Turkey creek. When the tornado struck the house, Mrs. Wadman (nee, Mary Coates) had retired for the night with her two children. They were lying on a feather bed which lay on a mattress on the bedstead, when they were carried away by the storm and afterwards found in a ravine some four rods away, but were lying on the mattress, the feather bed and bedstead having mysteriously gone in some other direction. The brother, John, and the hired man were also in bed when John was carried and thrown into a large pond four rods from the house, and while in the water some roof or other was pressed down upon him, the nails of the shingles being pressed into his neck and back, and then just as suddenly taken away from him. When he was found by his brothers who had come to the rescue, he lay in the cellar - all that was left of the house, and was without clothing; being left with only the neck band of his night shirt. The hired man was found with a large cut over the eye; who felt sure be was dying, but be soon got over the shock.

     To show the force and the mysterious power of a tornado, we mention the fact, that a bull-wheel of a large "header" which would have needed some time to be removed from its place by a practical machinist, was instantly removed without any other damage to the "header" and was carried a mile and a half over the country, being afterwards found on section 19 in Saline County.

     Mr. Wadman at this time was raising white-faced cattle, and had at the time of the storm a white-faced thorough bred bull tied to a hitching post in the middle of the yard, and was therefore right in the middle of the storm, yet in spite of the sweeping away of the buildings on every hand, the bull was found the next morning in the same place quite unconcerned, and contentedly chewing his cud as though nothing had happened.

     Many stories might be told about the great blizzard. and the grasshopper plague, but these are similar to the incidents already recorded.

     During those early years Mr. Coates could buy in his neighborhood corn in shock at five cents a bushel, eggs were sold at five cents a dozen and butter at five cents a pound.

     Mrs. Coates, "Grandma," as she was usually called, will long be remembered for the great service she rendered to the families in the district, often acting as both doctor and nurse. She was ever willing to lend a helping hand in the time of need, and was an ever welcome visitor in every home. Her stories of the old country and its people were in great demand, the information being both interesting and instructive. She visited the old country three times, thus crossing the Atlantic seven times, no small undertaking for a woman, and especially for one who never got over that sad experience of sea-sickness. Mr. Coates crossed the Atlantic three times having visited America as early as 1865, when he came as far west as the Niagara Falls. In making that first sea trip he was sixteen weeks on the ocean, and therefore had quite a sea-going experience. Many and great were the changes from the old to the new, but they had the consciousness that the change was to their mutual advantage, and they shared in the joys of developing the agricultural resources of a new country, and helped in the making of a home for future generations.

W. B. GRAUL

     W. B. Graul came from Pennsylvania to Nebraska with his father, Levi Joseph Graul, arrived at Milford, April 1, 1871. They settled on a farm one and a half miles north west of Goehner, in Seward County, where the mother still lives; the father was killed by lightning on May 19, 1897.

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     Their first night in Nebraska was spent in visiting with William Bivens, the wind that evening was so strong that it upset their wagon. When the father commenced farming he had only a team of horses and five dollars, so he rented a small house; which was guaranteed waterproof if there was no rain, the rent having to be paid mostly by labor. The chief food for the family of eight people was corn meal, potatoes, and milk, and glad indeed were they that these were forthcoming to meet their daily need. Their struggles toward success were made greater by the loss, through death, of one of the horses during the first year, then having secured another horse, it was not long before the other horse died. Such discouragement caused Mr. Graul to trade the new horse for a team of oxen, and these did service for many years.

     The children received but little schooling, and what they had was secured after a two and a half mile walk to the school house. During the 1873 blizzard, so often referred to in these stories, the Graul's had to save their horses and chickens by bringing them into the house.

     The Indians were frequent visitors to the home, and as many as three hundred were at one time camped within half a mile of their place, but they were always civil, their visits being usually of the begging kind.

     W. B. Graul was married to Miss Mary Hougham and settled on a farm four and a half miles north east of Exeter. After farming one year at that place they moved to Goehner, where they lived three years; afterwards moving to Beaver City. As a result of their experiences there during the dry weather, they went back to Goehner and lived one year, then they moved onto Crane's farm two and a half miles north east of Exeter, where they lived four years, but again misfortune crossed their path, being again burnt out by hot weather, so they went to Kansas, living for two years at Olatha.

     They came back to Exeter and settled on a farm four and a half miles north east of town where they lived six years, moving into town eleven years ago. He afterwards bought the W. C. Woodworth undertaking business which he has carried on successfully for nine years. Now after a varied experience and the opportunity of living in so many places, he says that Exeter is, when all things are considered, the best place in which to live that he knows of.

