If you'd rather place an order by talking to one of our cheerful order desk clerks, please call 1-888-232-4444 (USA and Canada only) or 250-383-6864. From Europe, ring our UK order desk clerk at local rate number 0845 230 9601 (UK only) or 44 (0)1865 722 113.

Hand in Hand: A Missionary Family Struggles to Develop Schools for American Indians

by Kathryn Cook

321 pages; quality trade paperback (softcover); catalogue #03-2691; ISBN 1-4120-2142-1; US$26.50, C$30.00, EUR22.00, £15.50

Why would anyone assume responsibility for establishing an Indian mission school in 1800s Michigan Territory? Rev. Isaac and Christiana McCoy struggled "Hand in Hand" to do just that.

Read more!

about the book      about the author      excerpt      catalogue info

About the Book Reverend Isaac McCoy and his amazing wife Christiana established Indian mission schools in Indiana, Michigan and Kansas in the 1800s. This novel concentrates on the two schools established in the Michigan Territory at the request of Governor Cass and Indian leaders. Other missionaries and teachers joined the McCoy family in their constant struggles and hardships. Isaac frequently traveled to solicit support from church and government officials in order to improve conditions for Indians. Christiana, a capable leader and teacher, took over during his absences. The McCoys always sought solution when confronted with problems. When white settlers and traders brough alcohol into their vicinity, the effect upon the Indians was devastating. Isaac working tirelessly to find an answer and eventually was able to convince government officials to move Indians westward to undeveloped land.

---

About the Author Kathryn Cook was born and raised in southwestern Michigan not far from the location of the two mission schools described in Hand In Hand. She learned to read when very young and soon came to enjoy research andthe tracing of historical roots to solve apparent mysteries. She chose to become a teacher of history when she graduated from college. Trying to supplement meager instructional materials gave her valuable experience in researching and presenting historical events and the lives of important people. She found this fascinating, an interest which continues today. Kathryn can truthfully say "I learn something new each day, and I have never been bored."

---

Excerpt

From Chapter 3

The morning passed quickly. Before noon, Isaac, who had ridden ahead, came back to tell them that within the half-hour they would reach the river. The trail curved. They heard the sound of rushing water just before they saw the shoreline.

Wagons stopped and men hurried to determine the best crossing conditions. "The river looks to be about forty feet across at the narrowest," they agreed.

"That's bad enough but what about these steep banks? How are we getting down those to the water's edge?" Daniel Dusenbury asked..

"North of here a short way it isn't as steep. That's where we crossed in November," Isaac told them. "I'll ride ahead and look for a better incline. Start gathering all the rope you can find. We'll want to string a line from one side to the other for a safety hold." He patiently explained the whole procedure to the men, then started to mount his horse but changed his mind and located his wife.

"You will need to repack perishable goods so it is stacked tall in the wagons. The water is high today. We may have to unload things and even leave them if it is too difficult a pull for the oxen." He saw the concern on the women's faces but didn't know any way to make things easy. "The men will need help tying rope pieces for a safety line. Get the older children to help. I'll be back shortly," he said as he returned to his horse.

"While we're unpacking, keep out the kettles. I'll ask Calvin and Josephus to start a fire so we can boil up some cornmeal. We need sustenance before we plunge into that cold river," Christiana told Fawn and Delilah.

As they removed supplies they untied bundles and tossed ropes in a pile. While the meal was cooking Johnston supervised the rope tying process. "We need two very long lengths. Double would be better yet," he told them. "The plan is to tie it to trees on each side, eight to ten feet apart. They'll be guidelines. We will keep our wagons between them. The ropes can be something to grab onto if we're walking or swimming."

Isaac was pleased to find everyone busy when he returned. As he ate a bowl of mush he spoke to the group. "We will be crossing south of here instead of north. The river conditions have changed. As soon as you men have eaten we'll locate trees sturdy enough to support our ropes." Several Indian men coiled rope, ready to follow him. "The rest of you men and boys ready the wagons. Move them south." He smiled at Christiana as he handed her the bowl, then mounted his horse.

The children followed Isaac and the men, prodding hogs into a squealing group. When they reached the designated crossing area, two perfectly situated oak trees were found. A heavily wooded area directly across the river offered several possibilities for securing the other rope ends. As the men wrapped rope around the tree trunks the wagons arrived.

"Who is carrying rope over?" asked Daniel Dusenbury as he jumped from his oxen pulled wagon. A couple of teenage Indian boys offered to go but Isaac wanted larger men to carry and tie the heavy ropes. Rice and Josephus volunteered but again Isaac refused the offer, deciding to go himself. Johnston Lykins agreed to accompany him. Everyone stood silently on the bank watching as the two men on horseback plunged into the chilling water. Rope hanks were looped over the saddle horns. Fighting strong currents, the horses swam toward the distant shoreline. The rope unwound as they went. Cheers of encouragement followed them as they safely climbed the distant bank. Cold as they were, they managed to wrap and tie rope ends around trees, completing their task. After much prompting Isaac and Johnston forced their horses back to the starting point. The men quickly dismounted and grabbed the quilts offered to them before rushing to the campfire. Boys calmed the horses as they gently rubbed them dry with blankets.

When Isaac's shaking subsided he gathered everyone in a circle. "Let us pray. Lord, we need courage to get ourselves and our animals ready for our icy venture. We entrust ourselves to your guidance and protections. Amen." No one grumbled or complained although the prospect of the crossing was very frightening.

"We will send a wagon, then some horses with riders, then another wagon until we are all safely across," Isaac instructed. "Two children will ride with each adult on each horse. Grab onto a rope for support if you need it. Adults, you'll need to return for more children until they are all across."

The first wagon bounced its way down the embankment, then slid into the water to begin crossing. "It didn't look that deep," said Christiana, watching from above. "Look, water is way up on the sides. I hope the barrels are waterproof." She saw her loom sway and thought surely it would fall out. When it righted itself, just before the oxen plodded up the opposite bank, she breathed a sigh of relief.

Singing Bird rode the first horse across, Sarah McCoy held in front and Anna behind her. Delilah followed with her sister Nancy and a small Indian sister. The water was shockingly cold but knowing they were setting the example the girls bravely endured.

Each wagon churned up mud, making ruts more difficult for the next one. Horses swam outside the ropes. As they bucked the waves made by the wagons, clumps of ice bumped them. Frantically tossing their heads, ears upright, eyes wildly staring, they fought the surging water, swimming, sometimes stumbling as their feet touched bottom.

Oxen, horses and even cows managed to cross in spite of their fear and discomfort. By the time a couple of wagons and teenage boys were safely across large fires were built. Soggy items were pulled from wagons and hung on branches. Men waded in to grab the reins and lead horses or oxen up the bank. Shivering children huddled together wrapped in quilts.

The pigs created another problem. Two boys and two Indian men used long poles to control and guide the squealing mass, as the pigs swam or floated in the waves. Christiana stood on the far bank watching their floundering. Three drowned and she watched with deep regret as their bodies were swept downstream.

Josephus and Delilah were busily tying cows to nearby trees when screams and shouts rose from the river. They dropped the ropes and ran. Christiana picked up baby Eleanor and also ran. When they reached the bank they were shocked to see the last wagon had tipped. The driver and all its barrels had fallen into the rushing water. The driver jumped, staggered and somehow managed to reach shore. The wagon and its cargo broke into pieces, swiftly disappearing into the churning water.

---

Catalogue Information

---