been taken possession of by several families of squatters,
who, tired of the turmoil and the squabbles of the
then
frontier settlements, had pushed boldly into the far
west to seek a new home for themselves, where they
could have "elbow room," regardless alike of the
dangers they might encounter in unknown lands and of
the Redskins who dwelt there.
The squatters were well armed with axes, rifles, and
ammunition. Most of the women were used to dangers