"Let's take our showers, open the windows to air this place out and get some candles so we can camp out here." "Sounds like a great plan Daphne. See you back up here in a bit." Bethany said.
The night was breezy and cool as it blew in through the attic windows. The girls' dad, Michael was kind enough to run an extension cord up to the attic for the girls to have some light rather than use candles, air mattresses, blankets and pillows were all laid out. Snacks set between them, they settled in to read the journals together.
"Ok sis, here we go. We'll start with Mariana Stump's journal." Bethany said as she got comfortable and unwrapped the journal as her anticipation rose and her heart sped up in her chest as she opened to the first entry.
May 12, 1846
My brother Franklin and I have finally reached my brother John and Lewis in this new and wild land called the wild west. The journey here has been one of the hardest of my life. I am no longer the carefree girl, so anxious and excited to start out on this trip to Iowa from our home in Kentucky after my parents died. Franklin and I have come by wagon trail with many others to Illinois and then, the rest of the way alone.
The journey has been a terrible one. We lost six children and four adults on the wagon train from Indian attacks and from trying to cross swollen rivers. Then, I lost all of my prized possessions mother left to me, having to leave them behind when they became too heavy to carry in the wagon over the mountain passes. I begged Franklin to leave me behind with my mother's possessions but he refused and forced me to go on when I had completely given up. For days after, I lay with listless regard in the bed of the wagon, waiting to die, waiting to live, or maybe, waiting for it all to mean something. My eldest brother Daniel had been right. It was a long perilous journey for a man and should never be made by women or children. Yet, there was nothing at home to live for either. Even the sale of their house, bought only enough supplies for our journey and then we shared with others less fortunate than us. We had more than we needed at the time.
It was the funerals for the babies I walked with, carried and had come to love as my own were the hardest to cope with. We gave them, along with their parents, decent Christian burials but had to leave them behind, never to be found again along the trail. Oh woe, what anguish was to be had that morning.
Even having made it here safely, even after seeing the majestic land here, my joy has considerably dimmed. This is not the life I foresaw for myself. We are all alone here except for the Wright brothers who live forty rods to the east of the edge of our lands. On a final note, I have learned a very valuable lesson. I have learned to take none of god's blessings for granted....
Bethany stopped reading to allow them both to imagine the trials and hardships that their great-great-great-great grandmother had endured, just to come to this land by wagon train with her brother, to be close to the only family she had left in the world.
"I can't imagine living through that Bethany. To give up everything for family in an unknown land with many dangers." Daphne declared as silent tears welled and fell from her eyes as she tried hard to contain her sobs for an ancestor neither of them knew had existed until now.
"I feel the same way Daphne. Do we want to continue?" Bethany asked, suddenly feeling like an intruder in the life of her ancestor.
"We've started and right or wrong, I wish to know her and her life better." Daphne encouraged Bethany to go on. "Ok, Sissy." Bethany said and turned the page to the next journal entry.
June 14, 1846
My brothers John, Lewis and Franklin finally finished our large home today. It may not look like much to others, but to me, it is a paradise after living and sleeping in the old wagon all the way here and then again while my brothers slept in the loft of the barn.
Our new home is two stories high. The entrance is through the roof. My brothers say it is to keep us safe from the Indians in the area who are getting closer and closer to our humble home. I'm frightened they aim to kill us and take our scalps. In some strange way, I can't say that I blame them. They may be savage but they are still human. They were here first until our government took their lands from them in 1845. the fort militia has not removed them to the reservation in Kansas as of yet and they are fighting back. They are angry with us, I can sense it, but I can't explain how I know this with certainty.
Anyway, I have lost my train of thought once again and must now go back. Our land here is nine hundred twenty acres all around the house. the edges of our land is well defined by fences of split rails my brothers and I labored day and well into the night for two weeks to split and lay. Our log cabin home as I said, is two stories high. My brothers have worked tirelessly to fell the trees in the forest surrounding our land on three sides.
My brothers rounded the logs and notched them together at the corners and ribbed with poles. I helped them to cover it all with boards my brothers split from a tree. We then laid down a puncheon floor and cut a hole out in the end and a stick chimney was run up through the roof. My brother then made a clapboard door and windows were opened up by cutting our holes on each side of two feet square then shutters were made to board them up from Indian attacks. Finally, we all four chinked and daubed our home with mud made from the top soil.
It was then time to build our furniture for the inside of our humble home. My brothers then put in two legged bedsteads in the upstairs loft and then three more in the bedroom downstairs on the main floor. they then hung a hook gotten from the blacksmith at Fort Des Moines the year before along with the bricks for the fireplace. The hook will allow me to properly cook for us with the pots, kettles, and skillets along with the wire racks I managed to save, all of them, my father made for my mother. Once that is all done, my brothers and I enjoy our home in humble contentment.
My mother used to say that have a great deal of solid comfort is something not even money can buy the millionaire. Comfort and contentment is pure happiness. As I look around our beautiful home, I realize that mother could not have been more right.
