Two weeks later, another letter came. This letter contained a bank draft for her travel and expenses. In a display of concern and thoughtfulness, Jed wrote, "I appreciate how daunting the prospect must be of uprooting from the only life you have ever known, to meet someone and possibly wed. In a feeble attempt to allay some of those fears, I have asked my good friend and preacher to vouch for me. In addition, I have asked my neighbor and hopefully your neighbor soon, to do the same. You should receive their letters in separate post. In addition, I give you my word of honor, should the circumstances not meet your approval, I will provide return transportation to New York. I anxiously await your itinerary. Further, should your travel information not reach me in time, my friend and preacher, John Carruthers and his wife Grace have graciously agreed to meet your train. I anxiously await your plans. Sincerely, Jedadiah Barnette.” In the same post, Sarah received two other letters, one from Luke and Clara Hastings and the other from John and Grace Carruthers.
* * *
"Martha! Look at these letters I got today. His name is Jedadiah Barnette but he goes by Jed. He's from Lebanon, Pennsylvania but left to search for gold. He gave that up after a year and now has a ranch near Laramie. In the letter he says he understands how I might be concerned, so he asked his preacher and also his best friends for references. Their letters came today. Both say, "You can't find a better man than Jed." He's sent a ticket and gives me his word of honor if things don't meet my approval, he will pay for my return trip.”
“Martha, I'm going! He sent more than enough money for the trip. I am going to pack and leave tomorrow. I'll tell Mother I'm spending the night with you tomorrow. Is that okay? I hate to lie to them, but I think this might be the best chance I'll ever have and I've got to do it. I'm really going to miss the kids at school"
"Sarah, if the school board didn't insist all teachers be unmarried, I might feel sorry for them. With that rule, they don't deserve any consideration. I don't blame you for going. I would do the same thing in your place. I'll go with you to the train station. Oh girl, what an adventure you have coming. I'm almost jealous. I'm going to miss you. We'll probably never see each other again. Sister, I love you so much and you're leaving. Now you get on home and pack your stuff. Take what you need and if you forget anything, I'll send it to you. Use that carpet bag we had somewhere around the house. Be sure to take some nice soap."
"I doubt they're so primitive they don't have soap, Martha. Maybe not good soap, but that's a good idea. I'll be back over here in a couple of hours. Today's Ma's day with her quilting circle so it will be fairly easy to get away with my clothes.
I can't tell you how much I appreciate your help and support. No one could ask for a better sister than you. I'd better get going. I'll be back after lunch.”
Going To Wyoming
It was time. The two sisters got in the buggy, Martha took up the reins and clucked to the horse and they were on the way to the train station. Sarah's great adventure was just minutes from starting. When they arrived at the depot, neither sister said anything. Both had tears in their eyes. "I'm going to miss you, Sis," Martha said as she dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief. “I wish it didn't have to be this way."
"I do too, but up until now, I had no hope. Now I do have hope. I have hopes and dreams and a life waiting for me. Maybe someday we can visit. They do have train service all of the way to Laramie. It goes from New York to Chicago, then Council Bluffs through Laramie and on to San Francisco. It's going to be a whole week on the train! Just think about how much of the country I'll see along the way.
Listen! I hear the train. I'd better get to the platform. Goodbye, Martha. I wrote a note for you to give Ma. I hope she doesn't blame you. You know I'll always love you." With that, she climbed out of the buggy, grabbed the carpet bag and headed for the station platform. She was afraid to look back. Afraid she might lose her nerve and turn back.
Martha heard the conductor call, "Alllll Abooooard!"
The steel wheels spun, steam spewed out, engulfing the engine and with huge clouds of black smoke billowing from the smokestack, the train slowly pulled from the station. Sarah sat by a window looking out. She unfolded the letters and read them for the twentieth time, wondering what this place called Wyoming held in store for her.
Sarah had decided she would be frugal with Jed's money. It had been hard earned by sweat labor. She was not going to waste it. In his letter, Jed had insisted she buy a ticket for a sleeping car, also known as a Pullman. Sometimes there was a dining car, sometimes not. Sarah ate sparingly. When the train stopped at an eating station and the food was served family style, she ate a normal meal. Money was not a concern. Jed had sent ample funds, her determination to not spend it notwithstanding, it was not a problem for her.
The first three nights, Sarah slept little. She was afraid of the unknown in this new strange environment. The conductors became very protective of her. Several attempts were made to accost her, she required assistance on one of these because of a persistent drummer. She asked the conductor and for the rest of her trip, they acted as her protector. After the third night, she was exhausted from lack of sleep and finally slept the night through, the clacking of the wheels acting as a strange lullaby.
With all of the ashes and cinders emitted by coal burning engines, it was not long before Sarah felt grimy. She washed as best she could in the small lavatories but it was impossible to do an adequate cleansing. The facilities had a wash basin and on the opposite side of the car, a toilet. Thankfully, this train, since it was a long haul train had separate facilities for the men and women.
