The Mail must go through.
The last two men who had carried the mail had been killed by Indians.
Hans Jorgen Hansen said he would carry the mail. He would do it without fail, as the mail must go through.
Hans had a fine mare. She could outrun any horse the Indians had. His horse had keen instincts, she knew how to avoid any Indian ambush.
Hans told the authorities that he had a 16 year old son by the name of Niels Peter who could ride as well as any Indian.
They took turns carrying the mail between Ephraim and Spring City.
Most rides were uneventful as the country was wide and open in the mid 1800s, and still is today. They could see in all directions.
But near Spring City was a place known as Pigeon Hollow. Throughout the Hollow were clumps of sage brush and cedar trees. There was always danger of an Indian ambush.
But the faithful little mare always sensed their presence.
She would race through the Hollow. The disappointed Indians would come racing out from behind in hot pursuit trying to overtake them.
When Niels was far enough away from his pursuers he would rein up to a stop, turn and wave to the Indians. The Indians too would bring their mounts to a rearing halt, brandishing their weapons. It soon became a game.
Pigeon Hollow road today.
Have a great week my dear
Friends.
Gina
Partial re post of Sept. 2012
Dear Gina - it is lovely to learn some of the local history from your area, and I am pleased that getting the mail through eventually turned into a bit of a game.
ReplyDeleteThe way that you have managed to add the ghostly figures of the horses to your photos is very clever.
Dear Rosemary,
DeleteCowboys and horses, Sheep and cattle still reign in our landscape. Very often the occupy Main Street as they come and go to new pastures.
What a fun bit of local history.
ReplyDeleteDear Lorrie,
DeleteLife was simple then.
Although the tall strong sunflowers - with huge seed heads awaiting the munching birds - are lovely to see, I must say these wilder looking ones drifting along between the fields are very, very pretty.
ReplyDeleteLovely story and photos. Today with all the modern ways of the postal service, the mail is having major problems getting through it seems! Horses probably did a better job despite the chance of an ambush! Plus it sounded a lot more romantic, smile!!!!!
Perhaps we drove along Pigeon Hollow Road, not sure! When I can come back let's do that together.
Love and hugs - Mary
Dear Mary,
DeleteI don't think that we visited Pigeon Hollow. It used to be a good destination by bicycle. It's just a few miles south of town. Not much has changed since the 18 hundreds. However, every year some town official directs a worker to "cut down the sunflowers". They are supposed to hinder snow removal if kept in place.
Yes, and when you come back we'll take a drive to the old Pioneer Road.