WILLIAM DOWNEY

     William Downey was a native of New York State, and went with his parents to Michigan, where he grew up to manhood, living in Kalamazoo and St. Joseph Counties. He came to Nebraska in May 1871 along with Messrs. Ramsdell, Stephens and Krader, the latter settling in Dodge County. They travelled all the way with wagons and teams, and were six weeks on the road. Mrs. Downey and the children stayed near Lincoln about nine months. Mr. Downey and Mr. Stephens came to this district and sought claims, Mr. Downey homesteading in July on the west half of the North east quarter of section 2, town 7, range 1, west, but did not go onto the claim until June, 1872.

     A sod house was built in which they lived for some time without a floor, their frame house was built fifteen years later.

     When they were on their way to Nebraska they would camp over the Sunday in some suitable place, Mr. Downey being careful not to travel on Sundays. One Saturday they camped near a wood in Iowa where the women did a good washing, but they were told that the place would not be a suitable one in time of a storm, so they decided to travel on Sunday against the protests of Mr. Downey. After traveling twelve miles, they

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camped about three o'clock in the afternoon near a large wood just previous to the coming of a storm, which they could not see coming owing to the surrounding trees. A spring wagon in which was Mrs. Krader and her twins was placed between two large trees, and they had just got out of the wagon when a large limb fell from one of the trees, and another tree fell over smashing the wagon. Mr. Krader was able to repair the damage, but the time lost for the repairs, (to say nothing of the danger to life and limb) was more than they had tried to gain by their Sunday travelling.

     On one occasion a bed had been made on the floor of the sod house, using a buffalo robe, on which was placed the bedding. On the following morning when the bedding was taken up a rattle snake was found among the clothes, which had evidently come into the house through a mouse hole in the sod wall. Needless to say that snake did not make a second visit, Mrs. Downey proving quite able to settle that part of the business.

     During the great blizzard, having only a sod, chicken coop, they found it necessary to bring the chickens into the house, all of which were carefully placed under the bed. Mr. Downey died on March 30, 1901, since then Mrs. Downey has made her home with her son, Herman, and spending some of her time among the other members of the family.

JOHN E. FOUSE.

     John E. Fouse was a native of Philadelphia, Pa., and was a son of Ezekiel Fouse, Professor of Languages in the Philadelphia College. The father had no less than seven languages at his command. John E. married Isabella McMichael who came from Belfast, Ireland, in 1851, settling in Philadelphia. She was of delicate health at the time she made the memorable ocean voyage of six weeks on board the little sailing vessel "Tonawanda" so much so, that her friends hardly expected she would see America, but she not only survived the ocean voyage, but has passed through the experiences of a ranch keeper's life; has had a family of twelve children, and now in the eighty second year of her age, she has favored us with a few of the reminiscences of Nebraska's early days.

     They left Philadelphia and came west to Page county, Iowa, where they lived through one winter. Mr. Fouse then set out with a wagon and team for Denver, and when crossing the Nebraska plains was induced to buy some land for which he gave his horses with wagon and load, and, in the year 1865 commenced the famous Fouse Ranch. It was situated between the forks of Beaver Creek and the Blue river, "Minne-to-wank-pala," near what is now Beaver Crossing, in the south west corner of Seward county near the York county line, and therefore on the old trail of the western route crossing the Beaver Creek.

     The house was made of logs with a dirt roof, thirty-six by sixteen feet, near which was an underground stable, the entrance which faced the creek was somewhat hidden from view, there being also a trap door communication from the ranch which provided a way of escape by flight in case of an attack from Indians. The ranch was a favorite stopping place and station for the overland stage coach. It was a lonesome an yet busy life; Mrs. Fouse falling in for a large share of the work, but there were no near neighbors for several years, and the only women she saw were those travelling over the country, or the Indian Squaws.

     Every alternate day there was no sleep for the keepers of the ranch, for the stage on that day arrived at midnight, when the hungry travellers looked for the hospitality which was never denied them by "mine host."

     One night an extra stage arrived and eighteen hungry men and women

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who had been without food for thirty-six hours wanted a meal, there was no meat in the house and nothing was ready. As a result of their pleading, Mrs. Fouse said she might get something gathered up provided they would help; so with the assurance of their assistance she proceeded to the chicken house and secured three chickens, these were prepared and after some patient waiting the hungry travellers were fed. In appreciation of the kindness shown not one paid less than fifty cents: some refusing to take any change out of what they laid down. The "Greenbacks" were new then, and one man, a southerner, laid down a dollar bill, saying: "I do not want any change out of than Lincoln skin!" we are assured that the travellers calling at the Fouse ranch were always very courteous and kind.

     The men were one time up the Beaver making hay when they received word that 500 Sioux Indians were on the war path and coming down the country. Mr. Fouse who kept the stage horses, got one of them and providing him-self with his rifle (the Sioux name is 'Ishtahbopopa') went out to meet them, and when within shooting distance. he pointed his 'IshtahbopoDa' at the Indians at which they all threw their 'Ishtahbopopas' on the ground, saying, "We good Indians," meaning they were not the "Toka abe do!" i, e, the enemy.

