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| Now Floyd and Den were the oldest at the camp and with mothers help they tugged at the poles and canvas untill at last the tent was up and as secure as if Pa had done it now for a big campfire outside the howls from the cyotes got louder and louder the calves bawle'd for their mothers while we smaller ones were scared and trembling for we could hear those wolves. Mother said I'll stop those calves mouthes. I'll get out my bag of corn meal and feed them them children I'll feed you So she hung a large kettle of water over the fire and begin to stir in the meal untill she had made enough gruel a very thin mush. them she cooled it and hunted around in the wagon untill she found a long necked bottle She said now Foyd you and Den fet a straddle of these calves one at a time and we'll feed them and bed them daown for the night as she felt that the boys might be lost on the prarie with the herd well she drenched every calf while the boys held their ears with head and shoulder between their knees so they all layed down as satisfied quiet as lambs as if they had their mothers- next was putting the children to bed as some slept in the wagon and some in the tent at last they were all fed and put to bed seemed pretty quiet as mother used to tell us this story. there She sit outside keeping the campfire going while she hung lanterns inside the tent thinking every minute Pa would lead the boys into camp. all night there she sad waiting agraid to go to sleep as she listened to the cyotes houl all around the camp. Pa found the herd but never found the camp untill almost morning when He said Boy! We'll give old Charlie the reins this time. as before they would come within a mile or two of the camp then turn away thinking as Pa would say boys that not our cmap for we would hear the calves bawl and I know Ma could never get that big tent up. So again they turn in the opposite direction. Well at last as Pa decided to let old Charlie take the lead all at once again up over the hill to see the same camp. Pa gave him the riens and there he led them right into the camp mother sitting there by the fire waiting for them. Now for something to eat and a few hours of sleep. then on again over the dusty road to the homestead I think it tood around 8 or 10 days to make this trip. Chapter 13 Our New Home One night it grew very dark it was hard to find the way to our homestead and the little stone house with two rooms. and a dirt floor. akk at once Pa drove up to the corner of the house Yelled-out "We've made it! we're here all out. Kids Our new home at last-poor mother I often wonder just what she was thinking when she handed little joe down over the wagon wheel to Elsie and I to hold untill she could climb down. All at once she stepped into of sandburs She said Pa! I tho't you said there were no sandburs here. Well! Hattie they were not here when I left guess he felt he'd have to hancle this siuation easy as there was a lot ahead of mother As he struck a match let the lantern they both walked in the new house which he had built Mother having never seen it looked around said Joe don't tell me no floor? Now Hattie none of our neighbors have floors and most of them are dug-outs built under the ground. we have one of the better homes. and it won't be long untill we'lll have a floor in half of it Mother and Dad never give up. always happy working hard to have a home. So he and the boys drove to the Arkansas river cut limbs from trees and we all worked to build this home the boys would stick these limbs down along the ditches they plowed out either fruit trees or cotton wood branches they planted peach seeds plumb seeds apple seeds untill at last we had a beautiful orchard I think 10 acres in all and when this orchard was all in blossom it was the most beautiful spot on earth. Sis and I learned to cook very young we made biscuits pies and cakes when we had to stand on a stool My early morning job was grinding the coffee setting the table remember the old 4xxxxx or "Lionshead" coffee Elsie someimes made the biscuits and set the table Our steady job was taking care of the babies and the younger ones. We started to school three miles west to a samll dugout wide boards corved accross the top dirt piled on top looked like a cyclone shelter or and air raid shelter. Whoever heard of an air raid shelter then no such a place in the whole wide world after all a quiet place to live no wars no rumores of wars then. as is told of in the bible People were quite happy then through all their hardships The road had many ruts tho' we never turned back nor become the least bit disouraged always somethings new to work for next weas a New school house that made everyone happy. We had food shelter and reiment always just what God had promised. Chapter 14 -Gods Family- My dad being suprintendent of the comunity Sunday School was very much interested in a new church so the neighbors got together and decided to quarry and haul the stones for a new church just about the Fort Lyon canal these stones were quarried from my father farm and hawled. then later this New Enterprise School house was built and was used for a church as well So everyone tho't my dad should move these stones down below the canal and build us a larger house This pleased mother a grea deal to know she could have a new house then they hauled the stones down to our house and the boys layed the stones Jase being the head maon and Harry his helper and a good one as I remember Him carving those pretty stones that fit around the windows and doors the old house still stands quite a landmark as now some of the family at time still go to see the old homestead now the granchildren and great grandchildren make their visits there. I believe there were 8 rooms all finished and how happy we were to have a house with floors all finished Our dad had been having Sunday School and Church at Big Ben andother Big Bend over north also Pleasant Valley School house. we all attended regularly. and never late drove 6 miles to the wagon. we were very happy and contented Elsie and I learned to sing the hymns. So Pa purchased a bran new organ for us to learn to plau as I played the guitar and Elsie the namdolin we also took lessons from same teacher Mrs. Hoag we drove the old bay mare "Bess" to the top buggy it was 10 miles every Saturday afternoon. to take these lessons. Dad become an ordained minister preached every Sunday so we all had to take our places in the choir. Dad read his bible morning noon and night. dugout his oun Knowledge of what he thought was right and wisdom to rear us to keep to the right. I remember he would say to us If you can smile in the darkness knowing that things will come right if you can pray when you cannot see your way you'll be led through the paths to light He lived bravely and he died bravely he never wished words of praise he always helped us along the when things seemed hard. He was our counsellor and comforter Our Dad- Being ordained a minister in the C.C.C. at Zion. after which he established a comunity gathering at Enterprise Colo. everybody around joined in and helped to make this place a friendly Church for everyone he called it everybodys church folks loved to hear my father talk he ws so understanding and gave a helping hand to anyone in need After services on Sunday mornings dad never nissed a good hand shake with everyone who attended and a very welcome invitation to our house to dinner sometimes there would be several wagons full to help put away that good fryed chicken and homemake ice cream. had to dig the ice out of the old ice house on the farm but the boys took turns in freezing it the 2 gal freezer and a strong arm soon furnished the desert. never run short always plenty for all just somehow can't forget those good old days. Saturday was the day to prepare food and get ready for Sundays activities the last thing on the program Saturdy night was the old wooden tub and the pitcher pump. everyone a good clean bath and into bed ready for Sunday School and Church mother comed our hair just before we went to sleep tied night caps on us as she did not have time to do everything in the morning. I remember one Sunday she came out climed up into the soiled laundry under her arm gathered up while going out thinking she would drop it off at the back kitchen where she always did her washings. Utility room we call it now. well she forgot to leave the under garments so Pa started up the horses ma looked down to see a pair of drawers twisted around the hub on the front wheel well Stop! Pa! She yelled their caught Pa kept right on going.. Whats caught-? Yer drawers Hattie I know they aint caught by this time the whole pile of diry clothes were hangin in and out of the wagon. well as soon as Ma could make Pa understand they were pretty well tangled up. so they had to get thing cleared away and taken back to wash house- then ready for new start. we so often run into difficulties such as this. Dad would tell this little story and laugh always saw the humorous side of life- |
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