Finally, the last leg of the journey was over. At 2:30PM, two days before Christmas, the train pulled into the station in Laramie, Wyoming, for a brief stop. Among those getting off the train was a tired Sarah Grace Harding. Sarah was thankful the trip was over, but she was apprehensive about the next step. She looked around on the platform at the few people meeting the train. Among those were a young man and woman, and another nervous looking man. The man detached himself from the other couple and came over to her. "Are you Sarah?" he asked.
"Yes, I'm Sarah Harding. Are you Jedadiah?" She looked into a face that was unfreckled, and had a small scar on the right cheek. His eyes were dark pools of blue, and looked straight at her. "This is a man of strength," she thought. When he smiled as he greeted her, he revealed a warmth that seemed to envelop Sarah. "He certainly fits the self description he sent," she thought.
"I am, and welcome to Laramie. It won't compare to what you are accustomed to seeing in New York, but I'm sure you will find the people to be as friendly as those anywhere else. I'd like for you to meet two of them now.” He turned and called out, "John, Grace, come meet Sarah."
They came over, both smiling. Grace held her arms out and hugged Sarah. "Welcome to Wyoming. I'm so glad to see you. I hope you like it," she said. She also whispered in Sarah's ear, "Jed is a fine man. You didn't make a mistake coming. He will make a wonderful husband. He's one of the kindest and most considerate men I know. Sarah, this is my husband, John Carruthers. John, Sarah Harding."
Sarah extended her hand. John took it in both of his in a warm handshake. "Welcome", he said. "I hope you have a chance to join our congregation."
"Thank you both. I appreciate the warm welcome. This is such a beautiful place. It seems so fresh."
"Sarah, John and I would like for you and Jed to stay with us for a couple of days over Christmas while you get acquainted with each other and you decide what you want to do. Is that all right with you?" Grace asked.
"It sounds wonderful and I appreciate your hospitality. I just have this bag and one other."
Jed said, “I'll get it. Since there's only one left, that must be yours. I'll put it in the wagon."
Grace said, "Jed is a hard worker. When he came here from the gold fields, he had a stake he had saved, along with what he had earned back in Pennsylvania. I think he lived on beans for two years. He showed us the letters before he mailed them, so I
don't think you know he slept in his barn for the year he's been working on his cabin. Luke and some of his ranch hands and some of our congregation helped raise the walls and to put a roof on, but the rest is all his work. I haven't seen the cabin since the wall raising, but I'm sure it's good."
The four of them rode in the wagon to John and Grace's home behind the church. After dinner, the hosts left the two of them alone. At first, it was a strained silence. Jed said awkwardly, "I've been around only men since I left Lebanon. I've lived alone all this time and I guess I'm not a good conversationalist. I don't know what to say. On the J-Bar-B, there's only my horse, the hogs and some chickens. I don't speak any of their languages so it's kind of quiet except when a hen lays an egg, then she gets pretty excited. Clara, that's my neighbor Luke's wife, says I'm too quiet, but Luke and I talk about ranching things. He's the one taught me all I know about what I'm doing. He's a really good friend as well as a good neighbor. He helped me get a contract with the Army to buy my cattle and we mix my cattle in with his and drive them to Laramie.
Would you just listen to me run on? You don't want to hear all of the ranching things. What would you like to know about me?"
"You're doing fine", she said. "If I'm going to live here, then I'll need to learn those things won't I?"
"I want you to know, if there's anything that makes you uncomfortable, you let me know and I'll try to fix it. If you change your mind, I'll give you transportation back to New York."
"Jedadiah, do you mind if I call you Jedadiah instead of Jed? I think it suits who you seem to be. I don't think I'll be going back to New York. My mother was beginning to give up on me. She kept running these old widowers in front of me and I kept turning them down. She despaired of me ever getting married, heaven knows she tried hard enough to change that.
Caleb Pierce was our closest neighbor. I loved him since I was thirteen. He was almost six years older than I was, but when he came home on leave from the Army, even though I was fifteen, he told me he wanted me to be his wife. It was the thing I wanted most in the world. Quite a few girls in our town got married that young and it was what I wanted for myself. He was killed right after that during the Battle of the Wilderness. My world stopped after that. I finally became a teacher because I loved the kids and I was resigned to being a teacher for the rest of my life. That wasn't what mother wanted for me though. Since there were no unmarried men close to my age, she went the other direction. I didn't even tell her and Pa I was leaving. I left a note with my sister to give them. I hope they will forgive me someday."
"It seems as if you've been as lonely as I have," Jed said. "I would like to have the chance to end the loneliness for both of us. If you'll give me the chance, that is."
"Tell me about the ranch, Jedadiah. What's it like?"
"There's mountains on both sides. The cabin faces east so it catches the morning sun. The barn and corral are out back, the hog pen's in a place where the normal wind will blow their odor away from the house."
“Do we have fences?"
“The cattle roam free and forage for food. They don’t stray too far. If they do get mixed, at roundup, we separate any of ours that have gotten mixed with the Twin Bar H, that's Luke and Clara, and get a count of what is ours.” He had noted her reference to "we" and was encouraged by the prospect of her becoming his bride.
