Landing near LeSuer Minnesota..
On landing our first thought was of something to eat. We tried to buy some bread at the first house but they were threshing and could not let us have any but they directed us to another house about a mile away. At last we reached this house and were kindly received. The lady gave a dish pan to the men and told them to dig some potatoes and some got water. Mrs. Burch the lady of the house made biscuit and such a feast we had. Some of the crowd took sick from over eating they were so hungry. The meal being over we wended our way to LeSuer four miles distant where we were all well cared for, thanks to the citizens. The town had sent the most of its men to assist at New Ulm. Our men went to work the next day for one dollar per day in the harvest field. This was in September, the grain was an uncut and much of it went to waste. Mrs. Eune the blind woman died soon after, leaving a large family of children. Father walked to Mankato the following December to witness the hanging of the 38 Indians, the most of whom we were acquainted with, having lived across the Minnesota river about two miles from our home.
I will now come to a close, having told you but a small part of what really happened. There were many sad sights to witness as the refugees came into the Fort. One woman and a small babe that were badly burned and Mrs. Trohp, after being shot with the fine shot so her back looked like a seive; the two little boys that left their little baby brothers asleep in the house so they could get to the Fort; the arrival of Mrs. Crothers and her two children from captivity amongst the Indians and many more.
We finally moved to our old home in Renville County and many times we could hear shooting of Indians and some times see them for a year after. We lived there for sixteen years then moved to Hubbard County where we have resided ever since and expect to stay here to the end. May none of the readers of this brief history of pioneer days ever experience anything similar is the wish of the writer. signed Mrs. J. Vogtman (Catherine)
Thank You for posting this fragment from the past as MN observes the 150th Anniversary of the U.S. Dakota Conflict. Larry C. Randen, MN Historian and author of “LE SUEUR: TOWN ON THE RIVER” (1976), currently resident of Rosemount, MN, age 71.
Hi Larry, You are welcome! I found it very interesting!
Thank you so much for transcribing this story. It was interesting to read about what the people of that era went through.
MJM Thanks for reading!
This is a priceless bit of history. Amazing how different things were just 150 years ago–in so many ways, not only the Indian war. For whatever reason she decided to write down her personal account and memories of what happened when she was just fifteen years old we are lucky that she did. Talk about a window into the past! And thank you so much for taking the time to transcribe this so that everyone can read this.
Hi Rita! I am so glad you read it..thanks and yes she must have been a remarkable woman! She is the Grandmother of one of my best volunteers!
Thank you for sharing I so enjoyed the post. Life was so hard back then. We can be so thankful.