Julia Frost describes the return of their family to Maine Prairie. It is only late in her account that we realize the reason they had left the Prairie is that she was seven months pregnant with their first child. She recounts that “we of the Watkins refugees stopped at Anoka, then a new lumber town on the shore of the Rum River near is confluence with the Mississippi. Here Alvah’s teacher and friend still lived, kind Mrs. Waterhouse. She was a young widow of the War of the Rebellion, her husband being among those who fell in the battle of Bull run. She lived in a good home with her widowed mother and little daughter, and she kindly opened her rooms to us. It was thought best for us to remain here and not go on to Fort Snelling. “We had been out about six weeks, and as the Indians were less active father and Joe decided to take the risk and return. We in Anoka shuddered for them, but it seemed best for them to go as Sister Julia was needing help to cook for the harvesting crew, and our little sister (Ida) was no coward, though she admits she was not ‘over pleased with the idea’ of returning.” Father Watkins took the Vandervorts and Sister Ida with him. Night came on after crossing back at Clearwater, and it grew so dark that the horses could not see to follow the road. “Sister Ida writes of that awful night, of twelve miles drive through heavy timber with dark night coming on, a black road in front, and danger of savages in ambush.” Frost quotes from memories recorded by her sister Ida: “Our arrival was hailed with joy by our brothers and sister-in-law. Each family had moved some kind of a shanty up to the fort, so quite a little town was formed about the defense, and here the cooking was done. We got up early in the morning to go outside the fort and get lunches ready for the men before they started out under protection to do the yet unfinished harvesting. We slept within the stockade in a great room upstairs. The arrangement of our sleeping room was ever mirth provoking to me, for this vast bedroom was divided only by quilts and blankets, old carpet; in fact, anything that would hang up. These apartments were just large enough for our beds; first a straw bed was brought in and laid upon the floor, then the feather beds were placed on top, and there was just about two feet of space left between the beds of each. Time passed in work, for there was much to do. Baking, washing, ironing, making, and mending-they helped to keep our minds more at rest while our fingers flew.” Ida also records that despite the terror of the time, it was the most beautiful of falls; “the most beautiful I had ever known, warm, sunny, and still. It truly seemed providential, so all the harvesting and stacking of grain could be done.” The settlers stayed at the fort until “the leaves, the shield for skulking Indians, fell, and the red men slunk back to their reservations.” Her mother stayed with Julia at the home of Mrs. Waterhouse where the Frosts welcomed a baby boy, on Oct. 4. She continues: “I recovered rapidly from this momentous experience, and in three weeks I felt strong enough for the return home, although I knew how much I risked; and I remember to this far-away day what I endured on that journey of two day’s duration. It turned zero weather, and when we reached the crossing our ferry boat was the last one for the season. I was well wrapped in blankets and had my fine baby boy of twelve pounds in my arms; I kept him there, not venturing to hand him over to mother for even a little change; for the wind was sweeping, bitter cold, and I feared to expose my little one in the least, so I sat in one position through all the long and weary miles. Whatever the physical discomfort, I was going home and my heart was singing for joy! “Emerson Vandervort was driving us back, Alvah and the others having all preceded us. Late in the afternoon of the second day we took the home folks by surprise. “My buried wedding dishes were exhumed from their imperfect burial in the garden, and though the Indians had left them untouched, one of the steers had not-he had jumped over the garden fence and walked over our ‘buried treasure,’ breaking some of the dishes, though we counted this but a small loss. We could but look with dismay upon the wreck of the fine garden we had planted so hopefully in the spring upon our rich claim. It was our new household’s first real garden. We had set our four hundred cabbage plants which, when we left, were already giving promise of a large yield; corn, potatoes, beans – all had been given into the care of the rich earth by us then left. How hard Alvah had worked over that garden, and now what a ruin! The fence was poor, and cows, pigs, and live stock generally had been turned loose and had utterly destroyed that first little Eden of ours. The wheat we left in the gavel was ruined. That in the shock was sprouted and our bread was black and sticky, while father’s grain, which had been left standing, was all right; the yield of ‘fife’ wheat from it recorded previously was considered phenomenal. When he found his wheat standing, his buildings safe, and his home almost as he had left it, although the refugees had left it unlocked when they moved on, we may be well assured that our pious father poured our his heart in gratitude for the marvelous deliverance from the hands of the destroying savages. These feelings were enhanced as we read of the atrocities of that reign of terror in 1862. “After a family council had deliberated on the whole outlook and present situation, we concluded it was best for us to stay together in father’s house at Pearl Lake Place.” Ida wrote: “There we were, Brother Will and wife and Baby Rosamond, Sister Julia (the author), and husband and sweet Baby Charlie, besides our dear parents and Joe and I [Ida].” So we end our series of excerpts from The Annals of Our Ancestors by Julia (Watkins) Frost. As we celebrate the sesquicentennial, we receive our most personal sense of life during the earliest pioneer years from her memories of their family’s settlement on Maine Prairie in 1861 and 1862. ********** Beginning June 8, “A New Life on Maine Prairie” stories by Duane Stanley began in this column. While his great seven-part story covered two years of that earliest discovery and life there, it was just the “tip of the iceberg.” Keep reading: Did you know that the rest of the story is written in a fantastic 54-page commemorative souvenir booklet covering all 65 years? It’s a “must-have” for any history buff. This and several other sesquicentennial souvenirs are now available and at our Sept. 19 meeting to be held at the Kimball High School cafetorium at 7 p.m. Featured program is “Eugene J. McCarthy: Musing and Mementos”, including exclusive recent interviews with film maker Mick Caouette. Growing up in Watkins, teaching in Kimball Public Schools, the film blends new archival footage with McCarthy’s remembrances … what made him stand apart from his colleagues in the Senate and Congress of the 1950s and 1960s before running for president of the United States in 1972. This reminder will also appear in the Sept. 14 Tri-County News. ********** Just a reminder: On Saturday, Sept. 16, our own Bert Dibley is hosting a historic “Gangster Tour of St. Paul” from Kimball United Methodist Church at 7:30 a.m., returning at 2 p.m. Including bus travel and historic tour, it is only $20. Just a few seats are left, so call Bert ASAP at (320) 398-7095. A fun outing about another side of famous history. Bring friends or family. ********** For you history buffs – The answer to Aug. 17’s history question is: Baptist, Methodist and Church of Christ (sometimes called Disciples or Campbellite). The early settlers include Baptist preachers. The formally organized church was Methodist. A Catholic church was later established at Marty. Question: Two prominent Maine Prairie individuals played significant roles in the higher education scene at St. Cloud State Normal School (eventually St. Cloud State University). Major college facilities were named for them … Who are they? ********** For sesq
uicentennial souvenirs and information, memberships (new or renew), stories and photos for our permanent collection and this column, city hall restoration donations, and family research information, contact the Kimball Area Historical Society, Box 100, Kimball, Minn. 55353, or call (320) 398-5743, (320) 398-5250 or (800) 252-2521. ********** “And so much history to discover.”