     At another time Mr. Fouse had just returned from Nebraska City where he had been to meet Mrs. Fouse's sister; when he found the whole country side in agitation over a threatened invasion of the Sioux Indians. Many people were leaving for places of safety in the east, so Mrs. Fouse and her sister were sent back with instructions not to stop until they were safe in Iowa, When they reached the Walnut creek many of the party were so filled with whisky which they had brought along that they could not proceed, but the wagon in which were Mrs. Fouse, her sister, and another woman with three children who had begged to go with them, was hastened on to "Tommy West's," and then on to Milford. When three miles from camp they saw what looked like a band of Indians, which seemed to head them off which ever way they turned, besides this; their horses refused to go, and great was the alarm of the women, but when the party came up with them they were found to be white people. They reached Milford, and when the stage arrived from the west it brought word from Mr. Fouse for the party to return as everything was now quiet.

     There was a party of five hundred Pawnee braves camped near the ranch and Mr. Fouse provided them with a generous supply of watermelons much to the delight of the dusky warriors; these were soon eaten up "slick and clean." One evening a party of two hundred Pawnees, who were returning from a buffalo hunt, camped in the grove, and Mr. Fouse for the amusement of his guests played a little joke on the Indians. Gathering together all the shotguns he could find he ran excitedly over the grove crying "Souix! Sioux!" and handed the guns to the Pawnees presumably for their protection. They soon scattered themselves over the prairie feeling sure that their worst enemies were about to pounce upon them. After a while they found out the joke and returned to camp saying, "Ugh! John no good, heap lie!" They failed to hear the Sioux war cry, "Hi! yip-yip-yip-yip-yip-hi-yah!"

     One fall a party of Pawnee braves were in camp, and purchased a large dog from a settler that they might hold their preparatory feast and war dance. The sacrifice of a dog was one of their important religious observances, and if possible a white dog was always secured, which was an old time custom having the significence of sinlessness, the idea is supposed to have descended from the ancient tribes of Israel.

     They returned sometime afterwards having several of their number shot and wounded, they built a large fire in the shape of a circle, and sat around it for two days and nights without partaking of food, evidently mourning

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the result of their expedition. When questioned as to the cause of their misfortunes they replied, "Heap Sioux."

     In giving the following Pawnee Chant, called the "Day Song" let us

first, that this is the only known Pawnee song in Chant form, and second, in trying to understand its meaning we must remember that their lodges were always built with the entrance facing the East. Thus it is that the Sun shines in the lodge and then passes around and then in its rising shines down the chimney, and then passes on to the West to pass from sight.

Day Song.

     Now behold; hither comes the ray of our father Sun; it cometh over all the land, passeth in the lodge, us to touch, and give us strength.

     Now behold; where alights the ray of our father Sun; it touches lightly on the rim, the place above the fire, whence the smoke ascends on high.

     Now behold; softly creeps the ray of our father Sun; now o'er the rim it creeps to us, climbs down within the lodge; climbing down, it comes to us.

     Now behold; nearer comes the ray of our father Sun; it reaches now the floor and moves within the open space, walking there, the lodge about.

     Now behold where has passed the ray of our father Sun; around the lodge the ray has passed and left its blessing there, touching us, each one of us.

     Now beholds; softly climbs the ray of our father Sun, it upward climbs, and o'er the rim it passes from the place whence the smoke ascends on high.

     Now behold; on the hills the ray of our father Sun; it lingers there as loath to go, while all the plain is dark, now has gone the ray from us.

     Now behold; lost to us the ray of our father Sun; beyond our sight the ray has gone, returning to the place whence it came to bring us strength.

     It may well be recorded here, that the last battle of the Pawnee with the Sioux occurred in what is known as Massacre Canyon, between the Republican and Frenchman rivers, about 10 o'clock on the morning of August 5, 1873. The Sioux taking advantage of the "absence of the Pawnee chiefs" who were away hunting, pounced upon the camp using their arrows instead of guns, evidently to save noise, so as not to arrest the attention of the hunters. "Some seventy five of the old men, women and children were killed," the most notable being Sky Chief and Pawnee Mary, a white woman.

     The Indians were always glad to have any kind of dead meat, hogs that had died with cholera, and even poisoned coyotes were acceptable in their bill-of-fare. It would seem that the process of stewing destroyed all danger in the meat, for no one has ever known of an Indian dying from that kind of feeding.

     Mrs. Fouse remembers the sad incident of the two boys named Martin who were attacked by two Indians near Kearney. They were riding on one horse at the time when an arrow was passed through them both, pinning them together. As they lay on the ground they heard the Indians conversing in English, one asked the other, "Shall we scalp them?" "No!" was the reply, "there is not time. "Shall we give them another arrow?" "No! we shall need all the arrows we have!" These boys often called at the ranch as they passed over the country to Nebraska City. She also remembers the

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