When we went to live on the island there were about twenty-five families
there. Much help was needed to build the ship so several families came
for that purpose. One bright morning in June, not long after my going to
watch the waves, I was sitting on the floor beside my cradle playing
with my dolls and my little white kitten, when a man came in the door; a
beautiful woman stood beside him. Mother was at work; she looked and
gave a cry of delight when she saw them. They clasped hands and kissed
each other. The man took me in his arms, kissing me and putting me in
the woman's lap, where she was sitting in mother's rocking chair. The
woman kissed me and smoothed my hair while mother went out to call
father. He soon came in and all talked for some time. At last the
gentleman and lady left, with father and mother following, taking me
with them. We went to the dock, where a vessel was with many people on
board, men, women and children, all were laughing and talking so happily
together. Soon the vessel was under way with white sails spread to the
breeze.
Our people waved handkerchiefs to those on board and hands were waved
back to us with handkerchiefs fluttering as far as we could see them.
The tears ran down my mother's face for her heart had been set on going
with those people when they went to Green Bay, the Mecca of the west at
that time. The man and woman were Mr. and Mrs. William Mitchell. Mr.
Mitchell was my mother's cousin; they had disposed of their property on
Mackinac Island and with other families were about to make new homes in
Green Bay. Mr. and Mrs. Baird were among the rest. This had all been
talked over before my father had left Mackinac Island and our people had
intended to go with the rest, yet not knowing when they would be ready
to start, my father had taken the contract to build the ship and could
not possibly go at this time but promised to go in the near future,
should all things prove favorable. Mr. Mitchell was a man of very fine
appearance, courtly in his manners, kind and genial in disposition,
loved by all that knew him. His wife was gentle in manner, a
sweet-voiced and sweet-faced lady.
One of mother's friends had sent a package to us from Mackinac Island.
When opened we found it contained a beautiful white, hand-embroidered
French Merino shoulder blanket, a red Merino dress, ready made, little
red morocco shoes and a gold ring for my finger. All was sent as a
present to Baby Elizabeth. Mrs. Mitchell had brought me a large wax doll
that opened and shut its eyes and had real hair. I was afraid of the
doll when it opened and shut its eyes. Being fond of bright colors, the
red dress and shoes were a delight to me.