeble.
"Thursday, November 15 .- Brother Seeley continues to be very sick. He thinks he shall not recover. He stated that he had a note against a man in the place from which he came, the avails of which he would will to this mission.
"Friday, November 16 .- Brother Seeley's house is finished; but his health is such, that it is very doubtful whether he ever enters it. The hand of God is upon us, and O, that we may profit by it.
"Monday, November 19 .- We moved Brother Seeley into his house. He is very weak, but we hope his symptoms are a little more favourable. "Tuesday, November 20 .- A house is finished for the accommoda- tion of Brother Dodge. Brother Chapman and Brother Requa, from Union, arrived this evening at our establishment, and are calculating to continue here a few weeks, for the purpose of studying the Indian language with Mr. Williams. Brother Pixley joins with them. At a meeting for business this evening, it was agreed that we set apart the 25th day of December next, as a day of thanksgiving and prayer.
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