Class —I *w».. - r-7 Boo]c_:l G{)ipgIit}^Li___ll CCPITOGHT DEPOSIT. riRS. NAT COLLINS. HE Cattle Queen OF nONTANA. rORY OF PERSONAL EXPERIENCE DURING A RESIDENCE OF FORTY YEARS IN THE FAR WEST. '^fcrS^r^^^:^ !r^r^^t^r^ ""^'rTZW^TT-TT' P n ft) 3 O P H o o (—1 P o ot—!• p t tre Gattle QaEEN QF /neNTANA, / A STORY OF THE PERSONAL EXPERIENCE OF MRS. NATjCOLLINS^ FAMIL ^LY KNOWN TO WESTERN PEOPLE AS "THE CATTLE QUEEN OF MONTANA" OR "THE COWBOYS' MOTHER." IN WHICH IS INCLUDED NARRATIVES OF THRILLING ADVENTURES, RECITALS OF STIRRING EVENTS, TALES OF HARDSHIPS AND PRIVATIONS, ANECDOTES OF PERSONAL EXPERIENCE, AND DESCRIPTIONS OF THE PLAINS, THE MINES, CATTLE RAISING INDUSTRY AND OTHER FEATURES OF WESTERN LIFE. LEAENED DURING 1 FOETT TEMS' RESIDENCE IN THE FAE WEST J > > o -. COMPIT.ED BY CHARLES WALLACE. »»«« / y ILLUSTRATIONS FROM SPECIAL PHOTOGRAPHS. ST. JAMES, MINN. C. W. FOOTE, PUBLISHEE. 1894. PRINTEO AND BOUND B\ OONOHUE & HENNEBERRY, CHICAGO. Preface. In presenting this work to the public the author's only claim is based upon the truthfulness of the narrative herein related, and, realizing that the simple, unpretentious lan- guage employed will undoubtedly meet with much more p favor from the reading than the critic world, it is diffi- dently submitted. The sole purpose and aim is to furnish the reader with a truthful tale relative to the noble deeds, kindly acts and womanly works, as well as the hardships, thrilling experi- ences and discouraging trials of one of the most widely known and dearest loved of western women, and this having been accomplished, the author rests content. We hear much now about circumstances making us what we are and destroying our responsibility; but however much the external circumstances in which we are placed, the temptations to which we are exposed, the desires of our own nature, may work upon us, all these influences have a limit, which they do not pass, and that is the limit laid upon them by the freedom of will, which is essential XII to human nature—to our personality. Here will be found the passing record of a life where inborn noble instincts have, by the aid of a firm will and unflinching determination, withstood the temptations of rough and degrading surroundings, successfully battled with discouragements and bitter trials, and given to the breast that bore them the courage and power to pass through a half century of life such as but few experience, only to emerge from such temptations and struggles the possessor of the admiration, esteem and love of all by whom she is known. Such as are acquainted with Mrs. Collins will verify the truth of this assertion, and those who will study well this brief sketch of her life, note carefully the noble character portrayed and give heed to the teachings of the spirit of true womanhood which has guided her through the many and trying struggles of her western experience, cannot fail to reap a lasting benefit. Strongly entrenched in the goodness of a mother's teaching, with virtue as a support and truth as the firm rock upon which to stand, this woman has withstood the temptations of the rough and, in her early days, uncivilized, west, and buffeted with the vicis- * situdes of pioneer life, never faltering, never wavering, and amid all ever mindful of the teachings of a christian mother. Gladstone has said "To be womanly is the greatest charm of woman." Truer words were never spoken, and a more womanly woman never breathed than she of whose experi- ence the world will here read. To write a full and complete history of such a life would be an endless task. The more important events only must XIII be chosen. This has been the aim of the author in pre- paring this work, and in order that the narrative may poss- ess as much as possible of originality and interest the words of the person of whose life dealing is had have been em- ployed to as great an extent as possible, and every effort has been put forth to reproduce a true story in every essen- tial particular. All is the product of memory, and at no time is the claim made of historical authority other than in dealing with subjects of personal experience. With the sincere hope that those who peruse these pages will find that which not only serves to interest but at the same time instruct, the author awaits the verdict of such as honor the work with a reading. THE AUTHOR. — CHAPTEK I. The Start for Pike's