June 18, 1846
The Indians attacked our home and our lands today. there are so many arrows stuck to the outside of our humble home. I'm terrified as they burned down our barn and now it will take forever to rebuild it. the Wright brothers were also attacked. Daniel Wright was shot by an arrow in the leg and shoulder before he was able to kill the invading Indians. His brother, Deaf Jim Wright carried him on horse to our place for help. I have placed Daniel in my room in the loft, in the extra bed to dress and care for his wounds after I undressed him and had Deaf Jim cover his genitals.
I immediately begin to wash and clean his wounds, put a healing salve on them and wrapped them up before I said a short fervent prayer to God. Deaf Jim will help my brothers to rebuild the barn and stay with us until the danger to Daniel has passed. I must shamefully admit I could not help but notice his handsome beauty while asleep and thank God that the raccoon river lies only five rods to the north so we can have always have fresh water. It will help to heal Daniel's wounds quicker.
June 23, 1846
Daniel's fever has finally broken. I had refused to leave his side except to cook game and corn for the others and to wash at the river removing the blood from my body and clothes using the sand at the bottom of the river. One of my brothers is always nearby but far enough away to afford me some privacy.
I have been sad in my heart over these past few days, as I have come to care endlessly for Daniel, afraid to sleep in case he needs me. My heart has fallen in love with him in a short amount of time. Deaf Jim sees it, I know he does as he smiles genuinely at me but never says a word to my brothers even as he helps them endlessly. They have all become fast friends with Jim. I do think that my brothers have an inkling of my feelings for Daniel but they are too polite to say so. I feel ashamed of myself for falling in love with him and thereby, I took advantage of a man not capable to love me back.
My brothers three are leaving today for Fort Des Moines to get us supplies that will last us through the winter
months. I have reassured them that I can handle caring for Daniel and Deaf Jim as well as caring for our crops until their return sometime next month. They have a great distance to travel by horse and cart and I pray god brings them back to me safely.
********
Bethany and Daphne were stunned at how hard life had been for Mariana and yet how content she was with it. Bethany skipped ahead a little bit in the journal, not sure why but just knowing that she had to. The girls then settled back down with some snacks and drinks as Bethany continues to read the journal out loud.
July 15, 1848
Today is a joyous day for me. Daniel Wright has asked my brother for permission to court me and they have accepted. Daniel and Deaf Jim are frequent visitors here. My brothers know of my now deep feelings for Daniel but I forbid them from saying anything to him.
After obtaining polite permission, Daniel asked me to go for a walk with him which I happily agree to. We came across a grove laden with the most unusual fruit. Daniel was excited and said the fruit was called apples. When I tasted the fruit, I was shocked to say the least at the succulent, juicy, grainy and yet tasted heavenly upon my tongue. almost as heavenly as my first taste of Daniel's forbidden lips and tongue did upon mine. It was heavenly and electric all at once. Daniel makes me feel things in my body that I was unaware it could feel. Butterflies fluttered in my stomach, a hum carried throughout my body to end pooling in a puddle of heat in my nether regions. I have never felt such things before. Daniel alone can cause them within me. I feel incredibly shy and yet daring at the same time around him for the first time since we met under tragic circumstances two years back.
July 30, 1846
Daniel and I, while walking had quite a scare today. We were headed southwest to the home of settler James Black where there was to be the first public church service by the circuit preacher, Reverend William Black, a cousin to James. But before we reached half the distance, we were come upon by six Indians and their war painted ponies. Daniel had his trusty rifle in his free hand. We were afeared and yet, stood completely still as to not agitate the savage beings. I saw the specter of death awaiting me in that moment of time. Chaos wrote its own page in history, my history today as the savages rushed us. I was swept away from behind Daniel's back before I could so much as let out a scream. I was thrown on top of a muscular and naked pair of deeply tanned thighs on the back of a wild mustang. It was terrifying, uncomfortable and shamed me fully as the savage placed his hand upon my bottom and caressed it even as he held me tightly to his waist, preventing my escape....
********
Bethany paused reading aloud again. Her sister is cuddled close, bewitched by the journal as much as she was, whispered, "Please go on, sis. I can't bear the suspense." "Daphne, I'm afraid to go on reading aloud. Grandmother Mariana has finally found love and a reason to go on in life but now, she could lose it all, including her own life. I'm not sure I want to read that." Bethany whispered back, hands shaking and almost feeling as if Mariana and Daniel's ghosts are in the room with them. Before she could read a single word, the window at the other end of the attic slams open, causing both girls to jump sky high in fear. They both hold the other's hand tightly and look at the same time, half expecting a ghost to be standing there. Instead, lightning strikes close to the house with a bright flash and a loud crack that terrifies both girls.
Bethany and Daphne huddle even closer together as their hearts pounded in their chests and in their temples and their bodies shook as if they stood buck naked in the middle of a snow storm. Bethany was afraid forces beyond the control of time and space wanted them to quit reading the journals. But she knew they wouldn't be able to stop and so, with her voice quaking in fear, she continued on.