* * *
They sat in chairs facing each other for two hours, exchanging dreams, histories, and disappointments before John and Grace returned to the room. Grace said, "Tell us about life in New York, Sarah?"
Sarah said, “Owego is a small town in upstate New York. I think it is about 200 miles from New York City. It took the train about four hours and thirty minutes to get there. I was teaching in a small school, mixed boys and girls. I'm going to miss that part of it. My father worked in the bank. I have two sisters, both younger than I am, and both married. I think that was what worried Mother. She thought I was too old to get married unless it was to one of the widowers.
My sister, Martha helped me in the planning of this. She kept my clothes at her house and took me to the train station. I'm really going to miss her. She was also my best friend."
"I'm sure you'll make a lot of friends here," John said. "Folks hereabout are friendly. You're really going to like Clara Hastings. She went through what you are going through now and she is about your age. They have a son, Billy, named for Luke's twin brother, Will. I'll let Luke and Clara tell you about all of that. They are a happily married couple. I had the privilege of performing the ceremony."
Grace asked, "What are your plans, Jed?"
"I would like to take Sarah out to the ranch and see if it meets with her approval." He turned to Sarah, "If everything at the ranch is satisfactory, I'd like for John to perform the ceremony. That is, if you will marry me. Sarah, will you? Marry me that is?"
Sarah blushed, and said, "Yes, I'll marry you before we go to our ranch. I won't be returning to New York. I will be happy to be your wife, Jedadiah."
"When would you like to have the ceremony, Jed?" John asked. "I can do it anytime."
"I would ask one thing. I would like to be married in the church. Oh, and is there a newspaper in Laramie?"
"Yes, there is. We have had several but the only one going now is The Laramie Daily Sentinel and is published weekly. You can also get the Cheyenne newspapers. Why do you ask?" John said.
"I would like to see an announcement of our marriage in the newspaper so I will have something to mail my parents and sisters," she said.
"I'll take care of that," Grace said. "Would you like music for your wedding?"
"Could we?" Sarah asked with a voice heavy with emotion. “Music is very important to me. I've been playing the piano since I was a little girl."
"Then you must play for us in the church sometime. I have been doing that since John and I were married and came to Laramie."
"I would love to do that," Sarah said.
"Could we have the ceremony tomorrow morning?" Jed asked.
"Yes, of course. We could have it tonight if you would like," John said.
Looking at Sarah, Jed said, "Tomorrow will be fine. I don’t want to hurry Sarah into this. I want things to be done to suit her. I'll only be married this one time and wouldn't want to rush Sarah."
Sarah said, "How thoughtful of you, Jedadiah. I don't feel I'm being hurried. Whatever is best. I only intend to be married one time also."
Looking at the two of them, John said, "Then tomorrow it shall be. Jed, we will fix you a pallet in here and Sarah can be in the small bedroom. Now, I'm ready for bed. Tomorrow is going to be an eventful day for all of us."
Grace said, "I'll get the quilts and a pillow for you, Jed, then I'll show Sarah to her room."
The Wedding
Sarah followed Grace into the room where she would be sleeping. She sat on the straw filled mattress and asked Grace to stay and talk for a few minutes. Grace sat in a cane back rocking chair.
“I really appreciate the efforts you are putting out to make me comfortable. This experience has been one of frustration, fear and apprehension for me. It bothers me when I think about what others must think of a woman that has to resort to something like this in order to get married. I feel embarrassed and ashamed I have to do so.
I love my parents dearly as I do my sisters. To leave them behind was very difficult for me, especially having to deceive my mother by sneaking away. I really feel guilty about it. My mother, bless her heart, was only trying to do what she thought was best for me. The last man she invited to dinner as a possible husband for me was the same age as my father. I wonder how she felt about encouraging her daughter to marry such a person. I’m sure she was thinking of security but the thought of someone like that putting his hands on me was sickening.”
Grace said, “People on the frontier are different from those you are accustomed to being around. Out here, they are not so judgmental. It’s a rough life but we are all in it together. Kindred spirits, I guess you
could say. No one is going to think less of you. Your life here will be what you make it. I know it sounds as if we’re pushing Jed at you, but he is only about five years removed from the same area of the country as you and he has made a place and a reputation for himself. You have a head start on many of the women. I realize you took a giant risk traveling this far for someone you don’t know. All I can say is God was leading you because you are going to have a good husband if you go through with marrying Jed. He’s going to be a good father as well as a good husband.”
“Grace, thank you. You have made me feel much better. I had lost some self respect in having to take this path. I am going to marry Jedadiah, and I am going to do my dead level best to make him a good wife and mother to his children… our children. Now, I’m anxious for tomorrow to come so I can begin my new life as Mrs. Jedadiah Barnette .”
“That’s the spirit. I’ll heat some water for you so you can wash up and get a good night’s rest to get ready to start the rest of your life. Good night, Sarah. I really like you. You’re going to be a good addition to our congregation.”
Jedadiah's Mail Order Bride Page 4