Hattie Robertson, a born and raised Oregonian, from Jacksonville, a cute little community nestled amid the Sisiyou Mountains, between the Rogue and Applegate Rivers. Her father, Thomas Robertson, a prominent established Scottish Rancher, married to a full-blooded Ute woman, Red Feather…the mother of Hattie.
From the time Hattie could walk and talk, she was the apple of her father's eye. He took his family everywhere with him all over the United States, with his business dealings. He felt it wise for his wife and little girl to receive their education being in the company of all people: red, white, and black alike. Therefore, Hattie learned many languages among the various tribes of her mother's people. Her father also saw fit for his daughter to receive a formal scholarly education as well, preparing her for what would lie ahead in her life as an adult.
Hattie, always a cheerful optimistic young lady, naturally felt comfortable wherever she was. She especially loved being in the company of Native Americans; they easily warmed up to her sparkling personality.
To prove she could handle any situation thrown at her, she persuaded her parents to let her come to St. Louis, Missouri, to work temporarily as a nanny for her Uncle William and Aunt Laura Robertson's children, until they reached their teen years.
Ending her nannyship, the spring of 1844, her uncle helped her pack up an average-size wagon with both her belongings, and with supplies to take home to her parents. Driving with her down the river frontage, so he could help her book passage aboard the Robert Q. Fell steamer, Uncle Billy gladly paid her fare.
As they were walking back up, a young couple driving a Conestoga wagon met them. Looking lost, the young Mennonite asked, "Hey, Mister! Can you please point us to the Robert Q. Fell?"
12/9/00
"Where are you kids from," asked Uncle Billy?
"Lancaster, Pennsylvania," answered the young stranger.
"What are your names," asked Hattie?
"I'm Levi Zendt, and this here is my bride, Elly," he replied.
"Welcome to St. Louis! I'm Hattie, and he's my uncle, William Robertson" said she, smiling warmly. "We were just at the Robert Q. Fell…it's next to the last steamer down yonder."
"Where are you two headed," asked Billy?
"We're Oregon bound," said Elly.
"Really?" asked Hattie. "I'm from there, and am heading back."
You're from Oregon!?" asked Levi.
"Yes, I am." Said Hattie. "Looks like we'll be traveling together in the same party." Thrilled, knowing that she and the Zendts would be new friends to be traveling with, she turned to her Uncle Billy, "Do you suppose that we could help them board the steamer?"
12/9/00 11:30 AM
Smiling down at his niece, Billy said, "I don't see why not." Turning to the Zendts, "Those are a fine looking team of horses you have there. Are you sure you want them to pull your Conestoga all the way to Oregon?"
"We're sure." Said Levi, guardedly. "They're all we have left of home."
"But son," said Billy, in a fatherly gesture. "You two have many miles of rough terrain to go…much of it prairies and desert. Your team might not be able to make it that long with out food. Take my niece, for instance, aside from her two riding horses…I also saw to it that she has four fine oxen which to pull her wagon. I can pay you $200 per head, for those six grays, and sell you six oxen for $60 total. When you reach Oregon, you'll not only be a rich man…you can buy more horses from my brother, Tom – Hattie's father."
"Let us think about it over night, Mr. Robertson," replied Levi, unassuredly and reluctantly.
"Alright then," said Billy. "We'll be back tomorrow, to see our niece off." Handing Levi a piece of paper with his address on it, Billy added, "You can find us here…should you change your minds…and I'll have the oxen ready to hand over to you."
Studying the address on the piece of paper, Levi promised the older man he would.
TO BE CONTINUED