********
....I jumped and screamed with all my might as I heard gunshots go off nearby then felt my body bounding harshly against those unforgiving thighs as the horse began to gallop beneath me and the ground began to blur. I was forced to shut my eyes which only made my stomach rage nauseously. before I knew it, I felt a gunshot whiz by and skim my ear. I screamed like an insane woman, not understanding why Daniel was shooting at me? It was then that I heard the beat of hooves gaining on us and shots being fired again. I felt myself falling to the ground at a high rate of speed with a tremendous weight pushing me down. I hit the ground with enough force to feel my arm break beneath me and then a rib broke seconds later, knocking the wind out of my lungs as something or someone fell heavily upon my head and upper body.
I made not one single sound at first. The shock had numbed the pain and the overwhelming fear that the Indian would come back for my scalp and to rape me shut me up even if the shock had not. It wasn't until there was eerie silence all around me, did I hear the footsteps of more than one person approach and quickly as silent tears fall from my eyes. I have an overwhelming fear that my love, Daniel, was dead and I merely wanted to be allowed to die with him and silently prayed to God and begged him to immediately take my life.
I felt the heavy weight lifted from my body and removed. I pretended to be dead and held my breath still. It was when I was turned over from stomach to back that I could not bear to hold it in a moment later, pain surged through my body and overwhelmed my senses. After gasping for breath, I let out an scream of pure fear and agony. My eyes fly open to see a thankful and blessed sight! Daniel and my brothers three stood over me with fear shining brightly in their eyes. As long as I live, I will never forget watching Daniel fall to his knees. I praise and thank God that Daniel and I are still alive. I let my head fall to the side to stare at the savage Indian who had stolen me. He was barely alive as he stared into my eyes with an apology and what strangely appeared to be admiration.
When Daniel moved to kill him, I screamed, "No, don't!" Ignoring everyone. I took my good arm and stretched it out to grasp the Indian's hand within mine and managed to gasp out, " I forgive you, sir. Go in peace with your great spirit. I will never forget you." I hear my love and brothers gasp in the background but kept my eyes locked on the Indian's as his look of admiration turned into one of shock and then peace as his soul left his body. I did not know that a few of his mates, alive and hidden, who also spoke English, watched it all I shock. They believed I, a white woman, with the head of a warrior blessed their mate to a wonderful afterlife and they were surprised. They wondered if I had been sent by their Great Spirit to ease their brother's suffering in this life.
A trader who came across them as they returned home with their brother's body, told us the story late in the night. That is why I carefully write this a day late.
Daniel had carried me as he walked on foot every so carefully to my home while my brother Lewis fetched the new doctor who had settled here last year. Brave and loving Daniel endured my cries and screams, never stopping until he had me safe in my bed at home.
He never left my side even when the doctor came to dress my wounds. He stayed all night with me only leaving this morning to bring Deaf Jim, his brother back to our home with him as there is only safety in this wild country, in numbers.
August 10, 1846
Today is the most blessed day ever! Today, I am Mrs. Daniel Wright, forever more. Daniel also told me about the surprise he has been hinting about lately and I couldn't be more surprised or pleased. Daniel has told me that in the empty land to the side of the new Jennings dry goods, groceries and general stock store in the settlement, 30 rods to the south of our land, he will build the first hotel building with a restaurant for travelers passing through and for bachelors to come and have a good meal by means of bartering. It will be three floors high. The first and main floor will have rooms and the restaurant. The second floor will have more rooms to rent and the third floor will be his office and our new home. Deaf Jim will take over our current land and homestead and continue to farm it with the help of my brother Franklin who will aid him. It is far too large for one man alone to manage.
Daniel's building supplies on their way here with Mr. Jennings boys fr
om Fort Des Moines, a distance away. Everyone in our settlement is excited by Daniel's foresight and his endeavor. Other businesses being built are the Blacksmith shop, The Fur Trader's store, and the new doctor's office. All the menfolk in the area will come together to put the buildings up while us womenfolk will work together to prepare a large meal for them. It will be a day for celebration for all as we settle these plains and forests of the wild west. There is also talk of the first water powered saw grist mill being built to the north by the northern part of the Raccoon River. today overall, has been a great day for all of us. All of our hardships and sufferings have not been in vain but have brought blessings and humble contentment.
"Oh wow. Life really was hard back then for them and yet, it's amazing that they still found reasons to feel blessed and thankful. It really make you see things differently. We complain about the stupidest things, thinking we have it hard and in reality, we have no idea what hard is." Bethany said when she finished reading the entry aloud.
"Your right sis. We really can learn a lot from Grandmother Mariana and how she and the others in her settlement lived their lives. I feel so ashamed right now for whining to Dad about needing a new IPod right away. I'm not sure I would be strong enough to live life the way she had to." Daphne herself commented in admiration again for their strong ancestor.
"Should we take a small break?" Bethany asked.
"Yes, let's take one." Daphne stood and stretched her stiff limbs and walked over to the window to see the storm outside really beginning to show it's mighty rage. She shivered as she heard the thunder claps and saw the lightning strikes, both still very close. Daphne then told her big sister she'd be right back. It was time for a bathroom break. She further planned to get candles, matches and the electric camping lantern as well, just in case.