Kalispell, Montana, September 10, 1918

I Elizabeth Countryman Woody, was born in YubaCounty, California, January 6., 1853, on Dry Creek, where placer mining wascarried on.

When I was a year and a half old my parents wentvia Isthmus of Panama to New York and then to Iowa, they stayed at a littlevillage called Wadena on the Volga where we remained for some years until 1860,when the wanderlust again seized my father and we started for California, whichtook us six months and three days to get to my grand parents, sixteen milesnorth of Marysville, California. About seventy-five wagons made up our wagontrain. There were five women and three children, the rest men well armed andprovisioned. My father Horace Countryman, was Captain of the outfit. The Indianswere bad, on the war-path that year. We had many narrow escapes, much of thetime were so terrified. We would see by the roadside as we passed on smolderingwagons and other effects, the Indians taking what they wanted and burning therest, murdering the immigrants or taking them prisoners. I could tell many talesof our hardships, and often now wonder why or how we escaped. Our train had fromone to three men for each wagon, so we were unusually strong and could have putup a good fight. It certainly was by the mercy of God, and my father's bravery,coolness and good judgment that we arrived at our destination safely, with oneaddition to our family, my sister being born three or four days before wereached there. The children were always kept close to the wagons. When campwould be made, and if the situation seemed very bad, a corral of the wagonswould be made and all the stock turned in there and guarded as well. Then again,they could feed all night, The live stock consisted of horses, oxen and cows.Sometimes an ox would become sorefooted and a cow would be put in the yoke, thusdoing double duty, Again we would remain in camp two or three days where grass,wood and water was more plentiful, so the stock and everybody could rest up, bake bread, wash and do the numerousthings that were necessary. Finally we reached California, a tired but thankfullot of people. We, my father's family, remained there a few months, then tookthe back track for Washoe, Nevada, then in a few months went to Lakes Bridge onthe Truckee River, just where Reno now is. Only four houses were there when weleft for Montana, Lakes Hotel, Grandfather's and uncle's house and our own. Thenin 1865 we sold our place there, and started for Montana. The family remained atWillard City, Utah for the summer, and my father came on to Virginia City,Montana, In the fall we joined him there with our household goods, including twocows and a cat. We were told that cats brought ten dollars each. We had nointention of selling the family cat but in a short time she disappeared and muchwailing was heard.

My father put up the quartz mill at Summit, thefirst one in Montana, built the Masonic Hall in Virginia, (I have always hadsuch a tender spot in my heart for Virginia). Also a mill at Highland Gulch, theHope Mill at Philipsburg and the Masonic Hall there. Philipsburg I am fond oftoo.

My father was the man that rode from Stillwater,Montana (now Columbus) to Helena to carry the news of the massacre of Custer andhis brave men. I am proud of the history my father and husband made for Montana.I just had to tell of father in order to tell of myself.

When we went to Philipsburg I was asked to takethe school there, the first school, which I did. Had few pupils but they werelively. I was reminded of our Iowa home, where the teachers boarded round. Tho'I lived at home when noon came I was besieged to go home with one for lunch. Idid and thereafter it was a daily occurrence or else hurt some child's feelings.Those were happy days.

In the fall of 1869 found us on our way to SaltLake City so my brother and myself could attend St Mark's Episcopal school,looked after by dear Bishop Tuttle. My father went on to White Pine, Nevada, tolook after some mill work. We were three weeks going from Philipsburg to SaltLake City as we traveled leisurely. My health failing. My father and I leftOgden, Utah, in March, 1870, coming back to dear Montana, Deer Lodge being ourultimate destination. It was a bitter cold trip. On the stage that precededours, several Chinamen were frozen to death, and I was in much the samecondition, Five nights and days we were en route. One other lady was along, andthe coach was filled with men, inside and out, not even room for the proverbialone more. The others of the family came on to Deer Lodge the last of June. I wasasked to take the school in Missoula, which I did on the fifth of July, it beingthe second term held in Missoula. I was with friends, the Dana's, who formerlylived in Philipsburg when we did. I gathered up the children for the firstSunday-school in Missoula, children and parents and others attending. I finallypersuaded a man by the name of Sims to superintend it, and thus relieve me. Itwas July 10th, 1870 that Bishop Tuttle held the first Protestant service here,in the Court-house. Only Mrs. Dickinson, Mrs. Meyers and myself are all thatremain of those who were present at the services.