Peak—Across the Plains—Inci- dents OF THE Journey—Denver in an Early Day— Building A Home—Our "Boarding House." Who is there, when he turns to recall his first and fondest associations—when he throws off, one by one, the layers of earth and stone which have grown and hardened over the records of the past—who, I say, has not been surprised to discover how fresh and unimpaired those buried treasures rise again upon his heart? They have been laid up in the store-house of time^—they have not perished; their very concealment has preserved them; we remove the lava, and the world of a gone day is before us. Thus it is as I now draw upon my memory for the record of the past two score years—for my narrative shall date from my tenth year and the past comes to my mind with a clearness most sur- prising. Clear, distinct and prominent stand forth the rec- ollections of my dear christian mother, my childhood days and girlish associates and early surroundings. While I was always in reality the pet of the family—it was a small 16 THE CATTLE QUEEN OF MONTANA. family, only ten—still circumstances always appeared to arise, with provoking frequency, which directed, or, per- haps more properly speaking, compelled me, to assume the role of "general roustabout." Were it necessary that an errand should be done it seemed so much easier for al] members of the family to speak the name of "Libby" than that of any other person. At times I would have consid- ered that I were greatly blessed had I been burdened with some fashionable, French-flavored, Italian-accented name which would have required a half-hour study of the dic- tionary to furnish a proper pronunciation, but Fate willed that I should be plain Libby Smith, and in consequence I went on gathering chips—and, by the way, if it be true that a chopper's worth is to be judged by the chips he makes, then I can truly say that from the time I was able to walk until the time I reached the age of 15 or 16, I prob- ably carried in my gingham apron the record of more really good men than appears in the whole Congressional Record. My life from infancy has at all times been an active one, both from choice and necessity, and as I now look backward to the past I realize that it would have been impossible for me to be other than a "little busy-body" for God in His goodness endowed me with a nature abounding with activity, energy and ambition, and had I been com- pelled to lead an indolent, hum-drum life I should have been the most unhappy person on earth. This fact I can now realize more fully than ever before, for I am now not only sunburnt by the glare of life, but weather-beaten by its blasts. A STORY OF PERSONAL EXPERIENCE IN THE WEST. 17 At the age of ten years I left Rockford, 111., with my parents, for the State of Iowa, which was at that time con- sidered a frontier country. My father chose as a location for his new home a beautiful spot on a running stream, in the neighborhood of what is now Madison. Here he erected a small log cabin, the logs for the same being drawn several miles. While hardships and discomforts here were as much a part of our regular diet as corn-bread and molasses, still I will pass on to the start for the far west, and the journey across the plains to Pike's Peak. This was the first important event in my life's history, and gifted indeed would be the pen that could describe in fitting manner the excitement, expectancy and bounding hopes of our little party as the work of preparation for the trip neared com- pletion and the start was about to be made. With the ex- ception of myself the children were left behind, four of the older ones being married and the others being at school. A yoke of oxen and also a yoke of cows were procured. These were attached to covered wagons loaded with camp- ing utensils, bedding, etc., and on a bright May day we bid adieu to the old home, and, turning our faces toward the far off west, took up our journey for the gold fields of the Pike's Peak country. This was over forty years ago, and yet the incidents of that start are as clear in my memory as though they were the happenings of yesterday. As the morning sun peered forth from his hiding place, bright and beautiful, the teams were brought to place and attached to the heavily loaded wagons. Soon the ponderous wheels moved slowly foward and amid the blessings and fond fare- 18 THE CATTLE QUEEN OF MONTANA.