Missionary Work at Red Wing, 1849 to 1852.

By Rev. Joseph W. Hancock.

During the latter part of the year 1848 an invitation was sent
me by a former fellow student, to join him in laboring as a mis-
sionary among the aborigines of our country. He was about
to graduate from the theological seminary near Cincinnati, Ohio.
I had left my studies on account of poor health five years previ-
ously, and had been residing at Saratoga Springs, N.Y. My
health had so much improved, by living at the Springs several
years, that I had married and was engaged in teaching school
there.
After due consideration of the matter, my wife and I con-
cluded to offer our services to the American Board of Foreign
Missions, to labor among the Dakota or Sioux Indians. Our
offer was accepted and a commission was sent to us from
the officers of the Board.
But it was now too late in the season to undertake the journey
to the Northwest Territory. Facilities for traveling, especially in
that direction, were not what they are now. Such a place as
Minnesota was not then known. The location assigned to us was
described as follows: "An Indian village on the west bank of
the upper Mississippi river, a few miles above Lake Pepin."